The FORTitude - Quarter 4, April - June, 2022

The FORTitude

Sustaining

Sisterhood

DEDICATION

FBAAC ARTS AND LETTERS with DELTA XI - FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY

FELLOWSHIP

MENTORSHIP COLLABORATION

COMMON PURPOSE Quarterly Publication of the Fort Bragg Area Alumnae Chapter - 4th Quarter April – June, 2022

Contact Information and Submission Requirements We are excited to present the 4th Quarter Edition of The FORTitude to chronicle and highlight the achievements of the Fort Bragg Area Alumnae Chapter from April through June, 2022. Chapter members and committee chairs are welcome to provide content and/or commentary (i.e., picture collages, upcoming events, personal accomplishments, birthdays, Deltaversaries, etc.). Verbiage should be no longer that 300 words. We reserve the right to edit your submission, if necessary. To avoid stretched/distorted images, please submit pictures in the original size. We will make the necessary adjustments. To follow is the schedule for submission of content:

Quarters:

Due Dates:

Q1: July-September

September 15th

Q2: October – December

December 15th

Q3: January – March

March 15th

Q4: April – June

June 15th

The next issue will cover the months of July through September, 2022. If you would like to submit content for the next issue, please contact us at DST.FBAAC.Historian@gmail.com . The submission deadline for the next issue (Quarter 1) is September 15, 2022.

THE HERITAGE AND ACHIEVES COMMITTEE 2021-2022 Dr Vanessa Edmundson, Historian –Chair Sandra Collins, Editor – The FORTitude Monique R. King Crystal Turner

4th Quarter April – June, 2022

In This Issue President’s Perspective P.01 Inspiration from the Chaplain’s Chair P.02 Shining Star Award COMMITTEE SPOTLIGHTS: P.03 Physical and Mental Health Social Actions Chapter Member Accomplishments P.04-05 Oh! To Be a Delta Girl!/ Weddings Upcoming Events P.06 “I Love My FBAAC!”/ Birthdays P.07

Collaboration

FBAAC with the SAR Director, and State Coordinator at supporting Fayetteville Alumnae’s “Success in a Purse” event (May, 2022)

FBAAC continues its 10-year Red Carpet collaboration with Cape Fear Regional Theater and Fayetteville Alumnae Chapter, selling out the theater’s production of THE COLOR PURPLE (May, 2022)

The President’s Perspective

Sustaining Sisterhood Sorors, As the “Fort Bragg Deltas” complete our 2021-2022 sorority year, I would like to take this time to thank each chapter officer, committee chairperson and chapter member for your dedication and commitment to the chapter. I also ask you to think about ways that we keep our chapter strong.

Receiving the National President’s Vision Award for Exemplary Program Implementation that reflects Joy in our sisterhood, was among the many highlights of our sorority year. Fort Bragg Sorors have always found joy in fellowship with our sisters as we tackle the common purpose to serve. Our newest members continue to grow in Delta knowledge through Mentor/Mentee relationships established with Sorors “Seasoned” in DELTA, emphasizing that we ARE our “Sister’s Keeper”. Our chapter has been given the opportunity to work with Delta Xi at Fayetteville State University, in an advisory capacity, with our immediate past president, Soror Monique R. King serving as primary advisor. We have supported chapter members through health issues, family celebrations, professional and personal achievements; and continued collaborative efforts with local chapters in our area, through Arts and Letters. In the coming year, I plan to promote future collaborations of common interest through our newly formed NC State Chapter Cluster 6, comprised of Delta Xi, Fayetteville, Fort Bragg Area, Laurinburg, Lumberton, Sandhills and Whiteville Alumnae chapters.

Tywanna D. Frazier Chapter President

It is through dedication to our illustrious organization; common purpose in serving our community; mentorship, collaboration with chapters in our regional cluster, AND most importantly, fellowship along with the support we give to each other, that will sustain the JOY in our sisterhood for years to come. Thank you for taking the time to look at “The Delta in the Mirror” and bringing out the best Delta you can be.

When I look at you, I see myself.

If my eyes are unable to see you as my sister, it is blurred, and if that be so, then it is I who need you - either because I do not understand who you are, my sister, or because I need you to help me understand who I am.

- Lillian Pierce Benbow, 15th National President

Fort Bragg Area Alumnae P.01

Inspiration From the Chaplain’s Chair Soror Deidre Capers

Which Soil Do We Choose to Take Root or Exhibit in the Body of Christ?

In a parable, Jesus said, “Behold, a sower went forth to sow; and when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth; and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up and choked them; But others fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matthew 13:3-9 King James Version).

Which soil do we choose to take root?

Which soil do we choose to exhibit in the body of Christ?

Will we be described as the soil by the wayside? We hear the Word but harden and callous our hearts and refrain from accepting it in our lives. We choose not to love our neighbors, as thy love ourselves. We don’t display grace and mercy, although, our Father has been gracious and merciful unto us.

Will we be the soil in stony places? We hear the Word of God and receive it with joy; however, with a shallow heart and narrow mind, we avoid the full penetration of His Word. We choose not to stay grounded in His Word.

At the first thought, sight, or sign of trouble, we go off on someone instead of letting God fight the battle for us. We do not let the Word be a lamp unto our feet and light unto our paths.

Will we display the soil among the thorns? We hear God’s Word, but we are deeply consumed with the riches, cares, pleasures, worries, and concerns of the world. We are unable to let the Word mature in us or allow it to become fruitful in our lives. We focus upon other areas of our lives which consume pertinent time and prevent the Word to mature in us.

Will we move forth in good ground? We hear and accept the Word of God with a nurturing heart. We will develop and maintain the description of being well fertilized. In this space, we are ready to cultivate, apply, practice, and execute scripture which falls upon our ears. We may display it by meditating and studying God’s Word and praying and fasting on a daily basis. In our walk, talk, or deed, we will encourage, empower, and motivate souls to come to Christ. Believe it or not, Sorors, we are all on an assignment from God. Which soil do we choose to exhibit in the body of Christ?

Which soil do we choose to exhibit within God’s assignment?

Let us choose: soil by the wayside soil in stony places soil amongst the thorns soil in good ground

CONGRATULATIONS

Soror Coralisa Palmer Matthews RECIPIENT OF THE CHAPTER’S 2021-22 SHINING STAR AWARD

Fort Bragg Area Alumnae P.02

COMMITTEE SPOTLIGHT

This quarter’s COMMITTEE SPOTLIGHT shines on the Physical and Mental Health and Social Actions committees, for their collaboration during MAY WEEK. The committees teamed up to host a community event in Hope Mills, one of the municipalities within our service area. This day-long symposium successfully married Physical and Mental Health with our Political Health.

The symposium included panel discussions, along with question-and-answer sessions with the audience on mental health, police reform, judicial structure and how judges view cases, and the importance of participating in local elections, as most policy that effects communities happen at the local level. Candidates for the recent primary were able to pass out literature and speak to constituents about their individual platforms. COVID-19 testing, and shots were made available.

Chapter members provided information on chapter initiatives that support the Sorority’s Five-Point Programmatic Thrusts along with Line dancing to promote movement and exercise. In addition to the symposium, the Physical and Mental Health Committee held the Chapter’s 2nd Annual 2LT Lisa Nicole Bryant Scholarship 5k virtual run. The 75 runners who participated received medals for their individual efforts. The committee donated the profit of over $2,000 to the Lisa Nicole Bryant DREF Scholarship Fund.

Fort Bragg Area Alumnae P.03

Chapter Member Accomplishments Congratulations to the Following Sorors for Outstanding Educational & Professional Achievements

Latoya Cooper Doctorate in Education – Curriculum and Instruction Liberty University

Melissa Robinson-Ellis Educational Specialist Degree in Special Education University of Florida

Deveril Wint Doctorate in Nursing Practice – Neonatology University of South Alabama

Kathryn Elliott Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership Liberty University

Fort Bragg Area Alumnae P.04

Chapter Member Accomplishments Congratulations to the Following Sorors for Outstanding Educational & Professional Achievements

Jasmine Underwood Mcgougan MASTER’S DEGREE in Education Fayetteville State University

Destiny Little MASTER’S DEGREE in Social Work Fayetteville State University

Happy Retirement Soror!

Congratulations to Dr. Joan McKinney On completing 30 years of services to Military Children with The Department of Defense Education Activity She is retiring from Shugart Middle School Soror McKinney has been an educator for a total of 43 years!

Fort Bragg Area Alumnae P.05

Oh! To Be a Delta Girl!

Celebrating 25 Years or More in Delta

UPCOMING CHAPTER EVENTS

Fort Bragg Area Alumnae P.05 August

Vickie Curtis 46 Years April 2, 1976

Angela Mitchell 45 Years May 7, 1977

Dawn McGee 27 Years April 8, 1995

Faye Baker-Powell 26 Years April 6, 1996

Renee Owens 25 Years April 20, 1997

Camelia Gunn 25 Years April 26, 1997

Tara Lee-Brown 30 Years April 23, 1992

Linda Battle 26 Years April 25, 1996

Diedre Blue 25 Years April 30, 1997

Stay tuned for more information on chapter events happening in August 2022:

FBAAC Leadership Retreat August 13th, 2022 Fayetteville, N.C. CONGRATULATIONS and BEST WISHES TO

Soror Gyivan Smith

Chapter Roundup August 27, 2022 Fayetteville, NC

Fort Bragg Area Alumnae P.06

I Love My FBAAC !

April 4/01 Melody Cole 4/08 Loescher Burker 4/11 Justine Jones Sarah Williams-Brown 4/18 Kimae’ Geans Angela Kee 4/21 Vickie Curtis Kizzie Lovelace-Simpson 4/26 Isabella Minter

May 5/04 5/06 5/07 5/11 5/15 5/21 5/30 5/31

Tonia Clare-Jones Twyla McGill Johnsie Byers Owens Kathryn Elliott Janet Vaughn Monique R. King Coralisa Palmer Matthews Janatta Irwin Diedre Capers

June 6/04 Jessica Jackson 6/12 Stefanie House Brenda McAllister 6/16 Victoria Mbachu 6/17 Diane Gibbs 6/20 Andrea Hayes 6/22 Sandra Collins 6/24 Angela Wallace

Fort Bragg Area Alumnae P.07

Fort Bragg Area Alumnae Chapter DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INCORPORATED P.O. Box 74543 FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA 28307

dst.fbaac.fortbraggdeltas@ gmail.com