WOMEN WHO INSPIRE

{ SHIFT+CONTROL }{ WOMEN WHO INSPIRE } YOU ARE ENOUGH. THE NATIONAL SORORITY OF PHI DELTA KAPPA, INC.

BY NICOLE HEROUX WILLIAMS I PHOTOS BY NSP STUDIO

Zeta Zeta Chapter Rochester, NY

Dr. Eva J. Thomas, Zeta Zeta Chapter President

Tell our audience what the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa is?

The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Incorporated is a professional organization of women in the field of education. As a professional organization of well-trained and effective educators in all components of the learning spectrum, NSPDK is dedicated to training youth and adults to develop and enhance those skills, abilities, attitudes and ethics that will prepare them to function successfully in a democratic society.

What is the mission behind the sorority? To Foster a Spirit of Sisterhood Among Teachers and to Promote the Highest Ideals of the Teaching Profession”.

What made you decide to join the sorority?

Becoming part of a sisterhood!

The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Incorporated seeks to attract individuals who possess good moral character, exemplify self-respect and exhibit professional integrity. Candidates for membership must be actively engaged in the field of education. Every Zeta Zeta Soror is either a teacher, School Administrator or a District Administrator. The following characteristics represent educators to be recruited for membership:

1. Educators with exceptional teaching skills, organizational skills and leadership experience.

2. Educators who are willing to invest time and talent in the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Incorporated as an extracurricular priority.

3. Educators who are committed to and feel comfortable advocating all components of the Youth, Education, Service Program (Y.E.S.).

4. Educators who represent a diversity of backgrounds, interests, experiences, talent and academic pursuits.

5. Educators who foster enthusiasm and dedication to students and the teaching profession. They demonstrate passionately the pursuit of excellence. They express openly their beliefs that all children can learn, and admit that they are lifelong learners. The educators believe in teamwork, network, and work!

6. Educators who demonstrate a charitable and giving spirit in time and money.

How did you get to where you are today? What gives your mission strength?

The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Incorporated (NSPDK) is a nonprofit, educational sorority founded by eight educators desiring to establish a sisterhood among teachers and promote the highest ideals of the teaching profession. NSPDK was the idea of Gladys Merritt Ross, who, on Good Friday, March 30, 1923, convened a group of young teachers from Jersey City Normal School in Jersey City, New Jersey to discuss the idea of forming a sorority.

Eight members of those present concurred, and Newark attorney, J. Mercer Burrell, incorporated the new organization on May 23, 1923 - which is now recognized as the official Founders Day. Because the original members were all minors, their parents or guardians, Dr. G.E. Cannon, Mr. J.L. Merritt, Mrs. Lottie Cooper and Mrs. Estelle Morris became trustees.

The eight founders are Gladys Merritt Ross (Mother Founder), Julia Asbury Barnes, Ella Wells Butler, Marguerite

DR K

“Zeta Zeta continues to work with our National Leaders to engage in recruiting efforts for new members for our Charter.”

Florence Steele Hunt, Edna McConnell, Gladys Cannon Nunery and Mildred Morris Williams.

The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa Incorporated, Zeta Zeta Chapter of Rochester, NY. was discovered based on former affiliation with Kappa Omicron Tau at Delaware State University under the direction of Soror Dr. Elise Braithwaite. Zeta Zeta Chapter was chartered on June 13, 2021 in Rochester, New York at the Hyatt Hotel. Zeta Zeta became the 144th chapter of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Incorporated with a total of nineteen (19) women.

Zeta Zeta Chapter supports the following educational pillars, which are Y.E.S. (Youth, Education, and Service). Our hearts desire is to give back to our community, nation, and the world by mentoring, supporting and donating scholarship funds to aid our youth in the field of education. Furthermore, we are an organization that believes in the power of community service. There is an African proverb that says, I am, because you are.” We know that by sowing seeds into our youth, we will be able to reap a plentiful harvest by supporting future educators. In 2023, our organization will be 100 years old. In the Spring of 2023, we will be accepting applications for new membership.

What challenges have you faced this year, especially in business, and how have you pivoted?

It has proven slightly challenging to manage the schedules of many extremely busy professional women with families, church and community responsibilities. Everything that we do is important to someone in our community so finding the time to commit to The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa Incorporated Zeta Zeta Chapter has to be very deliberate. We are intentional in building cohesiveness with nineteen women in our chapter and stay true to our National Sorority’s mission / vision, eBoard Meetings, Chapter Meetings, Monthly Events, etc.

What motivates you and keeps you moving forward and how do you encourage new membership ?

Zeta Zeta continues to work with our National Leaders to engage in recruiting efforts for new members for our Charter. Our Charter is active in local events, partnering with Elementary and High Schools and Post-Secondary Institutions, on behalf of Youth Education and Service. A disproportionate number of black women are represented within statistics related to poverty, and lack access to economic and educational opportunity. Our National Sorority partners with the Black Women’s Agenda (BWA) which is devoted to advancing, securing, and protecting the rights of these women. Constantly, the women of BWA strive to acquire greater understanding and cooperation about issues that affect all women and their families, while searching for new knowledge and new conceptualizations about said problems. Through the establishment of social priorities (an agenda), BWA facilitates discussions that lead to effective policies and meaningful change. Their continuous vigilance on issues affecting Black women worldwide empower women to step up and mitigate the gender gaps that affect women in our society.

There continues to be a need for educators of color to have a space to prepare, plan and respond to some of the unique needs that we face in the educational systems we serve.

How long has the sorority been around and how did it start? What is different about it today?

The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. (NSPDK) is a nonprofit, educational sorority founded by eight educators desiring to establish a sisterhood among teachers and promote the highest ideals of the teaching profession. NSPDK was the idea of Gladys Merritt Ross, who, on Good Friday, March 30, 1923, convened a group of young teachers from Jersey City Normal School in Jersey City, New Jersey to discuss the idea of forming a sorority.

Eight members of those present concurred, and Newark attorney, J. Mercer Burrell, incorporated the new organization on May 23, 1923 - which is now recognized as the official Founders Day. Because the original members were all minors, their parents or guardians, Dr. G.E. Cannon, Mr. J.L. Merritt, Mrs. Lottie Cooper and Mrs. Estelle Morris became trustees.

The eight founders are Gladys Merritt Ross (Mother Founder), Julia Asbury Barnes, Ella Wells Butler, Marguerite Gross, Florence Steele Hunt, Edna McConnell, Gladys Cannon Nunery and Mildred Morris Williams.

“The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. (NSPDK) is a nonprofit, educational sorority founded by eight educators desiring to establish a sisterhood among teachers and promote the highest ideals of the teaching profession.”

will be accepting applications for new membership. Sorority chapters are consistently updating their bylaws to stay abreast of technology changes and educational law.

We are an organization that believes in the power of community service. There is an African proverb that says, I am, because you are. We know that by sowing seeds into our youth, we will be able to reap a plentiful harvest by supporting future educators.

What are some of the pros and cons of being a part of the sorority and its mission?

Pros: sisterhood, networking, empowerment, pour into youth or the next generation. Opportunity to shift the profession of teaching….student achievement, acceleration, etc.

Cons: Investment of time; financial investment; stamina to continue with the mission and vision of a sorority / fraternity.

While working full time. None of us want to half do anything, so we maintain a high level of engagement in all aspects of our personal and professional lives. Finding time to decompress is no longer a luxury but a requirement that we are very cognizant of.

Do you have any helpful advice to someone interested in joining?

Take the time to decide “WHY” you would like to join a sorority. After that, it will be easier to make the commitment and stick with it.

Tell our audience one thing about Phi Delta that not many others know.

Quite frankly, I am not sure that many in the Rochester area knew much about The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., at all until we chartered Zeta Zeta. The idea of an all professional sorority, dedicated to the field of education is unique .

What’s the most crucial ideas for

empowering your audience of teachers? THE EDUCATION COMPONENT CONSISTS OF:

TEACH-A-RAMA

It is designed to acquaint teachers, parents, students and the community with various aspects and issues in education. A Teach-A-Rama may be presented in the form of an educational forum, workshops, seminars, lectures, courses, etc. Teach A Rama is the space in which we provide guidance and opportunities for educators to expand their repertoire of effective strategies to use in their professional lives or practices.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

It focuses on the provisions of meaningful learning experiences for pre-school children that will improve their readiness for school and subsequent scholastic achievement.

LITERACY

The umbrella of Literacy includes academic skills centers that supplement classroom work by providing opportunities to enhance proficiency in such areas as reading, math, language arts, science, social studies, technology and African American History.

COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS AND EDUCATION

It focuses on matters and issues involving education and the civil rights of children, youth, adults, teachers and professionals in education.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING

It focuses on educational and sororal leadership training to meet the goals of the Sorority, administrative roles of committee members and officers; members’ roles, and all components of the Y.E.S. Program.

Where will we see Phi Delta Kappa next? Any big plans?

● In the Spring of 2023, Zeta Zeta Chapter will be accepting applications for new membership (e.g. first line).

● Zeta Zeta Chapter sponsors upcoming Youth Education and Service Events in the Rochester Area:

YOUTH

Xinos - a guidance group for female youth in grades 9 through 12.

Kudos - a guidance group for male youth in grades 9 through 12.

Kappa Omicron Tau (KOT) - a college guidance group for students pursuing a degree in education.

HUB Parents - the mothers, fathers, guardians and other relatives of the Xinos and Kudos who volunteer to assist sorority members with the supervision and implementation of the Xinos and Kudos activities.

“We are an organization that believes in the power of community service..”

EDUCATION

Teach-A-Rama – offers workshops centered around theme which are beneficial to the community such as Educator Loan Forgiveness.

NSPDK, Inc. National & Eastern Region Scholarship Programs – Zeta Zeta Chapter donates to each of these scholarship programs

Professional Development and Leadership Training – Several Zeta Zeta Chapter members provide professional development workshops in Rochester and throughout the northeast region.

NSPDK, Inc. eLearning Academy - a professional development online resource designed to offer education professionals, parents, and students quick and easy web-based access to skill based activities for a wide array of learners.

SERVICE

NSPDK International Project – Zeta Zeta Chapter participates in the NSPDK, Inc. partnership with AfriCare funding projects on the continent of Africa that range from $30,000-$50,000 every four years.

NSPDK National Project – Zeta Zeta Chapter participates in the NSPDK, Inc. support of the Sickle Cell Research Center @ Meharry Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

NSPDK Local Projects – Zeta Zeta Chapter participates with and host a variety of projects which benefit residents of Rochester.

SPECIALIZES IN WILLS/PROBATE AND TRUST WORK, ALONG WITH REAL ESTATE AND NURSING HOME COLLECTIONS

1900 EMPIRE BLVD. #172 I WEBSTER, NY 14580 I (585)217-9390