PNO_Sept_Newsletter

Lee Whitener Secretary

Sydney Hannah Holliday Vice Secretary

Essence Mitchell Financial Secretary

Michele Swain Hostess

Danielle Bridgeforth Chaplain

Vikki Pretlow Correspondence Secretary

Aliya Robinson Member At Large

Anita Timmons Historian

Saunji Fyffe Sergeant At Arms

Deirdre Miles Ivy Leaf Reporter

Courtney Walker Treasurer

2022 Phi Nu Omega Chapter

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc

A Message From the President

Let Us Soar!

Hello, September! In the ninth month, we are experiencing a series of new beginnings. As a chapter, we are meeting for the first time in person. We are ushering in a new administration and “Soaring into Greater Heights of Sisterhood and Service.” When I reflect on our call, I am confident we will rise to the occasion, take the vision of Supreme Basileus Danette Anthony Reed, and adopt it wholeheartedly, ensuring sisterhood and service are at the center of everything we do.

You are going to love our new initiatives. Our six initiatives start on a firm foundation calling us to Strengthen our Sisterhood. The remaining five initiatives are Empower our Families, Build our Economic Wealth, Enhance our Environment, Advocate for Social Justice, and Uplift our Local Community. A series of webinars will take place this month to help us unpack each initiative. To kick things off, we will bring healthy snacks to our meeting and donate them to a local Title 1 school to signify our support of the Childhood Hunger Initiative Power Pack (CHIPPTM ). We are called to do greater together.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12 Are you ready for the call? I know we are. Let’s Soar!

Sisterly yours, Kirstin

This is Your Time! Soror Danielle Bridgeforth

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NLT)

The weather this week has made it evident to me that the season is changing. And, like the seasons of the year, the seasons of life do and must shift. The way that we look forward to Autumn after even the most glorious Summer, is the same way that we should feel along our personal journey in life. No matter what has been, now is all we have, and NOW is your time!

I encourage you to take to heart the words of wisdom found in the Book of Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3. The text reminds us that there is an appropriate time for everything under the sun. There is a preferred, better, and best time for every birth, connection, and promotion. Moreover, there is a time for every death, separation, and ending. Seasons are a part of Jehovah's wise and beautiful plan - in nature and in humanity.

As you consider your current season, do at least two things.

First, Embrace it. Be open to what God is doing in your life right now. Try not to diminish or disregard the possibility in this season because of how it compares to a previous one, or to one that is yet to come. Release yourself to the beauty of what is. Agree that God knows and loves you best and is always, somehow, working things together for your good. (See Romans 8:28)

Second, Enjoy it. Learn to laugh, exhale, and rejoice in your current season. Be receptive to new relationships and experiences. Choose to trust yourself and your God despite the uncertainty of the time in which we live. Believe that you will have everything that you need (strength, wisdom, hope, grace) right when you need it. Rest in Christ's great love for you.

Yes, the season is indeed changing. I have decided to not resist it, but rather to prepare for it and expect the best in whatever is next. What about you?

Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time... Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NLT)

RETREAT

The members of the Mid-Atlantic Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated congratulate our new Regional Director Mrs. Nadine Vargas Stewart. Under her leadership, we will continue to serve as a model of excellence in sisterhood and service. Our future looks MARvelous! Please share your well wishes for her administration in the comments along with your chapter or cluster! #AKA1908 #MidAtlanticAKA

September is Suicide Prevention Month

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month

Thirty Years Ago..

We salute one of our very own Trailblazing Sisters, who is a true representation of SOARing to Greater Heights. Thirty years ago on September 12 th, 1992, Dr. Mae Jemison became the first Black woman to travel into space, when she served as a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour.

Congratulations are in order for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated President & CEO, Danette Anthony Reed !

Ms. Anthony Reed and five other Phenomenal Women are Honorees at National Action Network’s (NAN), “Action and Authority Reception”. This event elevates women in policy who have answered the call to action in the battles against injustice.

The reception hosted by Rev. Al Sharpton is in celebration of the Congressional Black Caucus 51 st Annual Legislative Conference.

Congratulations and a bouquet of pink tea roses to the new Miss North Carolina, Soror Karolyn Martin, a recent graduate of Appalachian State University and former Basileus of Omicron Kappa Chapter. Soror Karolyn will represent the state in the 2023 Miss America pageant.

Soror Karolyn served as the 2021 Miss Moore County, was second runner up in last year's Miss North Carolina Scholarship Competition and received the Quality of Life Award at the competition for her community service. The Mid Atlantic region applauds her commitment to excellence, and we're so proud to call her our sister !

PNO New Member Highlight: Crystal Simpkins White

v Initiated November 1991, Theta Rho Chapter, Virginia Commonwealth University

v Grew up in Alexandria, Va

v She enjoys reading, working out, and traveling.

v She works as a non profit associate

v She is passionate about performing & visual arts and maintaining a healthy lifestyle

Farewell to Soror Lee Whitener

Best wishes to Soror Lee. We love you, and we are going to miss you!

Upcoming Events/Notices

NOW:

The nominating committee is seeking Sorors interested in the following positions: Grammateus, Pecunious Grammateus, Epistoleus , Hodegos , Philacter, and Member at Large. If you would like to run for one of these officer positions please contact Soror Marva Scott, Soror Latoya PattersonSmith, or Soror Maudisa Smith.

OCTOBER:

The Chapter Retreat will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at the Microsoft Reston Office

NOVEMBER: Sunny Hostin

Soror Jatrice at special showing of Woman King at the Oprah Winfrey theatre in the NMAACH on September 15. The panel after featured Viola Davis

Sorors having Fun

Sisterly Sipping Event! Soror Michele guided us through the wine tasting!

Soror Kim with her BFF Soror Carol from AAO

Soror Sydney with her nephew Kevin, celebrating his wedding in Chicago in July.

Soror Sydney, Soror Latoya Patterson Smith, and Soror Maudisa at the Black Wine Festival at the Sandlot in Anacostia

Summer shots of Soror Karen and family in the Bahamas, Hilton Head Island, and Aruba.

Sorors Kim, Brenda, and Dawn MV African American Film Festival

Soror Deirdre with friend, Michael, seeing the play The Color Purple at the Signature Theatre

Sorors Kim & Dawn on a HOT Summer night at National’s Park

Soror Deirdre celebrating her daughter, Courtney’s, birthday at Eddie V’s in Tysons Corner!