PNO March 2022 Pearl Gazette

Chartered January 29, 2000

Volume 12, Issue 3

March 2022

2022 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE v v v v v v v v v v v v v v

Kirstin Riddick – President LaToya Kearns – Vice President Lee Whitener – Secretary Sydney Hannah-Holliday – Vice Secretary Courtney Walker – Treasurer Essence Mitchell – Financial Secretary Ursula Snead – Parliamentarian Michele Swain – Hostess Deirdre Miles – Ivy Leaf Reporter Saunji Fyffe – Sergeant-At-Arms Anita Timmons – Historian Danielle Bridgeforth – Chaplain Vikki Pretlow – Correspondence Secretary Aliya Robinson – Member-At-Large

Past Basilei v v v v v v v

Sharon Worthy Kimberly Armstrong Michelle Thomas Lona Gordon Kimberly Walker Yvonne Jones Theresta Lanier

A Message From the President Greater Laurels to Win… Dearest Sorors, Marching into victory, I know we simply can not do this alone…

March, in all of its madness, has taken us through all four seasons in the span of a week. This is also a time of deep reflection as many are preparing hearts, minds, and spirits for one of the holiest days of the year.

Whether you have opted to abstain from something or committed devotional time to remember and meditate with thanksgiving, I hope all of you are taking a much needed rest in preparation for the next season of beautiful blooms and new beginnings.

We are looking forward to gleaning from medical professionals, during our live stream, as we commit to taking better care of ourselves. The program committee, Sorors Sydney Hannah-Holliday, and Minyon Palmer have taken the lead on this initiative. Physical and mental wellness are mission critical. As Hezekiah Walker states, “I need you to survive.” I need you whole and well, our march into victory is not an individual effort.

I want to extend virtual pink tea roses to Soror Deirdre Miles for the new Pearl Gazette layout. Special kudos to Sorors Nicole White and Jill Hood who also gave our chapter website a new look, adding a loving tribute page to our Ivies Beyond the Wall. Have you seen our refreshed membership directory? Soror Sydney Hannah-Holliday’s signature style is reflected on every page.

Please make the most of our Google Calendar as committees will start populating their meeting and event dates in order to keep us all in the know. Additionally, I look forward to learning more about EAF, your thoughts on the future of our beloved sisterhood, and protocol during our upcoming meeting.

I want to get to know you better. Fourth Sundays starting in May are reserved for Brunch with the Basileus. In small groups, I want to meet you to learn more about how we can best become the “chapter that is small to know you and large enough to serve you.” Details and sign up opportunities are coming soon via email.

It is also that time of year when we acknowledge and congratulate our newest Silver Star Sorors!

Congratulations, Silver Stars Alicia Benyard, Lee Whitener, and Jill Hood! 25 years of sisterhood and service look good on you.

May we march through this time and usher in showers of blessings in this next season of renewal.

Sisterly yours, Kirstin

Draw Closer

Soror Danielle Bridgeforth

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and [God] will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. James 4:7-10 (ESV) I remember when my baby brother came home from the hospital. I was so fascinated with him! I could not stop touching his hands and feet. I wanted to be close to him. I seem to recall, however, that my constant poking was not always appreciated. As babies often do, he would squirm and pull his hands away. I had to learn how to balance my desire for closeness with his need for space. This is a lifelong lesson many of us have had to acquire. Our desires for closeness are not always returned in our earthly relationships.

Nevertheless, the promise for us from James is that whenever we draw near to God, Jehovah always reciprocates. Lent is a season for nearness to Christ. We need to come close. We need to repent, purify our hands and hearts, and humble ourselves. We are not worthy of what Christ has done for us. As we journey toward the cross, let’s not lag or be distant. Decide to turn to Christ and be close. By doing so, we will not only get a better view of our Savior, but also, a better view of ourselves.

Happy National Women’s History Month!

Remembering Ivy Beyond the Wall Soror Sharon Worthy December 23, 1956 – August 18, 2021

“For

if I’ve been an AKA, life owes me naught. I’ve lived my day.”

Ketanji Brown Jackson In 2012, Jackson was nominated by President Barack Obama to join the U.S. District Court.

Harvard Law Washington, D.C. Ketanji Brown Jackson is a federal judge, former federal public defender and the first Black woman nominated to become an associate jusLce on the Supreme Court.

On February 25, 2022, President Biden announced he was nominaLng Jackson to fill the Supreme Court seat leO open by the reLrement of JusLce Stephen Breyer.

If confirmed, Jackson would become the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court. She would also be the first federal public defender to sit on the court, and the first jusLce since Thurgood Marshall to have represented criminal defendants.

Sorors Serving in the Community!

2022 Women's Leadership Forum Presented by The Goodhart Group Join us IN PERSON on March 24, 2022 for our 9th Annual Women's Leadership Forum, presented by The Goodhart Group!

The forum will bring together women (and men) at all stages of their careers for a morning long program designed to provide interactive discussion, inspiration and professional development.

We're absolutely thrilled to announce this year's speaker lineup:

Thursday, March 24, 2022 8:00am-10:00am The Westin Alexandria 400 Courthouse Square Alexandria, VA 22314

Scan the QR code on the flyer or Click HERE to register!

Social Action Committee

March 17 Meeting With Soror Amirah Salaam - Mid-Atlantic Representative to the International Connection and Social Action Committee

We have been invited to join with our MAR colleagues from North Carolina for a joint meeting with Soror Amirah Salaam to hear important updates from the International Connection and Social Action Committee. Soror Salaam is unable to join us at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference so it is important to sign in for these updates.

March 17, 2022 7:00 PM Zoom Link https://syngenta.zoom.us/j/98458769346 Instructions: Click HERE to Join the Zoom Meeting<https://syngenta.zoom.com/j/98458769346> Next click on Join Audio with Computer If you don't have an internet connection - you may join by telephone instead. Use a dial in number that is closest to your current location: Click here<https://syngenta.zoom.com/u/adiIb5fho1> to find a list of phone numbers for all countries US: +1 267 831 0333 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 470 250 9358 or +1 470 381 2552 or +1 646 558 8656 or +1 786 635 1003 or +1 971 247 1195 or +1 213 338 8477 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 6833 Switzerland: +41 31 528 09 88 or +41 43 210 70 42 or +41 43 210 71 08 United Kingdom: +44 131 460 1196 or +44 203 481 5237 or +44 203 481 5240 India: +91 22 48 798 004 or +91 22 71 279 525 or +91 80 71 279 440 If prompted enter this Meeting ID: 984 5876 9346 SIP: 98458769346@zoomcrc.com<mailto:98458769346@zoomcrc.com> Meeting URL: https://syngenta.zoom.com/j/98458769346 Need help?

Check Frequently Asked Questions here<https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/206175806-TopQuestions> Click here<https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362003> to contact Zoom's support service

Sisterly Relations Committee 9 April 2022 6 pm Virtual Cooking Class Additional details forthcoming

Sorors Worshipping Together!

On February 27, 2022 representatives from the Divine 9 of the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Northern Virginia (NoVA NPHC) celebrated Sunday Mass at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Alexandria, Virginia. Saint Joseph is a historic church that was built and established in 1915 solely for African American Catholics. At the time African Americans were not allowed to worship with the general Catholic congregation at the neighboring Saint Mary Catholic Church. Several historically black fraternities and sororities had displays and information for congregants in the rectory. Soror Michele, who is a member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church, attended the Mass and reception.

GO SOROR! Soror Shout Out This month’s Soror Shout Out goes to Soror Romana Lavalas who has been keeping the Connection Committee on their toes this year with VA PhirstPham. Soror Romana served on this year’s VA PhirstPham technology committee. She also keeps committee members engaged in policy and voting webinars and letter writing campaigns.

Skee-WEE Soror Romana!

If you have reached a milestone, accomplished a goal, or want to recognize a soror, we want to know about it. Please send your submissions to Soror Shout Out c/o Soror Michele @ swordex0901@gmail.com. It’s time to celebrate you!

Sorors Having Fun!

Sorors Dawn and Kim hanging out and doing a little furniture shopping.

Twenty Pearls: The Story of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Click on the poster above or the link below to watch the trailer: https://vimeo.com/679276266/621adf1dd5

Birthdays March 6th – Kathy Philyaw March 15th – Sydney Hannah-Holliday March 15th - Robyn Zellars March 23rd – Vikki Pretlow

AKAversaries Jatrice Gaiter – March 1974 Angelia Farnell – March 1988 Aliya Robinson – March 1992 Danielle Bridgeforth – March 1996 Lee Whitener – March 1997 Courtney Walker – March 2005

Community Partners

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Shelter House ALIVE! Carpenter’s Shelter BRAWS Alexandria City Public Schools Nanci’s Gift Friends of the Guest House