her stories newsletter - winter 2012

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H.E.R. Stories Winter 20�2

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Senior Editor (Journalist): Karla Jones PennEditor: Norma Hatot

Senior Designer (Graphic Design Chair): Shauntel BrownGraphic Designer: Natalie Hooper

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R.O.C.K.THE EAST

HER STORIESDelta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated

DSQ Historic Eastern Region Winter 2012

IN THIS ISSUE

Regional Director:Robin M. Jacobs

Regional Representative:Thais Ridgeway

3 Message from the Regional Director and Representative

4 EKC Walks the Brooklyn Bridge

4 CJA Makes Strides With Sisters Network

5 VFAC Love Exchange Day

6 BAC Joins With Habitat for Humanity

6 Soror Nominated for Global Ebook Award

7 Harrisburg Bridges Into the Future

7 Tri-County Gets Out the Vote

8 Soror Inspires Her Community

9 Queens Recognizes National Day of Service

10 Chester Alumnae Unites for Breast Cancer

10 Chapters Host “The Help” Events

11 MCAC Recognizes World Aids Day

12 Soror Receives a Boost for Children

12 South Jersey Goes Pink With Green

13 Soror Elected First Female States Attorney

13 Wild West West Chester Showdown

14 The PGCAC Celebrates Founders Day

15 Message from Past Regional Director

The Eastern Region

Newsletter Staff

The historic Eastern Region’s geographic area includes the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Washington DC, including England, Germany and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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Message from Your Regional Director and Representative

We are halfway through what is promising to be another successful sorority year! On behalf of the entire Eastern Region Leadership Team, Thais and I want to thank you for each and every accomplishment. You continue to uphold the ideals and principles of our sisterhood in unprecedented ways as evidenced in the many stories featured in this edition of H.E.R. Stories. As we look ahead, we know our work is never done. The year 2012 will be a pivotal one and a political one. Delta Sigma Theta will be on the forefront of this coming Presidential election – you can be assured. That means it will require the collective efforts of each and every soror to ensure our communities undertake a fair and just process as we elect leaders for our nation. Don’t be afraid to call out injustice. Remember the charge of our Founders when they determined the need to participate in the suffrage march; they understood the risk but were willing to take it on for equitable treatment – and so can we. Finally enjoy your holidays; get rejuvenated and re-charged! Best wishes to all of you!

Sisterly,

Robin and Thais

Robin M. JacobsRegional Director

Thais RidgewayRegional REPRESENTATIVE

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H.E.R. Stories Winter 20�2page

4H.E.R. Stories Winter 2012

East Kings County Alumnae Chapter Walks the Brooklyn Bridge for Equality

M embers of the East Kings County Alumnae Chapter raised funds and walked across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge as participants in the New York City LIVE UNITED Bridge Walk. The walk brought together supporters and leaders in business, government, and nonprofit sectors with the goal of helping to raise awareness of the need

to bridge critical gaps in education, income and health in New York City. Over 4,000 participants gathered and walked across the Brooklyn Bridge in solidarity, all holding various placards. The walk ended in Cadman Plaza Park with a fes-tival featuring music, food, entertainment and more than 75 nonprofit organizations from all five boroughs offering a wide range of volunteer opportunities.

Funds raised during the LIVE UNITED Bridge Walk will help support innovative United Way initiatives that provide immediate help to people in need, leading to policy changes that have far-reaching impact on the ed-ucation, income, and health of all New Yorkers. These ongoing efforts are working to reduce the high school dropout rate; equip working families with financial management skills; and bring fresh, locally grown pro-duce to soup kitchens, food pantries, and underserved communities. Sorors and other participants learned about New York City’s work to achieve lasting, citywide changes that will ensure higher graduate rates, greater financial stability, and healthier lifestyles for vulnerable New Yorkers.

Central Jersey Alumnae (CJA) Chapter Makes Strides w/ Sisters Network of Central Nj

This past October, the chapter’s Physical and Mental Health Committee coordinated a successful Breast Cancer Walk/Run event, and for the SIXTH time in the past seven years, won the trophy for the most registrants in a Greek Organization. As a result, the committee was very successful in raising 44.6% towards the team goal of

$500. The chapter also collaborated with the Mental Health Association of NJ for its Walk for Wellness in which over 250 people participated in the noncompetitive five-kilometer event . Meanwhile, CJA’s G.E.M.S. participated in a series of workshops on topics such as email/social media etiquette and college preparation. The chapter has 32 college-bound G.E.M.S. participants.

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East Kings County Alumnae Chapter Walks the Brooklyn Bridge for Equality

M embers of the East Kings County Alumnae Chapter raised funds and walked across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge as participants in the New York City LIVE UNITED Bridge Walk. The walk brought together supporters and leaders in business, government, and nonprofit sectors with the goal of helping to raise awareness of the need

to bridge critical gaps in education, income and health in New York City. Over 4,000 participants gathered and walked across the Brooklyn Bridge in solidarity, all holding various placards. The walk ended in Cadman Plaza Park with a fes-tival featuring music, food, entertainment and more than 75 nonprofit organizations from all five boroughs offering a wide range of volunteer opportunities.

Funds raised during the LIVE UNITED Bridge Walk will help support innovative United Way initiatives that provide immediate help to people in need, leading to policy changes that have far-reaching impact on the ed-ucation, income, and health of all New Yorkers. These ongoing efforts are working to reduce the high school dropout rate; equip working families with financial management skills; and bring fresh, locally grown pro-duce to soup kitchens, food pantries, and underserved communities. Sorors and other participants learned about New York City’s work to achieve lasting, citywide changes that will ensure higher graduate rates, greater financial stability, and healthier lifestyles for vulnerable New Yorkers.

Central Jersey Alumnae (CJA) Chapter Makes Strides w/ Sisters Network of Central Nj

This past October, the chapter’s Physical and Mental Health Committee coordinated a successful Breast Cancer Walk/Run event, and for the SIXTH time in the past seven years, won the trophy for the most registrants in a Greek Organization. As a result, the committee was very successful in raising 44.6% towards the team goal of

$500. The chapter also collaborated with the Mental Health Association of NJ for its Walk for Wellness in which over 250 people participated in the noncompetitive five-kilometer event . Meanwhile, CJA’s G.E.M.S. participated in a series of workshops on topics such as email/social media etiquette and college preparation. The chapter has 32 college-bound G.E.M.S. participants.

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Norristown City Council Proclaims Annual VFAC Love Exchange Day

The Valley Forge Alumnae Chapter (VFAC) advanced its yearlong 20th anniversary celebration of service to the community with an annual Love Exchange event. This ex-

tra special event addressed the socio-economic needs of the resi-dents in Norristown by providing local/central shopping at no cost to all who attend. This free day of shopping and exchange of love provided community members with necessities such as cloth-ing, toiletries, and household items. In addition, the occasion was marked by a tribute from the Norristown City Council President Linda Christian who presented Chapter President Sherry Wilson Butler with a proclamation, resolving that the Saturday prior to Thanksgiving would be The Annual Delta Sigma Theta So-rority, Inc., VFAC Love Exchange Day.

During the event, community residents were given breakfast snacks, short-term daycare while shopping, games and goodies for their children, and other special assistance services from the chapter members. The 2011 list of sponsors included: Leo’s Apparel in Philadelphia, Herr’s Products, City View Pizza, Artisan Breads, and AXA Financial, among others. This event, which was held at Gotwals Elementary School in Norristown, also honored 25 families with Thanks-giving baskets.

The Love Exchange Day has grown over the past 20 years, starting with 30 recipients in 1991 to services being provided to more than 500 men, women, and children today. The chapter intends to further advance its tradition of sharing food, clothing, books and household items with community residents in need.

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Baltimore Alumnae Chapter joins with Habitat for Humanity

One fine Saturday, Baltimore Alumnae Chapter’s Community Outreach Committee, led by Sorors Ebony Plowden and Tracie H. Sharp, brought 11 volunteers together to join forces with Habitat for Humanity-Chesapeake in rebuilding a home in East Baltimore.

Habitat for Humanity-Chesapeake is a non-profit Christian ministry that works with people from all faiths and walks of life to build decent houses for affordable homeownership throughout Anne Arundel County and the Bal-timore metropolitan region. Houses are sold at no profit through no-interest mortgages to qualified homebuyers who earn 25% to 50% of the area median income.

Volunteers split into groups and participatedin the following activities:

SOROR MAXINE BIGBY CUNNINGHAM NOMINATED FOR GLOBAL e-BOOK AWARD

Power Walking, A Journey to Wholeness by Baltimore Alumnae member Maxine Bigby Cunningham, has been nominated for a Global eBook Award in two categories – Memoir/Autobiography and Inspirational/Visionary.

The book offers readers key steps to wellness. Using walking as a metaphor, Cun-ningham chronicles her recovery from major depression and related physical ail-ments. Steps outlined include getting on your feet, taking baby steps, staying on your feet and walking differently. Through poetry, prayers, reflections and affirma-tions, Power Walking inspires and empowers anyone striving to overcome impedi-ments to wellbeing. Designs are by artist Sharon D. Cope.

Soror Cunningham is a writer, speaker and mental health advocate. As Founderand Director of Empowered Walking Enterprise/Ministries LLC, Soror Cunning-ham is an Ambassador with the National Alliance on Mental Illness – Baltimore

affiliate, a frequent speaker at Women’s Conferences and a Christian educator. A graduate of Syracuse University, Goucher College and Baltimore School of the Bible, she resides in Baltimore, Maryland.

In addition to the ebook, Power Walking is available in paperback at bookstores and at the Pratt Free Library.

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Harrisburg Bridges Into the Future

Members of the Tri-County (MD) Alumnae Chapter (TCMDAC) participated in a voter rights forum, wherein they received information on the current voter rights challenges in Ohio, House Bill 194 and other states. Roland Martin, the event’s moderator, challenged National Pan-Hellenic Presidents in attendances to mobilize members

to address this issue immediately. National President Soror Cynthia Butler McIntyre also participated in the forum, urging participants to GET INVOLVED!

During the forum, it was discovered there are numerous voting rights challenges in the following states: GA, MI, FL, OH, PA, VA, CO, NM, IA, NV, NC, MO, TN, MS, AL. In addition to providing information on how to combat potential laws, Mr. Martin discussed the need for major outreach in the historically ‘red’ states in the 2012 election: TN, MS, AL, and states where the Black and Latino vote will be critical for the 2012 election: CO, NM, NV.

In addition to the voter forum, sorors of TCMDAC also provided local outreach with college assistance. During a local College Night, sorors shared information with parents and students on SAT/ACT/PSAT, NCAA Eligibility Process, essay writing, resume writing, visiting colleges and the college experience itself.

The Harrisburg Alumnae Chapter recently learned its appli-cation to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to adopt the State Street Bridge was approved. Under normal

circumstance, most organizations Adopt a Highway, not a bridge, so this was a major milestone for the chapter!

It all began with one chapter member’s vision. Soror Lindabeth pointed out that as a resident of Harrisburg, she was embarrassed about how the upkeep of bridge, which is known as a gateway to Har-risburg. That’s when the chapter moved into action.

When the suggestion for the bridge adoption was made, it was discov-ered by the county, that no one had ever made such a request! There-fore when it was approved, it was a true first for Dauphin County and the city of Harrisburg.

The approval means Harrisburg Alumnae Chapter must clean the bridge several times a year. The State Street Bridge is also known as the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Bridge. It’s a 1,312-feet (400 m) concrete, deck arch bridge that was completed in 1930 and intended to be the principal entrance into downtown Harrisburg and the Penn-sylvania State Capitol Complex from the east. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 22, 1988 and was documented by the Historic American Engineering Record in 1997.

Tri-County Gets Out the Vote

State Street Bridge in Harrisburg, PA

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Soror Inspires Her Community

In April 2009, people everywhere were horrified by the news of 11-year-old Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, who took

his own life as a result of repeated bully-ing at school. Carl’s death was extremely impactful in his hometown of Springfield, Massachusetts, as well as to the Springfield Alumnae Chapter, as his sister was an active participant in the Delta Academy/GEMS program.

When Soror Gwynnetta Sneed heard Carl’s story, she was moved to action. Having two children of her own, she recalled, “It was very difficult to fathom that an 11-year-old thought that his only recourse from the torment he faced at school was to end his life. I didn’t know the fam-ily personally, but I attended the wake as a concerned and caring member of the community. I kept his obituary on my desk at work for six months. When I looked at the in-nocence on his face everyday, I saw the innocence of my two children when they were that age.”

Last year, Soror Sneed founded the Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover Foundation. Through its two flagship fundraisers, the foundation raises awareness about bullying in schools and money for a scholarship fund dedicated to Carl’s memory.

The foundation hosts an annual Back to School Anti-Bullying 5K Road Race/2K Walk and an annual Anti-Bullying Scholarship Gala at which 11 students were awarded $8,000 last year. Soror Sneed has solicited the support of Domenic Sarno, the Mayor of Springfield, Deval Patrick, the Governor of Massachusetts, Richard E. Neal, Massachusetts Congress-man, executives from local businesses and colleges, and many others in the community as she works to celebrate the life and memory

of Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover.

“We want the community to take a stand against our chil-dren going to school and being stripped of their self esteem and self worth,” said Soror Sneed. “We want school to be a place where they feel safe and secure and at the end of the day they go home to their families and share the events of the day. We don’t want another child in the city of Spring-field or the country to feel devalued and decide they no longer want to embrace life, they no longer want to feel the warmth of their parents goodnight hugs and kisses.”

Initiated in 1974 at Florida A&M University, Soror Sneed is one of five sisters all initiated into Beta Alpha Chapter. She has served the Springfield Alumnae Chapter over the years in various positions including First Vice President and Health Committee Chair.

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Since 2009, September 11 has been designated as a National Day of Service and Remembrance with service projects occurring in all 50 states across the nation. The Queens Alumnae Chapter honored Project Responsibility, along with local Assemblywoman Barbara M. Clark by hosting a Packing Party to benefit veterans. Together, the day of

service was commemorated at the Robert Ross Johnson Family Life Center in the St. Albans neighborhood of Queens, New York.

Project Responsibility was not only a call to Pay it Forward, it was a reminder of the many ways that Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., contributes to society. The Packing Party was a visual testament to the countless number of lives touched by chapter members involved in a collective force of sisterhood. By engaging the community, caring volunteers assisted chapter members with packaging items for local veterans, soldiers on active duty overseas, and students preparing to re-turn to the world of academia.

During the packing party, new friendships were formed, meaningful connections were made, and enthusiastic volunteers gained a better understanding of the sorority’s contributions to society and its international impact.

Queens recognizes National Day of Service

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CHESTER ALUMNAE CHAPTER UNITES FOR BREAST CANCER

For the first time, the Chester (PA) Alumnae Chapter hosted a breast cancer event for the community, “Sisters United for a Cause: Breast Cancer Does Not See Color.” An estimated 75 women participated in this educational offering.

The event featured Kerri Connor, an advocate of breast cancer awareness and a soror. Soror Connor has been affected personally by the disease in that she and her mother were both diagnosed with advanced breast cancer. Today, they joy-ously report being cancer-free. The experience actually inspired Kerri to write a book about breast cancer, My Mommy Has Breast Cancer, but She is Ok! Additional presenters included Kathy Lawson, a breast cancer survivor from the non-profit Living Beyond Breast Cancer, and Faith Mutale, from the University of Pennsylvania Hospital.

In addition to the speakers, chapter members pro-vided flowers for the breast cancer survivors and others affected by the disease. Two gift baskets and a watch were raffled to raise funds, which were donated to Living Beyond Breast Cancer. The chapter hope that with increased awareness, African American women and their families will be better prepared and will understand the ur-gency of early diagnoses.

Chapters Host “The help” events

North Jersey Alumnae Chapter and East Kings County Alumnae Chapter were among several regional chapters that spearheaded events featuring the film adaptation of Kathryn Stockett’s novel, The Help. In North Jersey, members gathered for breakfast first. After the movie, a post-movie discussion session was held. In East

Kings, sorors and children gathered for a ‘red carpet’ event, championing The Help a chance to support three phenom-enal actresses and members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., featured in the film: Sorors Cicely Tyson, Aunjanue Ellis and Flo Roach.

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Montgomery County (MD) Alumnae Chapter (MCAC) hosted its second annual World AIDS Day program enti-tled, “Facing AIDS.” In partnership with the Social Action Ministry at The People’s Community Baptist Church, Silver Spring, MD, the program focused on the increase of HIV cases among African American men between the

ages of 30-59 living in Montgomery County. Emmy-Award winning journalist Soror Lesli Foster,of NEWS9 was Mistress of Ceremony. Special guests included Selena Singleton, Congresswoman Donna Edward’s staff representative, and Rev. Dr. Calvin Baltimore of the People’s Community Baptist Church.

The program included a viewing of the documentary film “The Journey,” which profiles four HIV-positive men and women from diverse ethnicities living with the virus. This film supported the statistical information shown during the program, and helped the audience to understand the deadly impact that HIV/AIDS continues to have on our communities.

Then a panel of experts – including Barney Graham, MD, PhD, Senior Investigator, Vaccine Research Center, NIH, Bethes-da, Maryland; Ulder Tillman, MD, MPH, appointed Public Health Officer for Montgomery County (Maryland) Depart-ment of Health and Human Services; and Dr. Abimbola Idowu, HIV Services Coordinator at the African American Health Program (AAHP) in Montgomery County, MD – shared statistics, new HIV testing methods, clinical research results and cautioned about complacency due to today’s drug therapy. They added the cities of Washington, DC, and Baltimore have the highest incidence of HIV/AIDS per capita in the U.S.A.

The approximately 100-member audience was also administered on-site HIV testing upon request. In fact, the chapter ended the program earlier because so many audience members expressed interest in participating. Consequently, the program closed with a Remembrance Prayer, in circle of candlelight, commemorating the lives of those who have died of AIDS.

Recognizing World AIDS Day

L-R: Rev. Calvin Baltimore; Ms. Jackie Dennard; Soror Lorna P. Forde; Rev. Joan McCarley; Soror Lesli Foster; Dr. Abimbola Idowu;Ulder Tillman, MD, MPH; Barney Graham, MD, PhD; Soror Lauren Beard; and Dr. Yvette Butler

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Soror receives a boost for

children

Soror Mary D. Redd, President and CEO of Steinway Child and Family Services, in Long Island City, NY, and

a member of North Manhattan Alumnae Chapter, accepted a $65,000 grant from Metta World Peace (formerly known as Ron Artest) and his nonprofit, Xcel University.

“This grant will help enhance our youth living in our community residence as they make the transition from the hospital to community care. Our work involves working not only with the child and his/her family but with our community partners, schools, community centers and faith based organization,” Soror Redd explained.

Steinway’s donation was the largest among eight gifts totaling $299,000 that Mr. World Peace and his nonprofit organization, Xcel University, made to mental health providers throughout the country. The donation was made possible from the proceeds of the “Win My Bling” raffle, where Mr. World Peace raffled off his 2010 LA Lakers Championship Ring and pledged that the proceeds would be donated to benefit mental health charities nationwide.

SOUTH JERSEY GOES “PINK” WITH GREEN

M ake more pink for your green was this year’s theme for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Walk for breast cancer in Pennsauken, New Jersey. The pink represented the breast

cancer fight and the green represented the generosity it takes for the fight to continue. That’s why sorors of South Jersey Alumnae Chapter (SJAC) had no qualms jumping in to help, despite the color-code. Approximately 22 sorors were among the 13,000 participants who lent their support, with some sorors walking the five kilometer trail. SJAC raised over $950 to help the American Cancer Society work towards saving lives through research, education and the prevention of breast cancer.

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WILD WILD WESTCHESTER SHOWDOWN

America’s Most Wanted Dangerous Delta Divas were wanted for Scholarship, Sisterhood & Service in Westchester County by the Westchester Alumnae Chapter (WAC). The ‘Sheriff,’ WAC 2nd Vice President Andrea Blount, and her Membership Services Deputies rounded up a Delta

posse for the “Wild Wild Westchester Showdown” to welcome sorors back to another sorority year. The event also served as a reclamation event to Round Up “fugitives,” aka inactive sorors, in the area prior to the first chapter meeting. Attendees dressed in their best western and denim duds received a Wild Wild Westchester Bandanna souvenir as the moseyed into the coral. Sentenced to an evening of grubbin,’ chuggin,’ line dancing,’ and horsin’ around, sorors enjoyed an evening of food, fellowship and fun. Before the herd made their way to the dance floor for line dancing, sorors heard from the ‘Mayor,’ WAC President Tanée Johnson-Bowman; the ‘Deputy Mayor,’ 1st Vice President Margaret Bing-Wade; and from Sheriff Blount on the goals, accomplishments and activities planned for the chapter this year and updates on the Centennial Celebration plans. Attendees also participated in a speed networking round to better connect with each other and viewed a slideshow presentation highlighting a few of the great chapter moments over the past three years. Close to a dozen visiting sorors attended the Round-up and were reclaimed that evening!

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H.E.R. Stories Winter 2012

Prince George’s County Alumnae Chapter Member Elected First Female State’s

Attorney for Prince George’s County, Md

Life-long Prince Georgian and a member of the Prince George’s County Alumnae Chapter ofDelta SigmaTheta Sorority, Inc., Angela Deneece Alsobrooks became the first female electedto the position of State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County, Maryland.Truly a Delta, she

waged a vigorous campaign and received the endorsements of theWashington Post, Gazette Journal,and former State’s Attorney, Glenn Ivey. Prince George’s County has a population of over 860,000residents and is recognized nationally as the wealthiest county in the nation with an African-Americanmajority population. The Office of the State’s Attorney has responsibility to safeguard this commu-nity by prosecuting criminal matters and, thus, ensuring the safety and protection of the residents.

As the State’s Attorney, Ms. Alsobrooks has absolute responsibility for the Prosecutors charged to enforce the criminallaws in Prince George’s County. In turn, she manages a staff of 150 prosecuting attorneys and support personnel. Shealso investigates charges of police and public official misconduct and misuse of funds.

Following her graduation from Duke University in 1993, with a B.A. in Public Policy, Ms. Alsobrooks attended theUniversity of Maryland School of Law where she received her Juris Doctorate. In 1997, she was sworn in as the firstfull-time Domestic Violence Attorney in the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office. During her nearly sixyears as an Assistant State’s Attorney, she prosecuted hundreds of serious criminal cases including homicide, rape, andchild sexual assault cases.

In 2002, Ms. Alsobrooks was appointed Education Liaison in the Prince George’s County Administration. In 2004, shewas appointed Executive Director of the RevenueAuthority in Prince George’s County. Under her leadership, theAgen-cy experienced unprecedented growth through the use of smart technology and partnerships between the communityand government. Lastly, Ms. Alsobrooks was initiated into the Lambda Omega Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,Inc., at Duke University in the fall of 1991. She currently resides in Upper Marlboro, Maryland with her daughter and is a member of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden. She is also a breast cancer awareness advocate.

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T he Prince George’s County Alumnae Chapter (PGCAC) celebrated the 99th anniversary of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., on Saturday, January 28, 2012 in the splendor

of Camelot in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Under the leadership of Diane Venable, President of PGCAC and Renee Buckmon, Chairperson of the Heritage and Archives Committee, the Chapter proudly welcomed more than 400 members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., to this very special event. Participants in the rededication ceremony included Soror Robin Jacobs, Director of the Eastern Region and Soror Deborah Hayes, Maryland State Coordinator.

Chartered in March 1974 by 23 members, the Chapter still proudly claims the membership of five charter members to include the chapter’s inaugural president, Ethel Rogers Grundy. Prior charter members who later became chapter presidents included Sorors Hazel Lewis and Joanna Smith, who joined President Venable and four earlier PGCAC presidents and current chapter officers to conduct the rededication ceremony. Praise dancers, under the leadership of Tiffany Williams-Jennings marked the sacredness of the occasion. With over 860 members, PGCAC is largest chapter in the Eastern Region and the only chapter to claim its own choir and professional director. The choir provided songs of praise throughout the program. Prior to the rededication ceremony, Sorors visited the more than 15 vendors who represented business owners throughout the county and beyond to Los Angeles, California.

Proudly, PGCAC claims a number of firsts to include the keynote speaker of the day, Dr. Charlene M. Dukes, President of the Prince George’s Community College (PGCC). Dr. Dukes is the eighth and first female president of PGCC, which serves nearly 40,000 students from over 103 countries, who participate in more 60 programs of study representing a wide-range of traditional and cutting-edge disciplines. The college is currently working with a number of high school schools, providing a bridge to college while students are still in high school.

However, Founders Day provided Dr. Dukes with the perfect opportunity to be the first to connect the sisterhood of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc., with the great women of the Bible and their incomparable accomplishments. Dr. Dukes mentioned a number of these women as she described their leadership, courage, innovation, and dedication to the community – making it possible to visualize all that they epitomized with the mandate of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She stressed the importance of not being just a financial member of the sorority, but the necessity to become an actively engaged member of the sorority because of the magnitude of the unfinished work that affects the quality of life for all Prince Georgians. She discussed the Sorority’s evolution and its attraction to women of faith, vision, fortitude, perseverance, and innovation, its attraction to women who wanted to make a difference, its attraction to women who have already made a difference and who continue to do so. She encouraged the gathering to move beyond talking about each other and to advance their positive work – together – in their neighborhoods, communities, and beyond.

The earliest members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority were known for their courage, resilience, and strength. They proudly and consistently fought injustice with their earliest acts of determination to include the suffrage march, which was just a beginning. They fought the countless areas of inequality and left us with an inheritance that cannot and should not be denied. The world is a better place because of the founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., but the conflicts continue, the biases and discrimination continue. In closing, Dr. Dukes challenged the members to become personally responsible for carrying on the legacy of our great sisterhood, to become actively engaged advocates and activists in the community, working to right the wrongs that still exist among us. Change is possible.

“The time is always right to do what is right.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Message from Guessipina Bonner,Past EASTERN Regional Director

My Sorors of the Historic Eastern RegionThank you so much for the tremendous outpouring of love and support you have sent to me and my family since the

passing of my sister.

There hasn’t been a day where I did not get a card, a call, email, or voice message. Your love has meant so much.

You have certainly been the wind at my back and the light for my foot path.

One of the great things I love about life is that when you wake up each morning you never know who you might meet who will make a positive difference in your day.

~From the Dash by Linda Ellis

Thank you,Soror Guessippina Bonner

You have made that positive difference for me, Sorors.

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R.O.C.K.THE EAST

© HER Stories 2012 www.easternregiondst.org

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.Eastern Region

Article Submission Deadline for Spring 2012 Edition: March 30, 2012

her stories newsletter - winter 2012

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