Positively AKA Fall Edition 2012

Quarterly Newsletter

Basileus Corner

Sisterly,

Soror Gladys

AUTUMN

When the trees their summer splendor

Change raiment red and gold.

When the summer moon turns mellow,

And the nights are getting cold.

When the squirrels hide their acorns,

And the woodchucks disappear.

Then we know that it is autumn,

Loveliest season of the year!

…Charlotte L. Riser

Dear Sorors: Autumn for Theta Iota Omega Chapter reflects a truly busy time of the year. We prepare to support our ongoing program activities that include resumption of the Roses in Bloom mentoring program along with the Pink Blossom Emerging Young Leaders’ program and our Bethany House Project; participation in the Diabetes and Breast Cancer Walks; as well as this year, showcasing the youth of Suffolk-Nassau Counties through our signature program, The “Greatest Love” Cotillion 2012. In addition to these program activities, a new budget is proposed, By Law changes are reviewed, a new slate of officers is considered as well as a vote to decide whether or not we take in new members. In addition to our normal activities, our efforts in the area of voter registration are key this season as well. Sorors, as African American, college-educated women, we know the struggles that occurred to give us the right to vote—that same right in some states which is being suppressed. We, therefore, accept the responsibility to exercise this right to vote without question. So, I want to not only encourage you to go out and vote but I want to encourage you to bring along with you to the polls someone else. We have a number of sorors who may need assistance. In fact, sorors are not the only ones who need your help. Reach out to a neighbor or friend and get them to their polling area. Our votes count! Finally, thank you sorors for participating in our Rededication Ceremony held at the September chapter meeting. Some of our inactive sorors have expressed to me interest in returning to our sisterhood as financially active members. The newly formed Reclamation Team, under the auspices of our Membership Committee, will continue to stay in touch with these sorors. Just as we treasure the beauty we see as God’s landscape changes in autumn, we also treasure the relationship we have with each other as a result of Rededicating our lives to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

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What’s Inside…..

65th Boule 2012 2-3 Voter Registration 4 President of Liberia Speaks at the Abyssinian Baptist Church 4 Reclaim! Reclaim! Reclaim! 5 Undergraduate Corner 5 Sorors In Action 6 Chapter Programs 6-7 Upcoming Chapter Programs & Events 8 Quiz Time 8 NEW! Birthdays 8

Boule 2012

Our international biennial meeting was held in the golden gate city of San Francisco, California from July 21-July 27. Theta Iota Omega Chapter was well represented at the 65th Boule, the theme of which was “Gateway to Global Leadership Through Timeless Service.” Attending with the Basileus were Sorors Dolores Chriss, Janel Chriss, Marva Gumbs-Picou, Sheila Hankin, Alisha Hayes-Cross, Geralynne Hughes-Brandon, Delores Kershaw, Meta Mereday, Lula Noreiga Patterson, Deborah Santiago, Valarie Smith, Kelly Stallings, Wilma Tootle, Terrecita Watkis, Leah Watson and Tifphani White. One of the highlights of Boule was the display of Alpha Kappa Alpha women who played a role in the Civil Rights Movement. We salute chapter member Soror Juanita Walker for her participation in the A & T demonstrations in North Carolina which was noted in the exhibit. On hand for the unveiling of the “Unsung AKA Sorors of the Civil Rights Movement Museum” was the daughter of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and Mrs. Coretta Scott King, our soror Dr. Bernice King. The pictures that follow give you an idea of what a great week we experienced. The 2014 Boule will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina. Will you be present in Charlotte?

Basileus Gladys Andrews with our First Supreme Anti-Basileus Dorothy Buchanan- Wilson

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Fall 2012

2012 – San Francisco, CA

North Atlantic Region Hat-Themed Gospel Brunch

Chapter Sorors with Golden Sorors Laura Banks and Mary Louise Williams

Sorors at the First Plenary Ivy Beyond The Wall Ceremony

Mr. Gerald Tootle Honored at EAF Luncheon

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Fall 2012

Voter Registration

The Connection Committee has conducted two successful voter registration activities. Chair, Soror Susan Johnson, arranged for the registration of new voters at two locations on Long Island. On September 15, the committee registered potential voters outside of the Freeport Stop & Shop Supermarket. The second day of voter registration occurred in Wyandanch at the Compare Foods Supermarket on September 22. Supporting this endeavor were Sorors Gladys Andrews, Deborah Santiago, Hazel Palmore, Gail Brooks, Kiona DeWitt, Dana Moore and Cynthia Baker. Joining our efforts were representatives from the Urban League as well as the NAACP. Soror Susan Johnson has submitted nineteen new voter registration forms to the appropriate county offices. Additional voter registration plans include high school presentations by the chair to students enrolled in Participation in Government classes of our local high schools.

Honorary Soror Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was the guest speaker at the Abyssinian Baptist Church on Sunday, September 23. Cluster III sorors were in attendance in large numbers along with our North Atlantic Regional Director, Soror Constance R. Pizarro and the International Regional Director, Soror Eveylyn Sample-Oates. Attending on behalf of Theta Iota Omega were Sorors Kiona DeWitt, Kaiya Holley and Sandy Bynum. The visit by Soror Sirleaf of Liberia is an attempt to gain financial support for the Sirleaf Market Women’s Fund project. Donations can be made through the project’s web site at www.smwf.org.

President of Liberia Speaks at the Abyssinian Baptist Church

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Fall 2012

The Undergraduate Round Up was held Friday, September 28 through Sunday, September 30 at the Renaissance Newark Airport Hotel. This year’s theme was “Global Leadership Through Timeless Service: Phenomenal Women Making Phenomenal Achievements. More than 500 sorors attended this outstanding leadership weekend. Our Regional Director’s message, “You’re Always Wearing Your Letters” was a message primarily for undergraduates but within it was a message for graduate sorors as well. Soror Constance R. Pizarro reminded us that membership is for life. Since membership is for life, we must understand that no matter where we go and what we do, we represent Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Therefore, sorors, ask yourself a simple question: Do I represent the best of Alpha Kappa Alpha? Whether a graduate soror or undergraduate soror we must reflect on this question frequently. Attendees at the Round Up included: Sorors Tamara Alfred-Gipson, Gladys Andrews, Terry Collins-Reyes, Dianne Edgerton-Norman, Nkenge Gilliam, Kaiya Holley, Tricia-Messeroux-Curwen (photographer), Dana Moore, Deborah Santiago and Yvette Wynn. Representing Kappa Epsilon was Soror L’ Leshia Stevens. Kappa Phi Sorors included Tearsa Turner and Kalandra Duncan.

Undergraduate Corner

Reclaim! Reclaim! Reclaim!

Now is the time for each of us to reach out to our lost pearls. Make a commitment to invite an inactive soror to join you at one of our upcoming program activities. In fact, why not take that soror out to lunch or for a cup of coffee. Here’s another idea. Invite our lost pearl to join you at the October 30 Lord & Taylor Do Good Shopping event. See Soror Nicole Alamu or Soror Cynthia for the $5 tickets.

Fall 2012

Initiative I- Emerging Young Leaders

Global Leadership Through Timeless Service Chapter Programs

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Pink Blossoms

Pink Blossoms Mentoring Program resumed on October 1st at Lakeview Library from 6:30-7:30pm. Sorors met with our emerging young leaders for an icebreaker activity and discussed their summer vacations. The four young ladies in attendance played a game title "5 Things You May Not Know About Me". They enjoyed learning interesting facts about their peers. The Sorors in attendance were committee Chairperson Soror Nicole Baptiste-Moore and Soror Gladys Andrews

Acknowledged at Boule for their extra donation to Alpha Kappa Alpha were Sorors Delores Kershaw, Wilma Tootle and Leah Watson. Each was provided with a special Heritage Club pin presented to them by Supreme Basileus Carolyn House Stewart during the Heritage Club dinner.

Soror Meta Mereday was one of 18 participants selected to attend the Military-Journalist

Experience (MilJo) which was coordinated by the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications and sponsored by the McCormick Foundation with co-partner the Combined Arms Center at Fort Levenworth. It was an international delegation with participants from Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. The group of journalists interacted with military brass and the regular army to discuss the challenges the military is facing and understand the role that journalists play in communicating to the public.

Soror Tricia Messeroux-Curwen’s new On-Line network, Tricia Tv. is now LIVE! The web address is

www.TriciaTv.Tv and it is all about “making it happen.” It features kids who are going beyond being a couch potato to living their dreams at a young age. The show also taps into women entrepreneurs and women who are reinventing themselves. Soror Tricia is the host and wants this site to be a place of inspiration to everyone who watches it.

Soror Wilma Tootle was recently installed as the new president of the Long Island Chapter of the

National Coalition of One Hundred Black Women. Congratulations!

Soror Alisha Hayes-Cross was called upon by the Chancellor of NYC to conduct a Special Education Reform workshop for principals.

Kudos to Soror Adele Armstrong who served as the Stage Manager for the St. Paul Community

Baptist Church’s well known healing journey and performance of “The MAAFA SUITE.”

Sorors In Action

Fall 2012

Global Leadership Through Timeless Service Chapter Programs

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In the month of September, Theta Iota Omega Walking Club “On The Move” resumed its commitment to fitness by walking in Eisenhower Park on Saturday mornings.

Initiative II– Health

On The Move Walking Club

Our Roses In Bloom Mentoring Program Partnership at Madonna Heights met on September 20th for a getting to know you activity. The young ladies engaged in a discussion and activity that focused on achieving personal goals. Thank you to committee chairperson Soror Tammy Mays and committee members shown Soror Kiona DeWitt, Soror Patricia Williams and Soror Gladys Andrews.

Initiative V – Social Justice and Human Rights

Roses In Bloom

Step Out To Stop Diabetes Walk On September 30th Theta Iota Omega Chapter participated in the Step Out to Stop Diabetes Walk at Jones Beach by raising money and walking together in an effort to Stop Diabetes and improve the lives of all people affected by this disease.

Quiz Time! Soror Kiona DeWitt is the First Anti-Basileus as well as the Program Chair of Theta Iota Omega Chapter. On the Directorate level, answer the following questions: What is the equivalent position? What is the name of the current soror in this

Directorate position? What new Directorate role will she step into during

Boule 2014? The first 3 sorors with all three correct responses will be recognized.

Upcoming Chapter Programs & Events October 6th Chapter Meeting, 10:30 am, Uniondale Library October 13th Theta Iota Omega On The Move Walking Club, 8:30 am, Eisenhower Park, Field 6 October 15th Pink Blossom Mentoring Program, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm, Lakeview Library October 18th Roses In Bloom, 7 pm – 8 pm, Madonna Heights, Dix Hills October 20th Theta Iota Omega On The Move Walking Club, 8:30 am, Eisenhower Park, Field 6 October 21st Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk – 8:00 am, Jones Beach, Field 5 October 27th Theta Iota Omega On The Move Walking Club, 8:30 am, Eisenhower Park, Field 6 December 1st Greatest Love Cotillion – Timeless Elegance-Timeless Service, 6 pm, Melville Marriott

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October is Breast Cancer

Awareness Month

Adele Armstrong October 1 Phyllis Johnson October 3 Tifphani White October 7 Johnetta Hill October 9 Judith Cappello October 11 Mary Johnson October 11 Joyce Scott October 14 Dana Moore October 15 Julia Brown October 19 Velma Rhodes-Ward October 25 Kathleen Norman-Edwards October 27 Arneta Simmons October 27 Wilma Holmes Tootle October 27 Timia Corbett-Brown October 30 Laurie Hamilton October 31 Worokya Duncan November 4 Dianne Edgerton-Norman November 8 Heather Palmore November 8 Christine Fagin November 16 Sheila Scott-Powell November 18 Lula Noriega-Patterson November 20 Naomi Hills November 25 Tory Hare November 29 Prissana Alston December 1 Yves Richards December 1 Deborah Santiago December 1

Newsletter Contributors • Soror Kiona DeWitt (Programs),

Sandi Bynum, Nkenge Gilliam, and Tricia Messeroux-Curwen (Photos)

Graphics Layout Editor Soror Belinda D. Hill

NEW! Autumn Birthdays