bluegrass journal february 2013 issue
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Journal NewsletterTRANSCRIPT
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Soror Terina J. MatthewsState Coordinator
Soror Gillian GriggsState Facilitator
Soror Yolanda DemareeState Secretary
Soror Kenya McGruderState Social Action Chair
Soror Dawn OffuttRegional Coordinator,Membership Services
Soror Lucera CrossRegional Housing &
Properties Committee
Soror Briggit MillerState PPD Chair
Soror Shannon DraneState Journalist
Ashley MillerEmergency Response
Team Chair
Soror Mary Elaine HornState Chaplain
2012 - 2013 Kentucky
Leadership Team
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated was the first African American Greek Letter organization to have a float in the Rose Bowl Parade (Tournament of Roses Parade). There were 100 out walkers representing the 100 year centennial of the sorority, as well as, 22 walkers representing the founders of Delta Sigma Theta. The float had a rendering of Howard University where the sorority originated, a globe symbolizing the service of the sorority and its members around the world, and pictures depicting the five point thrust of the organization (Economic Development, Educational Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health, and Political Awareness and Involvement.) Fiesta Floats assisted the Sorority in developing the float, the animation of the float, and the decorating of the float. Sorority members were offered the option to assist in decorating the float. It was amazing to see the differing flowers, seeds, etc. used to bring the float to its final beauty.
The city of Los Angeles was very supportive of Delta’s efforts at making history and celebrating 100 years. They rolled out the red carpet by changing the airport lights to red and white, so that all planes descending on the city would descend on the colors of red and white. Local restaurants gave priority seating to members, and locals did not hesitate to give their well wishes. I must say we felt like celebrities. Speaking of celebrities, Delta Sigma Theta rolled out its own Red Carpet at the Hollywood Gala located at Club Nokia (L.A. Live) location. Celebrities present to celebrate the centennial kick off with sorority members were Blair Underwood, Faith Evans, Ledisi, Danny Glover, Sheryl Lee Ralph to name a few. (continue on page 2)
Proud moment for Paducah Alumnae Chapter Soror Sonya Thompson
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Overall, I can’t express in words what pride I felt walking down Colorado Avenue in Pasadena, CA. making history with my beloved sisters of Delta Sigma Theta. It was an honor and privilege being chosen out of 300,000 members to represent the sorority in this historic event. The parade and Gala were kick off events marking our centennial, and I can only imagine what is in store for the remainder of 2013. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. is known for public service, community involvement, and making history. This we did and we did in a big and profound way in Los Angeles. It is truly a blessing and honor to be a part of an organization of college educated women dedicated to “Transforming Communities through Sisterhood & Service” and how fitting, as this was the theme of our float in the Tournament of Roses Parade. The theme of the entire parade was “Oh the Places You Will Go!” This is, also fitting, as Delta made it to the Rose Bowl Parade…just think of the places we will go!
bySoror Sonya Thompson
Sorors of the Paducah Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. worked tirelessly to GET- OUT THE -VOTE for the 2012 election. They partnered with the NAACP and County Clerk offices to increase voter registration and voter information. Sorors became deputy registrars and registered students in high schools and junior colleges. In addition to going to the high schools and colleges, they registered citizens by going “door to door” which included public housing communities.
Another important part of the GET-OUT-THE-VOTE initiative included their work with area churches. Flyers were distributed which gave individuals important information concerning what was necessary to vote. An internet link was provided to inform voters where that could check their voting status and precinct. Also, the flyers outlined identification options if required to provide ID’s at the poll, addressed common questions, and provided telephone numbers if assistance was needed in the voting process. Paducah Alumnae sorors campaigned two Sundays prior to the election encouraging individuals to vote. Sorors offered individuals at area churches, the NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet, and other area events the opportunity to sign a pledge “committing to vote!”
Paducah Alumnae Chapter
Voter Registration Drive
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Kentucky State Coordinator,Soror Terina J. Matthews
Kentucky State Facilitator, Soror Gillian Griggs
Gree$ngs State of Kentucky Sorors!
HAPPY CENTENNIAL YEAR! It is my hope that you created a memorable experience to cherish the moment when our Illustrious Sisterhood turned 100 years old! I can share with you that I was on the campus of Howard University, surrounding For$tude with about 3000 of our Sorors as the clock struck
midnight and you could hear the OO-‐OOP for miles!It was simply AMAZING to be in the number of those 12,500 Sorors registered for the Centennial Founders Day Celebra$on and it was awe inspiring to realize from “whence we had come!” AYer seeing the portrait of our Founders come to “life” at our Founders Day Luncheon and hearing how that first conversa$on occurred as to whether they should break away and start another organiza$on, I was forced to ask myself “Am I living up to the vision that our Founders had?” “What am I doing to make my community be]er as a member of Delta Sigma Theta?” The Founders Day luncheon was profound and I am glad that I was in the number. Here is the photo of the Founders portrait that was brought to “life” by 22 of our ar$s$c Sorors. In the end Sorors, if you weren’t able to a]end Centennial Founders Day it is my hope that you are able to a]end Delta Days at the Na$on’s Capitol and/or the 51st Na$onal Conven$on. This is not a year that you want to be leY out of the number.
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80th AnniversaryThe Lexington (KY) Alumnae Chapter, Kentucky’s first Alumnae Chapter, celebrated 80 years of sisterhood and service in the Lexington community on November 3rd. The theme of the event was “Delta 2013 and Beyond/Political Action – Our Responsibility”. Soror Sadiqa Reynolds, the JD of the Louisville Alumnae Chapter, gave the keynote address.
The event had many highlights, some to note were the many hats that our Sorors wore in honor of Soror Dorothy I. Height and the Debutante Ball celebrated 50 years. Also as part of the joyous festivities, all Delta Dears were honored and chapter Delta Dears with over 60 years of service were given special recognition, Sorors Dorothy Bibbs, Ann Black, Eunice Mills Esther Noland and Marie Shye.
This event also featured an “80th Anniversary Service Project” where children books were collected to be donated locally.
Lexington Alumnae Chapter
“Show Me the Money” Workshop
The Frankfort Alumnae Chapter held a workshop for middle-‐ and high-‐schoolers en$tled “Show Me the Money!” at the Franklin County Coopera$ve Extension Office on Lakeview Court coordinated by Soror Daphne Jackson. The workshop began at 9:00a.m. with registra$on and refreshments. The par$cipants were divided into two groups, with middle-‐schoolers and ninth graders in one group and 10th – 12th graders in the other group. Each group par$cipated with a panel of presenters. AYer a short break, the groups switched rooms to par$cipate with the other panel.
The topics and presenters were School Success by Omar Gle]en from the GEAR-‐UP Kentucky Program, College Prepara0on by Rana Johnson from the Kentucky Council on Higher Educa$on, Obtaining Financial Aid by Mark Hoover from the Kentucky Higher Educa$on Assistance Authority, The World of Work by William Morton, Frankfort Business Owner, and Military Opportuni0es from Major Bobbi J. Mayes from the Kentucky Na$onal Guard.
Panel highlights included a slideshow presenta$on and photos from Major Mayes’ tour in Afghanistan focusing on the work she did with economic and social enhancement with women and girls. In addi$on, Mr. Gle]en engaged the par$cipants in a team-‐building exercise focused on thinking outside the box to achieve a goal.
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Frankfort Alumnae Chapter
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Voice is Power
On October 25, 2012, Mu Epsilon presented the voice program, which was directed by our social committee chairs Soror Charissee Ridgeway and Soror Rebekah Patten. This program catered to the entire UK student body. The purpose was to show students how their voice can be an active tool for change in both the upcoming election, and everyday life. The participants were asked to perform a task for others without speaking.
To begin the activity, we passed around pieces of paper to each participant. The paper had a task written on it that the participants had to complete within 10 – 15 minutes. The students could not speak or use their voice. The point of the rule was to show students how difIicult situations can be when they don’t have a voice and how this challenge parallels with everyday life. This activity was followed by an engaging discussions in which attendees shared their personal experiences.
Our social action committee presented hypothetical situations and prompted dialogue that focused on showing the audience the power of voice. Our guest speaker was Stephanie Spires, the 3rd District Council Representative candidate for Lexington, KY. She explained how students could use their voice to solve local issues within the city. We left our audience with a call to action centered on using their voice.
Mu Epsilon Chapter
The Mu Epsilon Chapter created a voter registration blitz in collaboration with Lexington Alumnae Chapter registering voters in Lexington, KY.
by Soror Amari Henderson
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Under the theme “100 Years of Scholarship, Sisterhood and Service”, the Sorors of Louisville Alumnae Chapter commemorated Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated’s century of existence through a four-‐day weekend of ac$vi$es to highlight and celebrate the impact the Sorority con$nues to have throughout the community, the na$on and the world.
On Thursday, January 10, the Scholarship Commi]ee hosted “An Evening of Jazz”. More than two-‐hundred Sorors and guests par$cipated in the lovely affair, with 100% of the proceeds going towards the chapter’s scholarship fund. On Friday, January 11, the Membership Commi]ee hosted “Cheers to 100 Years” at 60West Bistro. This event was intended to be a sisterhood reclama$on ac$vity. Sorors were able to have dinner and socialize with one another. Eighty-‐two Sorors and sixty-‐four guests were in a]endance.
On Saturday, January 12, Louisville Alumnae spent the day giving back to the community through service. Eighty-‐six Sorors conducted three community service projects all done in one day to benefit the families residing at the Louisville-‐area Ronald McDonald House. Chapter members cleaned the four-‐story Ronald McDonald House building from top to bo]om. They collected and donated a total of 651 items to stock the pantry for the residents. The items were sorted by the chapter members at the Delta Life Center then delivered to the Ronald McDonald House. Chapter members also purchased and prepared a full dinner meal for the residents that evening. To have an impact beyond that day, the en$re chapter collected through chapter member dona$ons as well as through the chapter community service funds a total of $2,000 to adopt a room in the name of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The entry door to the room will carry a plaque designa$ng it the Delta Sigma Theta room for a full year and all residing families occupying the room to live there free of charge as part of the chapter’s dona$on. As an added bonus to our wonderful day, WHAS11 television news sta$on reported a story on their 11pm newscast on the Day of Service at Ronald McDonald House by sharing with their viewers Delta Sigma Theta spent their Centennial Anniversary weekend by giving back to the community. (con0nue on page 8)
Louisville Alumnae Chapter
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Invest in Young Minds
The Hopkinsville Alumnae Chapter presented the Annual Christmas Scholarship Fundraiser in December 2012. The event allows the community to join the sorority during the holiday season to celebrate and assist in the Educa$onal Development of the 5-‐Point Program Thrust. The sorority presented the scholarship recipient of 2012. The young woman selected is the daughter of a single parent and has six other siblings. Nannie Croney (pictured in the center) with Sorors Bea Standard (L) and Bonnie Lynch, president (R) proudly stands as a authen$ca$on of determina$on to succeed. Nannie is pursuing her studies at University of Louisville and has a 4.0 grade point average. Her dream is to become an a]orney and the voice for juveniles in the legal system.
Hopkinsville Alumnae Chapter
Finally, on Centennial morning, Sunday, January 13, ninety-‐four Sorors from the chapter and their families joined together in service at Quinn Chapel AME. During the service, special recogni$on was given to the Deltas in honor of our Centennial Founders Day. A Congressional Cer$ficate of Honor was presented to Louisville Alumnae Chapter by Kentucky’s Third District US Representa$ve John Yarmuth and was received by 2nd Vice President Tina Johnson. Special gree$ngs to the chapter were also brought by 4th District Councilman David Tandy and Quinn Chapel AME. Louisville Alumnae Chapter’s 1st Vice President Soror Carolyn Whitaker-‐Tandy presented to the congrega$on Soror President Cynthia M.A. Butler-‐McIntyre’s Centennial le]er of gree$ng and thanked Quinn Chapel on behalf of Delta for their hospitality and accommoda$on. Following the service, Quinn Chapel hosted a fine recep$on for all of the a]endees.
An incredible weekend was celebrated by all—highlighted and themed appropriately in honor our 22 visionary Founders and 100 years of our illustrious organiza$on, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
“100 Years of Scholarship, S i s terhood and Serv ice” Louisville Alumnae Sorors loading up for the Ronald McDonald House.