September 2012 Volume 1, Issue 1
Sorors, it is my pleasure to “Serving Our Sisterhood” bring you greetings for the first time as the 10th State Director of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is with humility, excitement and honor to have the opportunity to serve the sisterhood in this capacity. As a servant in this position, I do not take lightly the charge given to me. My promise to this State is that I will always strive to do my best. I will ensure that the principles and the ideal of Finer Womanhood are always at the forefront and that the governing documents and the membership is the driving force behind all that I do. During my administration, I promise to be transparent, fair, resourceful and sisterly as I conduct business on behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I will serve side-by10th PA State Director side with every member by promoting an atmosphere that is Soror Barbara A. Cousar conducive to learning, growing and having fun. I am committed to executing and supporting the programmatic initiatives and objectives of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. on all levels, with particular emphasis on International Grand Basileus Wright’s vision of “Building on the Principles of Zeta While Blazing New Paths!” For over 30 years, chapters within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have provided countless hours of service to their respective communities. With your cooperation, we shall continue our legacy of meaningful service to the State. I ask that you support Zeta’s programs and service projects by lending your talents and time as we move the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania forward. I would like to thank Soror Sieta Achampong, Immediate Past State Director for her leadership and hard work. She stepped up to lead our State in 2009 and we shall always be grateful to her for putting the needs of our State first. The theme for this administration is “S.O.S. – Serving our Sisterhood” while we serve others – it’s a way of life!!! This administration will also focus on getting sorors prepared to run for elected offices at all levels. In closing, please know that I am here to serve you and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to greeting everyone on this journey. Sisterly,
An Example for Others to Follow Soror Sieta Achampong has always been driven by her love for Zeta Phi Beta. Her passion and dedication for our great sisterhood spans back to the 8th grade and Soror Achampong has served with integrity and creativity ever since.
As the 9th Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Director, her vision for the state was to be a servant-leader, unite sorors in service, honor our relationship with Phi Beta Sigma through joint efforts, and ensure that Pennsylvania had a voice within the Body. Bringing accountability and leadership to the State during turbulent times will be a lasting part of Soror Achampong’s legacy as State Director. Distinguished Soror Yolanda Goodwin-Humphrey first met Soror Achampong as her Archonette Advisor and has played a special role in her life since they met. She remembers watching Soror Achampong blossom over the years from a shy, young girl to a strong, principled woman. Soror Goodwin-Humphrey said “Sieta learned more about herself as State Director. She felt an urgency to bring sorors together. Her service was never about one individual. She stayed focused on Zeta and the Commonwealth of PA. I’m very proud of that.” The Commonwealth of PA would like to honor Soror Sieta Achampong for her enduring legacy of service to the State! She is truly an “example for others to follow.”
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEWLY ELECTED NATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD 24th International Grand Basileus Mary Breaux Wright National First Anti-Basileus Scarlet H. Black National Second Anti-Basileus Jacqueline Lemon-Denton National Third Anti-Basileus Anjylla Foster National Grammateus Cynthia A. Bell National Tamias Michelle A. Joubert National Phylacter Brunhilda C. Williams-Curington Chair, National Executive Board Katy S. Campbell, Esq. Chairman, National Trustees Darneta G. Brown National Trustee Antoinette “Toni� Gordon National Trustee Stephanie L. Dukes National Trustee Bettye E. Murchison
Graduate Member to the Executive Committee Dr. Shirley Stansberry Undergraduate Rep to the National Nominating Committee Jessica Holden Atlantic Regional Director Janet Y. Bivins, Esq. Eastern Regional Director Diane Surgeon Great Lakes Regional Director Michelle Porter Norman Midwestern Regional Director Samantha Hughes Pacific Regional Director Nui Brown South Central Regional Director Dr. Constance Hendricks Southeastern Regional Director Dr. Felicia Scott-Strickland Southern Regional Director Kay Rosebure
Graduate Member-at-Large Patricia E. Jones Undergraduate Member-at-Large Alexis Maisonet Be sure to report your Hazing Awareness activities to State Director Cousar by October 5th.
Commonwealth of PA sorors from Beta Delta Zeta, Nu Sigma Zeta, and Rho Chi Zeta chapters registered new voters and answered questions regarding Pennsylvania’s Voter ID law at the Enon Baptist Church “Back to School Prep Rally” at John B. Kelly School in Philadelphia. PA sorors are gearing up to serve all over the Commonwealth to ensure that voters understand their rights for the Nov. 6th election. Sorors in attendance: State Director Barbara A. Cousar, Shanté C. Dash, Elise Glenn, Charlotte Mauldin-Weston, Rev. Lynette P. McMillan, and Tanaya Teamer.
In March 2012, a new law passed the Pennsylvania legislature mandating: (1) You must show an ID EVERY time you vote, and (2) only a valid photo ID (as identified below) is acceptable. What kind of IDs should you bring to the polls on November 6th? o A PA driver's license: Must be currently valid or expired less than 12 months at the time the voter is casting a vote. o An ID issued by PennDOT: Must be currently valid or expired less than 12 months at the time the voter is casting a vote. o A current U.S. passport For more information, visit: o An active duty or retired U.S. military ID, including http://www.votespa.com an ID for members of the http://www.seventy.org/Elections_Voter_ID.aspx PA National Guard http://www.padems.com/content/voteridinfo o A current military dependent’s ID o A current employee ID issued by federal, PA, PA county or PA municipal government. (A School District employee ID is not acceptable.) o A current ID issued by an accredited PA university, college, seminary, community college or two-year college to students, faculty, employees and alumni. o A current ID issued by a PA care facility (such as a long-term care nursing facility, assisted living residence or a personal care home). The Social Action and Z-HOPE Coordinators strongly urge each undergraduate and
graduate chapter in the Commonwealth of PA to join the PA Voter ID Coalition. The Coalition is conducting a non-partisan campaign to educate voters about the state's new voter ID requirements. Contact Luke McKinstry at lmckinstry@seventy.org or 215-5573600 ext. 112 for information about the coalition or to inquire about joining. Thank you to the following chapters who have already joined the Coalition: Epsilon Omega Zeta and Lambda Lambda Zeta!!!! Find the Coalition online: On Twitter @PAVOTERID Like our page: PAVoterIDCoalition
News You Can Use: The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDot) is Issuing Free Department of State Voter ID Cards at Driver Licensing Centers For more information on voting and the types of photo IDs that can be used at the polls, visit www.votespa.com or www.dos.state.pa.us.
Congratulations to Reverend Dr. Christopher Brown (President) and the Nu Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. on their 90th Anniversary! Our Brothers will celebrate this momentous occasion at the President’s Ball / Gala on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at the Sheraton Center City. Tickets are $75.00 per person. The keynote speaker is Reverend Dr. Alyn E. Waller (member of Phi Beta Sigma) and Brother Hugh L. Douglas will serve as Master of Ceremonies. For more information about this special event, please contact Honorable Brother Daniel J. Tann, Esq. at (215) 670-0066 or Brother Howard Sid Lucas at (215) 221-6246.
Pennsylvania Sorors are revved up and excited to shift into high gear focusing on our “Four R” Campaign: Recruiting, Reclaiming, Reactivating and Rededication! As our Love for Zeta Grows and as our Zeta Light Glows; we are compelled to reach out to our Zeta sisters whose light has dimmed. Impelled by sisterly love, Sorors, let us embrace our sisters who have lost sight of the road. With outstretched hands, grab her hand and help her make it, help her make it back to Zeta, help her return home to OUR house by the side of the road. Recall the excitement we had in anticipation of entering Zeta Land as aspiring Zeta women? Sisters, we miss you and have Sweet Zeta Love in our hearts for YOU. So, when [a] ZETA calls, we appeal to you to answer. We miss you, come home. The Light will always be on… Sorors (Graduate & Undergraduate) willing to dedicate themselves to guiding our sisters home, please email the PA Membership Coordinator (Sharron Boddy) at pa.membership.coordinator@gmail.com or call (724) 426-5644.
Nu Sigma Zeta sorors and Amicae representing at The Magnificent Boule in Chicago, IL. Beta Delta Zeta sorors enjoying Boule 2012 festivities. Eta sorors pictured with the PA Undergraduate Coordinator.
Lambda Lambda Zeta sorors are all smiles at The Magnificent Boule.
Eta sorors handle business at Boule 2012.
Xi Delta sorors pose with the 16th Atlantic Regional Director, Janet Y. Bivins, Esq.
Kappa Omega Zeta sorors enjoy the Opening Ceremony at Boule 2012.
SEPTEMBER 2012 19 – Zeta Day on the Hill, Washington, D.C., Rayburn House Office Building, B340, 7:30am – 6pm, Contact Soror Krysta Jones (krystanjones@gmail.com) for more info. 22 – Lambda Lambda Zeta Chapter, Get Out the Vote Initiative, Bennett Place Sunrise Highrise, 7245 Bennett Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208 22 – Beta Delta Zeta Chapter, Kid Summit 2012, Birney Preparatory Academy, 900 W. Lindley Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19141, 10am – 4pm, Register at www.eventbrite.com (type in Kid Summit 2012) 25 – Epsilon Omega Zeta and Theta Lambda Chapters, Voter Registration Drive with the League of Women Voters and AAUW, West Chester University, Sykes Student Union, 110 W. Rosedale Road, West Chester, PA 19383, 7:30am – 8pm OCTOBER 2012
6 – Lambda Lambda Zeta Chapter, African-American Heritage Day Parade, Line up at Consol Energy Melody Tent Lot, 356 Crawford Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, 11am-1pm 9 - Last Day to REGISTER before the General Election 18 – Sigma Sigma Chapter, “Love Shouldn’t Hurt”, Robert Morris University, Hale Center, 6001 University Blvd., Moon Township, PA 15108, 7pm-9pm 19 – Kappa Omega Zeta Chapter, “Fall Back” Friday – An After Work Mixer, Azure Ultra Lounge, 1439 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, 5pm-8pm, Free before 6pm and $5 after 6pm with an RSVP, http://kozhappyhour.eventbrite.com 27 – Lambda Lambda Zeta Chapter, Fall Food Share, Giant Eagle Shakespeare, 6320 Shakespeare Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, 10am – 2pm 30 - Last day to apply for a civilian absentee ballot NOVEMBER 2012 2 - Last day for County Boards of Elections to receive voted civilian absentee ballots 6 - GENERAL ELECTION 8 – Sigma Sigma Chapter, “How Stretched is Your Rubber Band”, Robert Morris University, 6001 University Blvd., Moon Township, PA 15108, 7pm-9pm 9 – Lambda Lambda Zeta Chapter, 7th Annual Bowling Party, North Versailles Bowling Center, 356 Lincoln Highway, N. Versailles, PA 15137, 11pm – 2am, $20 in advance 10 – Beta Delta Zeta Chapter, Holiday Handbag Bingo, Fantastics Banquet Hall, 6628 Limekiln Pike, Philadelphia, PA 19138, 2pm-6pm, $25
10th Pennsylvania State Director Barbara A. Cousar, Rho Chi Zeta P.O. Box 356, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 Grammateus Tanesa R. Moten, Nu Sigma Zeta
Anti-Grammateus Aisha Sharif-Lucas, Lambda Lambda Zeta
Tamias Alberta Scott, Kappa Omega Zeta
Tamias Grammateus Diane Wilson, Beta Delta Zeta
Phylacter Kimberly Matthews, Nu Sigma Zeta
State Rep. to the Reg. Nominating Committee Dionne Watts-Williams, Kappa Omega Zeta
UPCOMING STATE / REGIONAL EVENTS February 8-9, 2013 Atlantic Regional Executive Board Meeting - Philadelphia, PA April 12 - 13, 2013 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Executive Board Meeting - Training & Development Retreat for Basilei, Elected and Appointed Officers April 13, 2013 Undergraduate Retreat October 10 – 13, 2013 Atlantic Regional Conference New York, NY April 11 – 12, 2014 Commonwealth of PA Leadership Conference Philadelphia, PA – Support Chapter - Beta Delta Zeta
Soror Denise Marie Snow Kappa Omega Zeta Chapter
I am excited to serve as the Commonwealth of PA’s Newsletter Chair! The Pennsylvania Perspective was established under the leadership of Distinguished Soror Janet Y. Bivins, Esq. and I hope to continue that legacy of excellence with this publication. The deadline for our next issue is November 23, 2012. Please be mindful of our newsletter deadlines and submission criteria, as this will help us produce a high quality publication. We look forward to highlighting your chapter events and the activities of our Amicae and youth auxiliaries. Please share your news at paperspective10@gmail.com. Let’s do our part to show Zetadom how it’s done in PA! Remember - #ALP #FWWB