The Purple Orchid

The official publication of Delta Psi Epsilon Christian Sorority, Inc.

VOLUME 10 | ISSUE 3—WINTER 2015

Purple Orchid

The

Purple Orchid

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Readers’ Guide READER’S GUIDE The Purple Orchid is the official publication of Delta Psi Epsilon Christian Sorority, Inc. Its mission is to reflect the CU experience, to bring the purpose and shared values of Delta Psi Epsilon to life; to instill and sustain pride in the sorority; to educate and minister to the undergraduate members, alumnae and others interested in the sorority; to maintain a historical record of the activities of the sorority, its chapters and colonies, and its members; and to present current issues affecting women, the sorority, the church, and the Greek system.

RECEIVE THE PURPLE ORCHID The Purple Orchid is downloadable from the sorority’s Yahoo list serve and via the sorority’s official Web site at deltapsiepsilon.com. If you are not a subscriber to the sorority list serve or would like to receive The Purple Orchid in your personal e-mail box, please write to postmaster@deltapsiepsilon. com.

SEND A LETTER TO THE EDITOR We always welcome your comments (both positive and negative) about this publication. Send letters to the editor via e-mail. Please include your name, chapter or colony and year of initiation. The Purple Orchid reserves the right to publish any letter addressed to the editor. Letters may be edited for space and clarity.

GET PUBLISHED All members are encouraged to submit news and stories to The Purple Orchid. Tell us about your accomplishments, events, and experiences and please include photographs. Photographs should not be embedded in Word documents and should be sent as separate attachments. Photos should be at least 300 dpi to be published.

NATIONAL OFFICERS

Founder Vila-Sheree WATSON National President

Founder Nicole GARDNER National Internal Vice President

Soror Angela WILLIAMS National External Vice President

Soror Stacey BROWN National Treasurer

Founder Carla GRIFFITH National Secretary

Soror Wilberta MCCOY National Director for Protocol

Soror Aisha GULLETTE Eastern Regional Director

When contributing to any section of The Purple Orchid, please submit the following: Name | Chapter Initiated Season Initiated | Current Chapter Current Role/Office | Current photo

President’s Perspective PUTTING YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD

| by Founder Vila-Sheree Watson, National President

“For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.” 1 Corinthians 4:20, ESV

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s the old adage says, “Talk is cheap.”

Everyone has the ability to talk and say what they are going to do, but very few live up to what they say. As members of Delta Psi Epsilon, we say that we have the power to move forward. This cannot just be “lip service”—we must actually MOVE FORWARD. This is not a catch phrase. This is actionable.

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n order for us to “finish the work” and hasten the coming of Christ, as ministers, we must stand on action. Soror, don’t sell yourself short! You can do it.

Together, we can do greater. As women of the Spirit—women dying daily—we have to walk in the anointed power of Acts 10:38. That is the Delta Psi Epsilon

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way! The Christian life, with all its attainments and all its hopes is not in word, but in power. It is not a matter of profession, or of eloquence, or of phrases, but of transforming efficacy.

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omen of Deliverance, Power and Enlightenment, our connection— as sorors—makes us powerful beyond measure. We have chosen to spend our lives together. In this covenant relationship, we must remind each other that we are full of power not just empty talk.

With our unity, we can move forward and upward because it is so. There are no limits to what we can accomplish by God’s grace! #FORWARD 2014 |

Kappa Omega (Wilmington, NC)

Alpha (designated for the founders) Beta (Southeastern Louisiana University)

COLONIES

Gamma (Bethune-Cookman University)

Baltimore City-wide (Maryland)

Delta (Indiana University of Pennsylvania)

Birmingham Undergraduates (Alabama)

Alpha Omega (Chicago, IL)

Delaware Graduate Colony

Beta Omega (Washington, DC)

East Carolina University (North Carolina)

Gamma Omega (New York, NY)

Houston City-wide (Texas)

Delta Omega (Philadelphia, PA)

Memphis City-wide (Tennessee)

Epsilon Omega (Dallas, TX)

Shreveport City-wide (Louisiana)

Zeta Omega (Atlanta, GA)

Southwest Georgia

Theta Omega (Birmingham, AL) Iota Omega (Miami/West Palm Beach, FL)

2014 National Conference Recap (New Orleans, LA)

Welcome New Members

EPSILON OMEGA Leg1t | Inducted: May 3, 2014 Soror Chantel Campbell - #1 Da Truth

HOUSTON CITY-WIDE COLONY Verdict: Not Guilty | Inducted: May 24, 2014

NEW COLONY

Soror M. Eileen Walker - #1 “Exculpatory Evidence” Soror Javette Murphy - #2 Testimony Soror Nikole Crowder - #3 “Witness” Soror Somi Ogunsuada - #4 “Class Action” Soror Melanie Singleton - #5 “General Counsel” Soror Adetria Singleton - #6 “Case Closed”

HONORARY MOTHER’S LINE Beyond Excellent | Inducted: July 30, 2014 Soror Betty Williams - “SOUL-jah” Soror Ida Jackson - “Leading Lady” Soror Clarissa Samuels - “The Watchman” Soror Corrine Gibson - “Virtuous” Soror Ardelia Deloney - “Anointed Warrior”

HONORARY MEMBER Great Expectations | Inducted: July 30, 2014 Soror LaToya K. Williams - #1 The CounSOULer

ZETA OMEGA Old Ship of Zion | Inducted: August 30, 2014 Soror Stephanie Fearn - #1 Valor of the Seas Soror Leletia Lane - #2 Victory of the Seas Soror Treyce Johnson - #3 Voyager of the Seas Soror Leticia Morehead - #4 Vessel of the Seas

DELTA OMEGA Sealed | Inducted: October 18, 2014 Soror Tahira Boone - “Irrevocable” Soror Tiana McLeod - “Absolute” Soror Victoria Crenshaw - “Indisputable”

EPSILON OMEGA Real Recognize Real | Inducted: November 22, 2014 Soror Jackie Douglas - #1 “Cert1fied” Soror Carmen Foy - #2 “2 Official” Soror Deborah Moore - #3 “R3liable”

DELAWARE GRADUATE COLONY His Workmanship | Inducted: December 13, 2014 Soror Angela Hackett - #1 “Coutured” Soror Beverly Wallace - #2 “Handcrafted” Soror Lynae Smith Spratley - #3 “Designer’s Original”

NEW COLONY

Delta Psi Epsilon Gives Back

Delta Omega walks for heart health Baltimore provides food and clothing

Houston provides toys

Alpha Omega goes caroling

NoVa makes Thanksgiving baskets with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

NoVa walks for Lupus

Accomplished Women SOROR KESHIA BRIGHT | Spring 2009

SOROR PATRILL SMITH

SOROR FELICIA JAMES

On March 1, 2014 our very own Soror Keshia Bright had the privilege to receive an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from the Abundant Life Bible College and Theological Seminary. She was recommended for this honor by a Bishop on the seminary board that is familiar with all of her hard work within the community. For thirty years Keshia has been sharing the gift, love and art of dance throughout the world.

Not only is she pre-professionally trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern dance, and liturgical dance; she has traveled up and down the east coast competing, teaching and mentoring everyone from 3year olds to adults. Keshia is also an entrepreneur and founded ChosenOne Ministries which is her personal outreach ministry servicing various churches in the Washington Metropolitan region by conducting workshops and dance instruction. She is the proud owner of KeeSpirit, LLC which serves communities nationwide extending all the way to Australia. Keshia walks in her ‘chosen’ journey using her gifts as a platform to apply the word of God in any given situation.

GRADUATIONS SOROR SHERREA DUNCAN (Shreveport)| Summer 2012

Grambling State University, M.A. Teaching

SOROR FELICIA JAMES (MIL)| Fall 2008

Regent University, M.Div. Church and Ministry

SOROR PATRILL SMITH (NoVa)| Fall 2008

SOROR SHERREA DUNCAN

University of Maryland University College, B.S. Management Studies

The Orchidettes Club The Orchidettes of Beta Omega Chapter had the opportunity to participate in the 5th Annual Teen Extravaganza of the Ms. Wheelchair Maryland Organization. These young ladies volunteered their time and helped to make the event a huge success. Led by Soror Jennifer Hilton, the Orchidettes found it to be a rewarding experience to serve the less fortunate.