Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Zeta Chi Omega Chapter Newsletter

Transcription

1 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Zeta Chi Omega Chapter Newsletter Volume 17 Issue 2

2 SPIRIT & INSPIRATION Chairman: Soror Tujuanna Williams Co-Chairmen: Sorors Regina Hawkins and Beverly Anderson Submitted by Soror Toni Carter Pearson Pink Goes Red for Heart Health 3 BASILEUS MESSAGE 5 CALENDAR 7 PROGRAMS 12 AKA FIT CHALLENGE 13 OFFICER REPORTS 14 COMMITTEE REPORTS 19 EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT FOUNDATION 23 PHOTO GALLERY 30 IVY FOUNDATION OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA Our Sisterhood Proudly Serves Pink, again, goes red as we empower ourselves to educate and advocate about the number 1 killer of women particularly African American women Heart Disease and Stroke. As we dress this month in our garments of red, and set out to serve others with our prayers, our speeches, our lessons, our food charts, our fitness timers, our salt-and fat-free recipes, our hospital visits just to hold a hand and lift a spirit, and nursing home visits to read poetry, quote scripture, offer readings of comfort and joy, or chit-chat just to relieve someone s stress, and help them be calm, deliver family news, and to bring a smile to someone else. Know that God has called us to action, to be His disciples. Let us all be thankful for how our lives have moved along since last year this time. Know that during that time we all have probably found: One more furrow in the forehead of spring; One more step in the journey of fate, One more ember gone out in life's grate; One more gray hair in the head of the wise, One more round in the ladder of age. Our prayer of thanks is that God has brought us through, hopefully in good health, with reassurance from glowing health reports. But whatever our fortunes are, my Sisters, God's blessing is always in our hearts our red hearts Even when we wear pink. February 2017 Volume 17 Issue 2 2

3 Greetings From The Basileus Soror Rhonda Luss Sorors, thank you so much for the hard work you put in to make the January activities successful. Soror Robin McCoy and the Program Committee, thank you for the excellent Mardi-Gras-style kick off of the 2 nd half of Launching New Dimensions of Service. Soror Jessica Sims, thanks for putting together the January Birthday Luncheon. Soror Saundra McCullough-Cobey and the bi-monthly meal service committee, thank you all for serving the houseless at the Residential Program Center and the Carpenter Shelter. Soror Saundra McCullough-Cobey, Soror Arthea Cunningham, Golden Soror Barbara Anderson and the 2017 Founders Day Committee, thank you for an outstanding Founders Day celebration. Lastly, thanks to sorors who attended the worship service. I look forward to the February programs and activities! CORPORATE OFFICE Ivy Tree of Honor: The Ivy Tree of Honor mural displayed on the 3 rd floor of the Corporate Office is being expanded to raise funds for the Corporate Office Improvement Plan (COIP). The contributions levels are as follows: Individual Soror - $1000 Chapter Large - $2500 Contributions will be accepted throughout REGIONAL CONFERENCE MARC: 64th Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference (MARC) is April 26-30, 2017, in Raleigh, North Carolina. Registration: Regular registration will run Monday, January 2, 2017 through Tuesday, March 6, The registration fees are: Graduate Sorors $185.00, Undergraduate Sorors $95.00, Guests $ and Youth $ This fee does not include special events, luncheons, activities, or other fees that may apply. Late registration will run from Wednesday, March 7, 2017 through Tuesday, March 21, An additional late fee of $50.00 will be assessed to graduate sorors and adult guests, and a late fee of $30 will be assessed to undergraduate sorors and child/youth guests. Only credit card payments will be accepted during this timeframe. There will be no on-site registration. Scholarships: Mid-Atlantic Region Scholarship application forms are posted on the Mid-Atlantic Region s website. The application deadline is February 15, continued on the next page >> 3

4 Graduate Advisors Certification Training: If you plan to take Graduate Advisors Certification Training, the postmark deadline for submitting documentation and fees is February 3, The postmark deadline for submitting documentation and fees for the Graduate Advisors Certification Training for the 2017 Leadership Seminar is April 28, Delegate Selection: The Delegate Certification Form is due no later than February 22, Therefore, we will be electing delegates at the February Chapter meeting. According to our Chapter s Bylaws: ARTICLE IX. DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE CHAPTER, SECTION 2. Delegates to the Regional Conference shall include the Basileus, Anti Basileus, Grammateus, Tamiouchos, the Graduate Advisor, two ranked listed officers, and five (5) other sorors. Therefore, in accordance with our Chapter Bylaws, the following sorors shall serve as delegates or have first right of refusal: Basileus: Soror Rhonda Luss Anti Basileus: Soror Robin McCoy Grammateus: Soror Patricia Edwards Tamiouchos: Soror Stephanie Woodland Kelly Graduate Advisor: VaShawn Guice Veal Also, in accordance with our Chapter Bylaws, two ranked listed officers shall serve as delegates. The rank list of officers is as follows: Anti-Grammateus, Anti-Tamiouchos, Pecunious Grammateus, Anti-Pecunious Grammateus, Epistoleus, Parliamentarian, Ivy Leaf Reporter, Archivist, Hodegos, and Philacter. The two ranked officers will be selected at the February Executive Committee meeting and their names brought forward to the Chapter. The other five delegates shall be financial sorors within the Chapter for at least twelve (12) consecutive months prior to being nominated as a delegate or alternate to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference. If you would like to be a delegate, please submit your name to the Philacter Committee when signing into the Chapter meeting and please only submit your name once. A soror must be present at the February meeting to be considered. All twelve (12) delegates and the twelve (12) alternates shall be elected by the membership at the February Chapter meeting. February Activities at a Glance Date Time Activity Location Feb. 2 7:00 p.m. Executive Committee Meeting Nannie Lee Center Feb. 4 10:00 a.m. General Body Meeting Nannie Lee Center Feb. 4 12:30 p.m. Sisterly Love Brunch Theismann s Restaurant Feb. 14 4:00 p.m. Project StepOut Charles Houston Feb :00 a.m. ASCEND & HBCU College Fair TC Williams High School Feb. 28 4:00 p.m. Project StepOut Charles Houston Feb. 28 7:00 p.m. *IFNV Board Meeting Nannie Lee Center 4

5 5 CALENDAR OF EVENTS ~ February 2017~ Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 Executive Committee Meeting 3 Pink Goes RED For Heart Health Community Impact Day 4 General Body Meeting Pink Hearts Celebration Sisterly Love Brunch Pearl Drop submissions due every Sunday Property Committee Meeting Membership Committee Meeting Project Stepout Valentine s Day! ASCEND SM HBCU College Fair Presidents Day AKA Day at the Capital Project Stepout IFNV Board Meeting* February 2017 Volume 17 Issue 2 5 *IFNV event - for informational purposes only

6 Message From The Anti-Basileus Soror Robin McCoy Happy Valentine s Day! February 3, 2017 is National Wear Red Day. Support the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign by joining the nationwide movement to raise awareness about heart disease. Act today to live a heart-healthier lifestyle by knowing your cholesterol levels, exercising, and planning to maintain a healthy heart. Heart disease is the #1 killer for all Americans, and stroke is the third leading cause of death, affecting African Americans. Sorors, wear your red to the February Chapter meeting. The Chapter will host the Pink Goes Red Community Impact Day at Pentagon City Mall on February 3 rd. Please plan to attend. There will also be several Fitness Challenges throughout the year. Tea Roses and Pearls to all the sorors that planned and participated in our 2017 LNDS Second Half Program Launch Mardi Gras Style. Kudos to Sorors Iris Phillips-Pulliam and Chandois Phillips for providing the refreshments. Kudos to all who participated forging a new partnership with the Residential Programming Center, (Shelter in Arlington, VA). On MLK Jr. Day, January 15 th, we served the shelters residents a hot and fulfilling dinner meal and shared information about Martin Luther King Jr. Special thanks to Soror Saundra McCullough-Cobey for planning the day s activities. The ASCEND sm students will attend the Alfred Street Baptist Church HBCU College Festival on February 17, 2017 at TC Williams High School. Please come out and support the ASCEND sm program. See the Educational Enrichment page for more information. Mark Your Calendars! 2017 Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference April 26-30, 2017, Raleigh, NC 2017 Leadership Seminar July 13-16, 2017, Las Vegas, NV 6

7 International Programs Target I: Educational Enrichment Soror Blanche Maness, Chairman Soror LaVonne Shingler, Co-Chairman Soror Geneva Greene, ASCEND Soror Ayanna Puryear, One Million Backpacks Soror Christina Carter, Think HBCU Contact us at: ASCEND ASCEND Scholarly Notes February 4: Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture ASCEND sm students and the prospective debutantes will visit the newest Smithsonian museum, which celebrates the African American experience. February 18: Alfred Street HBCU Fair T.C. Williams High School- 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.-- This annual event gives students access to over 70 Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other organizations who are conducting on-site admissions, waiving fees and offering scholarships and internships. View the festival schedule at: Festival Schedule 2017 Alfred Street Baptist Church. Note: We are inviting more students to join ASCEND sm. If you know of any juniors and seniors interested in college and cultural exploration, please Also, contact Soror Geneva Greene at with any questions. Think HBCU DID YOU KNOW: There are 107 black colleges and universities? The oldest black university is Cheney University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1837 by Richard Humphreys? The late Soror Dr. Debra Saunders-White was the 11 th chancellor and the first woman to hold the permanent position of chancellor at NCCU? February 2017 Volume 17 Issue 2 NCCU was awarded 2016 HBCU of the Year? 7

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9 The Monthly HBCU Roll Call: This month s featured HBCU is North Carolina Central University (NCCU). We invite all members to visit the following HBCU website to learn more about this university. Quick Facts: NCCU is a public historically black university in Durham, North Carolina, offering programs at the baccalaureate, masters, professional and doctoral levels. It became the first liberal arts institution for African Americans in the nation. Mascot: Eagle Colors: Maroon and Grey Founded: In 1909 by Dr. James Edward Shepard NCCU Eagles in ZXΩ: Irma Bogan Golden Eagle Cherrelle Bruton Aretha Cunningham C. Starr Garrett Stephanie Hubbard Veronica Jackson Brittney Montgomery Carolyn Rowe Golden Eagle Courtney Walker Target II: Health Promotion Soror Jacqueline Guillory, Chairman Soror Melissa Finney, Co-Chairman Contact us at: health@aka-zco.org Heart Disease and Stroke Awareness Heart disease is the number one killer of women, more than all cancers combined and more than Alzheimer's disease. This is a major threat. The good news is, it can be prevented. There are so many things women can do to take care of their health. Part of it is just adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle and moving more. It does not mean everybody s got to be a marathon runner. Standing or walking more than sitting, taking a break after lunch to walk, or climbing stairs instead of using elevators all help. African-American women under 65 are twice as likely to develop heart failure as White women. This is a huge problem, and we've got to do more by empowering our sisters in the community to be aware and take action. The more inactive people are, the higher their risk of heart attacks, strokes and dementia, so physical activity is important. Physical activity burns calories. Every three out of four African-American women are overweight or obese. Being physically active and managing body weight help control the risk factors for cardiovascular disease. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes all predispose women to heart attacks. 9

10 Ten or fifteen years ago, less than half of women in America knew heart disease as the number one killer. Over time, that awareness among White Americans is now in the 60 th percentile. Unfortunately, the African-American community still lingers around 35 percent. We still have work to do to bring more attention to the problem. Sorors, let s use this month to raise awareness about heart disease and how people can prevent it --both at home and in the community. (Taken from an article written by Dr. Gary H. Gibbons, M.D., Director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) Target III: Family Strengthening Soror Melanie Barrington, Chairman Soror Betty Morrison, Co-Chairman Contact us at: family@aka-zco.org Sorors, I am excited to serve once again as the bi-monthly meal service chairman. I would like to welcome each of you to the 2017 Bi- Monthly Meal Service Committee of Zeta Chi Omega. I want to personally thank you for your willingness to serve residents at the Carpenter's Shelter in Alexandria, VA. Listed below are our scheduled dates to serve lunch. Sunday, March 26, 2017 Sunday, May 28, 2017 Sunday, July 23, 2017 Sunday, September 24, 2017 Sunday, November 26, 2017 February 2017 Volume 17 Issue 2 Please send me an and let me know which date(s) you will be available to serve. Also, when serving wear comfortable clothing. Sorority paraphernalia is encouraged. I look forward to serving with you on the Bi-Monthly Meal Service Committee! 10

11 Ivy Foundation of Northern Virginia, Inc. charitable affiliate of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Zeta Chi Omega Chapter Presents Pink Goes Red for Heart Health Community Health Fair Free blood pressure checks! Friday, February 3, :00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. Fashion Centre at Pentagon City 1100 South Hayes Street Arlington, VA (Ground Level in front of GAP and Macy s)

12 AKA-Fit Challenge The Sweet Heart Challenge (January March) Let s kick the sweet habit. Walk 10,000 steps per day for 5 days of each week and limit your sugar intake to 24 grams per day. Drink 100 ounces of water per day. Burn Baby Burn Challenge (April - June) Get 30 minutes of cardio per day, at least five days per week and drink at least 100 ounces of water per day. Shake it Like a Salt Shaker Challenge (July - September) Mix it up a little: get 30 minutes of physical activity (any aerobic activity of your choice), at least five days a week and limit sodium consumption to 1,500 milligrams per day. Pump Pump Pump it Up! Challenge (October December 1st) Body sculpting. Add a weight lifting to your workout 3 days a week along with 30 minutes of physical activity (any aerobic activity of your choice) at least 3 days a week (alternating days). Limit fat consumption to 12 grams per day. Remember to DRINK plenty of WATER! 12

13 OFFICER REPORTS Pecunious Grammateus Soror Crystal Lander Contact us at: Attention sorors: Financial cards are coming in on a rolling basis from the Corporate Office. If you are on the Chapter roster your dues have been paid. Financial cards must be picked up by the June Chapter meeting; they will be put into Chapter storage unit thereafter. If you would like your financial card mailed, please send a self-addressed stamped envelope to P.O. Box 25763, Alexandria, Virginia Financial cards will be available at each General Membership meeting. If your card is not there and your name is on the roster, please be patient. Hodegos Report Soror Jessica Sims Contact us at: hostess@aka-zco.org February Birthday Brenda Lamberson Sias* 1 Belinda Shaw 1 Katherine Coleman 3 Angel Livas 3 Ashley Huggins 4 Jo Jewel Butler 5 Latesha Turner 7 Sharon Kaye Gregg 9 Doris Shannon* 11 Alveta Addison 12 Virginia Graves* 18 Angelene Hemingway 18 Annie Joyner 18 Mildred Shiver 18 VaShawn Guice Veal 18 Linda Hall 20 Keosha Varela 20 Brittany Montgomery 23 Mia Barnes 25 Alyssa Watkins Dove 26 AdéLeaka Gore 28 *denotes Golden Soror February Birthday Celebration/ Sisterly Love Brunch Calling all February birthday celebrants! In conjunction with the Sisterly Love Brunch, please join us for our monthly birthday luncheon. Immediately following our February Chapter Meeting, join us at Theismann s Restaurant located at 1800 Diagonal Road, Alexandria, VA. All sorors are welcome to join the celebration! Announcements Congratulations to our chapter s two new Golden Sorors: Soror Regina Crawley and Soror Brenda Lamberson Sias! Sisterly Reminder Sorors. please check and update your information in the online ZXΩ directory, if necessary. Addresses in the online database are used to send flowers, cards, etc. In addition, ensure that your date of birth is there. We use the Chapter s database to compile the list of birthday celebrants each month for the Ivyette. 13

14 A SPECIAL THANK YOU Soror Toni Gant, who is currently serving our nation in Afghanistan would like to send a warm thank you to all of the sorors of Zeta Chi Omega for the many Christmas cards, wellwishes and prayers. Please continue to keep Soror Toni in your prayers! Philacter Soror Yvette Darnaby Contact us at: keeper@aka-zco.org Sorors, please remember to sign in at each general body meeting. If you invite a soror to our monthly meeting, please remind her that the attire for the meeting is business, and she must present proper identification upon arrival, or we will not be able to grant her access into the meeting. All visiting sorors must present one of the following items along with a photo ID to gain entrance into the Chapter meeting: 1. Financial card (old or new) 2. Copy of her Certificate of Initiation 3. Faxed verification letter or confirmation from the corporate office If you have questions please contact us at keeper@aka.com. COMMITTEE REPORTS Committee Soror Diann Burns, Chairman Contact us at: keeper@aka-zco.org On behalf of the Scholarship Committee please note the following: 2017 Cooley-Moore Scholarship Applications The 2017 Cooley-Moore Scholarship applications have been sent to high schools with Arlington and Alexandria addresses and local churches. The application will be posted to the Chapter s website. Scholarship applications are due and must be postmarked by March 8, To be eligible, an applicant must be a senior attending a high school with an Arlington or Alexandria address. Last year we received 36 applications. Currently, there are ten students receiving Cooley-Moore Scholarships. 14

15 Mid-Atlantic Region Scholarships This year, the Mid-Atlantic Region has announced the availability of several scholarships for sorors in the region. Please access the Mid-Atlantic Region s website for the announcement and the forms required under the Documents link. For additional information and/or questions about this article, please contact Soror Diann Burns, Soror Marcy Jessup, or Soror Patty Edwards. The Membership Committee would like to extend a warm Zeta Chi Omega welcome to all of our newly reactivated and transferred sorors! We look forward to getting to know and working with you. If you are a new member of the Chapter (reactivation or transfer), there will be a New Chapter Member Orientation held on Saturday, March 4, 2017, immediately following the general body meeting. The orientation will be held at the Alexandria Police Department, 3600 Wheeler Avenue, Alexandria, VA. Please send your RSVP to Soror Erika Bouknight no later than February 25, We look forward to seeing you! Chapter Polo Shirts: Chapter polo shirts will be available for order via the Chapter website as well as before and after the February general body meeting. The cost is $25 for women s fit and $30 for men s fit. If you placed an order prior to the December 2016 General Body meeting, your shirt will be available for pickup before and after the meeting. The March general body meeting will be the last opportunity to order prior to the regional conference. Chapter Name Badges: Chapter name badges are available for order via the Chapter website as well as before and after the February general body meeting. The badge is the current, bright pink badge that was sold last year. The cost is $10. The March general body meeting will be the last opportunity to order prior to the regional conference. MIP Request: The committee has reviewed and processed all of The Guide to Sponsorship Forms that were received and prepared and submitted the Chapter s request to conduct a Graduate Membership Intake Process. If approved, the next step in the process is to conduct the Chapter Orientation Workshop. To accommodate everyone s schedule, we will be conducting two workshops. The content will be the same at both and attendance is only required at ONE. The following sorors MUST attend the Chapter Orientation Workshop and sign the Soror Commitment Statement at the workshop: Any soror who plans to sponsor/co-sponsor a candidate All workshop presenters Basileus, Anti-Basileus, Grammateus, Tamiouchos and Epistoleus Any active Chapter member who plans to participate in the MIP sessions 15

16 The workshops are TENTATIVELY scheduled for Wednesday, March 1, and Saturday, March 4, Notice and details will be sent via e-blast once approved/confirmed. Public Relations Committee International Sisterly Relations Day - Hidden Figures - ZXΩ Private Viewing Soror Gloria Bell, Chairman Soror Ayana Hernandez, Mid-Atlantic Regional Communications Chairman, asked the Public Relations Committee to prepare an article and submit photographs on our International Sisterly Relations Day activity, which was a viewing of Hidden Figures. The photos will be shared on the region s social media channels. In addition, photos and an article will be featured in the next edition of the Mid-Atlantic Messenger newsletter; therefore, a condensed version of the following report was sent to Soror Ayana Hernandez, Mid-Atlantic Regional Communications Chairman: The Sisterhood On International Sisterly Relations Day, January 15 th, sorors of Zeta Chi Omega Chapter, Arlington, Virginia and sorors in surrounding areas of Virginia attended a viewing of Hidden Figures with the Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, Soror Joyce Henderson. Zeta Chi Omega Chapter (Soror Rhonda Luss, Basileus), hosted a private viewing of this biographical drama that tells the story of three brilliant African-American women at NASA Soror Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Soror Dorothy Vaughn (Octavia Spencer), and Soror Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe). These dynamic sorors helped change the course of the U.S. space race. Hidden Figures - Number 1 at the Box Office Over 306 sorors, their families, and ASCEND students filled three theaters to watch the movie simultaneously. Prior to the showing, Soror Henderson and Soror Luss greeted sorors and guests in each theater. Other sorors in attendance included members of Sigma Alpha, Lambda Kappa Omega, Omicron Chi Omega, and Chi Beta Omega Chapters; and members of Swing Phi Swing. The movie did not disappoint and demonstrated, without a doubt, why it has been the number one movie for weeks. Golden Figures Soror Katherine Johnson (98 years old) was recognized at the 2016 Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference. A Katherine Goble Johnson Award has been established and will be bestowed annually upon an undergraduate soror pursuing a degree in the areas of science or mathematics for the first time at the 64th Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference. In July 2016, Soror Johnson received the Septima Poinsette Award at the 67th Boule Public Meeting in Atlanta; and was a 2015 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The movie will be a classic and should be seen by everyone. We are proud to say that Sorors Johnson, Vaughn and Jackson s contributions are no longer hidden. 16

17 Standards Committee Soror Amanda Pratter, Chairman Contact us at: Sorors, thank you for signing up to serve on the Standards Committee. I will be sending you a message regarding the committee s next meeting, which will be held in February. If you are interested in joining the committee or would like to learn more, please contact Soror Amanda Pratter Chairman. Awards Committee Soror Tifani Burgess, Chairman Soror Stephanie Harrison Hubbard, Co-Chairman Contact us at: awards@aka-zco.org The 64 th Mid-Atlantic Regional Awards submissions due dates are quickly approaching. Calling ALL Sorors! Don t let all your efforts go unrecognized; you worked hard in 2016! You cannot win if you do not submit. Please review the 2017 MAR Awards and Exhibits Handbook (located on the MAR Members Only site) for information on the criteria and appropriate report format. Award submissions will automatically be returned if the requirements and documentation are not complete; therefore, it is important that you review the Awards Handbook for information on the criteria and format for each award. The final due date for all submissions is Saturday, February 4, 2017, with drop-off at the Lee Center. Submissions will not be accepted after the deadline. Your 2017 Awards Committee is here to assist you. Technology Committee Soror Leslie Dey, Chairman Contact us at: technology@aka-zco.org February 2017 Volume 17 Issue 2 Greetings sorors! Have you changed your address, phone numbers or address? Please log into the Zeta Chi Omega website and ensure all your information is correct. The information on the website is used by the Hodegos to gather birthday month information and by your Chapter sorors when they want to reach you. If you have changed your last name, please contact Soror Leslie Dey directly. Please note, to update your information with the corporate office, please go to aka1908.org. If you are having trouble accessing the Member s Only section, please contact Soror Leslie Dey at or LDEY@yahoo.com. Additionally, if you are interested in learning more about the Chapter s technology and/or you d like to be a part of the technology committee, please sign up! 17

18 Archives Committee Soror Monique Robinson, Chairman Contact us at: Sorors, Please submit your Silver Star, Lifetime and Membership Certificates to the Archives Committee so that they can be placed on file. If you desire to visit the Archives, please contact a committee member or archives@aka-zco.org. Thank you! Directory Committee Soror Erika Bouknight, Chairman Contact us at: directory@aka-zco.org On Saturday, February 4, 2017, the Directory Committee will take photos (head shots) of newly transferred/reactivating sorors, sorors who have outdated photos or sorors without an existing photo in our database. The attire is black top, and don t forget your pearls. Picture taking will occur from 9:00 am - 9:55 am. The 2017 Directory will include the following information about you: Address Telephone number(s) Birthdate Initiating chapter and year address Photograph To ensure that the contents of the directory are accurate, please log on to the Members Only section of our Chapter website, click Edit ZXΩ Member Information, and update your member profile. Contact information will be taken solely from the Members Only database. The Directory Committee will distribute the 2017 Chapter Directory at the March General Body Meeting. Sorors who are financially active by February 4, 2017 will be listed in the Membership directory. Music Committee Soror Aretha Cunningham Chairman Soror Essie Matthews Pianist Soror Veronica Jackson - Director What a wonderful way to bond with your sisters. We meet every month before the Chapter meeting from 9:00-9:45 a.m. on stage at the Lee Center. Our goals: - to begin each meeting with a song - to have sorors join in song with us - to learn the ritual songs - to perform at various activities when requested - to have fun WE HOPE TO SEE YOU! February 2017 Volume 17 Issue 2 18

19 Diamond Golden Silver Committee Soror C. Starr Garrett, Chairman Soror Joyce Myrick Brooks, Co-Chairman The 2017 MARC Jewels Recognition Form is available in the 64 th MARC booklet and on the ZXΩ Chapter website, for sorors who reached milestone status in The form must be submitted to the ZXΩ Membership chairman no later than February 21, 2017, for validation and compilation for the Chapter submission to the 64 th MARC Jewels Committee. Please note the following: a. You must purchase a medallion (Manual of Standard Procedure 2016) using the appropriate Corporate Jewels Recognition Form: Members Only->Documents->Conference Documents b. The form is for sorors who have registered to attend the conference. c. A MARC Jewels Luncheon ticket is required to participate in the recognition. A heartfelt thank you to each of our current buddy sorors for your continuous support of the DGS Buddy Soror Program. Educational Advancement Foundation Soror Nelfred Tilly Blanding, Chapter Captain Contact us at: eaf@aka-zco.org This year's Education Advancement Foundation (EAF) Emeralds & Pearls Chapter Challenge encourages all Mid-Atlantic sorors to donate $19.80 in honor of the year EAF was founded (1980). The Mission of the EAF is to promote lifelong learning. This is accomplished by securing charitable contributions, gifts and endowed funds to award scholarships, fellowships, and community assistance awards. Supporting the EAF makes a tangible and permanent difference in the lives of the individuals and community organizations we support. Congratulations Zeta Chi Omega Sorors!! During the January Chapter meeting the EAF Committee kicked off the 3 rd Annual EAF Chapter Challenge with a Cake Raffle. Three homemade cakes baked with love were raffled. Sorors, we are so pleased to announce that the challenge was issued and 84 Zeta Chi Omega sorors have answered. We raised $1, for the EAF during the January Chapter meeting. Congratulations to the three cake winners: Soror Tamiko Francis, Soror Cynthia Denise Longshaw, and Soror Barbara Driggins Thank you, thank you, thank you! Let s finish the challenge. We re asking every Chapter member to please donate $19.80 each towards the Zeta Chi Omega Chapter contribution. Each Chapter that meets 60% participation will be recognized at the Barbara K. Phillips EAF Breakfast during the 64th Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. All sorors are welcome to contribute towards EAF at any time and your donation to EAF is always a tax write-off. Thank you for your enduring support of the Educational Advancement Foundation. 19

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21 History Committee Soror Mathelle K. Lee, Chairman Soror Carolyn Rowe, Co-Chairman On January 28, 2017, we honored our 16 Founders with an elegant luncheon and tribute at the Fort Belvoir Officers' Club. During January, we also viewed the opening of Hidden Figures, the moving story of three AKA sorors, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, who crossed racial and gender lines as mathematicians at NASA, Langley Research Center. This month as we celebrate Black History Month, it is interesting to note how our Chapter members excel in their careers just as the three sorors in the movie became recognized. Our Chapter, which began in 1956 with 18 out of the 21 charter members working in education, has changed to include many non-traditional women careers in the membership. We have members with careers in the clergy, law, medicine, military, human resources, government, engineering, finance, contracting, entertainment, and many more areas. We have many "first Black Women" designations in our Chapter career roles. Our "firsts" distinctions include Brigadier General (Retired) Julia Cleckley - Army National Guard and Soror Mary Witten (Ivy Beyond the Wall) - first Black Speech and Drama Teacher and first Black Supervisor in Fairfax County Schools. Zeta Chi Omega sorors come together from their varied career paths with unmatched loyalty and a common goal to perform "things that are worthwhile and with a smile" to serve mankind. Please stop by the History Committee table at the Information Fair in February to give us information on your "first black woman" designation for our Chapter history. 21

22 Pan-Hellenic Council Committee Soror Angela Turner Contact us at: 22

23 Launching New Dimensions of Service January 7,

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25 Worship Service Antioch Baptist Church Sunday January 8, International Sisterly Relations Day Private Viewing of Hidden Figures 25

26 January 15, 2017: AKA Day at the Movies 26

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28 January 16, 2017

29 Meal Service at the Residential Program Center in Arlington, VA 29

30 The 60 TH Annual Debutante Cotillion The Cotillion Committee is working hard to ensure that our six (6) prospective debutantes have a wonderful Cotillion season. This is a much smaller number than in years past. The prospective debutantes will attend the National Museum of African American History and Culture on February 4, Also, on February 12, 2017, they will attend the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater at the Kennedy Center; and if you are interested in attending, please contact Soror Doretta Davis at Also, we are asking you to please support our debutantes by purchasing an ad or patron from a prospective debutante or by taking out an ad acknowledging the Cotillion s 60 th Anniversary. If you have any questions regarding the ad/patron, please contact Soror Demaris H. Thompson at You can mail your ad/patron check to Soror Sherry Billingsley; 3514 Caledonia Circle; Woodbridge VA Please notify Soror Sherry prior to mailing your check at The 60 th Annual Debutante Cotillion Ball will be held on April 1, 2017, at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City. We are looking forward to seeing you at the Ball. If you have any questions regarding the Cotillion, please contact Soror Madeline Alfonso-Wingate, Cotillion Chairman; or Soror Andrea Streat and Soror Sharonda Glover, Cotillion Co-Chairmen. 30

31 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Zeta Chi Omega Chapter P.O. Box Alexandria, Virginia EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICERS STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN Basileus Anti-Basileus Grammateus Anti-Grammateus Epistoleus Tamiouchos Anti-Tamiouchos Pecunious Grammateus Anti-Pecunious Grammateus Hodegos Philacter Parliamentarian Graduate Advisor Ivy Leaf Reporter Archivist Immed. Past Basileus Rhonda Luss Robin McCoy Patricia Edwards Erika Bouknight Tamiko Francis Stephanie Woodland Kelly Katrina Anwar Crystal Lander Joy Page Ngwenya Jessica Sims Yvette G. Darnaby Kendra Riley VaShawn Guice Veal Gloria Bell Monique Robinson Kendra Gillespie Archives Soror Monique Robinson Awards Soror Tiffani Burgess Bylaws Soror Kendra Riley Connection Soror LaFrances Williams Contracts Soror Irma Bogan Courtesy Soror Jessica Sims Directory Soror Erika Bouknight Finance Soror Stephanie Woodland Kelly Graduate Advisory Soror VaShawn Guice Vea Membership Soror Tonya Perkinson Newsletter Soror Tamiko Francis Programs Soror Robin McCoy Protocol Soror Bonnie Jones-Moon Public Relation Soror Gloria Bell Scholarship Soror Diann Burns Standards Soror Amanda Pratter Technology Soror Leslie Dey Telecommunications Soror Yvette Darnaby Nominating Soror Bonnie Jones-Moon Nominating Committee Members: Soror Ade Leake Gore Soror Linda Hall Soror Angie Hemingway Soror Vanessa Jackson Soror Brittney Montgomery Soror Inez Chris Pierce-Gray Soror Carol Turner Soror Judy Vaughn EDITOR PRODUCTION STAFF Soror Tamiko Francis Soror Nicole Clark Soror Melissa Finney Soror C. Starr Garrett Soror Jennifer Hansborough Soror Stephanie Woodland Kelly Soror Steronica Mattocks