ΗΨΩ 60th Charter Day Yearbook 1963-2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SCHOLARSHIP SIGNATURE PROGRAMME: HONOURS’ DAY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME

SERVICE

COMMUNITY SERVICE

O U R

Y E A R ,

O U R

S T O R Y

1963-2023

THE ΗΨΩ IVY VINE GROWS ΗΨΩ OVER THE YEARS 60TH CHARTER DAY CELEBRATIONS SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

O U R

Y E A R ,

O U R

S T O R Y

On behalf of the Government and people of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, I take this opportunity to congratulate the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Eta Psi Omega Chapter on the occasion of its Diamond Jubilee Charter Day, recognizing the Chapter’s sixty years of continuous service and dedication to the local community in Nassau, The Bahamas as a leading civic organisation.

To the Members and Friends of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Eta Psi Omega Chapter in The Bahamas, it is a moment to pause, reflect, and truly marvel at the journey of your Sorority in The Bahamas. Six decades is not just a measure of time, but it is also a testament to the unyielding spirit, dedication, and love that each of you has poured into the community through community service and the Chapter’s signature programmes like the Honours’ Day scholarship programme and the G.E.M.S. (Girls Emerging and Maturing into Society) programme. The former, since 1978 has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarship funding to young Bahamian women, and the latter has, for more than a decade supported underserved young Bahamian women by providing mentorship, skills-building and etiquette training for their personal, educational and professional advancement.

From the very first member to the newest initiate, by culture and by merit, every individual has played a pivotal role in weaving this rich tapestry of sisterhood, scholarship and service in this country. As we also celebrate fifty years of independence, unequivocally The Bahamas has felt this Chapter’s impact in countless ways, both big and small.

As you celebrate your Chapter’s Diamond Jubilee Charter Day, and soar to greater heights of service and sisterhood, the potential for even greater impact is limitless. While we celebrate your Chapter’s glorious past, we also eagerly anticipate the future work that your Chapter will do in support of the International Programme of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, recognising that your Sorority has done work of global impact for more than one hundred and fifteen years. With the same passion, dedication, and spirit that has characterised these past sixty years of your Chapter, there is no doubt that your organisation will continue to positively shape The Bahamas in a myriad of ways, touching even more lives and creating even more stories of hope and transformation as you continue to act in service to all mankind.

At the heart of every achievement are the people who made it possible. To each and every one of your Chapter members, your drive and commitment have been the heartbeat of these sixty years. May your bonds of sisterhood continue to strengthen, and may your flames of service burn even brighter in the years to come.

With heartfelt admiration and gratitude, we look forward to witnessing the continued journey of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Eta Psi Omega Chapter in The Bahamas. Thank you for your service to all mankind.

Hon. Philip Edward Davis KC MP Prime Minister The Commonwealth Of The Bahamas

Greetings, I am honoured and blessed to serve as the 2024 – 2026 President of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Eta Psi Omega Chapter, which has more than eighty (80) dynamic graduate members serving the community of Nassau, The Bahamas.

In guiding the Chapter, the theme M.O.M.E.N.T.U.M. will be our compass: M - Mentorship and Shadowing Programmes O - Outreach and Sister Reclamation M - Making Transparency a Priority E - Elevating Signature Programmes and Initiatives N - Networking and Relationship Building T - Tangible and Influential Impact U - Unity in Leadership Development M - Maximizing Member Engagement

Sisterliness, competence and accountability will inform our every action. We intend to exemplify and magnify our M.O.M.E.N.T.U.M. mindset as members of the Eta Psi Omega Chapter through our Sorority’s International Programme theme, “Soaring to Greater Heights of Service and Sisterhood”.

On the heels of our recent Diamond Jubilee Charter Day celebrations, now is the time for us all to pause and reflect on the journey that brought us to this point. It is also a prime opportunity to renew our pledge to service and to return to the community-mindedness that helped us to build our great Chapter.

As a Chapter, with sixty years of sisterhood, scholarship and service in the local community, we are about to join hundreds of thousands of our sisters across the world to celebrate our 116th Founders’ Day. For us, we take the time to not only remember the foundation that was laid by our Founders’ but to also strengthen the same and reaffirm our commitment to our Sorority. We have always worked toward fostering healthy communities and enriching the lives of all mankind, that work will continue.

For our Chapter, it is my vision that in the coming sixty years, we will increase our work within our local community and therefore enhance our great legacy through Service to All Mankind.

In Sisterhood and Service,

Phylicia Laramore-Ferguson Phylicia Laramore-Ferguson President Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® Eta Psi Omega Chapter

SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A DIAMOND The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Eta Psi Omega Chapter has “…shone bright like a diamond…” for the past sixty years. Its light has led the way for all of Greekdom in The Bahamas, having been the first Black Greek Letter Organisation to be chartered here on 21st September 1963 by the late Muriel Frazier Eneas, the late Shirley Vanderpool, Donna Donaldson Towns and Dolores Smith.

As a member of this Sorority for over thirty-five years and a member of this Chapter for over thirty years, it has been a great pleasure to serve as the Diamond Jubilee Chair for our sixtieth Charter Day celebrations along with my Co-Chairs Melissa Hanna and Dr. Cindy Dorsett. Your hard work, sleepless nights, ingenuity, innovation and many, many other contributions to this special day have been invaluable. To our Chapter’s Diamond Jubilee President Margo J. Adderley, we thank you for the opportunity to serve.

On the occasion of our Diamond Jubilee Evening of Elegance, we welcomed you to an evening of style, fun and Herstory like only the women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® could offer. Our sub-committee chairs and members have worked long and hard to bring Herstory, our story, to you. On behalf of my Co-Chairs and myself, I especially wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Dianne and Simone Seymour, Theominique Nottage, Krysti Campbell, Alexis Lightbourne, Mia Nottage, Phylicia Laramore-Ferguson, Ramona Davis-Wells, Presleith McPhee, Melissa Hanna, Dr. Yasmin Robinson, Antonique Bannister, Jordan Moxey, Lesley Pearson-Osazuwa, D’Asante Beneby-Small and all of the members of the Diamond Jubilee Charter Day Committee for their dedication in the pearlfect execution of our various events, etc. You all have made this road to sixty AMAZING! To the Eta Psi Omega Chapter, continue to “…shine bright like the DIAMOND…” you are, sixty down and an eternity to go. This Chapter has shown its resilience through thick and thin and still we rise. We have represented our country and community on the international stage on numerous committees and through various international administrations of this Sorority and still we rise and shine bright like a diamond. After sixty strong years, we have stood the test of time and remained strong. Just as a diamond shines when it is well polished, so does the Eta Psi Omega Chapter leading the way as the longest serving active chapter in the International Region of our Sorority. Today, we are so proud to see the newer generation of our membership stepping up and taking such an active role in leading this Chapter in sisterhood, scholarship and service. It is this kind of commitment that guarantees that our cherished Eta Psi Omega Chapter will remain a true DIAMOND for yet another sixty years strong. Our story does not end at sixty years, it continues, and we will continue to shine bright in our community with service to all mankind.

Greetings, The Good Book of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 reminds us to “Always be joyful.

Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances…” Today, we remain joyful, prayerful and thankful to our Charter Members, who perpetuated and fostered the ideals of our Founders of 1908. We honour and pay homage to them for their legacy and commitment to be “Supreme in Service to all Mankind”.

On behalf of the ingenious women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Eta Psi Omega Chapter, I am truly honoured and humbled to serve as your 60th Diamond Jubilee President under the theme: “Soaring Into 60 Years of Service In The Bahamas”.

Since our chartering on 21st September, 1963 the members of the Eta Psi Omega Chapter continue to remain steadfast, relentless and unwavering in our commitment to Service and Excellence. This year we celebrated our 45th Honours’ Day Programme in which two honourees received full scholarships to attend Central State University. To date, this programme has awarded over Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000.00) in scholarships to graduating high school female students throughout The Bahamas.

The Eta Psi Omega Chapter is known for leading the way and in March of 2023 we were the first of the Divine 9 Greek Lettered organisations to conduct a live Mock Parliament in The Bahamas.

Our eighty-five members are actively engaged, equipped, and empowered to execute our international programme, “Soaring to Greater Heights of Sisterhood and Service,” delineated by our 2022-2026 International President, Danette Anthony Reed.

We remain joyful, prayerful and thankful to our Charter and Chapter members and Bahamian people for your continued support and partnership to help us SOAR. Soaring In Service and Sisterhood,

Immediate Past President Alpha Kappa Sorority, Incorporated® Eta Psi Omega Chapter

September 23, 2023 Congratulations to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Eta Psi Omega Chapter!

It is with great excitement that I commend you and the members of Eta Psi Omega Chapter on your anniversary as you celebrate 60 years of Service and Sisterhood today with Sorority sisters and friends.

Chartered on September 21, 1963, by four visionary women, Eta Psi Omega Chapter has grown into a thriving chapter. Your work has been a beacon of light to so many who need inspiration. Without a doubt, I am sure that your charter members: Muriel Frazier Eneas, Dolores Smith, Donna Donaldson Towns, and Shirley Vanderpool are smiling upon this day with pride.

Today, the 355,000 members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® worldwide can take tremendous pride in knowing that you are continuing to be of “Service to All Mankind” and make a positive impact on the Nassau, Bahamas communities with outstanding programmes including the Honours Day Scholarship Programme, the Girls Emerging and Maturing into Society (G.E.M.S) programme, and the Primary School Student of the Year Foundation.

The theme for your Diamond Jubilee celebration, “Evening of Elegance” is fitting to mark this milestone occasion. You should take great joy in your accomplishments as you make an indelible impact on the International Region and throughout our Sisterhood.

I am so proud of all members of Eta Psi Omega Chapter for everything you do to advance our mission.

I send best wishes for continued success as you continue to “Soar in Service and Sisterhood” during your 60th year.

Enjoy your special celebration.

Sincerely yours,

Danette Anthony Reed

Danette Anthony Reed Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® International President & CEO Corporate Office - 5656 S. Stony Island Avenue - Chicago, IL. 60637 - (773) 684-1282 - Fax (773) 288-8251

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®  

Corporate Office 5656 South Stony Island Avenue Chicago, IL 60637-1906 (773) 684-1282 Fax (773)288-8251 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OFFICE OF: Carrie J. Clark International Regional Director P. O. Box 70625 Rochester Hills, MI 48307 (C) 248-214-6833 (F) 248-659-1663 Email: cclark@aka1908.com

September 23, 2023 Greetings, As the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, International Regional Director, it is my distinct pleasure to join you in this wonderful celebration of the members of Eta Psi Omega Chapter as they mark their 60th Diamond Jubilee, “Soaring into 60 Years of Service in the Bahamas.”

Since September 21, 1963, the Alpha Kappa Alpha women of Eta Psi Omega have carried on the legacy established by our sorority Founders more than 115 years ago. The focus of our Founders was to serve the community around them, and that is what our members have done diligently and eloquently for six decades in Nassau.

Whether it was impacting the lives of female students with hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships, addressing the medical needs of women, providing community meals, or highlighting the issues impacting women and girls during the “Women’s Mock Parliament,” Eta Psi Omega members have had a major impact on Nassau and The Bahamas.

I offer heart-felt congratulations to 60th Diamond Jubilee Chapter President Margo Adderley and to the 60th Anniversary Committee Chairmen Terah Hanna-Sweeting, Melissa Hanna and Cindy Dorsett on organising this fabulous anniversary event.

I pray that you continue to “soar to greater heights of service and sisterhood!”

Sincerely, Carrie J. Clark

Mrs. Carrie J. Clark International Regional Director

Greetings to the Ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Eta Psi Omega Chapter.

On behalf of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (Nassau, The Bahamas), I extend our warmest congratulations to the women of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Eta Psi Omega Chapter on the occasion of your 60th anniversary!

This remarkable milestone is a testament to the dedication, unity, and impact of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® over the years.

Not only did your Chapter signify the birth of Greekdom, as we know it today, in The Bahamas, but also it has consistently exemplified excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service, making a positive difference in communities across the nation.

Through my tenure as President of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (Nassau, The Bahamas) I can attest to the fact that the Eta Psi Omega Chapter has been a hallmark of consistency. Moreover, it would be remiss of me to not highlight that even throughout the virtual landscape that the COVID19 pandemic imposed on us all, they did not miss a beat and continued to shine.

We commend your unwavering commitment to sisterhood and your tireless efforts to uplift and empower those you serve. As we celebrate this significant anniversary, we look forward to witnessing the continued growth and success of the Eta Psi Omega Chapter. May your legacy of service and sisterhood shine even brighter in the years to come. Congratulations once again on this historic achievement. Here's to 60 years of excellence and many more to come!

Sincerely,

Vincent H.T. Thompson Immediate Past President National Pan-Hellenic Council (Nassau, The Bahamas)

ETA PSI OMEGA: A WALK-THROUGH HISTORY 1963 – 2023 FOREWORD

One of our Charter Members, Muriel Frazier Eneas’ favourite quotes, a paraphrase of Robert Green Ingersoll, are words which resonate with most, if not all, of her former students or mentees.

“In life there are neither rewards, nor punishments; only consequences. And we either suffer or enjoy the consequences of our actions.”

This ‘walk-through’ History is dedicated to the ‘consequences’ of the actions of Charter Members Muriel Frazier Eneas, Donna Donaldson Towns, Shirley Vanderpool and Dolores Smith that we enjoy today as members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Eta Psi Omega Chapter. Their actions, some sixty years ago, led to the creation of the first Black Greek Letter Organisation in The Bahamas and only the second international Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®.

Humble Beginnings Grounded on the mission of the five basic tenets of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® – (i) to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, (ii) to promote unity and friendship among college women, (iii) to study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women in order to improve their social stature, (iv) to maintain a progressive interest in college life, and (v) to be of “Service to all Mankind” – the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Eta Psi Omega Chapter was chartered on 21st September 1963 in Nassau, The Bahamas. There was no pomp and pageantry, nor fireworks or champagne. There were just four phenomenal women, dedicated to the advancement of their beloved organisation and secure in the belief that there was a great need in the Bahamian community for an organisation like Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®.

Our Charter Members, Muriel Frazier Eneas, Donna Donaldson Towns, Shirley Vanderpool and Dolores Smith were all American citizens, transplanted in The Bahamas by virtue of their marriages to Bahamian men or the career pursuits of their husbands. Eventually becoming good friends due to their shared sisterhood (and social circle), our Charter Members began to discuss the exciting possibility of chartering a graduate chapter of their Sorority in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Recognising the challenges that they would face to charter only the second international chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, our Charter Members committed to the vision of launching the first Black Greek Letter Organisation in The Bahamas.

Their commitment paid off and on Saturday, 21st September 1963, in the living room of the home of Muriel Frazier Eneas, the 16th International President of the Sorority, Julia B. Purnell, chartered the Eta Psi Omega Chapter. Today, there is a historical marker at the Eneas homestead located in the heart of Nassau to honour the history made there.

Moreover, the chartering of the Eta Psi Omega Chapter was not only historical for the Sorority, but for Black Greekdom in The Bahamas. As usual, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® set the standard and others followed. Other Black Greek Letter Organisations established chapters in The Bahamas, including:- (i) the Bahamas Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated (1973), (ii) the Theta Epsilon Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated (1976), (iii) the Iota Epsilon Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated (1977), (iv) the Pi Xi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated (1977), (v) the Delta Epsilon Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated (1978), (vi) the Nassau Bahamas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated (1979) and (vi) the Kappa Delta Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated (2006).

Expansion of Membership In 1965, the Eta Psi Omega Chapter invited its first group of women to become members, – (i) Thelma McMillan, (ii) Dr. Gloria Sands, and (iii) Lillian Walker Parker. In 1966, Gwen Godet was invited to become a member. Along with our Charter Members, it was this small, but mighty group of women that worked aggressively to make the presence of the Eta Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®

felt in the Bahamian community. Through their early efforts, the Chapter assisted the Stapledon School and The Bahamas Red Cross.

During the 1970s, after a brief period of inactivity, the Chapter renewed its commitment and efforts to support the local Bahamian community. This was under the leadership of Sister Marilyn Granger. As the years progressed, young Bahamian women, initiated into the Sorority at U.S. universities and colleges, returned home, eager to continue the work of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® in The Bahamas.

Since its chartering in 1963, the Eta Psi Omega Chapter has initiated just over one hundred women into the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. The Chapter currently has over eighty-five members while the Sorority has over three hundred and fifty thousand members worldwide.

Establishing the International Region Recognising the need for greater inclusion and access for international chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® and members based in countries other than the United States of America, the leadership of the Chapter advocated for the International Region to be established. As a result of that advocacy, members of the Chapter were appointed to national committees and became intimately involved with the chartering of other international chapters.

Throughout the 1980s, members of the Chapter (under the leadership of Sister Mavis Johnson Collie) continued to express their concerns to the national office of the Sorority for international chapters to have a closer and better relationship. Nearly two decades after the leadership of the Chapter began its efforts, on behalf of the international chapters of the Sorority, to establish the International Region, its goal was achieved. Today, the International Region has several chapters in The Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Dubai, Germany, Japan, Liberia, Nigeria, South Africa, South Korea and the U.S. Virgin Islands. We are beyond proud that it was the Eta Psi Omega Chapter that led this charge.

Signature Programmes The Honours’ Day Scholarship Programme The signature programme of the Eta Psi Omega Chapter is the Honours Day Scholarship Programme and was introduced in 1978 under the presidency of Sister Mellany Zonicle and was the brainchild of Sister Thelma McMillan.

The Honours Day Scholarship Programme is geared towards top-performing female high school senior students across The Bahamas. It celebrates the scholastic achievements of those students and exposes the students to mentorship, leadership skillsbuilding and networking. The continuity of the Honours Day Scholarship Programme is one of the crowning achievements of the Chapter. Since 1978 the programme has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships to young female high school students, independently and through collaborative partnerships with historically black colleges and universities.

G.E.M.S (Girls Emerging and Maturing into Society) More than thirty years ago, the Eta Psi Omega Chapter launched the Aspiring Woman Programme under the leadership of Sister Janice McCants Miller, which evolved to the G.E.M.S. (Girls Emerging and Maturing into Society) Programme.

This Programme initially targeted at-risk young women by involving them in positive activities in the local Bahamian community. Today, the Programme targets underserved female high school students and provides them with etiquette training, career advice, college advice and involves them in different community service projects.

Honouring Our Own In 1984, as a leader in the International Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Eta Psi Omega Chapter had the esteemed privilege of recommending the Chapter’s first Honorary Member, Dr. Keva Marie Bethel, CMG who was the first Principal and subsequently President of the then College of The Bahamas. She was the epitome of excellence, and the Chapter was beyond proud when she became an Honorary Member of our beloved organisation. In 1998, the Chapter again recommended to the Sorority, another outstanding Bahamian woman, Retired Justice Cheryl Albury in recognition of her distinguished contribution to the legal profession and the arts in The Bahamas. In 2014, the Chapter put forth another recommendation to the Sorority for Honorary Membership – the former Attorney-General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and first Bahamian woman Kings Counsel, Z. Allyson Maynard-Gibson known for her advocacy for the rights of women and children in The Bahamas. It is with a true sense of pride that our small Chapter can boast of having three outstanding Bahamian women inducted as Honorary Members by the Sorority.

Chartering An Undergraduate Chapter

Legacy

By this time, after nearly fifty years of sisterhood, scholarship and service in The Bahamas, the Eta Psi Omega Chapter had grown by leaps and bounds and the Chapter wanted to ensure that young Bahamian women, who studied at the then College of The Bahamas also had the opportunity to serve Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® as undergraduates. The Tau Nu Chapter at the then College of The Bahamas was chartered on 4th March 2012 under the leadership of then International Regional Director, Evelyn Sample Oates and then President of the Chapter, Joyanne Archer. Now at the University of The Bahamas, the Tau Nu Chapter has grown its membership over the past decade and initiated dozens of young Bahamian women into the membership of the Sorority. The Eta Psi Omega Chapter is especially proud that, not only does the Tau Nu Chapter continue today, but also that several of its past initiates are now part of the Chapter, serving in several leadership positions.

Under the theme, “Soaring Into 60 Years of Service in The Bahamas”, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated® Eta Psi Omega Chapter recognises and celebrates its accomplishments over the past six decades. Our Sorority is an organisation founded more than one hundred and fifty years ago when there were less opportunities for the personal, professional and educational advancement for people of colour. As such, with everything we do, whether it be a community service project or the launch of a programme, we consider “Service to All Mankind” of the utmost importance. Our membership continues to uphold the ideals of our Sorority’s Founders and the vision of our Charter Members. By Culture and By Merit we have worked to ensure that we provide Service to All Mankind. We are proud of our history in The Bahamas and our positively impactful contribution to the legacy of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®.

Education From inception, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® has been an organisation for collegeeducated women. Therefore, it is not surprising that education has always been a major focus for the Sorority and of the Chapter. Through various International Programmes of the Sorority, the Chapter has significantly contributed to the educational pursuits of Bahamian men and women.

Besides our signature Honours Day Scholarship Programme and G.E.M.S. Programme, in partnership with other Black Greek Letter Organisations, we have hosted several educational fairs that featured historically black colleges and universities, providing hundreds of thousands of dollars of scholarship funds, sometimes even on the spot to young Bahamians. In addition to supporting the pursuit of tertiary education for young Bahamians, our Chapter has maintained a long-time relationship with the Primary School Student of the Year Scholarship Foundation (a flagship programme of the local National Pan-Hellenic Council) funding a scholarship in the name of Honorary Member, the late Dr. Keva Marie Bethel, CMG.

1963-2023 O U R

Y E A R ,

O U R

S T O R Y

Eta Psi Omega Charter Charter Member Muriel Frazier Eneas Initiated at Pi Chapter, 1938 Fisk University Nashville, Tennessee Born in 1920 in Savannah, Georgia to Dr. and Mrs. Simon Frazier, Charter Member Muriel Frazier Eneas matriculated at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. It was at this historically Black university where Sister Muriel was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® through Pi Chapter in 1938.

In 1947, Sister Muriel moved to The Bahamas with her husband, the late Dr. Cleveland Eneas.

Upon her relocation to The Bahamas, Sister Muriel worked as an educator and was employed at St. John’s College, where she taught French, Music, Latin and Health Science. In later years, she transitioned to St. Annes High School, serving as Principal and she taught Latin and French.

Besides her commitment to the education of future generations of Bahamians, Sister Muriel was an active member of the Suffrage Movement in The Bahamas. Recognising the need for an organisation like Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® in The Bahamas, Sister Muriel was dedicated to ensuring that she brought this positive and dynamic change to the community and worked alongside three other women to charter the Eta Psi Omega Chapter. In fact, it was at the home of Sister Muriel on the evening of 21st September 1963, when the then International President of the Sorority, Julia B. Purnell, chartered the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Eta Psi Omega Chapter – the first Black Greek Letter Organisation in The Bahamas. Today, there is a historical marker at the Eneas Family homestead to mark the significance of that home, the birthplace of Greekdom in The Bahamas.

In addition to her civic engagements, Sister Muriel was a member of St. Andrews Kirk Presbyterian Church. She shared her Greek legacy with her late husband, Dr. Cleveland Eneas, her two sons, the late Dr. Cleveland Eneas Jr. and the late Dr. Judson Eneas who were members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated and her daughter, Dr. Agreta Eneas-Carey, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Sadly, Sister Muriel became an Ivy Beyond The Wall on 17th May 2016.

Charter Member Donna Donaldson Towns Initiated at Pi Chapter, 1955 Fisk University Nashville, Tennessee A native of Chicago, Illinois, Sister Donna commenced her tertiary education at the historically Black Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® through Pi Chapter in 1955. In later years, Sister Donna earned a Master of Arts from Northwestern University (Evanston, Illinois) obtained legal qualifications as a Clerk in the law offices of Isaacs, Johnson and Thompson (Nassau, The Bahamas) and earned a PhD in Anthropology from the esteemed American University (Washington, D.C.).

Sister Donna relocated to The Bahamas in 1961 to accompany her Bahamian husband, the late Timothy Baswell Donaldson, CBE who had been appointed as the Principal of the Jordan Prince William High School. She joined her then husband at the school and taught Spanish and English Literature. Sister Donna was later employed as an Education Officer at the Ministry of Education and was instrumental in establishing the Guidance and Counselling Programme in the Bahamian public school system. Not one to rest on her laurels, Sister Donna transitioned to another challenging field and began her career in the legal profession.

During her time in The Bahamas, Sister Donna was an active member of the International Women’s Club but felt the need to do more. Recalling the value of the work of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® during her time as an undergraduate and recognising the need for the same in the Bahamian community, Sister Donna joined forces with three other women to charter the Eta Psi Omega Chapter. She was instrumental in ensuring that the Chapter engaged in community service and maintained its camaraderie as an organisation based on sisterhood, scholarship and service.

Sister Donna currently resides in Maryland, United States of America.

Charter Member Shirley Vanderpool Initiated at Pi Chapter, 1956 Fisk University Nashville, Tennessee Born in 1938 in Chicago, Illinois but raised in Jackson, Mississippi, Charter Member Shirley matriculated at the historically Black Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee where she was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® through Pi Chapter in 1956. After she completed her studies at Fisk University, Sister Shirley went on to pursue her Master of Arts at Iowa State University (School of Art).

Sister Shirley later married Dr. Cyril Vanderpool, a Bahamian Dentist, and relocated to the homeland of her husband where she was employed with The Bahamas’ Ministry of Tourism for a number of years. She lived in The Bahamas for fifteen years (1960 – 1975) and the idea to charter a local Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® was her own. The rationale was to have ‘family’ in The Bahamas (as our Charter Members were all transplanted American citizens) and sisters who would stay together. There was already a sense of sisterhood and camaraderie among Shirley and two of our other Charter Members as they were all living in The Bahamas as alumnae of Fisk University and initiated through Pi Chapter as members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. However, Sisters Muriel, Donna and Shirley thought it necessary to extend this sisterhood to other members of the Bahamian community. The three of them soon connected with Sister Dolores and worked together to charter the Eta Psi Omega Chapter.

Sister Shirley later returned to the United States of America, ultimately settling in Ohio. Sadly, Sister Shirley became an Ivy Beyond The Wall on 10th June 2021.

Charter Member Dolores Smith Initiated at Beta Mu Chapter, 1953 Wayne State University Detroit, Michigan Charter Member Dolores Smith matriculated at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan where she was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® through Beta Mu Chapter in 1953. She relocated to The Bahamas in 1959, to join her husband, the late Holland Garfield Smith who had relocated to The Bahamas for employment purposes a year earlier.

Sister Dolores is a retired educator who taught at various schools in The Bahamas. In chartering the Eta Psi Omega Chapter, it was the belief of Sister Dolores that the Chapter would grow and be developed by Bahamian women, returning to The Bahamas from university abroad. It was with immense pride that Sister Dolores stood with Sisters Muriel, Donna and Shirley on 21st September 1963 as Charter Members of only the second international chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®.

Shortly after the chartering of the new Chapter, Sister Dolores departed for England to pursue postgraduate studies in child development. Upon her return, she continued her studies at the then The Bahamas Teachers College for an additional three years.

Sister Dolores subsequently retired as an educator to assist her husband in his business as a structural engineer.

As a Charter Member of the Eta Psi Omega Chapter, one of Sister Dolores’ primary goals was to ensure that the membership of the Chapter grew. In 1965 membership increased to include the newly initiated members – (i) Dr. Gloria Sands, (ii) Lillian Walker, and (iii) Thelma McMillan while in 1966 the Chapter initiated Gwen Godet. As a small, but mighty, group, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Eta Psi Omega Chapter committed to community development and lent its initial assistance to the Stapledon School and The Bahamas Red Cross.

Charter Member Dolores, as a proud Pearl Member who remains a member of the Chapter she helped to charter, shares her Greek legacy with her late husband Holland Garfield Smith (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated), her two daughters – Judith Smith and Renee Smith (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® and her son, Holland Kent Smith (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated).

ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED®️, ETA PSI OMEGA CHAPTER

Born Keva Marie Eldon on 18th August 1935 in the then Colony of The Bahamas, this phenomenal woman became known as an indomitable figure in education in The Bahamas. She graduated from Queens College (Nassau, The Bahamas) with Honours in 1950 and thereafter commenced her postsecondary education in the United Kingdom. She completed her sixth form studies at Kirby Lodge (Cambridge, United Kingdom) which prepared her for matriculation at the prestigious University of Cambridge (Cambridge, United Kingdom). Studying Modern Languages at Cambridge, Keva Marie obtained her Bachelor of Arts (1959) and her Master of Arts (1963).

A patriot at heart, Keva Marie returned to The Bahamas and began her career as an educator at the Government High School. She did exceedingly well as an educator, but not many knew of her love of the Arts. In fact, Keva Marie was musically trained under the tutelage of the well-known “Mother of the Arts” Meta Davis-Cumberbatch. It was through her love of the Arts that Keva Marie met her husband, the late E. Clement Bethel with whom she had her children, Nicolette and Edward.

In 1975, Keva Marie continued her career as an educator at the then fledgling College of The Bahamas. She served in various positions eventually becoming Vice-Principal in 1979. Thereafter, she commenced doctoral studies in Educational Administration at the University of Alberta (Edmonton, Alberta). She returned home in 1981 as Dr. Keva Marie Bethel and in 1982 was appointed as Acting Principal of the College of The Bahamas. She served as Principal of The Bahamas’ premier institute for tertiary education from 1982 – 1995. In 1995, the College of The Bahamas became an independent institution and Dr. Bethel was named its first President, only retiring in 1998. For her tireless dedication to the advancement of the College of The Bahamas, in 1995 she was made a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George.

In 1984, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Eta Psi Omega Chapter recommended Dr. Bethel to be inducted as an Honorary Member of the Sorority. This recommendation was supported by Dr. Bethel’s work as an outstanding educator and lover of Bahamian heritage and culture. Dr. Bethel became the first Bahamian women to become an Honorary Member of the Sorority. Having lived a life of service through education, after an illness, Dr. Keva Marie Bethel, CMG sadly became an Ivy Beyond the Wall on 15th February 2011.

An educator, a Poet, and Attorney-at-Law, Retired Justice Cheryl Albury is a multi-dimensional woman. She attended the University of the West Indies (Cave Hill, Barbados) and obtained a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Spanish and English. Later, she obtained a Master of Business Administration from the University of Miami (Miami, Florida). Her professional career began as an educator, where she taught English Language at the Government High School. She later taught at the A.F. Adderley High School before she transitioned in 1981 to a new role as a public administrator in the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of External Affairs.

Though she loved her work as an educator and her time as a public administrator, Cheryl’s truest desire was to pursue a career in the law. In 1985, she was called to the Bar of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas as Counsel & Attorney-at-Law and began her private practice. Her judicial journey began in 1989 when she was appointed a Stipendiary and Circuit Magistrate, eventually becoming Deputy Chief Magistrate. In 2005 she was elevated to the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and became Her Ladyship, the Honourable Madam Justice Albury. In 2010, she retired from the Judiciary of The Bahamas but continued working in the legal profession as a volunteer advisor at the Eugene Dupuch Law School’s Legal Aid Clinic, an independent Mediator and an independent Arbitrator.

Notwithstanding Retired Justice Albury’s accomplishments as an educator, public administrator and attorney, she is also an exceptional poet. Keenly interested in the Arts, she is a published author with her work anthologised in several publications, including:- (i) the College of The Bahamas’ Anthology of Bahamian Literature, (ii) the Caribbean Writer, a University of the Virgin Islands publication, and (iii) ‘Under the Moon and Over the Sea’, a collection of Caribbean poetry published

by Walker Brothers in London. In 1994, she published a collection of her poetry, short stories and satirical essays called ‘Perspectives From Inner Windows’, while her other work is also included in textbooks used in Caribbean schools.

In 1998 the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Eta Psi Omega Chapter submitted its recommendation to the Sorority for the induction of Retired Justice Cheryl Albury as an Honorary Member. This recommendation was supported by her contribution to the Law and Arts in The Bahamas. Today, Retired Justice Cheryl Albury continues her work with the Eugene Dupuch Law School’s Legal Aid Clinic, helping to mentor the next generation of legal professionals in The Bahamas. She is the mother of Candia Ferguson, also Counsel & Attorney-at-Law.

What were your initial thoughts when you found out that you were nominated to be inducted as an Honorary Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®?

When I found out that I was nominated for induction as an Honorary Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated®, I must admit that I was not completely aware of the organisation and its legacy. I was not aware of what was expected of me as an Honorary Member, having attended the University of the West Indies and not being exposed to sororities.

Why did you accept the nomination?

Once I received the invitation for induction, I researched the history of the organisation. I was very impressed with the Sorority’s legacy, the caliber of previous inductees, and the global initiatives undertaken by the Sorority to enhance the quality of life for the less fortunate.

What was it like to be inducted with the other Honorary Members of your induction class?

I was inducted during the Summer of 1998 at the Boule, and my class consisted of distinguished women including Rosetta Burke, Brigadier General, New York; Emma Chappel, Bank Chairman, Philadelphia; Alice Coachman Davis, Olympic Gold Medalist, Georgia; Jessie Bryant Mosley, Co-founder of first School for Afro-Americans, Mississippi; Ruth Simmons, President Brown University, Massachusetts. The entire experience was surreal. I knew what I had read, but in addition to the actual ceremony, just being there in the presence of thousands of accomplished women and sharing camaraderie was much more than expected.

The uniqueness and exceptional essence of Alpha Kappa Alpha on an international level was entrenched in my memory.

What does being an Honorary Member (and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®) mean to you?

Being an Honorary Member of this Sorority means that I belong to a sisterhood of hundreds of thousands of women around the globe. As an Honorary Member, I am also part of an inner circle of intentionally selected accordant women, who have been chosen (for honorary membership) because of their significant contributions to their local communities.

How has being an Honorary Member positively impacted your life?

I have always felt an obligation to give back to my community, however being an Honorary Member also affords me the opportunity, in cohesive sisterhood, of contributing to the local chapter initiatives whenever I am asked.

Born into a Bahamian family with a strong record of contribution to the advancement of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Zoe Camille Allyson Maynard (better known as Allyson) entered the world on 11th January 1957. A known advocate for the rights of women and children, she was educated at Barry University (Miami, Florida) where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Management, Marketing and Economics in 1975. Allyson continued her studies at the London School of Economics (London, United Kingdom) where she obtained her Bachelor of Laws with Honours in 1979 and thereafter, in 1980 her Master of Laws. She completed her Bar studies under the Council of Legal Education (London, United Kingdom) and was admitted to the Bar of England and Wales in July 1980 and the Bar of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas in December 1980.

Upon her return to The Bahamas, Allyson entered private practice and worked at several local law firms, including:- (i) Gibson & Company, (ii) Maynard & Co., (iii) Seligman, Maynard & Co. and (iv) Clement T. Maynard & Company. Recognising the invaluable contribution her father, the late Clement T. Maynard (former Deputy Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas) made to the country, building on that legacy she entered frontline politics in 2002. She was elected as a Member of Parliament for the constituency of Pinewood in 2002 and served in that role for five years during which time she also served as the Minister of Financial Services and Investments. During the period 2012 – 2017, Allyson served as a Senator and Leader of Government Business in the Senate and as the Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs. Notably, Allyson took Silk in January 2015, becoming the first Bahamian woman to become Kings Counsel.

Throughout her time of public service as a politician, Allyson achieved many notable accomplishments, most importantly improving access to justice through significant legal reforms. These legal reforms include statutory maternity leave with guaranteed employment upon return to work and identity protection for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. These reforms continue to positively impact the Bahamian community today.

Besides her professional and political accomplishments, Allyson has a record of extensive civic involvement. She has served as President of the International Women’s Forum (2009 – 2011), is a past President of the Nassau Chapter of The Links Incorporated, is a member of Zonta International and regularly participates in forums on women’s rights locally and internationally, just to name a few. Of her personal life, she is the wife of Maxwell E. Gibson and has two daughters, Zoë and Demetra. Zoë is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®.

In 2014 the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Eta Psi Omega Chapter submitted its recommendation to the Sorority for the induction of Allyson Maynard-Gibson as an Honourary Member.

This recommendation was supported by her contribution to the Law and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children. Today, Allyson continues to practice law and serves as Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the University of The Bahamas and as a member of the Board of Trustees of her alma mater, Barry University in addition to several other appointments.

What were your initial thoughts What was it like to be inducted What does being an Honorary when you found out that you were with the other Honorary Member (and Alpha Kappa Alpha nominated to be inducted as an Members of your induction class? Sorority, Incorporated®) mean to Honorary Member of Alpha you?

Kappa Alpha Sorority, I was humbled that my Bahamian Incorporated®? sisters found it fitting to nominate It means everything to me. It is me. I was a little nervous standing clear that the principles upon I was humbled and blown away on the stage at the 2014 Boule. I which our Sorority was founded when I found out that I was was inducted with world famous are as relevant today as they were nominated to be inducted as an Brandy and Ava Duverny and I over a century ago. It is my hope Honorary Member of Alpha Kappa wanted to ensure that I didn’t that over the next century, Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® make any mistakes. The warm together we can continue to “be of (“AKA”). I had seen that the welcome, applause and greetings service to all mankind” in our national and international by my sorority sisters made me respective communities. members of AKA are highly feel very welcomed. From the competent sisters, who are moment I stepped off the stage How has being an Honorary committed to sisterhood and until this present moment, I was Member positively impacted your service. Both concepts are as and am especially elated to be a life? important today as they have part of the Bahamian members of always been and especially when Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, The impact has been especially AKA was first founded.

Incorporated®. satisfying recently. It warms my heart when students at University Why did you accept the of The Bahamas call me their nomination? sorority sister and ask me for advice.

I especially enjoy I accepted the invitation because I mentoring young people. wanted to belong to this powerful and influential network of sisters who are committed to service.

WHAT MADE YOU THINK ABOUT AND UNDERTAKING THE CHARTERING OF A CHAPTER IN NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS? When I arrived in The Bahamas, many families were sending their boys, but not girls, off to college (there was no College of The Bahamas at that time), and most were going to England or Canada.

Finnie Eneas, Shirley Vanderpool and I had attended Fisk University in the United States and met our Bahamian husbands there, and we happened to be AKA’s and so we thought if we started a chapter, we could encourage other young girls to go off to the States to college; not necessarily to Fisk. Dolores, for example, was not a Fisk graduate.

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU ARE PROUD OF SEEING FROM THE ETA PSI OMEGA CHAPTER? I feel so proud of the sisters of the Eta Psi Omega Chapter in that you have pursued the dreams of the founding sisters by continuing to look out for the less fortunate children in the country and especially in establishing a scholarship to assist young girls in furthering their education with your Girls Emerging and Maturing into Society Programme.

Sisterhood, Scholarship and Service are, indeed, the watchwords for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®.

WHAT IS SOMETHING PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU? My husband then, Timothy Baswell Donaldson, and I had come to Nassau in 1961 to start a high school for the Baptist, Prince Williams High School.

He was the headmaster and I taught Spanish and English literature.

One example of service that the Sorority instilled in me led to my “adoption” of a young mentally challenged teenager from the Sandilands School, whose grandmother had died leaving her homeless in one of the Family Islands.

Angela became a part of my family until a few years later when my husband and I saw her happily married and off to have children of her own.

Later, when he moved on to the Ministry of Finance, and as you know later became the Governor of the Central Bank, I was invited to join the faculty at St Augustine’s College as the first female teacher at a Catholic, all boys school. As I mentioned earlier, the Charter Members of the Eta Psi Omega Chapter were strongly committed to helping young girls to pursue higher education that was not available in The Bahamas at that time.

I had always been concerned about students going to England and Canada to college, when there were so many closer and more affordable universities and colleges in the United States.

After I left St. Augustine’s College to give birth to my second son, Kevin, I was hired by the Ministry of Education to start a Guidance and Counselling Programme in the school system. My serving as an education officer in the Ministry of Education for the purpose of establishing a Guidance and Counselling Programme in the public school system was for that very purpose.

DO YOU HAVE ANY FINAL THOUGHTS TO LEAVE WITH THE CHAPTER ON THIS OCCASION? I am so thankful and grateful to see photos of the many activities in which the Sorority has been engaged in order to serve the needy in the community.

Working with other organisations with common concerns is a continuation of our efforts from the conception of the Chapter as we participated each year in the Red Cross Fair. Thank you for reaching out to me and Sister Dolores, the only surviving Charter Members of the Eta Psi Omega Chapter, at this significant time: the Sixty Year Celebration of the Chapter.

I had the privilege of sitting down with 90-year old surviving Charter Member Dolores Smith at her home on the Eastern Road in Nassau, The Bahamas. As a surprise, I called up Golden Member Linda Major to accompany me as we had our conversation. An excellent decision that turned out to be, as from the moment we arrived, I had the pleasure of listening in as my Sisters reminisced with one another. As we entered the beautiful courtyard of the home, Sister Linda fondly recalled the many events she attended there and commented how “this was the house to be at!” in those times. It warmed my heart to hear that the tradition of members opening their homes for the enjoyment of one another was one that started way back then and continues today.

As we got settled down, Sister Dolores was eager to begin the conversation. When asked why and how the idea for the chartering of this Chapter came about, she painted a vivid picture of her introduction to The Bahamas.

Coming to The Bahamas as a newlywed, Sister Dolores was introduced to Members Muriel (Finnie) Eneas, Shirley Vanderpool and Donna Donaldson.

It was only a few years later that she and her peers saw the need and opportunity to charter a chapter of the service organization that had captured their hearts Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. For Sister Delores, it was simply a matter of “if you conceive it, you believe it, you can achieve it”.

When asked about challenges that they may have faced, Sister Dolores explained the dilemma they faced about young Bahamian women who held all the attributes of an Alpha Kappa Alpha woman but did not possess college degrees. “At that time, many of the Bahamian women were not being sent off to college. You’d go to Government High and get a job as the College did not yet exist or alternatively get a scholarship to England which was a long way away.

When we sent our request off to National, they sent it back you know!

They said you’re only four and we don’t have chapters with just four. But we were determined and that was not an obstacle for us. We wrote back and said, our Chapter will be fed by the young women who are going away to college, and by that time there were a lot of young women going to American colleges. They bought into it and as the Bahamian saying goes, so said, so done!” Hugging Sister Linda tightly, Sister Dolores expressed the hope that she and the other Charter Members had that women like her would come home and join the Chapter. She gushed how women like Sisters Linda, Blanche, Othella, Julie and Mellany did not disappoint, came home and were the shining stars in the Chapter.

Sister Linda further painted the picture for me as she jumped in and told the story of how while at Florida Memorial College she admired Sister Thelma McMillan (when she came to visit the President’s wife who was also an AKA) and was so enamored with her and the way she carried herself. As the President of her undergraduate chapter, Sister Linda would come home to The Bahamas in the summer, working at the Treasury department and found her way downtown to Sisterr Thelma’s store to introduce herself. “Oh I was eager and I just knew I was going to be a part of that sisterhood when I returned home.” Her eagerness along with the other Bahamian women returning home aided the expansion of the Chapter.

Once the Charter was received, these women were dedicated to this expansion and the Chapter’s community outreach.

Sister Dolores expressed her admiration for the way members of the Eta Psi Omega Chapter, despite peaks and valleys, always seem to have someone who picks up the baton.

She shared these sentiments. “If an organization can exist for sixty years, there must be something, there has to be something there.

When you have a task and you have the talent, you get them together and can get things done.

So, the ideals of the organization should be more important than your personal goals. You have to examine yourself sometimes and think, have the goals and ideals of the organization changed or have you changed? This is where truth and reconciliation come in.”

Over the course of our visit, Sister Dolores shared some notable moments and achievements that make her proud. Particularly, the restoration of Sister Muriel Eneas’s home and establishment of the homestead as a historical site was a moment of extreme gratification. She shared how much she was impressed by the AKA Day in Parliament and was overwhelmed as a woman born in a segregated square mile in Nashville, Tennessee to see her sisters in the halls of Parliament.

As we brought this interview to a close, Sister Dolores shared encouragement for sorors to continue the legacy of our Founders and Charter Members. Her final words to me, were so real and heartwarming,

Confirming the chartering of the Eta Psi Omega Chapter as her shining moment, Sister Delores shared her hopes to see the continuation of the Chapter and that its members see the need in the community and continue to fulfill that need. She expressed her thoughts on the signature programme, the Honours Day Scholarship Programme, as a superb programme and touts its longevity as paramount.

“The impact this programme and ultimately the Chapter, makes on young women in this community is a manifestation of how the spirit of Alpha Kappa Alpha grows.”

“To have an idea, see it come to fruition and to be blessed to see it 60 years later is unbelievable. Its like raising a child that you see grow and grow. Our chapter has lasted 60 years from a start of four women. This kind of longevity is truly what we thought about and the embodiment of what we sing in the hymn, to capture a vision fair”.

This was unmatched.

truly

an

Mia Cherie Nottage 2017 Initiate Alpha Kappa Alpha Incorporated® Eta Psi Omega Chapter

opportunity

Sorority,

ETA PSI OMEGA CHAPTER

1963-2023 O U R

Y E A R ,

O U R

S T O R Y

Past Presidents

Margo J. Adderley

Contanza Adderley Bourne

Joyanne Archer

Sister Margo J. Adderley was initiated into the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® through the Eta Psi Omega Chapter on June 17, 2001. Shortly after she became a member, she served as the Secretary and assisted with the execution of the G.E.M.S (Girls Emerging and Maturing into Society) Programme, eventually becoming Chair.

Sister Contanza Adderley Bourne was initiated into the Sorority through the Eta Psi Omega Chapter in 2002 and has been an active member serving in numerous capacities. During her tenure as President (2016-2018), she served as International Regional Conference Chair and the Chapter received numerous awards at the 2016 Boule and Leadership Conference, including President of The Year.

Upon her return from university abroad, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science from Howard University (Washington, D.C.) in 1984 and a Master’s in Education from Northeastern University (Boston, Massachusetts) in 1987, Sister JoyAnne Archer was initiated into the Sorority through the Eta Psi Omega Chapter in 1990. During her time with the Chapter, she has served the organisation in many capacities and has also represented the Chapter on the international level.

In 2001, Sister Margo won the Chapter Award for Unsung Hero and was also honoured by the local National Pan-Hellenic Council as a regional Unsung Hero in 2002.

She continued to win awards for her service and obtained an award at the Pearl Awards in 2019 and 2020 respectively, in addition to the Rising Star Award and Soror of the Year Award for 2020. She has served as the Regional Representative on the Standards Committee.

Sister Contanza has been in the business of helping others develop their potential in one form or the other, for over twenty-five years. Firstly, in the areas of education, serving as an instructor at local secondary and tertiary institutions in The Bahamas, and subsequently as an Industrial Trainer and Human Resources professional throughout various industries most notably Hospitality, and Professional Services. Her areas of proficiency include Customer Service, Team Building, Cultural Awareness, Management, Leadership, Organizational and Workforce Planning, Recruitment, and Employee Engagement.

Sister Contanza currently serves as the Talent Advisor for Deloitte & Touche Bahamas.

For more than two decades in the Chapter, Sister Margo has served in various leadership positions as President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary, Public Relations Chair and Standards and Strategic Planning Chair.

She has also served as the Secretary of The Bahamas Primary School Awards Foundation. She had the privilege of serving She has a Bachelor of Science in Industrial as the Diamond Jubilee President of the Engineering from Florida A&M University Chapter.

(Tallahassee, Florida) and a Masters in Educational Administration form Kent State University in Ohio. She is also certified in Organizational Development, as well as Training & Facilitation, and holds the certification of Senior Certified Professional from the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM – SCP).

Contanza is very involved in her community through her participation in the Performing Arts, her church, Christ Church Cathedral, and other civic organizations. She is married to Mr. Dayan Bourne, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated and Chartered Accountant. They are the proud parents of one son, Myles.

Sister JoyAnne has held several Executive positions within the Chapter and served as President for two consecutive terms. During her term as Vice President, she chaired the programmes committee and was successful in implementing the same with such finesse that the Chapter garnered awards for outstanding Programmes within the International Region in 2008 and 2009. Not a small feat for a small chapter of the International Region. Sister JoyAnne also had the pleasure to successfully conduct the Chapter’s membership intake process (the first initiates in nearly ten years) and to lead the chartering of an undergraduate chapter, Tau Nu, at the then College of The Bahamas. Sister JoyAnne has served on several committees at the Sorority’s international level including:the International Program Committee, International Membership Committee, International Connection Committee, and the International Graduate Advisors Certification Committee.

Her commitment to the Sorority is evident through her consistent attendance at the many international conferences and leadership programmes as well as her participation in the various initiatives throughout Chapters based in the United States of America. Sister JoyAnne is a Silver Star and Life Member of the Sorority as she has been a member for more than thirty years. She is the proud wife of Mr. Leroy Archer and the proud mother of three adult children: two sons and a daughter.

Julie Glover

Marilyn Granger

Dawn Ferguson

Sister Julie Glover was initiated in 1968 at Florida Memorial College into the Delta Eta Chapter. Following her graduation in 1971, she returned to The Bahamas and promptly joined the Eta Psi Omega Chapter in 1972.

During her time with the Chapter, she served as President in the mid 1970s.

The main programmes of concentration during her time at Eta Psi Omega were the Honours Day Scholarship Programme, Bahamas Red Cross Fair, the Children’s Emergency Hostel and Persis Rodgers Home for the Aged.

Initiated into the Sorority through the Beta Alpha Omega Chapter (New Jersey) in 1971, Sister Marilyn relocated to The Bahamas in 1971 following her marriage to a Bahamian man. Upon her relocation to The Bahamas, Sister Marilyn sought to reactivate the Eta Psi Omega Chapter and expand its membership. With the assistance of former members of the Chapter like Sister Paula Bain and others, the Chapter was reactivated and Sister Marilyn served as President of the Chapter from 1972 – 1973.

Sister Dawn Adams Ferguson was initiated into the Sorority on the campus of Florida Memorial College through the Delta Eta Chapter in Fall 1972. During her senior year, 1974 -1975 she was honoured to serve as the President of the Delta Eta Chapter. It was during this time as well that she also served the Directorate as the Undergraduate Member-at-Large.

Sister Julie relocated to Freeport, Grand Bahama in 1980 and immediately recognized the need for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® in the second city.

Thus, she is a Charter Member of the Pi Upsilon Omega Chapter that was chartered in 1987. Today, she is an active member of the Pi Upsilon Omega Chapter, having founded that chapter’s signature programme (the Twenty Pearls Programme) and having served on the Executive Committee of that chapter for more than thirty-five years. Sister Julie became a Golden Soror in 2018.

Of her most notable achievements as part of the International Region, Sister Marilyn was a candidate for Graduate-Member-at-Large, member of the National Programme Committee, Chairperson of the Resolutions Committee and candidate for National Secretary. Sister Marilyn also played an integral role in chartering the Mu Gamma Omega Chapter of the Sorority in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1978. Soror Marilyn became a Golden Member in 2021.

Professionally, Sister Julie holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in Education and Reading. She is a Chartered Financial Consultant and is retired. Personally, she is married to Douglas Dwight Glover and they have one daughter Thisha Glover.

Upon her return home, she joined the Eta Psi Omega Chapter and became active within the local community through the Chapter’s service projects. In 1984 Sister Dawn served as President of the Eta Psi Omega Chapter and assisted in ensuring that the International Programmes were implemented throughout the local Bahamian community.

Terah Hanna-Sweeting

Mavis Johnson-Collie

Cherelle ‘CC’ LaFleur

Sister Terah L. Hanna-Sweeting was initiated into the Sorority in Spring 1987 through the Gamma Xi Chapter at St. Augustine’s University (Raleigh, North Carolina). She was first introduced to the Eta Psi Omega Chapter through the 1988 iteration of the Honours Day Scholarship Programme.

Sister Mavis Johnson-Collie, a Charter Member of the Xi Theta Chapter at SUNY Brockport was initiated into the Sorority in 1982. Following her graduation in 1983, Sister Mavis became an active member of the Eta Psi Omega Chapter. Having been a member of the Chapter for more than thirty years, she has served in various capacities over the years, including as First Vice President and President.

Sister Cherylle (“CC”) LaFleur was initiated into the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® in Spring 1987 at Florida A&M University. After serving in two graduate chapters in both Jacksonville, Florida (Gamma Rho Omega) and Atlanta, Georgia, she relocated to The Bahamas in 1998 and eagerly joined and became an active member of the Eta Psi Omega Chapter.

Under her leadership, the Chapter continued to work with its community partners – the Children’s Emergency Hostel, the Association for the Physically Disabled, the Persis Rodgers Home for the Aged, the Children’s Ward of the Princess Margaret Hospital and The Bahamas Red Cross Society. Additionally, the Honours Day Scholarship Programme was expanded to include Family Island participants and scholarship offerings were increased. As President of the Chapter, Sister Mavis led the Chapter’s recommendation of the International Region’s first Honorary Member, Dr. Keva Marie Bethel CMG in 1984.

As a member of the Chapter, she has served in several capacities, including President.

Several notable events and activities carried out during her term included the continued successful execution of the G.E.M.S. (Girls Emerging and Maturing into Society) Programme, and several successful sisterly relations workshops. Sister CC continues her service in the local community as an active member on the executive board of the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation.

Upon her return to The Bahamas, Sister Terah joined the Chapter. During her time with the Chapter, Sister Terah has served in multiple roles, including two consecutive terms as President. One of the highlights of her terms was the enhancement of the G.E.M.S. (Girls Emerging and Maturing into Society) Programme by introducing college tours of historically Black colleges and universities based in the United States of America.

Under her leadership, the Chapter recommended Retired Justice Cheryl Albury to be inducted as an Honorary Member of the Sorority and in 1998 Retired Justice Cheryl Albury became an Honorary Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®.

Sister Terah is a past recipient of the 2001 Outstanding Graduate Basileus Award for the International Region and has been appointed to serve on several international committees of the Sorority.

Sister Terah is the proud wife of the late Mr. Lyndon Sweeting and the proud mother of two sons, Nycholas and Nolan Sweeting, who are members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated and one daughter Taylor Sweeting. Sister Terah is further proud to share her Greek legacy with her mother who has been a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, for more than fifty years. Her two younger sisters, Sisters Tanisha and Tyiece are both members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®.

Sister Mavis also represented the Chapter at Boule 1984 and led the charge for better integration, better communication and better access for the members of the chapters outside of the continental United States which culminated in the creation of the International Region. A consummate leader, Sister Mavis has served in numerous positions in the Sorority over the years at the local, regional and international levels.

She has been recognised by the local chapter of the National Pan Hellenic Council for her contributions and was inducted into the Council’s Hall of Fame in 2011.

Sister Mavis, a Counsel & Attorney-at-Law by profession, is married to Sidney S. Collie and together they are raising two miracle daughters, Yendise Marie and Asha Sydney, who is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®.

Sister CC shares the legacy of her Greek life with her husband Bruce Pierre LaFleur, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. They are the proud parents of two beautiful sons, Bruce Pierce and Seth Gardner.

Alana Major Sister Alana Major is a proud alumna of St. John’s College and Florida Memorial University where she was President of the Alpha Kappa Mu National Honour Society, as Miss Florida Memorial College 1994-1995 and an active volunteer for the American Cancer Society. She went on to earn a Master of Business Administration degree in Healthcare Administration from St. Thomas University and believes in continued education and learning.

During her college years, Sister Alana was initiated into the Sorority through the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Delta Eta Chapter. Since becoming a member, she has served as chair of numerous committees locally from Standard’s Chair to President and has also chaired at the International Region Level for the Sorority such as Executive Assistant to the Regional Director, International Regional Conference & Boule Housing Coordinator, and International Regional Conference Representative to the Membership Committee.

Sister Alana served as the President of the Chapter with a vision to Flourish ensuring service with excellence from the heart. She was honoured as the 2014 President of the Year for the International Region. During her presidency, Chapter membership increased, and the Chapter boasted the largest delegation to the Cluster and International Regional Conference in 2014 and 2015. Sister Alana’s administration truly flourished as she welcomed two sets of initiates, ten and seven new members in 2014 and 2015, respectively.

By profession, Sister Alana is a healthcare industry professional. Sister Alana is married to Mr. Terrell Major, and they attend Christ Church Cathedral.

Linda Major

Lisa Major

Sister Linda Lewis Major was initiated on the campus of Florida Memorial College through the Delta Eta Chapter in Fall 1968. As a senior, she served as President of her undergraduate chapter. She later returned to The Bahamas and joined the Eta Psi Omega Chapter.

Sister Lisa Major was initiated into the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Gamma Zeta Chapter in 1980 during her sophomore year at Kean University in Union, New Jersey. During her time as an undergraduate, she served as the Recording Secretary and First Vice President of the Gamma Zeta Chapter.

During her early years with the Chapter, she served as President (1987) and counts among her most treasured memories, the opportunity to welcome then International President, Janet Jones Ballard as the keynote speaker for the 1987 Honours Day Scholarship Programme.

At that time, it was a rare occurrence for the International President, who also served as International Regional Director, to visit Sorority’s chapters outside of the United States of America.

Sister Linda became a Golden Member in 2018 and is a retired educator.

After completing her baccalaureate studies, Sister Lisa returned home and joined the Eta Psi Omega Chapter in 1982, having been encouraged by her high school and lifelong friend, Sister Alamanda Symonette-Galanis.

During her time with the Chapter, with the exception of the position of Treasurer, Sister Lisa has served in every role of the Executive Committee of the Chapter.

In 1996, Sister Lisa took the helm as President of the Eta Psi Omega Chapter for two consecutive terms. It was during those terms that several notable international and local programmes flourished. Under her leadership, at the 1997 International Regional Conference, the Chapter won an unprecedented amount of five (5) of the six (6) awards inclusive of Outstanding Graduate Chapter and Outstanding Chapter President.

Besides the Chapter being recognized by the Sorority, Sister Lisa led several local notable programmes including the Ivy AKAdemy and Exhibition at the Central Bank of The Bahamas and the introduction of the Partnership in Math and Science (PIMS). The Honours Day Scholarship Programme grew exponentially during her terms, led by Sister Laura Pratt-Charlton. Although now a General Member, Sister Lisa, who is also a Silver Star, continues to support and invest in the work of the Chapter as it works toward building a strong and proud legacy of service to all mankind.

Professionally, Sister Lisa is a Human Resource / Organizational Development Professional and is an experienced project manager. She is widowed and is the mother of two children, her Legacy, Sister Lee-Ann Dillett (a 2014 initiate of the Chapter) and Ricardo Major II. She is also a doting grandmother of two grand-daughters.

Janice McCants-Miller Sister Janice McCants Miller was initiated into the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Zeta Omega Chapter, on 17th March 1985 (Wilmington Delaware).

Sister Janice relocated to The Bahamas in July 1986, and transferred her membership to the Eta Psi Omega Chapter in 1989. During Sister Janice’s membership with the Eta Psi Omega Chapter, she was very active and held several Chapter positions. She served as President in 1991 – 1992. Sister Janice’s focus was the development of the G.E.M.S. (Girls Emerging and Maturity into Society) Programme for at-risk middle and high school aged girls.

It was Sister Janice’s belief that sisterhood was the foundation and core of the Sorority and that as members, we must demonstrate unconditional regard and respect for each other. It was in this spirit that she led the Chapter to grow, evolve and expand in its service to the Bahamian community.

Sister Janice is a retired social work educator having worked over 24 years at The University of The Bahamas (then College of the Bahamas). She has a Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work, a Bachelor of Arts Degree, Sociology, HBCU Delaware State University (Delaware State College).

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Delaware. Upon retirement Sister Janice returned to her birth home in Newark Delaware. Sister Janice has one daughter, Legacy, Sister Nadja Bodie Lawrence.

Thelma McMillan Sister Thelma McMillan relocated to The Bahamas with her husband in the early 1960’s. In 1965, she became one of the first initiates of the recently chartered Eta Psi Omega Chapter. Sister Thelma served as President of the Chapter in 1970.

She was an educator by profession having taught at St. Anne’s High School. The Chapter’s signature programme, Honours Day Scholarship Programme is the brainchild of sister Thelma. Today, fortyfive years later, that signature programme has transformed lives and has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarship funds to the top performing female students across the country.

Presleith Y. McPhee Sister Presleith Yvette McPhee is an author, entrepreneur, and certified Project Management Professional. She was initiated into the Sorority through the Mu Eta Chapter at Livingston University (Livingston, Alabama) in Spring 1986. In 1987, Sister Presleith transferred from the Mu Eta Chapter to the Eta Psi Omega Chapter and immediately became an active member of the Chapter. She has served in various leadership roles including President (2004 – 2005), Corresponding Secretary, and Parliamentarian.

She has chaired various Chapter initiatives including the 1st Ivy AKAdemy and Exhibition held at The Central Bank of The Bahamas, launch of the Ivy Vine Investment Club, and the launch of the AKA House Foundation Fund to build a house to hold meetings and use as a residence for Family Island Honour's Day Students. She was also the chair of the Chapter’s Golden Jubilee celebrations. Regionally, she has chaired the Regional Rules and Resolution Committee, Regional Membership Committee, Regional Standards Committee, and the Regional Sisterly Relations Committee. She has served on the 2014-2018 International Membership Committee and the 2018-2022 International Standards Committee and currently serves on the International Sisterly Relations Committee.

During her presidency, she led the G.E.M.S. (Girls Emerging and Maturing into Society) Programme H.B.C.U. College Tour, created a website for the Chapter and implemented the use of the Chapter List Serve. She also launched the Gwen Godet Breast Cancer Essay Competition, which was geared towards informing teenagers of the importance of detecting breast cancer early, in addition to the Domestic Violence Awareness Programme in primary schools. There were many other notable accomplishments during her presidency, too numerous to mention.

For her dedication and service to the Chapter, Soror Presleith has been recognized as the 1995 International Region Soror of the Year, 2005 Educational Advancement Fund Woman of Excellence and 2006 International Region Outstanding President. In 2021 she was an inductee of the local National PanHellenic Council Greek Hall of Fame.

Sister Presleith is a Silver Star, Life Member, Heritage Club Member, and a member of the Eta Psi Omega Chapter with a record of thirty-seven continuous years of service. She shares her Greek legacy with her sister, Ivy Beyond the Wall, Renee McPhee.

Wendyi Poitier Albury

Judith Smith

Alamanda Symonette-Galanis

Sister Wendyi Poitier Albury was initiated into the Sorority on 5th February 1983 (Lexington, Kentucky). In September 1983, she returned to The Bahamas and joined the Eta Psi Omega Chapter. Throughout her membership in the Chapter, Sister Wendyi held several positions including Recording Secretary, and two nonconsecutive terms as President.

Sister Judith Smith was initiated in the Alpha Psi Chapter in 1979 during her junior year at Tennessee State University.

Upon her graduation and return to Nassau she eagerly joined the Eta Psi Omega Chapter. She has served the Chapter in several capacities, including Public Relations Chair, First Vice President and President.

An educator by profession, Sister Alamanda Symonette-Galanis, has been a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated® for over forty-three years. She was initiated into the Kappa Lambda Chapter on the campus of Texas Christian University (Fort Worth, Texas) where she completed her Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs and Economics.

During her time as President, the Sorority restructured its operations and organization so that the International Region aligned with other regions resulting in the appointment of our very own International Regional Director.

Previously, the International President acted as the International Regional Director. Following the Sorority’s restructuring, members of the International Region began to serve on international committees of the Sorority, and Sister Wendyi was among those appointments. In fact, it was due to her international experience, that Sister Wendyi brought change to the Chapter, introducing Chapter By-Laws that were consistent with Sorority documents.

During her time as part of the Chapter’s leadership, she implemented the Aspiring Woman Programme, a precursor to one of the Chapter’s signature programmes, G.E.M.S (Girls Emerging and Maturing into Society) Programme and she expanded the complement of scholarships available for the Chapter’s signature programme the Honours Day Scholarship Programme.

During her membership in the Sorority, Sister Alamanda has held several leadership positions, including President of the Eta Psi Omega Chapter (1992). As President, she focused on service-oriented programmes bearing in mind the Sorority’s mandate to be of service to all mankind. Sister Alamanda expanded the outreach of the Aspiring Woman Programme which evolved to the G.E.M.S. (Girls Emerging and Maturing into Society) Programme. Besides the numerous community service projects executed under her leadership, Sister Alamanda also spearheaded several successful fundraisers and hosted the Chapter’s first Ball, the infamous Ball-at-the-Mall.

Besides her commitment to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Sister Wendyi was also involved in the local National Pan-Hellenic Council and assisted in the growth and the development of Greekdom here in The Bahamas. She credits her experiences with our Sorority as invaluable. Sister Wendyi shares this sisterhood with her cousins Sisters Renee Chase, Primrose Cooper Chase, Annie Bain and her sister.

Under her leadership of the Chapter, for the first time, the Sorority’s Leadership Conference was hosted outside of the United States of America and held in Freeport, Grand Bahama with the Eta Psi Omega Chapter and Pi Upsilon Omega Chapter as co-hosts.

Notably, Sister Judith is the Legacy of Sister Dolores Smith, one of our beloved Charter Members of the Chapter. Her father, the late Holland Garfield Smith was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. She is the proud mother of one son, Holland, and the proud sister of Renee who is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®.

Her brother, Holland (Kent) Smith is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. She is an Attorney by But Sister Wendy is especially proud to profession and has her private law practice, share this sisterhood with her Legacies, her The Common Law Centre. daughters, Sisters Felicia, Bry-Anne and Mishelle. Sister Wendyi is a Silver Star and life member having served the Sorority for forty years.

Beyond her involvement at the local level, Sister Alamanda ensured that she participated in international conferences and attended international meetings of the Sorority. She has served as a delegate for various conferences, served on the planning committee for the first Leadership Conference in 1986, and co-chaired past international regional conferences.

In recognition of her commitment to her Sorority, Sister Alamanda received the Distinguished Citizen Award from the local National PanHellenic Council in 1998 for untiring and dedicated Service.

Sister Alamanda has two sisters who are also members of the Sorority, Sisters Leanora Symonette-Hawk and Lershayne Symonette. However, it is her true pride that her Legacy, Sister Alexandria Galanis, was initiated into the Sorority in Spring 2011.

Rhonda Wright

Mellany Zonicle

Sister Rhonda Wright initiated into the Omicron Delta Chapter at Jacksonville University in Spring 1994. Upon her return to The Bahamas, she joined the Eta Psi Omega Chapter.

Sister Mellany Zonicle was initiated into the Sorority on the campus of Florida Memorial College through the Delta Eta Chapter in Fall 1968. As an undergraduate member, she served her chapter in different positions until she graduated in 1971.

She became President of the Chapter in 2002, having served the Chapter in all positions except as Treasurer.

During her Presidency, the IVY AKADEMY launched at the Central Bank of The Bahamas under the patronage of Mrs. Bernadette Christie, the wife of the then Prime Minister, the Honourable Perry Gladstone Christie.

She served on the International Constitution Committee in 2002 – 2005 and it was under her leadership that the International Regional Conference was held in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Sister Rhonda also launched the Respect Yourself In The Spirit of AKA, a health challenge encouraging Sisters to lose weight and the Ivy Vine Investment Club was launched. She was also instrumental in the AKA Goes to Parliament exercise, as well as the Chapter’s signature mentorship programme for high school girls, G.E.M.S. Girls Emerging & Maturing into Society.

Among the first Bahamian Members to return home and join the Eta Psi Omega Chapter, Sister Mellany has served the Chapter in several positions, including two terms as President of the Chapter. It was under her leadership that the signature programme of the Chapter, the Honours Day Scholarship Programme, was introduced. It is Sister Mellany’s joy to see the signature programme successfully continue today – forty-five years later.

Mellany Zonicle My most memorable moment as an AKA was to meet Sister Thelma McMillan when she visited my undergraduate chapter, Delta Eta, at Florida Memorial College at the invitation of the Undergraduate Advisor Sister Pearl Puryear who was also the President's wife. Sister McMillan's elegance inspired me to join the Eta Psi Omega Chapter.

My most memorable moment as President was to discover a new AKA undergraduate and invite them to join the Eta Psi Omega Chapter.

Contanza Adderley Bourne As President of the Chapter, attending and winning majority of the award categories at Boule and the International Regional Conference is my favourite memory.

Wendyi Poitier-Albury Serving on international committees and bringing the information back to the Chapter and the region while disseminating the information for all to be updated on what was happening in the organisation is among my favourite memories as President. Besides this, during my time on the Constitution committee, I was able to draft the first Chapter By-Laws.

My most memorable moment has been seeing the induction of my three daughters as members of AKA.

Linda Major My time spent with the original members of Eta Psi Omega Chapter who welcomed me to the Chapter as well as their homes, especially Sisters Dolores Smith, Thelma McMillan and Gwen Godet remains one of my favourite AKA memories. During my time as President, I fondly recall the visit of the then International President, Janet Jones Ballard. I also cherish my time serving as Membership Chair and being part of bringing new members into the Chapter.

Terah Hanna-Sweeting I recall the 1998 Honours Day Scholarship Programme, when retired Justice Joan Sawyer was keynote speaker at Government House, as a favourite memory. I especially enjoyed the G.E.M.S College Tours to Jacksonville University and Edward Waters College.

Presleith McPhee In 2005, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® held its Leadership Conference at the Atlantis Resort in The Bahamas. I recall beaming with pride and an abundance of love for my country as we welcomed Sisters from all over the world to The Bahamas. We introduced them to our Bahamian culture, inclusive of Junkanoo, the Police Band, and an all-day excursion to Blue Lagoon Island where they were able to experience the clean, beautiful, pristine beach with its blue-green waters; and being hosted by the then Governor General of The Bahamas, Dame Ivy Dumont at Government House.

Cindy Dorsett My most favourite moment as the Centennial President of the Eta Psi Omega Chapter was (during one of our difficult periods) leading the Chapter through a successful re-evaluation and having full privileges restored. My most proudest moment was seeing my two Legacies initiated into this great Sorority through the Eta Psi Omega Chapter.

Alana Major

During my tenure, I recall being very excited for the FLOURISH Administration to attend international conferences. It was always a delight to plan, prepare and attend the numerous events. We looked forward to getting together with sorors from all around the world, and to representing our country the best way we know how. When traveling together for one of these trips, a group of us left together and decided to wear our FLOURISH T-shirts during the trip. While we were waiting to board the flight, we asked a lady that was passing by to take a photo of us. We got together, prepared to take the photo with our beautiful smiles and wonderful energy and you won’t believe what happened next. The lady that we asked to take the picture, positioned the camera, looked up at us, and said, “Smile and say DELTA!”

Margo Adderley My most memorable moments during my tenure as President under the “Exemplifying Excellence Through Sustainable Service” Administration in 2022 was the Global Impact Day: Pen Pal Programme with Alpha Beta Omega and Eta Psi Omega Chapters Sister to Sister Event and World Refugee Day featuring abstract expressionism to Interpret Refugee and Paint Pouring.

ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED®️, ETA PSI OMEGA CHAPTER

M

arker

AKA IN

On April 21, 2023, members made history as we hosted the first 'Women's Mock Parliament' session in the House of Assembly for Black Greek Lettered Organizations. The mock proceedings initiative was to, as an organization, bring awareness to empowered women in society, and cause further positive community impact.

60th

DIAMOND

P

arliament

ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED®️, ETA PSI OMEGA CHAPTER

60th 1963 2023 O U R

DIAMOND

Y E A R ,

O U R

S T O R Y

Win IRC 1994- Indianapolis, IN Won every award for Int’l region IRC 1995- Detroit, MI Soror of The Year- Presleith McPhee IRC 1997- Eastern Caribbean Cruise on SS Norway 4 other awards Outstanding Graduate Chapter Outstanding Chapter Basileus- Lisa Major IRC 2002-Nassau, The Bahamas Outstanding Graduate Basileus- Terah HannaSweeting IRC 2003- Las Vegas, NV Soror of the Year- Cindy Dorsett Soror Through The Years- Lisa Major IRC 2005- Nassau, The Bahamas EAF Platinum Level IRC 2006- Detroit, MI Outstanding Graduate Basileus- Presleith McPhee Outstanding Program Award (Young Authors Program) IRC 2008- Washington, D.C. Outstanding Program Award IRC 2009-Anchorage, AK Outstanding Program Award Outstanding Basileus of The Year- Cindy Dorsett Soror through the Years Award IRC 2011- Atlanta, GA Soror of the Year Award- Zoe Gibson IRC 2013-Montreal, Canada Soror of the Year Award 2013 NPHC Barefoot Summer Jam Step Show Sorority Champions

IRC 2014-Charlotte, NC Outstanding Graduate Advisor Soror of The Year- Sharon Gardiner IRC 2015- Chicago, IL Outstanding Basileus of The Year- Alana Major Outstanding Graduate Advisor- Terah HannaSweeting EAF Gold Level IRC 2016- Atlanta, GA Outstanding Graduate Advisor- Samantha Kemp Outstanding Graduate Soror of The Year- Ramona Davis-Wells Boule 2016-Atlanta, GA Outstanding Programs Award IRC 2017- Las Vegas, NV Outstanding Basileus of The Year- Contanza Adderley Bourne Outstanding Graduate Chapter Programs Award- Health Promotion Outstanding Graduate Advisor- Terah HannaSweeting EAF Platinum Level Stroll Competition Winners IRC 2018- Houston, TX Outstanding Soror Through the Years- Wendyi Poitier-Albury 2018 NPHC Barefoot Summer Jam Step Show Sorority Champions IRC 2019- Nashville, TN Outstanding Graduate Soror- Phylicia Laramore Outstanding EAF Member- Ramona Davis-Wells Leadership Seminar 2023- Chicago, IL Education Award- Ramona Davis-Wells Global Spotlight Awards Ramona Davis-Wells (Education) & Tanya McFall- Major (Politics) YLI Program Award- Ramona Davis- Wells

Regional Appointments Alana Major- Editor, The Global Ivy [International Region Newsletter] (2015); Executive Assistant to the Regional Director (2015); Chair, Rules, International Region Conference (2013); Chair, Resolutions, International Region Conference (2015); Co-Chair, Regional Gathering 2015 (Mid-Western & International); Memberships Committee (2018-2019); Regional Philacter Chairman (2022-Present) Ramona Davis-Wells- IRC Protocol Committee (2015) ; Regional Communication Officer (2016-2019) ; Regional Parliamentarian (2022-Present) CC LaFleur- Technology Taskforce (1999) Mavis Johnson-Collie- Archives Committee (1999) Terah Hanna-Sweeting- Standard Committee (1999) Stephanie Braynen- EAF Coordinator (1999) Presleith Yvette McPhee- IRC Chairman (2005) E’Thegra Symonette- Regional Awards Committee (2022-Present) ; Graduate Advisor Committee (2022Present) Iyandra Bryan- International Region Liaison to the Members Only Federal Credit Union (2023-present) Melissa Hanna- Chair of Regional Protocol Committee (2023-Present) Margo Adderley- Leadership Development Committee (2023-Present) Kelli Ashley Armstrong- Philacter Committee (2023-Present)

International Appointments Wendyi Poitier-Albury- Constitution Committee (1990); Program Committee (1996) Joyanne Archer- Program Committee (2006-2008); Membership Committee (2010-2014); Int’l Connections (2014-2018) Terah Hanna-Sweeting- Membership Committee (2002-2006); Heritage Committee (2010-2014); Undergraduate/Graduate Taskforce (2018-2022) Mavis Johnson-Collie- Structures & Operations Committee (1988); Job Corp Committee (1992); Nomination Committee (2005);Connections (2010-2014), Chairman Archives Committee (2014-2018) Presleith Yvette McPhee- Membership Committee (2014-2018); Standards Committee (2018-2022); Sisterly Relations Committee (2022-present) Bethsheba Gibbs- Investigation and Evaluation Team (2014-2018) Saynia Webb- Evaluation and Investigation Team (2014-2018) Contanza Adderley Bourne- IRC Chairman (2018); Archives Committee (2018) Ramona Davis Wells- Communications (2016-2022); EAF Communications Committee Rep (2018-2022); Constitution Committee (2022-Present) Dr. Cindy Dorsett- Nominations Committee (2018) Rhonda Lightbourne- Constitutional Committee (2004-2008)

Nassau Bahamas NPHC Executive Members

Nassau Bahamas NPHC Greek Hall of Fame

Sharon Poitier- Distinguished Charter Secretary (1995) Wendyi Poitier-Albury- Distinguished Charter Chaplain (1995) Mavis Johnson Collie- President (2006-2008) Krysti Campbell- Distinguished Past Vice President (20182020) Samantha Anderson- Treasurer (2015-2017) Sasha Albury- Financial Secretary (2020-2022); Parliamentarian (2022-2024) CC LaFleur- Corresponding Secretary (2004-2006) Presleith McPhee- Parliamentarian (2006-2008) Margo Adderley- Bahamas Area Coordinator NPHC Southern Region (2005)

Terah Hanna-Sweeting- 2021 Inductee Presleith McPhee- 2021 Greek Legacy Award Recipient Dr. Cindy Dorsett- 2019 Inductee Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Member -2015 Inductee Laura Pratt-Charlton- 2014 inductee Mavis Johnson-Collie- 2011 inductee

ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED®️, ETA PSI OMEGA CHAPTER

SISTE

60th 1963 2023 O U R

DIAMOND

Y E A R ,

O U R

S T O R Y

ERHOOD

Relations

Meetings

IN MEMORIAM

We honour our Ivies beyond the wall, members who have transitioned from this life into the next.

They may be gone but will forever be held in the hearts of those who loved them and have served with them as a member of the ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY INCORPORATED®️eta psi omega chapter.

Charter Member Muriel Eneas Initiated: Π Chapter 1938, Fisk University Date Transitioned: May 17, 2016

Charter Member Shirley Vanderpool Initiated: Π Chapter 1956, Fisk University Date Transitioned: June 10, 2021

Past President Dr. Gloria Sands Initiated: ΗΨΩ Chapter 1979 Date Transitioned: December 3, 1984

Past President Dr. Joan Vanderpool Initiated: Π Chapter 1964, Fisk University Date Transitioned: December 2017

Gwendolyn Godet Initiated: ΗΨΩ Chapter 1968 Date Transitioned: November 24, 2002

Princess Lewis Initiated: ΙΝ Chapter 1974, University of Miami Date Transitioned: February 13, 2004

Past President Linda Higgs-Swan Initiated: Α Chapter 1979, Howard University Date Transitioned: December 3, 1984

Honourary Member Dr. Keva Bethel Inducted: Boule 1984 Date Transitioned: February 15, 2011

Ana Maria Smith Initiated: ΗΨΩ Chapter 1996

Stephanie Martin-Morley Date Transitioned: September 6, 2014

Nicole Evans Initiated: ΗΨΩ Chapter 1996 Date Transitioned: December 7, 2014

Markell Munroe Initiated: ΗΨΩ Chapter 2001 Date Transitioned: January , 2017

Roxanne Bethel Initiated: ΗΨΩ Chapter 2001 Date Transitioned: January 17, 2018

Betty Martin-Farquarson Initiated: ΔΗ Chapter 1976 Date Transitioned: March 2015

Jonique Webb Initiated: ΗΨΩ Chapter 2019 Date Transitioned: January 19, 2020

Renee McPhee Initiated: ΗΨΩ Chapter 2021 Date Transitioned: August 30, 2021

Marie Smith Initiated: ΗΨΩ Chapter 2002 Date Transitioned: April 18, 2022

Dena Hamilton Initiated: Barry University 1995 Date Transitioned: August 4, 2011

“To live in the hearts of those we love is never to die” – Hazel Gaynor

PRECIOUS GEMS

The women of AKA have been consistently active for many years. As the longest serving chapter in the International Region, the Eta Psi Omega Chapter boasts active Silver and Golden sisters in addition to one of the Chapter’s surviving Charter members, who has achieved Pearl status. We salute these women for their continuous service and lifelong commitment to sisterhood, scholarship and service.

PEARL MEMBER Charter Member Dolores Smith ΒΜ December 5, 1953 Chapter Leadership: ΗΨΩ Charter Member Favourite AKA Moment: Receiving the Charter for Eta Psi Omega for Nassau, Bahamas and having a fundraiser on a houseboat.

PEARL MEMBER Charter Member Donna Donaldson Π December 3, 1955 Favourite AKA Moment: Chartering the Eta Psi Omega Chapter

As the 60th anniversary of the chartering of the Eta Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® approaches, I would like to congratulate the Sisters for 60 years of service to the country and for honouring the legacy of the Charter Members in seeking to feed both the bodies and minds of your fellow citizens.

Your dedication to feeding the children and to providing scholarships to promising young girls are two examples of the positive effect that you are having on society and I wish you all the best as you continue to fulfill your mission.

Sisterly, Donna

MEMBERS Linda Major ΔΗ Fall 1968 Chapter Leadership: President 1987 & Membership Chair Awards/Achievements: Golden Member at 66th Boule (2018, Houston TX) Favourite AKA Moment: Spending time with the original members of the Eta Psi Omega Chapter who welcomed me to the Chapter as well as their homes, especially Sisters Dolores Smith, Thelma McMillan and Gwen Godet.

Annie Bain #13 Mischievous ΔΗ December 3, 1971 Favourite AKA Moment: Being a part of an elite group of intellectual women on my University’s campus who exhibited the social qualities and cohesiveness, whose sole ambition was to be of service to all mankind is a particular source of pride for me.

Mellany Zonicle #16 ΔΗ Fall 1968 Chapter Leadership: President, Hostess Awards/Achievements: Honoured by the Eta Psi Omega Chapter Favourite AKA Moment: Meeting Sister Thelma McMillan on the Florida Memorial College Campus in 1970 and being impressed by her elegant deportment and appeal to join the Eta Psi Omega Chapter.

MEMBERS Alana Major #11 Radiant Diva ΔΗ April 17, 1994 Chapter Leadership: President, 1st Vice-President, 2nd VicePresident, Connections Chair, Membership Co-Chair, Ivy Leaf Reporter, Hostess, Sergeant-At-Arms, Standards Chair Awards/Achievements: 2023 Silver Member of the Year; 2014 President of the Year for the International Region.

Favourite AKA Moment: Becoming a member of AKA.

Annabelle Moss #3 ΔΗ April 20, 1983 Favourite AKA Moment: Centennial Boule Washington, D.C. July 2008.

Andrea C. Darling-Eve Bahama Darlin ΜΠ February 10, 1979 Chapter Leadership: Chaplain Awards/Achievements: Certificate of Achievement 2006.

Favourite AKA Moment: When I called my family in Nassau to share the joy when I actually became a member of the charter line at Spelman College.

MEMBERS

Janice Stubbs

ΓΨ January 15,1982 Chapter Leadership: Treasurer

Kim Johnson #7 Quiescent ΓΞ April 28, 1993 Favourite AKA Moment: Boule 2022 and Alana's prayer breakfast.

Leanora M. Symonette-Hawk #1 ΗΨΩ November 3, 1996

Lershayne J. Symonette #1 ΗΨΩ Fall 1990 Chapter Leadership: Ivy Leaf Reporter, Secretary, Corresponding Secretary and Parliamentarian.

Favourite AKA Moment: My first Regional Conference & Boule...what an awesome experience.

Sharon Fernander #2 ΝΙ May 6, 1984 Favourite AKA Moment: My Favorite AKA memory is just getting together with my sisters and doing community service. I love giving back to my community and helping those that need it.

Sharon Gardiner #6 Reach ΑΒ June 1990 Chapter Leadership: Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Chaplain, Standards Chair and 2nd Vice-President.

Awards/Achievements: First Unsung Hero Award for International Region and Soror of the Year Favourite AKA Moment: The night I became an AKA and my First Boule.

Sharon Poitier ΗΨΩ March 1985 Chapter Leadership: 2nd Vice-President Awards/Achievements: Life Member | EAF International Representative 1994-1998

1963-2023 O U R

Y E A R ,

O U R

S T O R Y

MEMBERS Rhonda Sweeting-Murray #4 Accent ΗΨΩ June 11, 1989 Chapter Leadership: Corresponding Secretary.

Awards/Achievements: Pearl Award recipient in 2019.

Favourite AKA Moment: Receiving the pearl award in December 2019

Robertha Edwards Knowles Proud Precious Thirty ΓΤ Spring 1975 Chapter Leadership: Programme Chair Favourite AKA Moment: Having so many ladies as my sisters, while being away from home. Working with the many outreach programmes we participated in, especially, helping the many students from the nearby schools with their school work. The yearly Mother's Day Programme was among my most memorable.

Sandra Moxey-Strapp #9 Soror Suror ΓΤ Spring 1986 Chapter Leadership: Hostess Favourite AKA Moment: Sitting at the feet of Sister Lorraine Green at international meetings

Dr. Cindy J. Dorsett #16 ΓΤ March 1, 1989 Chapter Leadership: President,1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Hostess, Sergeant -at-Arms, Awards/Achievements: IRC President of the Year, IRC Soror of the Year, Nassau, Bahamas NPHC Greek Hall of Fame Inductee and Inaugural Executive Leadership Academy.

Favourite AKA Moment: Pinning my two lovely daughters as they became my Sisters and welcoming them into this great sisterhood #proudakamom.

Deana Smith #2 ΗΨΩ March 24, 1985 Chapter Leadership: Financial Secretary

Dianne Seymour #8 YSATIS ΜΑ November 14, 1989 Chapter Leadership: Fundraiser Chair Fish Fry/Steak Out 1994 - 2016, Hostess, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, 60th Anniversary Young Ladies Summit Chair Awards/Achievements: Unsung Hero, Graduate Soror of the Year, Graduate Soror Through the Years, Silver Star Life Member.

Favourite AKA Moment: Attending conferences (Boules, Leadership, and Regional) learning and keeping updated on the operations of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated® and meeting sisters from around the world, especially my line sisters.

MEMBERS Shayne M. Sweeting #10 Cruise ΓΤ October 16, 1981 Chapter Leadership: Nominating Chair, EAF Captain.

Awards/Achievements: Pearl Award; Soror Through the Years.

Favourite AKA Moment: Becoming a Silver Star

Stephanie Braynen #3 Dreamy Eyes ΟΔ April 7, 1991 Chapter Leadership: Hostess, GEMS Chair.

Awards/Achievements: Leadership Fellow, Unsung Hero.

Favourite AKA Moment: Ŕepresenting AKA in a speech competition and defeating the infamous Wallace Rolle (Alpha Phi Alpha).

Tanya Murray #35 Ψ April 12,1992 Favourite AKA Moment: Working with high school students in the GEMS programme.

Lisa Monique Major Distinguished Iviea ΓΖ Fall 1980 Chapter Leadership: President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Parliamentarian, Standing Committee Chairs.

Awards/Achievements: Outstanding President and numerous honored awards.

Favourite AKA Moment: Installation of my daughter Lee-Ann Dillett.

Mavis Johnson-Collie ΞΘ 1982 Chapter Leadership: President, 1st Vice President, Chaplain, Committee Chair Awards/Achievements: Soror Through the Years Chapter/Regional; NPHC Southern Region Soror of the Year; Regional Connections Award.

Favourite AKA Moment: Working with young ladies in the Baintown Constituency; Honours Day Chair and serving on the LNDS administration

Presleith Yvette McPhee #5 Poupee Ravissant ΜΕ May 22, 1986 Chapter Leadership: President, 1st Vice-President, Parliamentarian, Protocol, Chaplain, Hostess, Historian and Corresponding Secretary.

Awards/Achievements: Soror of the Year; 2005 EAF Woman of Excellence; 2006 International Region President of the Year, International Membership Committee; International Standards Committee.

Favourite AKA Moment: As President, the pride and love I felt for my country as I welcomed Sisters to the Bahamas in 2005 leadership conference in The Bahamas.

MEMBERS Benita Adderley ΑΒ May 5, 1991 Chapter Leadership: 2nd Vice-President, Hostess, and Sergeant-at-Arms.

Favourite AKA Moment: Boule New Orleans.

Carla Claudette Reckley-Smith #20 Too Kool ΓΞ May 8, 1987 Chapter Leadership: Membership Chair.

Favourite AKA Moment: My two Legacies becoming Ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®

CC LaFleur #23 Sweet Anticipation ΒΑ Spring 1987 Chapter Leadership: President, 1st Vice-President, Secretary, Hostess.

Favourite AKA Moment: Being a foreigner and relocating to The Bahamas in 1998, the Eta Psi Omega Chapter welcomed me with sisterly open arms embracing me with love.

Terah Hanna-Sweeting #5 ΓΞ May 8, 1987 Chapter Leadership: President, 1st Vice-President, 2nd Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Financial Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Membership Chair, Graduate Advisor.

Awards/Achievements: Outstanding Graduate Advisor 2012, 2015, 2017; Outstanding Soror Through the years 3rd place; Graduate President of the Year 2002; Silver Star Award 2019; Nassau Bahamas, NPHC Bahamas Greek Hall of Fame Inductee 2021.

Tyiece Hanna #2 Golden Girls ΗΨΩ December 20, 1988 Chapter Leadership: Financial Secretary.

Vonya F. Albury #1 Salt ΗΨΩ June 1989 Chapter Leadership: Chaplain, Co-Chair Honours Day. Favourite AKA Moment: 1st Boule in Virginia.

Yasmin Williams-Robinson #6 M. C. Ivy ΝΑ April 26, 1992 Chapter Leadership: Membership Chair, Recording Secretary Favourite AKA Moment: Being at Boule in Atlanta and seeing the beautiful sea of pink and green filling the convention center.

ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED®️, ETA PSI OMEGA CHAPTER

CONFER

60th 1963 2023 O U R

DIAMOND

Y E A R ,

O U R

S T O R Y

RENCES

Boule

Day

Day

1993

ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED®️, ETA PSI OMEGA CHAPTER

SCHOLA

60th 1963 2023 O U R

DIAMOND

Y E A R ,

O U R

S T O R Y

ARSHIP

History

Honours Day The Honours Day programme was introduced in 1978 under the presidency of Mellany Zonicle, an idea conceived by Mrs. Thelma McMillian, a member of the Sorority who had experience with a similar programme in the United States.

Initially the Chapter invited the participation of the top three female graduating seniors from schools in New Providence. The participants wrote an essay and the winner was determined by the essay score.

In 1984, a new element was introduced to the programme, a scholarship to attend Success Training College was offered. The first recipient was BrendaLee Cornish of C. C. Sweeting High School.

Through the years the programme has become more elaborate. Students participate in a weekend of activities designed to motivate, promote and celebrate the accomplishments of the best and the brightest graduates from schools throughout the archipelago. The activities include a tour of the University of The Bahamas, Courtesy Call on the Ministers of Education and Youth, as well as the President of the University of The Bahamas; a welcome reception, a general knowledge test, community service project, a worship service culminating with an awards ceremony and reception.

In 1988, the luncheon concept was introduced to commemorate the participation of the sitting international President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the late Janet Jones-Ballard. The Janet Jones-Ballard Family Island Valedictorian Award was introduced in 1992 and was named after the late Janet Jones Ballard who played a pivotal role in the establishment of the International Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. In 1997, the Sorority was able to obtain a scholarship through Janice Munroe Stubbs, a member, from McDermott International for the Family Island student with the highest test score to attend The College of The Bahamas (now University of the Bahamas). The local campus of Atlantic College also generously donated a scholarship Other supporters of the programme over the past years have been Mr. Bertram Knowles of Nassau Stationers who has contributed to prizes for all the

Honorees; The Governor General and staff of Government House, the National Flag Carrier Bahamasair, SkyBahamas, Southern Air, Sky Unlimited, Western Air, Pineapple Air, LeAir, along with other charter companies who assist the chapter by ensuring that our Family Island participants receive air transportation to New Providence.

Over the years the Honours Day programme, through their Keynote Speakers, has exposed the students to many outstanding Bahamian females who have been pioneers in their field. Some of the speakers have included Dame Joan Sawyer, first female Judge and first female President of the Court of Appeal; Sorority Honorary member Justice Cheryl Albury, former judge of the Supreme Court of The Bahamas; Dame Ivy Dumont, former Minister of Education and first female Governor General of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas and a cultural icon; Ms. Aisha Bowe, Co-founder and CEO of STEMboard and a former NASA engineer; Ms. Alanna Rodgers, founder of Hands for Hunger and Tru Bahamian Food Tours; Sorority member, Mrs. Anastarcia Palacious, transformational speaker and co-host of Bahamas at Sunrise; Mrs. Marion Bethel-Sears, author, film maker and women’s advocate; Dr. Sharice Ferguson, former obstetrician; P. Jillian Bethel, CEO of OKX Bahamas; and Sorority member, Dr. Iyandra Smith-Bryan, lawyer, and adjunct professor.

The Honours Day Programme remains the signature programme of the Chapter and has grown not just in participation from three students to over fourty students, but also in its ability to provide scholarships for tertiary education for the country’s brightest top graduating female students. The programme has partnered with various tertiary education establishments to provide partial and full ride scholarships to universities such as Morgan State University, Middle Tennessee State University, Georgia State University, University of the Ozarks and Central State University.

Honours Day 1976 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2020 2021 2022 2023

Winners

Philippa Woods Delancy Aquinas College Rochelle Knowles-Ayala St. Anne's High School Nicholette Bethel Queen's College Linda -Mae Fowler 1St. John's College Karen Joseph 1St. Augustine's College Juliette Warren St. Augustine's College Juli Dean St. Augustine's College Victoris Duvalier St. Augustine's College Vivette Brown St. Augustine's College Rhanda Darville St. Anne's High School Catherine Ramsingh St. Andrew's School Oneca Heath St. Augustine's College Roshanne Minnis Queen's College Rae Braithwaite Queen's College Cheris Bain Bahamas Academy Valron Grimes St. Andrew's School Lyn Calico St. Augustine's College Etoile Pinder St. Andrew's School Shanteeta Johnson St. Andrew's School Giselle Pinto St. Andrew's School Zanda Bonaby Government High School Madihah Hepburn C.I. Gibson Senior High School Christine Leo Government High School Candice Lightbourne Government High School LaNelle Deleveaux St. John's College Laurie Major N.G.M. Major High School Anna Treco N.G.M. Major High School Tara Lewis St. Anne's High School Blair Woodside St. Andrew's School Tamara Mackey St. John's College Noelle Sawyer St. John's College Philippa Carey Queen's College N/A N/A Hannah Thompson Queen's College Blair Evans Queen's College Nanditha Guruvaiah Queen’s College Nia Cambridge St. Augustine’s College Saiydah Bryan Central Eleuthera High School Shandera Haley Sir Jack Hayward High School Ryan Rahming St. John’s College Alexa Delaney St. Andrew’s School Pooja Krishna Queen’s College Kaitlyn Burrows N.G.M. Major High School Zaylie Elizabeth St. Andrew’s School Bynaj Rolle Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Academy Jada Francis Queen’s College

Day

Past Honourees

W

ho Are Now Sisters

Rhanda Darville- Nu Alpha 1989 Tenaj Ferguson- Rho Nu 2009 Tamara Mackey- Gamma Nu 2012 Ambrosine Huyler-Higgs- Eta Psi Omega 2014 Nia Cambridge- Rho Mu 2017 Vernae Knight- Tau Nu 2019 Jade Dodge- Alpha Delta 2018 Jemonique Barnabie- Delta Eta 2019 Maygan St. Claude- Tau Nu 2019 Charde Adderley- Tau Nu 2019

ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED®️, ETA PSI OMEGA CHAPTER

SERV

60th 1963 2023 O U R

DIAMOND

Y E A R ,

O U R

S T O R Y

VICE

Service

ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED®️, ETA PSI OMEGA CHAPTER

ΨΩ IVY VIN

60th 1963 2023 O U R

DIAMOND

Y E A R ,

O U R

S T O R Y

NE GROWS

Dr. Gloria Sands Thelma McMillan Lillian Walker

Dr. Christina Nwosa Deborah Scott

Deborah GlintonColeby

Beverley Taylor

1965-1990

Gwendolyn Godet

Florence Delaney Julia Collier

Jennifer Cash

INITIATES

Paula HunterKnowles

Sharon Poitier

Deanna Smith

Rhonda Murray

Tonia BostwickMaynard

Lynn Ferguson

Genevieve RIchards

Vonya Albury

JoyAnne Archer

Janet Strachan

Lershayne Symonette

Bethsheba Gibbs Leonora Hawk

Ana Maria Smith Ophelia Cooper

Lavern Lafleur

Sherece Dawkins

Tyiece Hanna

2012

1996-2001

INITIATES

Margo Adderley

Roxanne Bethel

ColaJean Butler Laurena Finlayson

Tenisha HannaInniss

Anastacia Johnson

Angelique McKay Markell Munroe

Contanza Adderley Bourne

Marie Smith

Nadine Woods

2012

2002

INITIATES

Tammy Francis Ryan Hanna

2012

Shaundra Sawyer

Samantha Culmer-Kemp

Vanessa Hall

Darlicia Emmanuel Dr. Tai Dorsett

Ambrosine Huyler-Higgs Vanta Culmer

Dr. Shileah Ferguson Nathalia GIbbs

2014

INITIATES

Melissa Hanna

Maelynn Ford

Patricia Roberts

Tanyann BoweGreen

Tashfi Edwards

Ianthé Tynes

2015

INITIATES

Lee-Ann Dillet

Mia Nottage

Shikita Deveaux

Theominique Nottage

Jacinta Johnson

Nakera Cooper

Sasha Albury

Dr. Ellen StrachanMoxey

Brianne Gibson

LaShona Knowles

2017

Amber Duncombe

Jonaé Reckley

INITIATES

Simone Seymour

Dr. Tarah McDonald

Angelica Lockhart- Filisha Major Bastian

2019

Robyn Curtis

Jonique Webb

INITIATES

2021 Khristi Ferguson

TRANSFERRED INTO

ETA PSI OMEGA

M

emories

ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED®️, ETA PSI OMEGA CHAPTER

ΗΨΩ DIAMO

60th 1963 2023 O U R

DIAMOND

Y E A R ,

O U R

S T O R Y

OND JUBILEEE

60th 1963 2023 O U R

DIAMOND

Y E A R ,

O U R

S T O R Y

S

ervice

60th 1963 2023 O U R

DIAMOND

Y E A R ,

O U R

S T O R Y

S

ervice

60th 1963 2023 O U R

DIAMOND

Y E A R ,

O U R

S T O R Y

B

runch

60th 1963 2023 O U R

DIAMOND

Y E A R ,

O U R

S T O R Y

G

ala

Terah Hanna Sweeting – Chair Melissa Hanna – Co-Chair Dr. Cindy Dorsett – Co-Chair Phylicia Laramore- Ferguson Theominique Nottage Margo Adderley (Ex Officio Krysti Campbell Alexis Lightbourne Lesley Pearson-Osazuwa Chair) Ramona Davis-Wells Tezel Lightbourne Filisha Pinder-Major Benita Adderley Teorah Ferguson Angelica Lockhart-Bastian Laura Pratt-Charlton Sasha Albury Sharon Fernander Dr. Candace Lockhart-Bastian Patricia Roberts Samantha Anderson Sharon Gardiner Alana Major Dr. Yasmin Williams-Robinson Davina Armbrister Jayel Gibson-Rahming Heleina McCartney Dianne Seymour Kelli Ashley Armstrong Ambrosine Huyler-Higgs Tanya McFall-Major Simone Seymour Annie Bain Anastarcia Huyler-Palacious Presleith McPhee Shayne Sweeting D’Asante Beneby-Small Anastacia Johnson Mia Nottage Ianthe Tynes Tanyann Bowe-Green Kim Johnson Diamond Jubilee Charter Day Commemorative Booklet Sub-Committee

Theominique Nottage (Chair) Krysti Campbell (Co-Chair) Alexis Lightbourne (Co-Chair) Mia Nottage (Co-Chair) Phylicia Laramore-Ferguson

Ramona Davis-Wells Presleith McPhee Terah Hanna-Sweeting Dr. Cindy Dorsett Margo Adderley

Young Ladies Summit

Diamond Jubilee Champagne Toast

Chair - Dianne Seymour Co-Chair - Simone Seymour

Chair - D’Asante Beneby-Small Co-Chair - Lesley Pearson-Osazuwa

Dolores Smith Serving Spoons of Love Chair - Terah Hanna-Sweeting Co-Chair - Benita Adderley

Muriel Eneas Reading Day Chair - Annie Bain

mit

Diamond Jubilee Gala “Evening of Elegance” Chair - Melissa Hanna Co-Chair - Yasmin Robinson

Diamond Jubilee Service of Thanksgiving Chair - Andrea Eve Co-Chair - D’Asante Beneby-Small

Thank you to the Diamond Jubilee Charter Day Commemorative Booklet SubCommittee for all of their hard work, dedication and commitment to ensuring that we, as members of the Eta Psi Omega Chapter, were able to share our memories from the past sixty years with each other. This was certainly a labour of love that required personal sacrifice as there were lots of sleepless nights, missed appointments, and energy given to successfully execute this commemorative booklet. As you relive the days of yesteryear, we hope that you reaffirm your love for the Eta Psi Omega Chapter and recall the beauty of sisterhood, scholarship and service as we continue to SOAR for another sixty years.

Margo J. Adderley President

Phylicia Ferguson 1st Vice President

Gabrielle Conliffe 2nd Vice President

Davina Armbrister Recording Secretary

Ramona Wells Assistant Recording Secretary

Dayne McKenzie Treasurer

Dianne Seymour Financial Secretary

Tanya McFall-Major Connections Chair/Archivist

Alexis Lightbourne Public Relations

Samantha Anderson Nominations Chair

2023

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Jayde Miller Corresponding Secretary

Andrea Darling-Eve Riche’ Davis Sergeant-at-Arms Chaplain

Angelica LockhartBastian Hostess

Simone Seymour Standards Chair

Anastacia Johnson Membership Chair

Shayne Sweeting EAF Captain

E’Thegra Symonette Graduate Advisor

Noelicia Ferguson Risk Management Chair

Alamanda Galanis Parliamentarian

Terah HannaDr. Tarah McDonald Sweeting Technology Chair Protocol/RItuals Chair

Candace LockhartBastian Strategic Planning Chair

2024

EXECUTIVE BOARD President: Phylicia Laramore-Ferguson 1st Vice President/ HBCU Rep: Ramona Davis-Wells 2nd Vice President: Gabrielle Conliffe Treasurer: Dayne McKenzie Recording Secretary: Krysti Campbell Assistant Recording Secretary: Vernae Knight Financial Secretary: Sasha Albury Corresponding Secretary: Vanessa Hall Parliamentarian: Ambrosine Huyler-Higgs Sergeant-At-Arms: Kim Johnson Hostess: Melissa Hanna Chaplain: Anastarcia Palacious Historian: Theominique Nottage Graduate Advisor: E’Thegra Symonette Immediate Past President: Margo Adderley Committee Chairmen Membership: Yasmin Williams-Robinson Sisterly Relations: Lesley Pearson Osazuwa Connections: Tanya McFall Major Nominations: Samantha Anderson Strategic Planning: D’Asante Small Public Relations: Alexis Lightbourne Rituals: Alana Major Technology: Shavonne Smith EAF: Iyandra Smith-Bryan & Shayne Sweeting Standards & Protocol: Mia Nottage GeNEXT: Candace Bastian & Shikita Deveaux NPHC Rep: Octavia Dean

SOARING INTO 60 YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE BAHAMAS

O U R

Y E A R ,

O U R

S T O R Y

1963-2023

THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER !