RECOGNIZING THIS YEAR'S HONOREES SILVER SORORS Pearl GAZETTE THE Lifelong service is Demonstrated Love! SOROR MARSHA LEWIS BROWN SOROR JANET CLARK SOROR DEBRA DUGGINS SOROR INEZ ELIZABETH “LIZ”YORK-CLARK SOROR MARJORIE MOBLEY SOROR CAROLYN HOUSE-STEWART SOROR JESSICA HOLMES SOROR MARIA RUSS
A GLANCE INSIDE THIS EDITION BASILEUS NEWS 2 1ST ANTI-BASILEUS 3 2ND ANTI-BASILEUS 4 A NOTE FROM THE CHAPLAIN 5 IVY AKADEMY CELEBRATION 6 HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE 7 SISTERLY RELATIONS 8,9 #CAP 10 MEMBERSHIP 11 HISTORY 12 GOLDEN AND SILVER STAR HONOREES 13 CLUSTER AND REGIONAL NEWS 14 EDITOR’S PAGE 15
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Pearl GAZETTE THE
Dearest Sorors,
February is the month known for expressions of LOVE and this month’s Pearl Gazette cover epitomizes LOVE in ACTION as we celebrate our distinguished Sorors of 2022 whose service is notable for 50 and 25 years. Their lifelong commitment to our beloved Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated is the ultimate expression of their love and an example for us all.
Let us follow in their footsteps and choose to lovingly make a difference by embracing our Guiding Principles. It is my hope that our Guiding Principles become the everyday standard in which we treat one another –strengthening who we are as members of Gamma Theta Omega Chapter.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Be sisterly: treat everyone with kindness and respect, exhibit gracefulness, humbleness, empathy, and show consideration for one another.
Be transparent and intentional in thoughts, words and deeds. Operate with tenacity, determination, and persistence.
Be open, to learn and challenge each other to grow in positive ways.
Be accountable and unified.
Sorors, let us cherish this once in a lifetime journey, create joy-filled memories and intentionally practice random acts of kindness.
Serving to make a Loving difference, as we Go Greater – Together!
Soror
Tangela D. DuPree
Soror Tangela D. DuPree, Basileus
A MESSAGE FROM THE BASILEUS THE PEARL GAZETTE PAGE 2
THE HEART OF PROGRAMS
Greetings Sorors!
Programming is the heart of what we do! Our programs are off to the races, and the chapter is busy implementing and executing with excellence. We ask all Sorors to help propel us to the pink and green checkered flag with your talents and lending hands.
I am genuinely looking forward to our chapter Going Greater in service. With our partnership with Gamma Theta Omega Inc and our community partners on board, we will endeavor to serve the community with relevancy and significance. Through the grant funding provided by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), we have multiple projects to provide expanded service. We encourage all Sorors to sign-up to participate on at least two committees. Look for the online sign-up form in the Tea Rose Weekly e-blast.
On Friday, February 4, Target II Women’s Health and Wellness provided an impactful virtual event celebrating Pink Goes Red for Heart Health in collaboration with the American Heart Association to bring awareness to heart disease. But this event was so much more. There was fitness to get your heart moving, live and recorded heart healthy cooking opportunities, heart-healthy preventative care information, and a comprehensive educational workshop by a representative from American Heart Association. Soror Tori Brown of Zeta Upsilon provided a heart healthy session on breathing to stay calm and relax. There was indeed something for the young and the younger. Did you notice that the word “heart” was mentioned quite often? Well, February is Heart Health Awareness Month.
Don’t forget to upload your photos of you wearing red, because the ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. do wear red, at least for a day, and look fantastic!
It’s about service, it’s about sisterhood, it’s about Going Greater.
February Activities
Ivy AKAdemy Celebration-February 26
#CAP virtual college tour of Tougaloo College-February 8
#CAP Bootcamp for SAT/ACT/PSAT-February 12
Look for flyers for details in the Tea Rose Weekly eblast for all programming activities and events. You are encouraged to invite non-members to our public events. And please share our upcoming public events on your social media pages and in your social circles.
Let’s continue to have Service with a Heart, Service with Passion and Service with a Purpose
Soror Monique Smith Slater
Soror Monique Smith Slater
First Anti-Basileus/Programs Chairman
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“ G ENERATING T IMELESS O PPORTUNITIES THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS
Mervelle A. Sage
Second Anti-Basileus
”
Love is in the air! What better way to show our love than to lift one another, our chapter, and our community in corporate prayer. Romans 12:10-13 says, “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality”. Please join the GTO Chaplaincy as we come together for prayer and fellowship! Love is what it does!!
Let’s Pray Together!
Date: Sunday, February 27, 2022 Time: 5:00pm
Dial In: 602-580-9534
Access Code: 3772336#
Remember, Prayer STILL works!
I’m praying for you, Soror Patrice
A NOTE FROM OUR CHAPLAIN THE PEARL GAZETTE PAGE 5
THE REGISTRATION LINK WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE UPCOMING TEA ROSE E-BLAST
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HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE
The Hodegos Committee members are here to render unconditional “Service” to all mankind. The “Service” in which we give is built on a strong ivy foundation. We are holding fast to the “Service” commitment to serve our members and the community. “Service” we give to others will enrich their lives. “Service” Rendered:
PRAYERS EXTENDED TO…
Soror Betty Baker, Soror Caroline Stewart, Soror Barbara Ragin, Soror Ashley McKenzie, Soror Pat Williams’ Family, Soror Sheila McCants, and all “Gamma Theta Omega Sorors.”
CONDOLENCES…
The Chapter is in sympathy with…… Soror Ashley McKenzie (in the loss of her Grand Mother) and Soror Belinda Lawson (in the loss of her Sister), Soror Rewa Chisholm (in the loss of her father in-law)
Courtesies………Soror Sheila McCants (Get Well/Recovery)
RECOGNITION & CONGRATULATIONS TO...
*Soror Vanessa Paige “Retirement”
*Soror Hosetta Coleman “Job Promotion”
*Soror Karen Cooper “Soror of the Year”
* Soror Cheryl Byrd-Washington & Daughter Soror JaMia’s “Wedding”
Listed below are the names of GTO Hodegos “Going Greater Serving” team: Joan Bell, Beverly Bowden-Humbert, Sandra Brookins, Cheryl Byrd-Washington, Joyce Daniels, Debra
Duggins, Hattie Gilley, Betty Guzman, Patricia Harrell, Rosalind Kilpatrick, Kimerlyn Johnson, Marneese
Mitchell, Essie Pearl Mobley, Sonja McCoy, Joann Myers, Artest Newkirk, Margarette Spears, Betoria Watson, Raquel Watson-Hunter, Jamila Whitmore, Gladys Worlds.
Yours in “Service”, Soror Fontaine Marion
Soror Phyllis Thompson-Walters
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GAMMA THETA OMEGA CHAPTER
Sisterly Relations
The International Sisterly Relations theme for the month of January was The Pride of the Ivy and we completed our social media blitz, using the hashtag #AKAvintagetees. The blitz began on Founders’ Day and concluded on January 31, 2022. In addition to the media blitz, the Sisterly Relations committee also participated in the Reactivation 2022 virtual event, hosted by the Membership Committee, on January 14, 2022. The committee planned and executed a virtual bingo game that was spearheaded by Soror Dierdre White Frederick. The theme for the month of February is Heart-2-Heart Expressions and the committee has planned two activities for this theme.
The Sisterly Relations committee invites you to join us as we plan fun and engaging activities that promote sisterhood. We meet virtually on the second Monday of the month. Our next meeting is Monday, March 14, 2022, at 6:30 pm. Please email Madam Chairman, Soror Carolyn Lewis, at sisterlyrelations2223@gmail.com to join this fabulous committee.
“I Am My Sister’s Keeper. If no one has told you: I love you. In case you feel otherwise: You are beautiful. And if someone has convinced you that you’re not: You ARE more than enough.”
- Author Unknown
ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED
THE PEARL GAZETTE PAGE 8
THE PEARL GAZETTE PAGE 9
OUR INTERNATIONAL SIGNATURE PROGRAM #CAP THE PEARL GAZETTE PAGE 10
MemberShip GET ON BOARD THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
Ahoy Sorors!
The MemberShip has set sail and we are moving along. Our first Port of Call was a virtual Reactivation 2022 activity on Friday, January 14, 2022. We had 59 participants on the Zoom and 11 were non Gamma Theta Omega Sorors. Soror Dierdre White Fredrick facilitated a sisterly version of Bingo and Soror Patrice Joseph led us in a game of Trivia with a nautical and Founders’ Day theme. To date, two inactive sorors who attended the activity have joined Gamma Theta Omega. Our goal is to Activate, Konnect and Accelerate our inactive sorors.
We have started the process for Membership Intake. We submitted the necessary paperwork to the Regional Director and are currently waiting on a response regarding our approval to move forward. Once we have approval, we will schedule dates for the virtual MIP Orientation Workshops. All sorors who are eligible to sponsor AND completed the Guide to Sponsorship forms are required to attend one of the workshops.
If you have a birthday in February and it is listed in the Directory, look out for a birthday greeting in your email.
Please direct any questions to thegtomembership@gmail.com.
See you on the ship,
Soror Deidre
SOROR IN THE SPOTLIGHT IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Deidre R. Jones Patrice Joseph Rhonesia Dennard Danece Davis
THE PEARL GAZETTE PAGE 11
ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED®
69TH SOUTH ATLANTIC REGIONAL CONFERENCE AWARDS
All Alpha Kappa Alpha women are leaders and contributors in their community.
The History Committee is looking for a few good Sorors to showcase their time, talents, and treasures by submitting a digital scrapbook for Regional Awards and Exhibits and the International Program Targets.
If you plan to submit a digital scrapbook for one of the Regional Awards, please contact Soror Bertha Baker at (813)625-9458 or gtohistorian@gmail.com
To see the entire Awards Guidebook, please visit The Tea Rose eBlast. Please adhere to all deadlines.
Serving Significantly
THE PEARL GAZETTE PAGE 12
HISTORY COMMITTEE
Gamma Theta Omega 2022
GOLDEN AND SILVER STAR HONOREES
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Good Morning Sorors of Cluster II,
We're almost there! Right now, we are $13,410.50 away from meeting our goal. We would like to complete the capitalization of our endowment before our 69th SARC.
We would like to complete the capitalization of our endowment this month. Sorors, if you have not donated, please consider donating to assist us with capitalizing our Cluster Il Endowment. If you have donated but would like to donate more, please do so, we are extremely grateful! We are asking all members of Cluster II to donate at least $20.00 to help reach our goal. Remember, even if you did not attend the Cluster Il meeting you can still donate.
We will be doing a drawing for our SAR EAF t-shirt in addition to other items. (This will be for sorors who gave during this month's fundraising drive).
Sorors we can do this if we all work together. Remember, this endowment will go to support deserving youth from the entire Cluster Il community,
If you have any questions, please contact me at noelaka40@gmail.com or 727.320.6431.
Sisterly Love, Soror Delphinia Davis SAR EAF Ambassador Cluster II
S O U T H A T L A N T I C R E G I O N
CLUSTER AND REGIONAL NEWS THE PEARL GAZETTE PAGE 14
Tea Rose for link
donate
See
to
Shining Brightly
Soror Lisa Thelwell
Recognized as A Rising Star by 83 degrees media
Soror Chiquita Henderson
Selected as Treasurer for the National Council of Student Development (an Arm if the American Association of Community Colleges)
Soror Felecia Gilmore Long
Recognized as a Women of Distinction by Girls Scouts of West Central Florida
Soror Deborah Barnes
Recognized as an Unsung Hero by The City of Tampa’s Black History Committee
THE PEARL GAZETTE PAGE 15
2022-2023 OFFICERS
Soror Tangela D. DuPree, Basileus - gtopresidentTangela@gmail.com
Soror Monique S. Slater, 1st Anti-Basileus - gto1stvicepresident@gmail.com
Soror Mervelle Sage, 2nd Anti-Basileus - gto2ndvp@gmail.com
Soror Janice Jacob, Grammateus - gtogrammjanice@gmail.com
Soror Betia Washington -Anti-Grammateus - gtoantigrammbetia@gmail.com
Soror Jeroline Horne, Tamiouchos - gtotreas@gmail.com
Soror Vanessa Paige, Pecunious Grammateus - gtopg1908@gmail.com
Soror Mikaelya Coffee, Anti-Pecunious Grammateus - mikaelya.coffee@gmail.com
Soror Kisha Porter, Epistoleus - EpistGTO@gmail.com
Soror Kandace Nunn Johnson, Anti-Epistoleus-GTOantiepist1908@gmail.com
Soror Patrice M. Joseph, Chaplain - praygtochaplain@gmail.com
Soror Kassidy Johnson, Ivy Leaf Reporter - gtoivyleafreports@gmail.com
Soror Bertha Baker, Historian - gtohistorian@gmail.com
Soror Fontaine Marion, Hodegos - gtohodegos@gmail.com
Soror Phyllis Thompson Walters, Anti-Hodegos - gtohodegos@gmail.com
Soror Sunny Royal Boyd, Graduate Advisor - sroyalboydgazy@gmail.com
Soror Rhonesia Dennard, Graduate Advisor - rldennard@aol.com
Soror Sheila Padgett, Business Manager - gtobusinessmgr@gmail.com
Soror Tina Solomon, Archivist - Gtoarchives@gmail.com
Soror Yvette Rhodes, Member at Large - memberatlarge@gmail.com
Soror Sonja Wise, Philacter - gtophilacter@gmail.com
Soror Antina Mobley, Parliamentarian – gtobylaws@gmail.com
EDITOR’S PAGE
THE PEARL GAZETTE PAGE 16
THE PEARL
EDITION 1 | VOLUME 2
GAMMA THETA OMEGA CHAPTER
GAZETTE
