The Premier Pearl Official newsletter of Xi Mu Zeta Chapter—Markham, Illinois
EXECUTIVE BOARD 2014 – 2015 President Nadine Glover 1st Vice President Pamela Clanton 2nd Vice President Michele Posey Johnson Secretary Robbin Cooper Corresponding Secretary Astrid Alfred Greer Treasurer Trina Murphy Financial Secretary Kristil Hayes Parliamentarian Monica Mogbo Historian Lisa Wallace
Fall 2014
Celebrating Finer Women Xi Mu Zeta 25th Anniversary March 10, 2014, Xi Mu Zeta celebrated a quarter of a century of finer womanhood, scholarship, service, and sisterhood. The celebration began with a kickoff reception at the Union Street Art Gallery in Chicago Heights, Illinois on September 28. The event paid tribute to Xi Mu Zeta’s twentytwo charter members. A special chapter gift was presented to the honored guests. On March 8, 2014, the chapter hosted a public program entitled Zetas Read & Write with Zeta authors LaVonne Harris
and Shoya Bowman-Allen at the Markham Public Library. On May 17, sorors planted a Zeta tree at the Markham Park District in honor of the chapter’s contributions to the community. The grand finale was an after five event held on June 21 at the Tinley Park Convention Center. The Great Lakes Regional Director Michelle Porter Norman and the Illinois State Director Connie V. Pugh joined in the celebration.
Chaplain Gladys Christian Crockett
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Xi Mu Zeta Chapter P.O. Box 497 Markham, IL 60428 (877) XMZ-1989 zmail@ximuzeta89.org www.ximuzeta89.org Twitter: ZphiBXiMuZeta Facebook: Xi Mu Zeta
Xi Mu Zeta Charter Members First row: Deborah Williams, Janette Payne, Gwendolyn Harris, Cheryl Sims, Venus Fortenberry, Chandra Cramer, and Dawn Lucas. Second row: Wendy Stokes, Jackie Harvey, Debbie Smith, Venita Vaughn, Johnita Clark, Valerie Davis, Andrea Nash, Yvette Freeman, Michelle Brinson, and Millicent Ross. Third row: Renee Joiner, Darlene Boyd, Monique Staton, and Deloise Maul. Not pictured: Lauren Murdoch.
Xi Mu Zeta Partners with S.W.A.G.G. 2014 Girl Power Xi Mu Zeta hosted Girl Power at Prairie Hills Junior High School in Markham, Illinois on August 23. The event was held in conjunction with S.W.A.G.G., Students with a Goal of Greatness, a District 144 mentoring program. The partnership was recommended by Julia Veazey, assistant District 144 superintendant and proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. S.W.A.G.G. is committed to working with youth to realize their full potential while assisting in developing achievable goals within their lives. The group believes through exposure to positive mentoring, the mentees will rise above the various challenges and successfully achieve their goals. This was a great partnership since both groups have similar goals. The high school also provided a larger venue for Girl Power.
More than 60 young ladies attended the event from the south suburbs. The girls, ages 7-17, enjoyed a full day of workshops, refreshments and entertainment. Workshop topics included bullying, self-esteem, reality TV vs. real life, healthy eating and positive self-images. The Markham Fire Department also presented a workshop on fire safety and demonstrated all the parts on their fire truck. Thanks to the 2014 Girl Power contributors:
Walgreens (201 W. Madison, Chicago, IL) Chipotle of Beverly (Chicago, IL) Chipotle of Tinley Park Markham Park District
Parading Our Cause Xi Mu Zeta joined fellow Zetas at the state service project during the 2014 Bud Billiken Day Parade on August 9. Phi Beta Sigma was also present marching in the parade as part of the fraternity’s centennial celebration.
In-home Care for Seniors In-home care is the term that broadly defines the various types of care and services delivered by individuals or agencies to those with mobility limitations or other frailties that make it difficult for them to leave home. Inhome care generally includes help from the following:
Elder companions who primarily provide friendly companionship and supervision Personal care assistants who help with some chores and daily grooming Live-in care providers who ensure a constant monitoring presence
How it helps Home care is needed—from periodic social visits to help with daily medication management to around-theclock monitoring. In-home care allows a loved one to stay at home rather than move to a facility. For many people, staying at home among their possessions and in a familiar community plays a big role in assuring a good quality of life. What it costs In-home care ranges in cost from free help from volunteers who provide assistance with visits and chores to live-in care that can run several thousand dollars or more a month for constant monitoring. How to get started For more information on home health care programs, contact the Eldercare Locator, a public service of the Administration on Aging (at 1-800- 6771116 or http://www.eldercare.gov).
President’s Corner As the color of the leaves begin to turn, I reflect on all the marvelous events in 2014. Xi Mu Zeta celebrated a quarter of a century, Phi Beta Sigma enjoyed a yearlong, centennial celebration and Zeta Phi Beta rejoiced in 94 years of service. Setting the vision and staying the course is a difficult task but the accomplishments are well worth the journey. Xi Mu Zeta has embraced the principles of service, scholarship, sisterhood and finer womanhood and will continue for the next twenty five years. Xi Mu Zeta welcomes the new 2014-2016 executive board. The new officers bring a wealth of talent and dedication. The new partnership with S.W.A.G.G. at Prairie Hills Junior High School offers greater community outreach and a new home for Xi Mu Zeta’s Girl Power program. The chapter is also excited to restart the Pearlette youth auxiliary. Our journey continues for the love of Zeta! Nadine Glover Xi Mu Zeta President Markham, Illinois
Zeta Organizational Leadership Certification
Congratulations to the 2014 ZOL certified Xi Mu Zeta members! ZOL is an intense training including workshops and webinars designed to enhance leadership skills in members’ Zeta and professional careers. Pamela Clanton Astrid Greer Jutun King Monica Mogbo Krista Allen Sanders Gwendolyn Smith Lisa Wallace
Honoring the Men and Women that Protect Our Freedom Veterans also received a free small coffee at a BP gas station on Stony Island from 6-12pm in Chicago, Illinois. No purchase was required. Veterans only needed a military ID or uniform. Xi Mu Zeta member Karen Collins sponsored the coffee service. The chapter is looking forward to this year’s event.
Xi Mu Zeta honored the service men and women on November 11 assisting the patients at the Jesse Brown VA Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. This was a national ZHOPE (Zetas Helping Other People) project during military appreciation week. The chapter also donated more than $100 to the national Operation Homefront fund. On a national level, the sorority donated $20,000 to the Operation Homefront organization in 2013.
2014 KidFest at Ingalls Hospital Xi Mu Zeta came out for the sake of the kids on July 26 at Ingalls Hospital’s KidFest. Chapter members interacted with families handing out bottled water, registering girls for Girl Power and distributing information on the chapter’s youth groups. Expectant moms also signed up for Stork’s Nest.
Stork’s Nest Road Trip: Babypalooza Stork’s Nest volunteers ventured out of the nest to Ingalls Hospital on May 24, for Ingalls Hospital’s Babypalooza. The event was a baby extravaganza for recent and expectant mothers. Mothers were treated to healthy snacks, hourly education sessions, free samples and car seat safety checks. Xi Mu Zeta networked with prenatal-care providers, handed out treats and answered questions about the Stork’s Nest program.
The Stork’s Nest Baby Shower is held every two months on the third Saturday in the Professional Building at Ingalls Hospital in Harvey, Illinois. Expectant mothers interact with other pregnant women, participate in raffles for baby items and receive valuable prenatal information. New participants receive a welcome bag and mothers exiting the program receive a car seat. Annually, expectant moms take a field trip to Meijer for a healthy eating seminar and receive a Meijer’s gift card.
NEF Awareness Month Xi Mu Zeta observed National Educational Foundation (NEF) awareness month during May 2014. The NEF committee planned several events to reach a fundraising goal of $1000. The committee participated in Carson’s Community Days in February. Committee members sold coupon books at Carson’s in Chicago Ridge Mall on February 22. NEF donations were also collected at the Essence of Zeta luncheon on March 22.
The chapter hosted a Mellow Monday networking social on Monday, May 19 at The Linger Martini Bar in Oak Forest, Illinois. Friends and supporters enjoyed libations and good conversation. The event was a huge success and the committee is planning a repeat event in 2015. The committee exceeded its goal by raising $1,250. Xi Mu Zeta issued a $500 check at the 2014 GLR Conference in April and $750 to the state of Illinois NEF fund in May.
Pounding the Pavement Members of Xi Mu Zeta pounded the payment during the annual Making Strides for Breast Cancer Walk held on October 11, 2013. Members with babies in tow walked the 3K at Centennial Park in Orland Park, Illinois. The chapter successfully raised $800 for breast cancer research. Team Xi Mu Zeta is ready for the 2014 Making Strides event. Fundraising for the annual March of Dimes campaign immediately followed. Xi Mu Zeta held Bowling for Babies on February 22 at Lakewood Bowl in Richton Park, Illinois. Next we dined for dollars at Applebee’s in Country Club Hills.
Xi Mu Zeta raised $1,630 for March for Babies held on May 3 at Midlothian Meadows. Last year’s fundraising earned the chapter 4th place recognition at the Great Lakes regional conference in April. The Harvey/Markham Relay for Life was right on the heels of March for Babies. The walk was held on June 28 at Thornton Township High School in Harvey, Illinois. The White Pearls of Markham braved the wind and rain throughout the walk raising $1,050.
Better Love Yourself Trunk Event Xi Mu Zeta’s own songstress Terisa Griffin hosted the annual Better Love Yourself trunk event on July 27 at the DuSable Museum. Parents and guests listened to a soulful concert while college-bound students received a variety of prizes. Shavon Pettis, Xi Mu Zeta’s Bonita Woods Harris Scholarship recipient, received one of the trunks.
D.C. Takeover
Auxiliaries in Action
The Archonettes had a busy and productive 2013-2014. The group volunteered at the Markham Park District’s Annual Breakfast with Santa on December 14. The young ladies helped serve breakfast and distribute toys to the families at the event. The group also held a Black History Program on March 8 at Markham City Hall with a particular focus on women's history. The Archonettes treated guests to an array of performances including an original verse about non-violence, poems, slide shows, line dances and step routines. The Amicettes truly embrace the principle of service. The auxiliary organized their own service project and distributed blessing bags to men at a homeless shelter. The bags consisted of personal hygiene products. There were also goodies including gum, granola bars, apple sauce, and crackers. In addition, the girls collected blankets to give away with the blessing bags.
The Archonettes joined the Amicettes at the B.O.L.D leadership conference with other youth groups held during the Black Woman's Expo in Chicago on March 29.
The group also assisted Xi Mu Zeta with packing and delivering the Thanksgiving baskets to needy families in November. During the Christmas season, the auxiliary collected toys for the Gospel Kitchen’s toy drive. The group also donated toiletry items to Xi Mu Zeta’s Women’s Shopping Day at the Family Rescue Shelter in February. The group attended the B.O.L.D and Born to Win conference at the Black Woman’s Expo in Chicago, Illinois on March 29.
The Archonettes look forward to continuing to foster cultural, social, and educational growth, in addition to contributing to Markham and the surrounding communities.
Amicae of Markham Congratulations to Jametta Ware, the 2014 Amica of the Year for the Amicae of Markham. Amica Ware received this honor at the 2014 Essence of Zeta Awards luncheon on March 22. She was the first Amica of the Markham, Illinois auxiliary to receive the award. The Amicae of Markham also received Xi Mu Zeta’s first national ZHOPE award. The second place certificate was presented at the awards banquet at the 2014 Grand Boule in Washington, D.C.
2014 Grand Boule Chicago Takeover Addicted Movie Fundraiser Date: Saturday, October 11, 2014 Time: 11am Location: Lowes AMC 16 Country Club Hills, Illinois Making Strides for Breast Cancer Walk Date: Sunday, October 12, 2014 Time: 9am Location: Centennial Park 10401 W. 153rd Street Orland Park, Illinois Conquering Breast Cancer Forum Date: Saturday, October 18, 2014 Time: 9-2pm Location: Odyssey Country Club Tinley Park, Illinois Free Coffee for Veterans Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2014 Time: 6am-12pm Location: USA BP AMADO 7448 S. Stony Island Chicago, Illinois Stork’s Nest Date: Saturday, November 15, 2014 Time: 11-2pm Location: Ingalls Professional Building 71 West 156th Street Harvey, Illinois Thanks-4-Giving Basket Packing Date: Saturday, November 22, 2014 Time: 9-12pm Location: Markham Community Room, Markham, Illinois Annual Toy Drive Date: Thursday, December 11, 2014 Time: 6-10pm Location: Bar Louie, Matteson, Illinois