The Pearl Essence 2014-2015 Sorority Year
Honoring The Five Pearls of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated
Most Honorable Arizona Cleaver Stemons
Most Honorable Myrtle Tyler Faithful
Most Honorable Pearl Anna Neal
Most Honorable Viola Tyler Goings
Most Honorable Fannie Pettie Watts
Presidential Pearls
Highlights
Service In Action pg.3
W
e have come to the end of a spectacular fiscal year in Eta Chi Zeta. This year has been filled with many accomplishments and words cannot express how proud I am of this group of women. We have achieved so much within the past 9 months and we are nowhere near done Blazing New Paths! We are pround to continue in making an impact in Zeta Phi Beta, Sorority, Inc. and the Will County Area. I want to take the time to congratulate Eta Chi
Welcome New Members pg.7
Step Show pg.13
Zeta on winning the NAACP-Joliet “Outstanding Community Service” Award. This is truly an honor to be awarded for what we do best - MASTER SERVICE. Just because the year has ended, the wok will not stop here in Eta Chi Zeta. Look out for upcoming events and projects. If you have not done so, please “like” our Facebook Page, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority-Eta Chi Zeta Chapter.
Janielle Gooden
2014-2016 Eta Chi Zeta Chapter President
Service: What We Master
Eta Chi Zeta Take Top Honors in Service Achievement
Service Quick Hits
A Recap of our Service Activities
Social Action
Under the leadership of Soror Shelia Traylor, our chapter took service to new heights. Throughout the sorority year we participated in over 50 initiatives, maintained our relationship with Adopt-A-Highway, Sunny Hill Nursing Home and the March of Dimes. We also forged a new relationship with the Joliet Chapter of the NAACP. Our efforts were rewarded with a special recoginition. We can proudly proclaim that Eta Chi Zeta earned the most Z-Hope points in our size category for the State of Illinois and we were honored with an award from the Joliet Chapter of the NAACP at their annual scholoarship gala!
On Saturday, January 10, 2015 we partnered with the Joliet Branch 3108 of NAACP in their “Get Empowered, Know Your Rights Program” at the Sacred Heart Church in Joliet, IL to provide snacks to over 50 people in attendance.
MLK Dsy
On 1/19, we celebrated MLK Day at the Joliet Girls and Boys Club. The Archonettes joined us and we had a great turnout. We sang, colored and played games with about 50 children and teens, we provided drinks and snacks and donated 20 coats.
Donating Goods
204 items were collected at the Regional conference to support Pillars, Featherfist and the Vivian Carter Apartments.
Sunday of Hope
God’s Hands Ministry played host on May 24,2015 as we helped the great news of St. Jude. Soror Sherry Martin Johnson gave a moving presentation detailing what hope means to the African American community and how our partners at St. Jude work to provide this hope to families facing a medical crisis.
March for Babies 2015 Did you know that over 300,000 babies are born premature each yeah? Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated stands with our partners at the March of Dimes to help bring that number to zero. In order to advance that cause the chapter members participated in the annual March for Babies event at Joliet West High School on May 9, 2015. Members were involved in all aspects of the event including checking in participants, collecting donations and carrying the banner to lead the way. In all we raised over $500.00 to contribute to this worthy cause and are eustatic to continue to help bring awareness to premature births.
Archonettes in Action
Nu Delta News
U Our Undergraduates at UIUC have wrapped up a successful year. Participating in events including from fundraisers, “Black Women Rock”, and of course hosting the annual Twizted Yard Show - these women have made it clear that Zetas make a difference on campus. The chapter also welcomed five new members: Jasmine Jackson,Brianna Mooney, JacNu Delta Chapter is located on the campus of the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. For more information on their events please visit them at www.facebook. com/zpbdollzanddivaz
qui Banks, Jasmine Breeding and Jessica Medina. Great job Nu Delta!
nder the inspirational leadership of Soror Shenekia Stimage the youth Archonette Auxiliary Group soared to new heights. The participated in a number of fundraisers and service projects, held meetings and attended the regional conference in Rosemont Illinois. The girls also dedicated their time and efforts to perfecting a step routine to display at the “So You Think You Can Step” competition. Their hard work and dedication earned them a third place trophy in the competition and some serious bragging rights.
Welcome to the Sisterhood!
Eta Chi Zeta Welcomes Four New Memebers
It is with great pride that our chapter introduces four new Fabulous Women to our beloved sisterhood. These four women have stepped up to the challenge laid upon us by our Most Honorable Founders and have already made an impact on our chapter. We look forward to seeing their growth as individuals and as Finer Women of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated! Welcome Sorors!!
A Finer Celebration
Eta Chi Zeta Celebrates the Exceptional Eta Class
C
andice eards
B
P
ariss night
K
S
h e r r y Martin ohnson
J
M
arkeita hell
S
An Exceptional celebration was required to welcome these four young ladies into the sisterhood. On Saturday May 16, 2015 chapter members gathered with friends, family and other members of the sorority to celebrate the induction During the event our guests of honor were treated to poems, tributes and gifts. The class also paid tribute to our sisterhood and chapter in a step preformance. According to new member Pariss Knight, “Our new member celebration was a moment of pure joy and excitement. I would like to thank the Eta Chi Zeta chapter of our sorority for the hard work and effort put into making our new member celebration so extraordinary and memorable, for their guidance, and continuous exemplification of sisterly love. Words can’t describe how I felt that day. I felt more ready than ever to begin doing work for our beloved sorority. Thank you Eta Chi Zeta for being good role models and strong leaders for us to lean on.
Eta Chi Zeta Participates in the 84th Annual Greater Great Lakes Regional Conference Our chapter is home to great leaders, including our newly elected State of Illinois Representative, Chauntine J. Dorame! Chauntine’s election wasn’t the only highlight to a fun and productive weekend at the 84th annual Great Lakes Regional Conference. Members attended business sessions and participated in the Regional Centennial Launch Party. We also took home second place in the regional scrapbook competition, continuing a tradition of excellence.
T
his year, the scrapbook committee took an interesting approach to creating the Eta Chi Zeta’s scrapbook themed “Blazing new paths to 2020”. Each committee was asked to complete their own “journaling” of each respective committees’ chapter activities. Every committee accepted the challenge but with reservations…”I am not creative”, “I don’t get scrapbooking”, “there’s no pattern or order”….though this was a new experience for some, all embraced the task with new found-or newly restored creativity. The end result: a very proud 2nd place WIN at the 2015 Great Lakes Regional Conference in Rosemont, Illinois. Each page, artistically told a story of an impressive year of community action, partnerships, celebration of sisterhood, a commitment to education, and Finer Womenhood. Scrapbooking takes the undefinable mass of pictures that-alone does not “tell the story”- and helps the creator organize the photo canvas to “tell the visual story”. Photos can be preserved to evoke feelings, trigger associations, and tell the story for those who see them in the future. The alternative is simply a collection of photos that do not really convey the individual significance of each photo. Congratulations Finer Women of Eta Chi Zeta on a job well done. Your creation is truly a Masterpiece artistically created by –“A Chapter of Masters”
Tonya Banks
2015-2016 Eta Chi Zeta Scrapbook Commitee Chair
Finer Recognition
Socially Sound
End Of the Year Celebration
Making the Connection Together as Sisters
Chapter Anniversary Celebtation
A
pril 7, 2005 is a very special date for the members of the Eta Chi Zeta chapter. It is the day that 14 highly motivated and dedicated members came together to reactivate the chapter and restore Zeta’s presence in the Joliet area. Since that date the chapter has gone about the business of holding programs, presenting scholarships and serving the Will County community.
On April 6, 2015 our chapter came together to celebrate this momentous occasion. We fellowshipped as sisters at Pinot’s Pallet – an art painting experience - in Naperville, Illinois. Fittingly, the artwork for the evening displayed sisters dancing together in harmony. A true description of our bond together to enhance ourselves and community.
Social Quick Hits
A Recap of our Social Activities
Im Thankful For My Sister
In the spirit of Thankfulness our chapter gatherered together on the evening of November 15, 2014 to share food, laughs and to reflect on all that we have been blessed with, inside and outside of our sisterhood.
Statewide Founders Day
On January 16, 1920 our beloved Founders, Honorable Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Honorable Pearl Anna Neal, Honorable Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Honorable Viola Tyler Goings and Honorable Fannie Pettie Watts all gathered together to make history. They set about a path that would lead us to bond together to foster the ideas of Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood and Finer Womanhood. To celebrate this momentous occasion the members of the Eta Chi Zeta Chapter gathered with other sisters from across the state to participate in the Illinois Statewide Founders Day celebration. Together our hearts filled with gratitude and a spirit of hop as we reflected on our commitment to our sorority and each other. Everyone walked away from the experience filled with the spirit of Zeta!
Movie Night!
Chapter members gathered on the cold evening of February 21, 2015 to revive the tradition of Black Movie Night. Moviegoers were treated to a delicious spread of movie friendly food items such as pizza, nachos and of course – popcorn!
Eta Chi Zeta Chapter places a lot of focus throughout the year on the principles of the Sorority, and it’s chapter members believe that certain members deserve special recognition for extending their efforts toward the chapter’s progression. Each year members nominate fellow chapter members for outstanding service and going beyond normal expectations. The 2014-2015 fiscal year’s awards were present as follow: Sisterly Love award was presented to Soror Chandra AllgoodFoster for maintaining a positive attitude and approach towards herself, all Sorors, and anyone she comes in contact with; for freely giving compliments toward Sorors and others without being prompted; for being very willing to help any Soror in need; and for looking for opportunities to keep a positive atmosphere within the chapter. The Finer Womanhood award is presented each year to the Soror who has a kind and nurturing disposition, has knowledge or aptitude for Zeta, a positive outward expression, and carry herself in a manner consistent with what our Founders envisioned as a finer woman. This year’s award was presented to Soror Janette Bishop. Soror Shelia Traylor was awarded the Service Recognition Award for performing the most community service during the final year. To earn the “Zeta of the Year” award, a Soror must demonstrate the characteristics of all the awards, and this year Soror Janette Bishop wore the title proudly. Teamwork is an important to the members of Eta Chi Zeta as individual performance. The committee that receives this award is one who has made an impression on the chapter by demonstrating hard work and improving the chapter in some way. This year the chapter members felt that the Marketing Committee, led by a new member to the Sorority – Soror Candyce Holland, demonstrated that better than most. The chapter president also recognized two members for outstanding characteristics. The New Member of the Year award was presented to Soror Candyce Holland for her outstanding contributions to the chapter during ear first year of membership. Soror Shelia Traylor was presented the President’s Award for leading the team in a successful year of community service as the service committee chair and helping the chapter win award and recognitions for its efforts and participation in the Will county area.
Wanda Bradley-Bey
2014-2015 Eta Chi Zeta Social Commitee Chair
So You Think You Can Step Eta Chi Zeta Establishes a New Standard in Youth Step Shows
1st place: Thornton Township High School 2nd Place: Tau Psi Zeta Achonette Auxiliary Step Team 3rd Place: Eta Chi Zeta Archonette Auxiliary Step Team
Waubonsie Valley High School
On Saturday, March 21 Eta Chi Zeta Chapter held its 1st Annual “So You Think You Can Step� High School Step Competition at Naperville North High School. Over seven high school step teams performed and cash prizes and trophies were given out to the top 3 teams. We were graced with laughter and positive energy from our blue and white family Masters of Ceremony: Soror Lindsay Vahl and Brother David Baker. Judges consisted of various members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, and Phi Beta Sigma and high school step coaches. Over 200 people were in attendance and we anticipate to double if not triple this total next year given the positive comments and desire to continue this community event. To encourage crowd participation this Chapter of Masters also offered a pizza party to the high school step team with the most fans in the audience. Parents, School administrators, Community members, Sorors, Frat, and members of other Greek organizations graced our presence and are still talking about the stepping abilities and talents of our youth. Eta Chi Zeta would like to thank every team and individual who supported our event. We look forward to seeing you next spring!
Ebony Baker
First Place Goes to.... Thornton Township High School New Generation of Men
Leading the Way
Eta Chi Zeta Members Attend the National Executive Board Meeting During the weekend of January 8-11th, various Eta Chi Zeta (HXZ) Chapter members took an excursion to Houston for the 2015 National Executive Board. The plan was to leave early on a Thursday night flight to be arrive, rest and prepare for the Friday morning business session. As the saying goes, the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry. Nature had other plans for the sisters, as a large and lasting snow storm hit our area and grounded all planes. After spending the night at the airport, they took an early flight out - filled with excitement and anticipation. Part one of the executive board meeting was extremely educational and informative. To see our “leaders” at work and conferring with other leaders was a truly inspiring thing. Remembering their platforms and speeches, then to see their words turn into actions brought a comforting feeling to know that ZETA is in good hands and that the correct people are in place. After session one’s break in business, the sisters hurriedly went to change into “T-shirtz & PumpZ” for the official Centennial Launch Party kick-off. Zetas from far and wide converged upon this historic event. We were in awe as we watched Past President Jylla Tearte explain and describe the happenings that were taking place in the room. Not only was this the kick-off of the Passport/stamp initiative but we Zetas learned about our national partnership with the African-American Smithsonian Museum. There was an opportunity to purchase memorabilia, view historical pics and documents and the first chance to financially contribute to the Centennial campaign. The next day’s board meeting did not disappoint. The national leadership team shared more about the Centennial program planning, finances and official events. There was also a preview of the upcoming tribute to Founder Arizona Cleaver Stemons that will take place in the Midwestern Region. The day and weekend ended with some free/down time which included shopping trips around the city and at the Galleria.
Chauntine J. Dorame
2014-2016 Eta Chi Zeta Third Vice President