Phi Nu Omega Chapter
Chartered January 29, 2000
Volume 13, Issue 3 March 2023
2023 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Past Basilei
❖ Sharon Worthy
❖ Kimberly Armstrong
❖ Michelle Thomas
❖ Lona Gordon
❖ Kimberly Walker
❖ Yvonne Jones
❖ Theresta Lanier
Kirstin Riddick President LaToya Kearns Vice President
Minyon Palmer Vice Secretary
Sydney Hannah-Holliday Secretary
Essence Mitchell Financial Secretary
Michele Swain Hostess
Danielle Bridgeforth Chaplain
Lisa Heath Correspondence Secretary
Dawn Marcelle Member-At-Large
Aliya Robinson Historian
Saunji Fyffe Sergeant-At-Arms
Deirdre Miles Ivy Leaf Reporter
Courtney Walker Treasurer
Karen Davis Miller Parliamentarian
2023 Phi Nu Omega Chapter Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc
This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalms 118:24
It is good to know that every day is a gift from the Lord and we are to rejoice and be glad. Because every day is “this day,” we can choose to be glad, and consider that even if "our glass is just half full," the full half matters more than the empty half.
For the optimistic person, it is natural to rejoice without a special reason and not get upset over every little issue. Instead, for the pessimistic person, it is normal to worry, be frustrated and fearful, and any little problem they encounter is a serious matter. But, I know from my own experience, that it is possible for us to choose to be glad, when naturally we would be sad. Even if it requires effort on our part, it is worthwhile to be glad.
God created us to be joyful, cheerful and content. Stress, fatigue, fears, worries and all negative feelings come from the evil one with the purpose to destroy us. We do ourselves a great favor when we choose to be glad and joyful as often as possible.
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EVERY DAY CAN BE A DAY TO REJOICE
In March 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring Women’s History Week to align with International Women’s Day (March 8th) which has been recognized across the world since March 1911. The following year, on August 4, 1981, the U.S. Congress established Women’s History Week as a federally recognized commemoration of the accomplishments, perspectives, and experiences of women in the United States with a Joint Resolution, Public Law 97-28. This week became a month-long celebration in 1987 when Congress passed Public Law 100-9 and then passed subsequent resolutions requesting that the U.S. President make an annual declaration. Since 1995, each U.S. President has declared March to be Women’s History Month.
Highlighting Our Trailblazer
Soror Jatrice Martel Gaiter
Jatrice Martel Gaiter builds national awareness, public policy alliances, and support for Volunteers of America’s mission to provide housing and services nationwide. She provides leadership and strategic oversight of the billion-dollar organization’s public policy, financial development, and communications and marketing initiatives.
Jatrice currently serves as vice chair of the Generations United Board of Directors, and is a member of the Alexandria (Va.) Chamber of Commerce Board, George Mason University MPA Advisory Board, Generosity Commission Government Relations & Policy Task Force, NonProfit Vote Leadership Council, and the Women’s Leadership Council of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s. She also serves on the MetroStage Board of Directors and the NonProfit Times Editorial Board.
Jatrice is past board chair of the National Human Services Assembly, and a former member of the Independent Sector board’s Public Policy Committee. She has served as CEO at two nonprofits, and worked in public policy, fundraising, and branding at Michigan State University and United Way, both at the national office and two affiliates. She served on the founding national board of Coalition of 100 Black Women, and was president of the coalition’s Indianapolis and Washington, D.C. chapters. Jatrice is member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and earned a BA in government from the University of Maryland and a Juris Doctorate from the Syracuse University College of Law.
Jatrice has received “Washingtonian of Year” from Washingtonian magazine, and was named one of the “Women Who Mean Business” by Washington Business Journal. She is a champion of the nonprofit
as @MsNonprofit.
sector who blogs, writes opinion pieces,
tweets
and
Let’s elevate our chapter operations!
The Leadership Development Committee is pleased to offer a workshop on parliamentary procedures. As it is the responsibility of all chapter sorors to elevate chapter operations, it is strongly encouraged that all sorors attend. This workshop will be facilitated by Soror Mona Calhoun and follow Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised and Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised in Brief. At a minimum, you should have a copy of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised in Brief. The workshop logistics are:
Date: Saturday, April 1, 2023
Time: 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Location: Arlington Mill Community Center 909 S Dinwiddie St, Arlington, VA 22204
To register for the workshop, please click here to complete the registration form.
Fun & Fit with Soror Crystal!
Stretches
What a great way to relieve stress and calm your mind – and it can only take 5-10minutes! Even on days when you are not working out, you should carve out time EVERYDAY to stretch. Here’s why:
Benefits:
❖ Increases flexibility, which is crucial to your overall health
❖ Increases blood flow and improves circulation. This can reduce muscle soreness which in turn decreases your risk of injuries.
❖ Improves posture, which can help heal and prevent back pain
❖ Helps to decrease headaches. Along with a healthy diet, lots of hydration and plenty of rest, stretching may help reduce tension that causes headaches.
Fun & Fit with Soror Crystal! Stretches
Two types of stretches to incorporate:
1. DYNAMIC STRETCHES (These can be done before your workout)
Dynamic stretching is movement-based and relies on the muscles themselves to bring about the stretch. Some examples include:
• Trunk Twists – to loosen up the back, spine and upper torso
• Walking Lunges – to wake up the quads and hamstrings before working out
• Leg Swings – These can be done holding onto a wall, bar, or any other stationary piece of furniture/equipment.
2. STATIC STRETCHES (These are beneficial after your workout)
These stretches involve holding positions comfortably between 10 –30 seconds to induce relaxing muscles after working out or just a long day. Here are a few examples:
• Shoulder Stretch – This feels great after an upper body workout!
• Calf Stretch – These are great after any cardio exercise and can be done standing or sitting
• Quad Stretch – We’ve all had tightness in our thighs and bringing your heel to your seat to loosen it up works every time.
Fun & Fit with Soror Crystal! Stretches
We have incorporated all types of stretches in our monthly challenges and I’m sure most of these are very familiar. That’s great! Now you can really start to master them and start reaping their benefits!
Food: Spring has sprung! Take advantage of all the wonderful veggies and citrus fruits that are in season. Whether you are throwing them into a shake, making a salad or turning on that grill, there is tons of fresh produce to chose from. Make sure you are still getting enough vitamins and protein in your diet. Don’t forget to drink lots of water!
Soror Essence Mitchell
Sorors, my wallet is tired but my heart is FULL! The 70th Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference (MARC) provided me with multiple opportunities to “practice” spending in support of the upcoming Black Dollar Days. Black Dollar Days is an area of focus associated with the “Build Our ECONOMIC WEALTH” Soaring to Greater Heights of Service and Sisterhood International Program Initiative.
Black Dollar Days is scheduled to take place in June, but I decided to flex my muscle a little early and log some participation while in Raleigh, NC at MARC. Or at least that’s what I told myself each time I went down to spend time with the vendors, LOL. And Sorors, I had A TIME with the vendors!
Imagine the scene with me…..a HUGE convention hall with four aisles of booths dedicated to all things pink and green! It quite literally took my breath away and was such a rush! My money started to burn a hole in my pocket. Be proud of me, my very first vendor purchase was for AKA documents, because, PRIORITIES, right? After that, I was off to the races!
Now, since we are a family, I will tell you according to my receipts, I visited the vendors somewhere around six times. Yes, that is probably more than the average person. But it was never at the expense of on time arrival to plenary sessions, and I attended both workshops. The business of being a great Soror never comes before shopping, dear reader.
I typically do not buy paraphernalia outside of conferences, except occasional purchases during Ivy Box sales. Why? In person shopping generally costs less due to vendor discounts and no shipping charges, plus in some cases you can try items on and see the level of quality up close prior to committing to the purchase.
As for my purchases, how much do you think I spent? The first Soror to guess closest without going over will win a prize to be delivered at the April chapter meeting. Pictures of my items are below:
By
2023 Black Dollars
Danielle Bridgeforth – ’96
Jatrice Gaiter – ’74
Aliya Robinson – ’92
Courtney Walker – ‘05
Birthdays AKAversaries
Kathy Philyaw – 3/6
Sydney Hannah Holliday – 3/15
Robin Zellars – 3/15
Vikki Pretlow – 3/23
• Shelter House • ALIVE! • Carpenter’s Shelter • BRAWS • Alexandria City Public Schools • Nanci’s Gift • Friends of the Guest House Community Partners