The Pearl Gazette | December 2022

SEASONGreetings

ISSUE 10 | DECEMBER 2022

SORORS OF GAMMA THETA OMEGA

A GLANCE INSIDE THIS EDITION

BASILEUS NEWS

1ST ANTI-BASILEUS

2ND ANTI-BASILEUS

HEALTH COMMITTEE

HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

SISTERLY RELATIONS COMMITTEE

SORORS ON THE MOVE

GAMMA THETA OMEGA

FEATURE

PEARL AND GOLDEN FIRST FRIDAY

EDITOR’S PAGE

My Dear Sorors,

May the joy of this Christmas season fill your hearts with love, compassion, and thoughtfulness for each other.

May you truly come to realize and cherish the many blessings bestowed upon you.

May the Love of God dwell in your hearts all year round.

May unimaginable opportunities await us in the coming new year and may we embrace them with a mind to work and a grateful heart. May the desires of our hearts line up with God’s will for a Happy and Successful new year for our Families and our Chapter, Gamma Theta Omega!

May God Bless and safely keep each one of us as we continue to Go Greater – Together!

Merry Christmas and may you serve with a merry heart!

Soror Tangela D. DuPree

Soror Tangela D. DuPree, Basileus

TANGELA D. DUPREE BASILEUS

Our Signature is Sisterhood!

The 2022-2026 Alpha Kappa Alpha Administration’s theme is Soaring to Greater Heights of Service and Sisterhood. The foundation initiative is to Strengthen Our Sisterhood. Gamma Theta Omega Sorors will strengthen our bonds to support our mission of being of “Service to All Mankind” by starting with our signature. The Alpha Kappa Alpha, Gamma Theta Omega chapter is enthusiastic about our sisterly bonds. And with every opportunity we will endeavor to practice random acts of kindness, whether within the chapter, or out in the community.

Every time we work in the community, we will fellowship with a Soror, getting to know someone on a more personal level. Strengthening our Sisterhood involves sisterly relations activities, affirming messages to each other, social gatherings, and extra sisterly love. You never know how much a small act of kindness can impact someone’s life. Dr. Maya Angelou passionately stated, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Make someone feel loved, appreciated, and valued today! Let’s spread some sisterly joy this holiday season and reach out to Soror you have not seen or spoken to in a while.

will

Happy Holidays Sorors!

Soror Monique Smith Slater

Anti-Basileus/Programs Chairman

“The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others

be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.” Helen Keller

MERVELLE A. SAGE

Second Anti-Basileus

Seasons Greetings Sorors! “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” The holiday season is upon us and to say that it is my most favorite time of year is an understatement! Sorors, as the season of wonder and merriment approaches, the Miss Teenage Tampa Advisory Committee continues to work dutifully to put on the 50th Anniversary of the scholarship pageant. I know you have seen our AKAmazing committee members tabling at the chapter meetings seeking your support. We will be planning our 2nd Annual Poetry Jam that will take place in June of next year! Let’s not forget that we will be asking for the names of our Heritage Scholars soon. For our youth are the future and we love to celebrate the successes of our own. What fun to be had as we continue to “Soar to Greater Heights” while Generating Timeless Opportunities through Scholarships!

I have truly enjoyed working sisterly beside you in the year 2022 and as 2023 approaches I am excited for what is to come. May you experience the blessings of peace, the beauty of hope, the spirit of love, and the comfort of faith. May you rest in the arms of your loved ones and re-energize your pink and green spirits as we embark on another year. Sorors you are loved! “So have yourself a Merry little Christmas Now!”

Always in service,

Marvee A. Sage

Soror Mervelle A. Sage

2nd

Anti-Basileus

MTAT

Scholarship Chairman

“Generating Timeless Opportunities through Scholarships”

HEALTH COMMITTEE

Sorors as we end the 2022 “Going Greater” “SERVICE Year”, we are so grateful and thankful to have had the opportunity to be of “SERVICE” to others. As you know, the glory of our “Service“was to volunteer, work, and help all people. Oh yes, we were honored to “SERVE” and be active members in the greatest sisterhood in the world. Finally, now is the time to reflect on our pledge, which is to “SERVE“all mankind.

SERVICE RENDERED

PRAYERS EXTENDED TO

Soror Tangela Dupree, Soror Pat Harrell, Soror Lucille Franklin, Soror Betty T. Baker, Soror Elaine Safford, Soror Patricia Miles, Soror Claudia Miles, Soror Leronya Miles

Vaughn-Dunmore, Soror Thelma Bennett, Soror Sandra Hill, Soror Sonja Costner, Soror Pat Dupar and all Gamma Theta Omega Sorors.

CONDOLENCES

Please know Gamma Theta Omega Chapter always extends our condolences and deepest sympathy to our Sorors and their family members.

COURTESIES

Cards, Phone Calls, Visits, Food Cards, and Plants were presented.

RECOGNITION & CONGRATULATIONS TO SORORS SOARING &”GOING GREATER

Soror Jacqueline Cottman was featured in the “Rattler’s Tale” as a Platinum donor for Florida A&M University.

Soror Yvette Rhodes was featured in the fall, 2022 IVY LEAF Magazine. She was admitted as a member of the Bar for the Supreme Court of the United States. Attorney Rhodes can now practice and have oral speech before the Supreme Court.

Congrats Commissioner Gwendolyn Myers on your unopposed re-election and your continued support to the citizens of Hillsborough County.

Soror Jean Williams was elected Supervisor of Magnolia Park Community Development District

Soror Tempress (Tee) Solomon was elected “National Vice Chair for the National Council of Negro Women

Welcome !!!! Welcome to our new members!!!!!!!

Reflect on our Blessings and “Serve” all mankind!!!!

Yours in Service,

Soror Fontaine Marion & Soror Phyllis Thompson-Walters

MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMEN

GET ON BOARD THE

MemberShip

Ahoy Sorors!

We had some exciting ports of call this year. Thank you to the co-chairmen and committee members for an exciting journey! Stay tuned as we continue to soar in the pink and green sea.

TRAINING

December 3rd we provided training to new, transferred and reactivated sorors. We covered, the Basileus update on the chapter, programs, hostess groups, the Philacter duties and general information. There were fifty sorors in attendance.

MENTORING

Stay tuned for details regarding the Mentoring Program which will focus on reactivating, transferring and newly initiated Sorors. We hope to implement the program in January.

MEMBERSHIP EXPERIENCE

The below updates are based on a meeting with the Supreme Basileus on December 5th.

Guide to Sponsorship eligibility requirements:

-Active Chapter member for 24 consecutive months prior to sponsoring

-Attend 70% of sorority meetings (7 out of 10 for the year) over the past two years

-Sponsor 1 candidate OR co-sponsor 2 candidates

Must have at least three of the following over the past two years:

- Committee work

- Founders’ Day

- Program attendance

- Connection/Social Justice events (AKA Day at the Capital)

- Fundraiser

Attend at least two of the following over the past two years:

- Cluster

- Regional

- Chapter Retreat/Leadership Training/Undergraduate Roundup

Attend at least one of the following International conferences over the past two years:

- Boule

- Leadership

- Regional

Deidre R. Jones Patrice Joseph Rhonesia Dennard Danece Davis

NOTABLE NOVEMBER

S Janice Jacob

Tis the season to be kind, caring and giving!

I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

DAZZLING DECEMBER

See you on the ship,

S Deidre R. Jones

S Jackie Marcelin

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER EDITION

The Sisterly Relations committee began the month of November in the spirit of Thanksgiving. The international theme for the month of November was Thankful for My Sorors. The focus was giving thanks for Sorors. We planned a sisterly movie outing to see Wakanda Forever. A group of Sorors watched the movie together and expressed thankfulness for our chapter and great sisterhood. We began the month of December on BROADWAY. We painted the Straz Center pink and green when we attended the Broadway production of Hadestown. It was truly a magical evening under the stars. We dined on delicious, chef prepared food items, that included appetizers, entrée items, and an assortment of desserts, coffee, and tea; then enjoyed a spectacular performance. Each Soror in attendance received a thoughtful gift. There were also special gifts for Soror Tangela DuPree, Soror Carolyn House Stewart, and Soror Marsha Lewis Brown. They received stylish opera glasses to use during the production.

To conclude our December activities, the committee served as co-hosts for the last First Friday of the year. Our Golden and Pearl Sorors were honored for their years of service and commitment to Gamma Theta Omega and Alpha Kappa Alpha as a whole. Each honoree shared their wisdom with everyone in attendance.

you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! In Service, Soror Carolyn Lewis, Chairman oror Caroline Stewart, Co-Chairman oror Dionne Moragne, Co-Chairman

ALPHA KAPPA KAPPA SORORITY, INCORPORATED GAMMA THETA OMEGA CHAPTER SISTERLY RELATIONS

I AM MY SISTERS' KEEPER: : "LET ALL THAT YOU DO BE DONE IN LOVE."

SISTERLY RELATIONS COMMITTEE

SORORS SHINING BRIGHTLY Sorors Sorors

Congratulations Soror Gwen Myers on being elected Vice Chairman of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.

Congratulations Soror Tee Solomon on being Elected as the Vice Chairman of NCNW in Washington, D.C.

Congratulations Soror Shayla Cason on being promoted to Asst. Principal at Pierce Middle School.

Congratulations Soror SaLisa Berrien on being recognized by Girls, Inc., Pinellas County for your efforts to help girls thrive.

Congratulations Soror Lisa Thelwell on being awarded Prosecutor of the Year” at the annual Human Trafficking Summit.

Featur g

GAMMA THETA OMEGA CHAPTER

FIRST FRIDAY FELLOWSHIP 2022 First Friday Pearl and Golden Soror Luncheon

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 Holly Frazier - Anti-Tamiouchos Frazierholly@gmail.com

Soror Vanessa Paige, Pecunious Grammateus gtopg1908@gmail.com

Soror Jacquelyn Reese, Anti-Pecunious Grammateus

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 fonaka_01@gmail.com

Soror Phyllis Thompson Walters, Anti-Hodegos gtohodegos@gmail.com

Soror Dorsity M. Cole, Graduate Advisor dorsity1@gmail.com

Soror Rhonesia Dennard, Graduate Advisor rldennard@aol.com

Soror Sheila Padgett, Business Manager gtobusinessmgr@gmail.com

Soror Jada Wright-Greene, 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