ATLANTIC ADVANCE Special Leadership Conference Issue
OCTOBER 2015 WELCOME TO PHILADELPHIA !
HIDDEN BOOKSHOPS
Building a Legacy through our Youth
LEADERSHIP LIVES HERE Get Engaged : Zeta on the Front Line of Social Justice
GLAM SQUAD A Portrait of Finer Womanhood
Arizona Cleaver Stemons Pearl Anna Neal Myrtle Tyler Faithful Viola Tyler Goings Fannie Pettie Watts Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated is an international women's organization that has established itself as the foremost network of socially and politically conscious activists working to empower disenfranchised communities. On January 16, 1920, five trailblazers at Howard University in Washington, D.C. sought to separate from the established organizations and founded a new sisterhood predicated on the precepts of Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood, and Finer Womanhood. Zeta has been and continues to be the "Sorority of Firsts", creating best-in-class educational programming models like Stork's Nest and Z-HOPE, and a family of youth and adult auxiliary groups to advance our local communities. With more than 120,000 members inducted, Zeta has become one of the world's foremost movements for social justice and civic change. Members of Zeta are called to a higher purpose of Finer Womanhood. Zeta women are achievers and leaders in every field in more than 800 communities across the United States, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, and the United Kingdom.
Atlantic Advance Publisher Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Atlantic Region Zeta Phi Beta Founders Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Pearl Anna Neal, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Viola Tyler Goings, Fannie Pettie Watts International President Mary Breaux Wright Atlantic Regional Director Janet Y. Bivins, Esq. Editor-in-Chief Denise Marie Snow
A t l a nt i c R e g i on L e a d e rs h i p T e a m 18th International President Secretary Vice Secretary Treasurer Financial Secretery Parliamentarian Reg. Rep. to the Nt'l Nominating Committee Delaware State Director Maryland State Director New Jersey State Director New York State Director Pennsylvania State Director Tri-State Director 13th Atlantic Regional Director 14th Atlantic Regional Director 15th Atlantic Regional Director Regional Undergraduate Coordinator
Dr. Edith V. Francis Janice M. T. Johnson Katherine Gilmore Carol Santos Crystal Johnson Lorraine Richardson McCray Nilda E. Rivera, Esq. Martha Sims-Wilson Danielle R. Green Gina Merritt-Epps, Esq. Shanell L. Robinson Barbara A. Cousar Annette Draper-Moore Jacqueline Lemon-Denton Kimberly Smith Jacqueline C. McNair Karima Rose
www.atlanticregionzetas.org ATLANTIC ADVANCE | 3
Atlantic Region Appointed Officers Chief of Staff DOARS Healthy Living Choir Director Choir Co-Director Chaplan Co-Historians Demographics Social Action Social Media Zeta Doves Zeta Partnerships Amicae Affairs Budget and Finance Life Members Necrology Protocol Reclamation Youth Affiliates Zeta Male Network IDC Coordinator Legal Counsel
Roshonda L. Scipio March of Dimes Rep. Patricia Timmons Scholarship Camille Titus Stork's Nest Kendra Wilson Undergraduate Advisor Coreen Sims Webmistress Rev. Lynette P. McMilan Z-HOPE Myra Witcher, Rita Woods MIP Review Committee Kimyatta Pitts Photographer Teraleen Campbell Awards Coordinator Natasha Jones Nt'l Handbook Committee Pauline Gibson Joanne Yarde Nt'l Legacy Club Wanda Cromartie Jones Nt'l Constitution and Carol Santos Bylaws Committee Charbet Duckett Undergrad Rep. to the Monica L. Younger Undergrad Advisor Dana Moore Committee Saniah Johnson Regional NEF Coordinator Virna Springer Elder Care Andrea Puckerine-Braxton March 4 Babies Tamara Harris Rededication Coordinator Keysha N. Council, Esq. Meeting Planner
Rhonda Lawson Andrea Todman Maliyka A. Muhammad Karima N. Rose Stacia Davis Nickki Weyant Yolanda Goodwin-Humphrey Lisa Turner Weldina Lewis Conde E. Fran Johnson, Tracey Lafayette Lauwanna Martin Saniah M. Johnson, CPA Eboni Garvin Juliet Duggins Linda Lawrence Maryanne French Valerie Villines Wanda Calvin Claiborne
National Elected Officers from the Atlantic Region Valerie Hollingsworth-Baker National First Anti-Basileus Nationally Elected Members of the National Education Foundation from the Atlantic Region
Roslyn Hannibal-Booker
Vice Chairperson, National Education Foundation
Sieta Achampong
Treasurer, National Education Foundation
Dawn C. Kemp
Financial Secretary, National Education Foundation Building on the Principles of Zeta While Blazing New Paths www.atlanticregionzetas.org ATLANTIC ADVANCE | 4
CONTENTS ATLANTIC REGIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE EDITION
7 Honoring Founder and President Emeritus Arizona C. Stemons
10 Building Legacy: A Spotlight on Youth
Lambda Lambda Zeta Sorors Maryn Formley Andrea James share a laugh during the March for Babies Walk in Pittsburgh , PA .
15 Get Engaged: On the Front Lines of Social Justice
8 Leading by Example Honoring Team Atlantic 13 Z-HOPE Impact by the Numbers Atlantic Region's service contributions 17 Expanding Zeta's Footprint through Membership
20 Leadership Lives in New Jersey Spotlight on the Garden State Zetas 22 Glam Squad: A Portrait of Finer Womanhood Atlantic Region Zetas are finer in every sense of the word. See why!
14 The Year of the Undergraduate Tri - State Zetas and Sigmas unite for an interactive workshop with the Grand . ATLANTIC ADVANCE | 5
GREETINGS FROM THE ATLANTIC REGIONAL DIRECTOR
I begin my presentations with a tribute to our Founders—our Five Pearls that laid the foundation for our great sisterhood. It is due to their courageous leadership that we exist today. I then move to the leadership within our home region. Three of our Founders—Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Myrtle Tyler Faithful and Fannie Pettie Watts—resided in and paid their membership dues to the Atlantic Region. Eight of the twenty four women that have held the highest office in Zeta were from this Region. That’s one third of all Past Grands. There’s something about the Atlantic Region that no one can deny. Leadership lives here. We come from a strong tradition of fervent women dedicated to taking the reins and moving our sisterhood forward…to blaze new paths. They were proactive. We have members that were blessed to have sat at the feet of and therefore mentored by Founders and Past Grands. And like the griots of Africa, we rely on your passing on the teachings, message and intent of our esteemed leaders so that we may know and learn through you. Equally we must do our job. Take their message and advance it in today’s era. Apply our principles in everything we do so that we become leaders in your professional and personal lives. Own our destiny. And through that ownership pass it on to others. We must embody each word. Leadership: influential; effective stewards. Lives: to continue; to maintain; to provide. Here: at this place; this life. You see, leadership did not just live here in the past. It is a reality right now in our present. And we must ensure that it is evergreen in our future. As we convene let us each determine what we will do as individuals to impact and advance our ideals, objectives and the future of our sisterhood. We owe it to Arizona, Myrtle and Fannie. We owe it to Joanna Ransom, Nellie Buchanan, Dr. Evelyn Lewis, Ruth Scruggs, and Dr. Deborah Cannon Partridge Wolfe and to Dr. Edith V. Francis. Welcome to the Atlantic Regional Leadership Conference. Let’s Do This! ATLANTIC ADVANCE | 6
Founder Arizona Cleaver Stemons Monument Restoration Project Experience the unveiling of the new gravesite marker for our beloved Founder at the Atlantic Regional Leadership Conference !
Special commendations to Pennsylvania State Director Barbara A. Cousar for her dedication & commitment to this historic project!
Honoring the Life and Legacy of
Founder Arizona C. Stemons
Atlantic Region Zetas traveled to support the Zeta Day in Hannibal, Missouri from August 7-9, 2015 as the Midwestern Region honored the life and legacy of Founder and President Emeritus Arizona Cleaver Stemons. International President, Mary Breaux Wright, received a key to the city. A historical marker dedicated to Founder Stemons on the the grounds where she taught was erected, and the Hannibal Arts Council showcased a historical Zeta art exhibit. ATLANTIC ADVANCE | 7
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
The states and countries of the Atlantic Region are growing, thriving, and contributing to local communities in impactful ways. The awesome work of the Atlantic Region would not be possible without the dedication of Team Atlantic. A very special thanks to the State Directors of the Atlantic Region for their hard work and commitment to blazing new paths! Martha Sims-Wilson Delaware State Director Danielle R. Green Maryland State Director Gina Merritt-Epps, Esq. New Jersey State Director Shanell L. Robinson New York State Director Barbara A. Cousar Pennsylvania State Director Annette Draper-Moore Tri-State Director
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Leadership in Action Atlantic Regional Director Janet Y. Bivins, Esq. Around the "Awesome" Atlantic Region
Leadership Comes Full Circle: Gamma Omicron Zeta Youth Auxiliaries
Gamma Omicron Zeta Youth Auxiliary Groups have embraced the principles and mottos of their clubs wholeheartedly - specifically, community service. Giving back to others have been the main focus of our youth. GOZ Archonettes, Amicettes, and Pearlettes have adopted the true spirit of giving and working for the happiness of their communities by raising and donating funds to the Salvation Army, Breast Cancer Awareness, Sickle Cell Awareness, March for Babies, and volunteering on Christmas Day to feed, clothe, and provide toys to children and families in need. Our youth understand the concept of giving to others as they constantly aspire to do, raise, and give abundantly. From Flap Jack Fundraisers, Movie Premiers, Penny Harvests, and Can Drives, these admirable young ladies donated over $2000 this year. Most children awake on Christmas morning eager to open their toys and gifts, however these young ladies reported at 8am to serve. When asked why, their response was simply “we want to help other kids have the same feeling we get when we wake up on Christmas”. We cannot be any more pleased with our youth and their efforts!
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PULSE
Delaware Youth Visit Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
Delaware Sorors pictured with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Deputy Director and Former Govenor Jim Kurth and U.S. Representative Mike Castle.
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Leadership in Building a Legacy: Kappa Epsilon Zeta Chapter Archonettes Auxiliary We were happy to see two of the oldest members leaving for college during the fall of 2014. However, they left behind 5 new members who had to hit the ground running. Despite their small number and limited experience, the new Archonettes were very excited and ready to take charge! In fact, they were very flexible and open-minded which made it easier for them to learn and adapt to their circumstances. By the end of the school year they had accomplished the following: volunteered over 130 community service hours; collected 40 plus canned goods for their Thanksgiving food drive; collected 300 plus articles of clothing for their clothing drive; collected over 40 pairs of jeans for Aeropostale’s Teens for Jeans yearly initiative benefiting homeless teens; raised over $600 for the March for Babies walk-a-thon; supported their sponsoring chapter as they participated in: The Kappa Epsilon Zeta Scholarship Fund walkathon; and donated over a $100 worth of handbags for a domestic violence initiative, Purses for Life, spearheaded by our Soror Marlo Gantt; donated over $100 in goods towards our Stork’s Nest. Lastly they contributed to the New York State Z-HOPE initiative for the maintenance of African water wells and supported the Atlantic Regional initiative, Friends to the Elderly. The Archonettes have remained committed all while volunteering hundreds of hours in other community programs outside the club, interning, holding jobs, taking AP/college courses and college prep classes on the weekends, and participating in other extracurricular activities. Although their schedules are busy, they have already committed to go beyond the minimum of their responsibilities to the club and their sponsoring chapter. We are so proud of the work of our small group. They stayed true to the Archonette pledge that they took! They have shown in their own way that their small numbers need not diminish the quantity or quality of their work. We look forward to seeing these Archonettes take the club to higher heights for the 2015-2016 school year.
Called to a Higher Purpose of Service ATLANTIC REGIONAL Z-HOPE IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS
6,940 Hours of Community Service
39,793
Gamma Omicron Zeta chapter Pearlettes help with a service project.
Items Donated to Charity
134,078
Eta Omicron Zeta chapter participates in the March for Babies Walk in Piscataway, NJ.
Total Persons Impacted
$186,774 Money Donated through Z-HOPE programs Nu Sigma Zeta chapter and Theta Omicron Sigma chapter of Phi Beta Sigma collaborate on an elder care project in Harrisburg, PA.
Zeta Delta Zeta chapter participates in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Moorestown, NJ.
Leadership in Undergraduate Excellence
THE YEAR OF THE UNDERGRADUATE
On April 11, 2015, undergraduate members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. from the Tri-State (states of Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts) gathered on the campus of University of Connecticut for its first Joint Zeta/Sigma Undergraduate Retreat. The current Tri-State Undergraduate Coordinator, Soror Shelissa Newball, and the immediate past Tri-State Undergraduate Coordinator, Soror Bridget Bostic, facilitated the retreat. International Grand Basileus Mary Breaux Wright along with Tri-State Director Annette Draper-Moore and Phi Beta Sigma Eastern Regional Director Leonard Lockhart joined the undergraduates. The purpose of the retreat was to clarify our roles and to fully define the meaning of “constitutionally bound”. Time was also spent getting to know one another as well as talking about different ways the undergraduates can support each other without overstepping boundaries. Grand Wright and Brother Lockhart also spoke with the undergrads about the importance of following the rules and regulations as it pertains to MIP. A high point of the day came when Soror Shelissa Newball facilitated an exercise with the undergrads that made a powerful statement about how each one of them plays an important roll in “upholding” our Bond. The event was a great success and Tri-State Director Soror Annette Draper-Moore is looking to host the event annually. ATLANTIC ADVANCE | 14
SOCIAL ACTION AROUND THE REGION
Gamma Nu Zeta Camden, NJ
ON THE FRONT LINE OF SOCIAL CHANGE Nu Psi Zeta Peekskill, NY
Nu Psi Zeta chapter hosted a Town Hall Meeting on establishing trust between the criminal justice system and the local community. The event was attended by Peekskill police, elected officials, community and political organizations.
By Teraleen Campbell, Social Action Coordinator
The Atlantic Region's Social Action Team has been working diligently to ensure that chapters are implementing Zeta's Social Action initiatives. All states within our region have held at least one Zeta Day at the Capitol. Sorors and members of our auxiliaries were on the front lines in cities like Baltimore and New York advocating for justice and an end to violence. Chapters have partnered with local officials to impact positive change within our communities. Chapters have embraced the Get Engaged Initiative and run with implementation, holding watch parties, meeting with elected officials and educating the public on how to safely interact with law enforcement. The region was very well represented during this year's Congressional Black Caucus' Annual Legislative Conference at Zeta's Get Engaged Forum, which examined media images as well as at other events throughout the week. The sorority's legislative priorities are Elder Care and Maternal and Child Care. Chapters also are encouraged to continue to participate in the Get Engaged Initiative. Updates on the program are forthcoming. Social Action goals moving forward include educating and understanding issues that come up in our legislatures via forums and social media campaigns. We will also focus on building relationships with elected officials in our jurisdictions in addition to continuing to conduct voter registration drives and participating in Get Out the Vote (GOTV) initiatives. ATLANTIC ADVANCE | 15
SOCIAL ACTION AROUND THE REGION
Chi Rho Zeta Sicklerville, NJ
HANDS UP, DON'T SHOOT TOWN HALL Chi Rho Zeta chapter's Social Action Chair Soror Yolina Owens pictured with International President Mary Breaux Wright at the Congressional Black Caucus Forum in Washington, D.C.
Spotlight: Living Legacy in Delta Mu Zeta
Kappa Omega Zeta chapter hosted their "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" Town Hall discussion in response to the recent murders of unarmed African Americans by police. Held at the Greater Norristown Police Athletic League in Norristown, PA, the event was attended by police officers, elected officials, community organizations, and concerned citizens. Attendees shared stories about their interactions with the police and ways neighbors can hold elected officials more accountable for police conduct.
Maryland Sorors were captured on CNN at an emergency community meeting at Empowerment Temple in Baltimore, MD in the wake of Freddie Gray's murder by police.
DMZ's first President Soror Isabelle F. Brown, Zeta Dove and Diamond Life Member with the current President Soror Ebony N. McLean, Diamond Life Member
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TAU DELTA ZETA CHAPTER LAUREL, MD
LIVING THE OATH HIGHLIGHTS FROM ADOPT-A-SCHOOL, ELDER CARE, AND SOCIAL ACTION INITIATIVES
MEMBERSHIP
"Zeta now, Zeta tomorrow, Zeta always, should be the thought in the mind of every Zeta woman." - Arizona Leadonia Cleaver Stemons
EXPANDING ZETA'S FOOTPRINT IN THE REGION
ALPHA ALPHA CHI ZETA MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ
ALPHA ALPHA OMEGA ZETA: SOUTHERN WESTCHESTER COUNTY AND WEST BRONX, NY
PROFILE
Rho Sigma Zeta Chartering Ceremony with Atlantic Regional Director Bivins and PA State Director Cousar
GROWING PENNSYLVANIA by Soror Katherine Taylor, Communications Director for the Commonwealth of PA
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is blazing new paths with a renewed Zeal for Zeta! We would like to take this opportunity to highlight two Chapters (and their Basilei): Alpha Alpha Omega Zeta, chartered January 15, 2015 and Rho Sigma Zeta, reactivated on February 06, 2015. Alpha Alpha Omega Zeta chapter president , Dr. Aliya Browne resides in Bucks County, PA and felt the area, along with the Northeast Philadelphia area, was not being fully served by Zeta. At the time there was no other Zeta chapter in the area where Dr. Browne resided, thus she agreed with a few others to lead the efforts of chartering Alpha Alpha Omega Zeta. The vision of this historical chapter will be to expose Zeta to the Northeastern Philadelphia/Bucks Country area. As a physician, Dr. Browne will certainly use her professional training to facilitate community education on the Grand’s health initiatives, including elder care. Dr. Browne is personally passionate about the reduction of heart disease and strokes- the number one cause of diseases in our (African American) community. ATLANTIC ADVANCE | 19
AAOZ held their first Mother Daughter tea in the spring 2015 which was a success. The development of the chapter will continue to emerge based upon collaboration with the other area graduate chapters and well as AAOZ carving out their own niche/signature programs over time. Dr. Brown feels “it’s important as a Sorority to be unified” and “when we [Sorors] get together on programs, that’s how we make the name of Zeta bigger.” The chapter has chosen to shadow another area graduate chapter’s Blue Revue program, thus working effectively and efficiently to build upon the foundation of their chapter. Programming focused on Z-HOPE awareness and efforts continue to emerge as well with a focus on healthcare. Once Soror Jamilia Gates started on the journey for reactivating Rho Sigma Zeta, she discovered there were over 13 Zetas residing in the Erie area and continued along the path for re-establishing the chapter. Persistence was the driving force for Soror Gates that eventually reactivated the chapter! Currently there are seven members in the chapter with varying ranges, of which Soror Gates is the youngest. All of the Sorors in this chapter are from Erie; a great foundation for the chapter building blocks. Although Rho Sigma Zeta is smaller chapter, it is inspiring to see the fruits of their labor. They certainly have the motivation and an energetic leadership to carry on the work of Zeta within the Erie Community- which is long overdue, as there has been no active Chapter in the Erie area since 1999. Soror Gates’ vision for the chapter included hosting events that are unique and really “impact the community”. One particular interest of Soror Gates is to empower young women. “Erie is very small and we spend a lot of time focusing on the violence in this area. Why not focus on the youth and recognize our ‘finer’ young women?” Soror Gates is energized to set the chapter apart from ‘the norm [al]’ programming and events that area Sororities organize and host a program that recognizes the work of young women in the community through a “finer young women recognition program/event”. Alpha Alpha Omega Zeta Chartering Ceremony with Atlantic Regional Director Bivins
AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW GINA MERRITT-EPPS, ESQ., NEW JERSEY STATE DIRECTOR
POSTMODERN PAINTING. Stella alternately paints in oil and watercolor
It is with great pleasure that the State of NJ highlights the 2014 – 2015 Zeta Year! While the Zetas from the Garden State realize our work is continuous, we strive to make an impact on the daily lives of people within those communities we serve. We not only make a difference on a local level, we push to make a difference on a global level by exceeding expectations. New Jersey is forging forward and making history by chartering chapters where there is a need for Zeta, increasing our youth and Amicae numbers, reclaiming inactive Sorors and refocusing our efforts to support the growth of thriving undergraduate chapters. While we are proud to be a part of the Awesome Atlantic Region, the Awesome Atlantic Region is just that much better with the New Jersey Chapters in it!!! In 2014 – 2015 and thus far in 2015 – 2016, we: • Raised $19,923.04 in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walks • Raised $13,397.22 for March for Babies • Donated $1,500 to St. Jude • Implemented a successful Elder Care Initiative, donating 992 pair of socks and 57 lap blankets to Volunteers of America • Acknowledged the Founding of Zeta by donating over $2,900 to a church scholarship goal (exceeding our $1,920 goal) • Reactivated of Theta Omicron Chapter, Rutgers Camden • Chartered of Alpha Alpha Chi Zeta Chapter (28th NJ Chapter; 13th Graduate Chapter) • Trained Sorors regarding Conflict Resolution workshop, Protocol and the Burial Ritual • Chartering of Zeta Amicae of Middle/Southern Middlesex County • Implemented “Teach A Girl to Lead”, partnering with the Center for American Women and Politics partnered to award $1,000 award to a NJ Archonette • Donated $500 toward the Arizona Cleaver Stemons headstone project • Awarded Deborah P. Wolfe Life Members Scholarships to NJ Sorors seeking graduate degrees • Awarded $3,500 in State Scholarships to NJ Sorors • Awarded $600 to Youth Auxiliary Members (Essay Contest) • Won the $1,000 Talk, Text, Action Idea Social Action contest (First Place Winner) • Sponsored Two Undergraduate Sorors for ZOL – 2015 • Implemented a State Elder Care Initiative, donating 992 pair of socks and 57 lap blankets • Implemented a State Winter Z-HOPE Initiative donating117 scarves, 263 hats and 270 pair of gloves We look forward to another year of Service, Scholarship, Sisterhood and Finer Womanhood!
Gamma Nu Zeta Chapter Camden, NJ -
ATLANTIC REGION
Glam Squad FINER SINCE 1944
Eta Omicron Zeta Chapter Plainfield, NJ -
Omega Mu Zeta Chapter Southern Middlesex County, NJ -
ATLANTIC REGION
Glam Squad FINER SINCE 1944
Kappa Epsilon Zeta Chapter Bronx, NY
Delta Mu Zeta Chapter New York, NY
Kappa Xi Zeta Chapter - Syracuse, NY
ATLANTIC REGION
Glam Squad FINER SINCE 1944
Kappa Omega Zeta Chapter Norristown, PA
Epsilon Rho Zeta Chapter - Wilmington, DE
Thank you for making the Atlantic Region "Awesome"!
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