CONTENTS EBONY PEARL | FALL/WINTER 2014 | VOLUME 3
PAIDAMOYO PAYS TRIBUTE AND GIVES BACK Severing the District of Columbia, Maryland and Northern Virginia area proudly, Check out what this local chapter has been up to since chartering in the area.
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REFLECTIONS AND GRATITUDE Take a peek at Sister Rose M. Edwards as she reflects on her time as a Swing and gives thanks to those who have helped her along the way.
9 SEASON OF ACTION COVERAGE Did you see Swing Phi Swing sisters paint their towns WHITE and BLACK during the 2014 MLK Day of Service? Our coverage leaves no stone unturned as we relive the exciting events of the day.
SIS, GET YOUR MONEY STRAIGHT! How secure are you about your financial future? Sister Tanya Matthews give us her best financial advice and steps to take to make sure our financial health is in place.
COVER STORY: SISTERS IN SERVICE There are over 161,000 women currently serving in the military and 31 percent of them are Black. The Ebony Pearl staff reached out to sisters who are currently serving or have served in the past to give us a glimpse of military life.
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IN EVERY ISSUE The
Ebony Pearl EDITIOR- IN -CHIEF Keisha J. Reed
• EDITOR’S DESK
ASSOCIATE EDITORS Chapter PR Officers
• OFFICER’S LETTERS
Noel Webster LindaFaye Newton FOUNDERS
• NATIONAL NEWS
Jeanette Butler Anita Chase (Watson) Beverly Dorn (Steele) Finesa Dunovant (Walker)
• REGIONAL ROUNDUP/
Jane Harris Rosalind Marshall Marilyn Reid Patricia Story
CHAPTER NEWS
Ellen Tomlinson (Carter) Brenda Travers (Satterfield) Lorraine Watkins (Phillips)
• CHAPTER SPOTLIGHT
Talma Woods
SWING PHI SWING SOCIAL FELLOWSHIP, INC© Dr. Leone Lettsome, President Editor-in-Chief Emeritus Melonee Gaines-Griggs ®2014 Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc.
Submission Guidelines The Ebony Pearl is the official national magazine for Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc.® Send your LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. Those interested in writing articles for The Ebony Pearl are encouraged to submit articles to the Ebony Pearl staff at ebonypearl@ swingphiswing.org. You may also request guidelines and instructions as well. We are always looking for content for the following sections: Chapter Spotlight, Swing Mommies, BackSwing, Ujamaa Marketplace, Swings Get Fit! Deadlines: Spring issue- March 1st | Summer issue- June 12th | Fall issue- September 12th | Winter issueDistribution The Ebony Pearl is published quarterly and serves as the official news publication for Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc.®. All articles will be subject to editing and revision, which may alter the length of a submitted article.
Additional Information For more information about working with The Ebony Pearl, press releases, media kits, brochures, e-newsletters, and marketing related issues, please contact the National Media Affairs and Public Relations Officer, Sis. Keisha J. Reed at mediaaffairs@swingphiswing.org.
EDITOR’S DESK
One of the biggest lessons that I’ve learned since entering the sisterhood in 2007 has been kindness. Simple Kindness. You never know whose life you may impact with a simple compliment or coffee. No matter how you may feel about a situation or person in life, keeping kindness in your heart will always get you far. In these uncertain times that we live in, where the national unemployment rate for African Americans has risen to over 11.9 percent and African American teens has skyrocketed to 38 percent, I often wonder what random acts of kindness that each of us partake in every day to help others in need. In this issue, we’ll meet sisters who have taking steps to improve the lives of others in their community and globally. You’ll learn money management advice, a dynamic new chapter making major moves in their region and ways sisters continue to S.W.I.N.G all over the world. As we prepare for our National Convention in Atlantic City this year, we are always looking for a few good sisters to assist and volunteer to make each year a success! Are you ready to kick off 2014 in a major way? The next time you’re considering making a leap and putting yourself out there, I hope you will ask yourself, what’s the worst that can happen? OLA. In Sisterhood,
Keisha J. Reed Keisha J. Reed National Media Affairs and Public Relations Officer
Ola Sisters, Peace and blessings to you all. I hope everyone has enjoyed our kick off to the Season of Action and Black History Month. As we reflect on the experiences of our ancestors...We should also continue to cherish our Swing roots and our ladybug lineage. Spring symbolizes rebirth, life, growth, and evolution; spring is a special time for Swing because it allows us to be retrospective and appreciate how far we have journeyed throughout 45 years of Sisterhood. As sisters of Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship Inc., Hopefully, we all are working hard to contribute to the success of our organization. The truth is, as members of this family we are all responsible for the growth and achievements of our Sisterhood. There are many ways to contribute to our internal and external prosperity as an organization but, we must do it together. The National Office welcomes new, innovative, and fiscally responsible ideas. I am sure many of us encounter daily experiences which may inspire resourceful ways to assist Swing Phi Swing S.F.I. Your ideas are welcomed. If you would like for Swing to review your suggestion/ concept, it must be submitted via our proposal process. This year we are focusing on collective action and healing. Our National Convention theme is Embracing Sisterhood: Mind, Body and Spirit. Forgiveness is spiritual freedom. Just as spring symbolizes growth, we have to purge old, unhealthy, unproductive ways in order to grow and evolve towards our greatest selves. When we heal our individual maladies then the best version of Swing can emerge. Remember the whole is only as good as the sum of its parts. Whatever we desire for Swing can happen. There is power in collective thought and collective action! You, my sister, are Swing’s greatest asset and most prized possession-without you, there would be no us. I want to take this opportunity to thank each of you for the terrific job you have been doing in your respective communities. I recognize the hours you have been working and volunteering sometimes go unappreciated. Let me tell you, YOU ARE APPRECIATED! We all know it is easier to become a Swing than it is to be one. If we continue to put our (wo)manpower together we will actualize some great things in the near future. In Sisterhood, Dr. Leone R. Lettsome National President Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc.Ž
FROM THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT
Ola Sisters,
FROM THE
ISwing bring you greetings from the Board of Directors of Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc. ®. We have been extremely busy since July CHAIRWOMAN 2013; we have developed a strategic plan for the board. A plan developed specifically, to assist us as well as the board of directors that will succeed us. This plan has been the driving force for the board’s standing committees as well as committees on the executive and regional levels. I am elated with the plans and the obvious and continuous progress that is being made on a daily basis. The “Evolution of Swing” is here; sisters are excited and working. I have personally had the opportunity to chime into various committee calls and executive calls and it is emotionally overwhelming at times to witness the progression. One would have to sit where I sit to witness first-hand how it all seems to be tying in. “I love it when a plan comes together”. I want to applaud my fellow board members, Sisters Rosiland Tandy, Stephanie Turner, Pat Chalmers, Sharon Chandler and Melonee Griggs for all that they do to embrace our plan and make it work. I could not do anything without my Sisters Julie Johnson and Leone Lettsome, I appreciate them so much for making my job easier. Special kudos to our National President, we could not ask for a better one at this time. Dr. Leone Lettsome is the inspirational leader who will take Swing to the level that she deserves to be on. We need to follow her when applicable and lead when she asks us too. While there are still many sisters still inactive, I have witnessed our continuous growth. I encourage you to reach out to inactive sisters and inform them of how steady Swing is developing. Encourage them to become financially active, both nationally and locally. Encourage them to update our database with their information so that our technology team can communicate with them. Sisters, it is imperative that we pull together in one direction. To date, when we do not pull together we get absolutely no where! We should desire more for an organization that I know we all cherish. Our national theme this year is “Embracing Sisterhood, Mind, Body and Spirit”. I pray that your spirit will lead you to attend the 2014 convention, bring a sister with you, help an undergrad and support our National President and her executive team. Lastly sisters, we have a foundation, the SHE Foundation also needs your support. If you don’t know all about it, take the time to learn about it. I would be remiss if I did not give this group of sisters, under the direction of Sister Marilyn Berry, Chair, a big shout out of appreciation for all that they do. Together with Swing, I am encouraged with the possibilities of these two entities working toward the ultimate goal, the betterment of Swing. Cheryl Phipps-Kornegay, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Swing Phi Swing, S.F.I.
Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc.
2014
National Convention
EMBRACING SISTERHOOD: MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT!
July 23rd-27th Celebrate 45 Years of Sisterhoodφ
GAME SHOWS SWING SPA DAY INNOVATIVE WORKSHOPS YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SUMMIT COMEDY SHOWS FEATURING J. ANTHONY BROWN AND SO MUCH MORE! Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel Two Convention Center Boulevard, Atlantic City, New Jersey 08401 www.swingphiswing.org
ATLANTA GRAD BOOKS FOR AFRICA By Marguaree Durden Pyoas Swinging since 1970
The Atlanta Graduate Chapter has partnered with BOOKS FOR AFRICA, an organization with a mission to collect, sort, ship, and distribute books to students of all ages in Africa. They are the largest shipper of donated text and library books to the African continent, shipping over 28 million boors to 49 different countries since 1988. In 2012, they shipped 2.2 million books to 22 African countries, with an additional 616 computers and 15 brand new law libraries. BOOKS FOR AFRICA believes that education is the great equalizer in the world, and books are at the foundation of a strong educational system. For many children in Africa, the gift of books is truly a gift of hope. This philosophy mirrors Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc. 速 and our ongoing quest to promote higher intelligence. Access to an education is one of the only opportunities young people have to end the cycle of poverty and attain a better quality of life. BOOKS FOR AFRICA works to help children who otherwise would not attend school by supplying educational materials to reduce or eliminate education costs. BOOKS FOR AFRICA supplies sea containers of books to rural school libraries, orphanages, adult literacy programs, and community resource centers. BOOKS FOR AFRICA strives to help create a culture of literacy and provide the tools of empowerment to the next generation of parents, teachers, and leaders in Africa.
ATLANTA GRAD SECOND ANNUAL CAROL MITCHELL LEON SCHOLARSHIP FUND RAISER The Sisters of the Atlanta Graduate Chapter of Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc. ® sponsored their Second Annual Game Night in support of The Carol Mitchell-Leon Scholarship Fund. This scholarship fund honors the memory of Sister Carol by providing book scholarships to students in the Drama Department at Clark Atlanta University where Carol was an instructor. This year two Clark Atlanta University students, Jasmine Ellis and Victory Williams were each awarded $500 book scholarships. Once again competitive gamers spent the night playing Bid Whist, Spades, Scrabble and other games while light footed event goers cut a step on the dance to energetic tunes played by DJ Othello Renfroe. Fun and excitement filled the air and attendees enjoyed fried fish and wings and door prizes galore. We were so pleased to have Anita Horton, our SE Administrator and Cheryl Kornegay our newly elected Chairwoman of our BOD join us. Roz Tandy and Scholarship Recipients For those who are not familiar with Sister Carol Mitchell Leon, she was a celebrated actress and respected drama teacher at Clark Atlanta University. Her film credits include Fried Green Tomatoes, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, and Idle Wild just to name a few. She appeared on numerous stages in Atlanta including the Alliance, 7 Stages, PushPush, Actor’s Express, the Georgia Ensemble Theatre, Marietta’s Theatre in the Square and Synchronicity Performance Group. She served as Advisor for the Clark Atlanta University’s active Swing Phi Swing chapter. Sister Carol entered Swinghood at Saint Augustine’s College in 1973 and was an active member until her untimely death in 2009. The Atlanta Graduate Chapter, through The Carol Mitchell Leon Scholarship Fund, continues to promote intelligence by providing deserving students the tools they need to climb the ladder to success.
RUBU GRAD GAP: GIRLS AS PEARLS “LITTLE DRESS FOR AFRICA
Winston-Salem, NC – The Rukiya Busara Piedmont Triad Chapter (RuBu) of Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc.® mentoring program known as Girls as Pearls (GAP) are hard at work creating and designing beautifully made dresses from pillow cases. The project is called “Little Dresses for Africa”. Girls As Pearls is a mentoring community service undertaking of Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc.® (SWING) and based in the Triad area. The purpose of GAP is to establish mentoring relationships with young ladies in grades 5-12. The activities are designed to encourage and provide opportunities for young ladies to become community leaders on relevant topics that affect youth. Currently there are three mentoring programs and they are located in the following communities: • Middle Springs Elementary School, Winston-Salem, NC • Middle Springs Middle School, Winston-Salem, NC • Carl Russell Recreation Center, Winston-Salem, NC “One morning my phone rang and it was one of my SWING sisters calling to express her thanks and appreciation for the creation and founding of SWING. This particular sister, who has been a SWING for over 35 years, is a very active, dedicated volunteer in numerous community service projects, both professionally and personally, in the Washington, DC metro area. During the conversation I asked her if she knew of any different and interesting projects that my GAP Girls could work on and she was the one who suggested the “Little Dress for Africa” project. I took the idea to my girls and they loved it,” states Founder Ellen Tomlinson Carter. To date, the group has made over 50 dresses in a array of sizes, colors and designs and hopes to collect hundreds of more pillowcases for the project. Supporting Women In Need of Growth – holistically, academically and culturally – that’s the essence of SWING. The RuBu Chapter, which covers the Triad area, was chartered in August 1992. To date, the chapter consists of over 40 members including three founding members, Ellen Tomlinson Carter, Anita Chase Watson and Lorraine Watkins. For more information about the Little Dresses for Africa project, please contact Ellen Tomlinson Carter at 336-336-575-2380 or Phyllis Woodruff at 336-416-0007.
SIS, GET YOUR MONEY STRAIGHT By Tanya Matthews Swinging since 2010 Sisters - when you drive, do you follow a road map or use directions to prevent yourself from getting lost? Then why are so many of us not using this same principles when it comes to our finances. Making a budget and using self-discipline to follow it is our “road map to financial soundness” and to accumulating wealth. How? – Begin by creating a budget. What is a BUDGET? A Budget is simply taking the time to analyze our monthly income vs. expenses, and prioritizing our “Needs vs. Wants”. What is a Need? A “Need” is a Must Have Expense: Housing, Food, Utilities, Transportation, Credit Accounts, etc. What is a Want? A “Want” is Your Dream Purchases/Splurge items: Mercedes vs. Hyundai, Jordan’s vs. Payless, Weekly Hair/Nail Care vs. DIY, Cable Gold Package vs. Basic, etc. In these days of economic uncertainty, employment instability and rising costs of consumer products and services – You need to give yourself a “Money Break” whenever and wherever you can. Tip 1: Reduce costs of fixed expenses, i.e. refinance mortgage/loans, use coupons and apps to find deals, carpool, analyze phone bill and change the contract (if possible) to meet your usage needs, manage/eliminate bank fees by knowing your bank account policies, etc. Read the fine print. Tip 2: Balance Your Checkbook Monthly… Not sure how? – Make an appointment with a bank professional to learn how! Debit Card/ATM use – know the fees! Your bank is charging you and what other banks charge for using their machines…use your banks ATM machines and not the machine on the corner. If you are at the grocery store – did you know you can get cash back with no fees charged? Fact – Average cost of an Overdraft Fee is more $32 and Average cost of using another banks ATM is more than $4. Tip 3: Open a Savings Account and “Pay Yourself First” from your paycheck…savings deposits do not have to be painful and does not have to be a substantial amount - start with $5.00 - $10.00 or just simply give up two Starbucks or two lunch purchases (brown bag it) and put the money you would have spent into your savings account – “every little bit helps”...you have to start somewhere. Access Bankrate.Com for additional money management hints and download the “Simple Savings Calculator” for your use. GET STARTED: Begin today…start by writing down all purchases you do for a month – save the receipts for non- essential purchases and then add them up at the end of 30 days, it will be a true eye opener! Find a way to cut those purchases in half the next month and take the money you saved and deposit to your savings account and/or use to pay down a debt. You are now on your way to Financial Strength and Independence – Happy Savings!
PAIDAMOYO
POTOMAC GRAD STRIDES IN SERVICE
The Paidamoyo Potomac Graduate Chapter (PPGC) celebrated the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in support of the Swing Phi Swing S.F.I. Season of Action with a weekend of celebration and service. PPGC kicked off the holiday weekend by attending the National Martin Luther King, Jr. Symposium hosted by the National Black United Front (NBUF). This event took place at Howard University in the Blackburn Center on Friday, January 17, 2014. The spirited celebration began with the collective singing of the Black National Anthem, followed by a riveting drum call and other presentations. The theme of the symposium was “Organizing for Community Control over Education,” with the focus question “Where do we go from here – Education or Incarceration?” Several PPGC sisters were in attendance, with a strong showing from the local brothers of Groove Phi Groove, S.F.I. The event was a precursor to the 35th National Black United Front National Convention that will take place in July 2014. Just before an impromptu address by 2014 Washington, D.C. mayoral candidate Andy Shallal; the sisters of Paidamoyo Potomac Graduate Chapter were awarded the NBUF Ujoma Award – For Striving to Maintain Unity in the Family, Nation & Race. This recognition was largely due to the work done by PPGC’s founding members in supporting the NBUF’s “Feed the Hood” initiative, which provides food and clothing to the homeless men, women and children of Southeast Washington. The sisters of PPGC will continue to support this effort through 2014, by preparing meals, gathering and distributing clothing items.
On Monday, January 20, 2014, sisters of PPGC participated in the Swing Phi Swing, S.F.I. National Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service by volunteering at “Bikes for the World” in Arlington, VA. Bikes for the World is a project that rescues thousands of unwanted bicycles and puts them to good use providing access to work, school, and health care in developing nations - supporting those in need across the globe. Originally founded as a self-financed project by WABA in 2005, Bikes for the World has grown into the nation’s largest non-profit bicycle reuse program. Bikes for the World collects and donates in excess of 15,000 bicycles annually; sourcing bicycles from across the country in partnership with national retailers such as Dick’s Sporting Goods and Recreational Equipment Inc. In October 2012, just a month after PPGC was officially chartered, Bikes for the World donated its 70,000th bicycle. The volunteer efforts of PPGC during the 2014 National Day of Service contributed to the packing and shipping of 500 bikes to Panama. Paidamoyo means “where the heart lays” and the sisters of PPGC are living up to our name by giving our hearts to Swing Phi Swing, S.F.I. and our community at-large. Although we are few in numbers, we are excited to pour our hearts into the 2014 National Season of Action and we look forward to your continued support of our efforts and initiatives. OLA!
CHAPTER SPOTLIGHT
OFFICERS:
EVENTS:
President
DC Public Schools Beautification Day
Tirza B.
August 2012
Sp. 2009 Tri State Grad
Washington, DC Autism Walk November 2012
Vice President Krissy C.
Southeast Washington, DC Feed the Hood w/ the NBUF
Sp. 2002
Ongoing Community Service
Morgan State University Overlook Elementary Spelling Bee
Secretary/Historian Tiffany B. Su. 2007 Morgan State University
May 2013 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service January 2014
Treasurer Jasmine R. Sp. 2011 Morgan State University Public Relations/Parliamentarian Shwanda B. Sp. 2004 Towson University
The Paidamoyo Potomac Graduate Chapter is this issue “Chapter Spotlight.” If you wish to be considered for the “Chapter Spotlight”, feel free to send your submission to ebonypearl@swingphiswing.org. Good luck!
NIA MD GRAD 10 YEARS OF SUMMER BREEZE Swing Phi Swing S. F. I. (Nia MD & DC Metro Grad Chapters) and Groove Phi Groove S.F.I. (Northern, VA,PG & Northern MD Grad Chapters) celebrated their 10th annual “Summer Breeze “celebration on Saturday, August 3rd 2013 in Winans Meadows in
Baltimore, Md.. They enjoyed good food, listened to great music and had great time together. The NOVA Grad chapter of Groove Phi Groove S.F.I. also awarded two lucky recipients with scholarships to be used at the college of their choice. “So much can be achieved together as we reach across the beltways and work with our Sisters and Brothers” , said Sister Debra McKoy. Supporting each other events is what will continue to help each of our Grad Chapters grow and flourish. They also collected school supplies that were given to Northwood Appold Community Charter School in Baltimore City. The Northwood Appold Community Charter School also recognized Swing Phi Swing and Groove Phi Groove, S.F.I. for their support and donations to their school. The donated school supplies were in alignment with Swing Phi Swing’s “Supplies for Success” initiative. This national initiative is to aid and equip students and teachers with the proper resources to produce a positive learning environment. This initiative allows local chapters to continue expanding their resources and services to “promote higher intelligence” throughout their community elementary, middle, and high schools
ARTWORK BY: SISTER MELLYSSA ANGEL DIGGS HTTP://WWW.MELLYSSAANGELDIGGS.COM
REFLECTIONS AND GRATITUDE BY ROSE M. EDWARDS OLA! I had to share some words of gratitude. I am a proud Sister who is only two years old in the Sisterhood of Swing Phi Swing, Social Fellowship Incorporated!! It took me thirty years but I did it and definitely don’t regret it! Through my two year journey in this magnificent Sisterhood, I learned and appreciated the love and I mean the love. I give thanks to my Harambee Graduate Chapter Family/Sisters who has guided me into the Sisterhood of Swing Phi Swing, Social Fellowship Incorporated!!!! (And yes, they are still guiding me with a purpose to represent well.) This inspiration came from individuals I have been around and still in contact after all these years from undergraduate at Shaw U: • Fellowmen’s: Donald Mickle and Al Jenkins who inspired me to go for it and make them proud. • Sister Rose Odomes my classmate at Shaw U! Who kept telling me I got your back, it’s time Candie to do this. Thanks for my first T-shirt. • Sister Cynthia Watson, I seen pledged on the yard and was a jewel to me both as a friend and now a Sister. • Fellowmen “Lil Pea” Salmond for suggesting literature on life, our people, etc. and telling me knowledge is power Sis! • Fellowmen Wesley Wise my family, who had just became a Brother ad was stepping in the house, so hyped, just kept saying, when are you going to join the family? I couldn’t give you an answer. You got the answer now. • Sister Mary Thomas for getting me there and you thought I didn’t know, and reminding me to put those SSS’s on and keep them on. • Sister Jewyl Edwards Dunn I thank you so much for your faith and inspiration along with that funny sense of humor, you are definitely a Shaw Bear. • Sister Cheryl Kornegay, for the fellowship, the freedom to be me and wise words for knowledge of Swing Phi Swing, Social Fellowship Incorporated!!!! • Sisters Diane Allota and Cynthia Harris, Shaw U Swings thanks for the welcoming. • Sister Tia Morgan for scaring me half to death about my line name “SOLO”ution by asking me the day I went over if I think I am the solution to Swing Phi Swing, Social Fellowship Incorporated. • Sisters Rose Lockhart, Brenda Torrence, Vanessa Diggs and Jackie Jackson, you all had no idea that I had just got my purse stolen and was so depressed about the incident that Fellowmen Wesley Wise encourage me to get out of that funk and go the DC/MD Groove Phi Groove CABARET and DC Metro Inaugural Ball and have some fun. That I did, and have a great time fellowshipping. • To all the Shaw U Brothers of Groove Phi Groove, SFI thank you for the welcoming.
My interpersonal experience with three of twelve Founders in my two years has been: • Entering into the hotel room to purchase paraphernalia from Sister Brenda Hubbard and Sister Founder Rosalind Tandy was sitting on the couch. As I entered and said “Ola” and was so interested in buying that Sister Brenda Hubbard stopped me and said you need to recognize Sister Founder Rosalind Tandy. When I left the room, I was happy and proud to be a member, and then gave her my scarf as a small token of love. I must say I will never forget Sister Founder Rosalind Tandy ever. • My second interpersonal experience is with Sister Founder Anita Chase at Shaw vs. St. Augustine football game. Two rivals and a lot of trash talking but the evening ended in love and fellowshipping over fish with mustard. Now that is my new thing for fish, it really taste good. • The Harambee Graduate Chapter celebrated our 10th June 1, 2013. Sister Founder a Beverly Dorn-Steele was our MC. Being Treasurer and conducting business to recoup money from Sisters, Sister Founder Beverly Dorn-Steele said “I like how you do business”. The next day I went to her hotel and we rode in the car with Sister Marilyn Berry to the airport. Just that quality time, I asked the questioned of how she felt seeing Sisterhood of Swing Phi Swing, Social Fellowship Incorporated, she responded, “It’s like giving birth”. Just that little time for talk until her flight, was more than enough to have an heartfelt moment with our Founder. For the rest of my journey into the Sisterhood of Swing Phi Swing, Social Fellowship Incorporated, I look forward in having more interpersonal experiences with our Founders. Of all the studying I done to become a Sister, it is truly amazing and a blessing, that I can reach out and connect with our Founders. God be to the Glory for these moments. Rose M. Edwards AKA “SOLO”ution of Rebirth ‘11’
SISTERS IN SERVICE SPECIAL REPORT BY Keisha J. Reed
INTERVIEW SISTER LATETIA BLAND MAATKARE HATSHEPSUT BULLDOG CHAPTER - SPRING 2011 1. What’s your name, where are you from and what is your history with the military? My name is Latetia Bland and I currently serve as a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force I am originally from Washington D.C.. and I did AFROTC at Bowie State University starting in 2008 I was commissioned in 2012 and I am currently stationed in Spangdahlem, Germany. 2. What are some of the biggest challenges you see for women in the military? Women in the military deal with many preconceived notions of inability. We are considered more emotional than logical and so many times not able to make logical decisions. As an afrikan woman, I am always fighting against the aggressive ghetto black woman stereotype. When I don’t work 8 times harder than my peers, I am considered lazy because to stay afloat as a black woman, you must work significantly harder than your European counterparts. Not to mention being a naturalista translates as having disregard for the regulations. There are constant battles for me to prove my worth! 3. Can you describe a high and low moment that you have had? I’ve been in about a year and haven’t had any significant highs or lows. I’ve met some challenges and triumphs along the way. My biggest challenge right now is that I am supporting quite a few missions down range in very low manning conditions. I am also trying to inspire and lead with our unit morale tanking is tough to shake as a young officer. One of my proud triumphs is being recognized as a distinguished leader by my wing commander for various additional duties cut because of furlough and budget cuts. 4. What made you enlist/commission? I wanted to finish school without paying for it and signed up. I also wanted a stable income in austere employment conditions when I graduated college. 5. If you had to leave a piece of advice for our readers as it pertains to military life and veterans, what would it be? Support your troops! Our jobs are life and death, always. We are asked to leave our loved ones almost every 6 months to deploy. We are 24 hour employees with strict, stressful and politically drenched lives. Educate yourself on every mission we have going on and before you judge what we do, understand that we follow orders from the president. If you don’t like what the military does or the government does, use your voice! When you meet a veteran, ask where they have been. Find out their story, they have so much insight!
SISTERS IN SERVICE SPECIAL REPORT SISTER VALERIE HAYWOOD SOBU- SPRING 2011
INTERVIEW SISTER VALERIE HAYWOOD SOBU- SPRING 2011 1. What’s your name, where are you from and what is your history with the military? My name is Valerie Haywood from Cary, NC and I served in the US Army from 2004-2009. I was stationed at Fort Campbell Kentucky and served a one tour to Baghdad, Iraq in 2005-2006. I was a human resource information management specialist (42F) but while deployed I was a combat driver for convoy missions and security teams. 2. What are some of the biggest challenges you see for women in the military? Sexual harassment and assault are silent combatants for women in the military. Rank structure, regulations and cultural norms hinder some people from reporting incidents of abuse. These obstacles impact promotions, self-esteem, and even cause issues such as Military Sexual Trauma (MST). There are strict policies outlining procedures on methods to handle sexual abuse and harassment, but the unwritten rules are the most challenging to surpass as a woman because silence is often more respected than opposition. 3. Can you describe a high and low moment that you have had? I will collaborate a low and high moment: I had natural hair throughout my enlistment which often caused havoc because it was more acceptable to have straightened hair in a bun or ponytail. One day while in the DFAC (dinning facility/cafeteria), I was reprimanded and ask to leave the DFAC by numerous people because my hair was in an Afro and they were afraid the Colonel would walk in to see my unruly hair. Ironically, I never planned to stay in the facility to eat because I was going to have my hair styled by a friend, but no one took time to ask. One person suddenly snapped a picture of me and then the people at her table laughed hysterically. People were talking loudly about my hair but a brother of GROOVE PHI GROOVE, SFI instantly diminished the hostility. He walked me through the serving line and deflected people from continuing to harass me. I continued to hold my head up high and felt protected by his assistance. More than a year before the incident he mentioned Swing to me because he said it seemed like I had it in me, but would not give me details of the organization as he urged me to do the research. Of course, I am grateful for his leadership in the military but most of all to being a man of integrity while introducing me to this sisterhood of Swing. 4. What made you enlist? After high school graduation I attended St. Augustine’s College in Raleigh, NC for one year and the tuition was expensive. I did not want my parents to suffer from the potential of four years’ worth of student loans, so I decided to enlist for the college benefits. I was able to attain my Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts while enlisted. Once I left the military, I moved back home to attend North Carolina Central University to attain a Bachelor’s in Social Work and also became a member of the SOBU Chapter of Swing Phi Swing, SFI. The college benefit paid for under grad at NCCU and also my Master’s in Social Work from the University of North Carolina University at Chapel Hill.
SEASON OF ACTION COVERAGE Many chapters participated in the “Season of Action” launch on January 20th, 2014. Sisters across this country took part in the National Day of Service. Spearheaded by the Office of Outreach and the National President, the Season of Action, a year-long and progressive movement in Service, Sisterhood, Leadership and Philanthropy. Below is a snapshot of just a few of the activities that Sisters of SWING participated in during the 2014 MLK Day of Service.
LEADERSHIP The National Organization of Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc.® is managed and operated by Board of Directors, Executive Officers, and Regional Administrators.
Board of Directors
Executive Officers
Cheryl Kornegay, Board Chair IT Committee & Compliance Committee
Dr. Leone Lettsome (National President) Secretary
Julie Johnson, Vice Board Chair Nominations & Recognition Committee
Vanessa Diggs Vice President
Sharon Chandler Finance Committee & 50th Anniversary Committee
Kim Williams-Capers Treasurer
Roz Tandy (Founder) Constitution & Bylaws Committee Melonee Griggs Community Outreach Committee Pat Chalmers Fund Development Committee Stephanie Turner Judiciary Panel Dr. Leone Lettsome (National President) Secretary
Candace Stowe Recording Secretary Lindafaye Newton Corresponding Secretary Lasandra Barksdale Information Technology Officer Keisha J. Reed Media Affairs & Public Relations Officer Andrea Reid-Tillery Special Events Officer Rose Stowe Parliamentarian Brenda Torrence Graduate Affairs Officer Rose Anne Matthew Undergraduate Affairs Officer Brittnany Thomas Undergraduate Representative Tanya Green-DeShields Historian