Graduate Program Highlights

GRADUATE PROGRAMHighlig s

ALPHA ZETA OMEGA

DURHAM, N.C.

SISTERLY REUNION AND REACTIVATION TAILGATE The Alpha Zeta Omega Chapter held its Sisterly Reunion and Reactivation Tailgate Saturday, September 24, 2022, at Merrick Moore Park in Durham, N.C. Sorors spent quality sisterly time bonding with food, games, conversation, and a few strolls. This PEARLfect tailgate experience also provided an opportunity to meet newly reactivating and transferring members.

DELTA OMEGA

PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA

“I AM MY SISTER’S KEEPER” PAINT NITE NT NITE Since its founding on February 26, 1921, at Virginia State University, the dedicated women of the Delta Omega Chapter have remained steadfast in serving mankind and the Petersburg community. On Friday, September 30, 2022, chapter members, newly reactivated and transferred Soror’s joined the Membership Committee in its “I Am My Sister’s Keeper” Paint Nite. The signature event was funfi lled with laughter, comfort foods, and dancing.

LAMBDA DELTA OMEGA

MARTIN COUNTY, N.C.

MARTIN COUNTY CANDIDATES’ FORUM Lambda Delta Omega Chapter cosponsored a political forum with the candidates for sheriff , board of education and county commissioners. It was held at the E.J. Hayes Alumni Center and was well attended. This was the fi rst local forum to be held in Martin County.

LAMBDA KAPPA OMEGA

Fairfax, VA

Kozy Kerchief™ and Kozy Kap™ Community Service Event The Educational and Charitable Foundation (ECF), working with the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Lambda Kappa Omega chapter, hosted their annual breast cancer awareness and support program, Kozy Kerchief™ and Kozy Kap™ in October. For over 20 years, these two organizations have off ered breast cancer awareness, prevention, and support services and have supported thousands of cancer patients throughout the U.S.

Volunteers created kaps and kerchiefs and helped package these items for donation to local cancer and wellness centers in Fairfax County, Northern Virginia, and surrounding areas. Community members were invited to volunteer alongside the chapter to help sew, package and deliver the items. With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the event also provided information on local and national prevention and treatment resources. “You only need a heart of service and compassion,” said Lambda Kappa Omega President Soror Sanita Walker Vesper.

LAMBDA UPSILON OMEGA

CONCORD, N.C.

Get Out the Vote In October, the Lambda Upsilon Omega Chapter launched substantial eff orts to get out the vote and support community-engaged voter mobilization eff orts in Cabarrus County. On October 15, chapter member Soror Ashley Fitch chaired the 30th Annual Cabarrus County NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet with featured speaker U.S. Congresswoman Alma Adams and several chapter members. October 28-29, several chapter members participated in the nonpartisan door-to-door canvassing eff orts across the county. October 30th, chapter members supported a Get Out the Vote festival at First Missionary Baptist Church, where they served food and socialized with community members. October 31, local participants heard former N.C. Chief Justice Cheri Beasley speak at a countywide event to encourage voting and political action.

OMEGA RHO OMEGA

Henrico, Virginia

ENGAGING LEGISLATIVE PROCESS On October 8, 2022, Omega Rho Omega’s Advocate for Social Justice and the Connection and Social Action committee hosted a community education session on the legislative process and on eff ective ways to partner with legislators. Director of Virginia’s Division of Legislative Services, Amigo Wade, spoke to 30 community members. Attendees learned who within the legislature hears from the community, the proper way to communicate with th h committee and subcommittee members, and how how to successfully get a message to your representative.

The Pink Power Up Omega Rho Omega’s (ORO) Uplift Our Local Community initiative, along with community partner Dillard’s Department Store at Short Pump (Henrico, Virginia), honored Breast Cancer Month and survivors Saturday, October 8, 2022, at the private event, The Pink Power Up.

Survivors openly shared their breast cancer journey, but no testimony was more touching than that of ORO’s Soror LaDonna Lewis. Soror LaDonna, tearfully expressed how her family’s history saved her life but how she had to fi ght to be tested because of her age. Soror LaDonna survived breast cancer at age 27. Twenty-three women were graced with eyebrow and eyelash tutorials and LaMer facials. Survivors indulged in a continental breakfast, a selfi e station, and gift bags. Dillard’s also educated participants on proper brassiere care and storage, as well as how to purchase bras and when. Dillard’s bra fi tting experts also addressed prosthetic bras and inserts, as well as other mastectomy solutions.

OMEGA RHO OMEGA FOUND GUILTY Omega Rho Omega Chapter sorors have been found guilty of painting Metro Richmond pink and green, engaging in fellowship and fun and several counts of sisterly bonding. and eral

In the membership retention activity, Known as the Mystery Dinner, chapter members called dinner captains to give clues to other members as to where to gather to get to know you and other entertaining activities. wn alled mbers as

Members receiving clues only knew who they would be dining with once they reached their restaurant destination. Held during Richmond Restaurant Week, several local and chain restaurants were patronized by sorors. The City of Richmond, Virginia, and surrounding counties were on high alert due to the rumors of the pink and green invasion. Rumors had been circling for weeks of the possible takeover Tuesday, October 25, 2022.

Although found guilty of pink and green joy and merriment, sorors said they would do the retention activity again. Oasis Market Garden is a nonprofi t addressing food insecurity. The organization has created organic gardens that produce fresh vegetables for the citizens of Charles City County and The Storehouse, a food pantry serving the community since 2020.

BIG SCREEN BONDING BIG On September 28, 2022, Omega Rho Omega On (ORO) strengthened its sisterhood by patronizing (O the anticipated and well-received movie The th Woman King. The fi lm, based on the Agojie, an all-W female army that existed in the 1800s to protect the kingdom of Dahomey (modern-day Benin) in West Africa, evoked passion, purpose, empowerment, and community. ORO members donned salmon pink and apple green and completed the mission of having a good time and supported the 2022-2024 program initiative Build Our Economic Wealth. Sorors helped transform part of an acre into no-till garden beds. No-till gardening or farming, also known as ‘no-dig’ gardening, is the practice of avoiding intentional soil disruption. Rather than using plows, spades, hoes, or other tools to “turn over” soil, the soil is left as is. The benefi t of a notill system is it is very little work to maintain once established. ORO created fi ve rows of garden beds that will be used to plant spinach and garlic.

IN THE GARDEN Supporting the Uplift Our Local Community Initiative, Omega Rho Omega (ORO) returned to Promise Land Pastures in Charles City County, Va., September 17, 2022, to work with the Oasis Market Garden. , 2022, Oasis

CHESTERFILED COUNTY, VA

ROLL BOUNCE SKATE PARTY Pi Rho Omega Chapter hosted a Roll Bounce Skate Party on October 16, 2022, at Chester Skateland, the fi rst “Strengthen Our Sisterhood” activity. Sorors “hit” the fl oor in personalized skates, light-up wheels, pompoms, and crazy laces, all in honor of sisterhood. There were plenty of laughs, a few “hold-on don’t-let-me-fall” moments, and lots of sisterhood support. Special thank you to Sorors from Omega Rho Omega, Delta Omega, Upsilon Omega, and Rho ETA Omega chapters for joining us in this fun-fi lled sisterly event. Soror Glenice DanielChambers, basileus, and Trilizsa Trent, Anti-basileus/ Program-Chairman, lead Rho Omega Chapter.

PHI OMEGA

WINSTON-SALEM, VA

PROGRAM IMPACTS 350 K-12 STUDENTS

SUICIDE AWARENESS FORUM On September 27, the Pi Rho Omega Chapter held its fi rst Mental Health Awareness Forum under the Empower Our Families initiative. The Suicide Awareness Event was free and open to the public. We were fortunate enough to have four panelists from area schools and a team of black female counselors. The audience gained data information on what is seen within our community and in the schools. The chapter distributed support information. Special thank you to one of our newest sorors, Pranati Walker, who led this momentous event. K-12 students in unity.

Led by the Community Day Committee, the Phi Omega Chapter hosted its fi rst inperson Annual Community Day event since 2018. The event aimed to provide local K -12 students with the tools for success in the upcoming school year. This event began with a welcome from Phi Omega Chapter Basileus,Soror Evelyn Acree, Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough, and a performance from the Powerhouse Cheerleading Team of Winston-Salem State University. A total of 280 WinstonSalem residents were provided with complimentary refreshments, health screenings, physicals, and voter educational literature. Eligible attendees registered to vote. Through generous donations from chapter members, community members, and local businesses and organizations, more than 1,200 books, 17,000 school supplies, and 500 t-shirts were collected and distributed. Survey data revealed that these items benefi tted 348 K-12 students in the Winston-Salem community.

PSI RHO OMEGA

Loudoun County, VA

PSI RHO OMEGA BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS Strength is looking back and seeing what you have been through and knowing you were strong enough to make it through. This October, the Psi Rho Omega Chapter celebrated Breast Cancer Survivors by showering them with love. The Chapter requested all sorors wear pink, but wearing pink just wasn’t enough. Before the chapter meeting, survivors were asked to share with the chapter: “How did they feel when they fi rst received the news of their diagnosis?” What message of encouragement would they give to a woman who has been diagnosed with breast cancer? Their words were amazing; having them here serving alongside chapter members is truly a blessing. The chapter’s message: “To all our Survivors, you’re an inspiration to those who know you are walking in faith and seeking God’s strength. For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord.”

BI-ANNUAL HIGHWAY CLEAN-UP The Psi Rho Omega PROudly conducted bi-annual highway clean-ups through the Virginia Department of Transportation to Enhance Our Environment. More than 25 chapter members and community volunteers gathered at Mercer Middle School to clean the two-mile stretch of Gum Spring Road. Following the service activity, participants were greeted by speakers blasting Set it Off , and of course, sorors were ready! For members, this provides an excellent opportunity to not only Enhance Our Environment but also to Soar in the great Alpha Kappa Alpha sisterhood.

SIGMA NU OMEGA

ROXBORO, NC

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS ZUMBATHON! The month of October emphasizes bringing awareness to breast cancer. In observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Sigma Nu Omega Chapter (SNO)( held a Zumbathon to draw attention to breast cancer in Roxboro, N.C. In collaboration with the Roxboro Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., SNO sorors brought awareness to a disease that impacts many people we love. Breast cancer aff ects thousands of women annually. Chapter Basileus Soror Michelle Chambers said, “Hosting this program engages our community in being more aware of breast cancer, taking precautionary measures, and funds raised will go toward research to identify more treatments for this disease.”

At this year’s Zumbathon, sorors and community members shared stories of survival and the importance of preventive measures. It is also proven that women who exercise regularly have a 10-20% lower risk of developing breast cancer. As exercise can maintain weight control, boost the immune system, and lower blood estrogen levels, fi nding treatment and early detection matters; therefore, all funds raised will go towards breast cancer research. Let’s continue to fi ght to save lives!

THETA BETA OMEGA

NEW BERN, N.C.

SOARING TO THE POLLS On Saturday, October 29, Theta Beta Omega Chapter in conjunction with Divine 9 organizations, and social, civic, and community groups held the “Stroll to the Polls-Get Out To Vote” event in New Bern, N.C. Aligning with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated’s® Advocate for Social Justice Initiative, chapter members “strolled” to the polls to cast their votes for local, regional and state candidates. Theta Beta Omega Chapter sorors and community residents enjoyed an afternoon of music, games, food and fellowship after voting.

ZETA OMICRON OMEGA

KINSTON, NC

FIRST ANNUAL GREEK PICNIC Zeta Omicron Omega held the fi rst annual Lenoir County Pan Hellenic Greek Picnic on September 17, 2022 in Kinston, NC. Divine Nine organizations collected school supplies which were donated to Rochelle Middle School. Zeta Omicron Omega disseminated voter registration materials to encourage everyone to get out the vote. nated to Omega als to

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ZETA PI OMEGA

Fayetteville, N.C.

Pink Power at the Polls! Fayetteville, NC - Members of the Zeta Pi Omega Chapter and Delta Alpha Chapter of Fayetteville State University joined forces to promote early voting at the Smith Recreation Center polling site on September 22, 2022. Participants handed out voting information and provided refreshments. The chapters served Fayetteville and surrounding communities by boosting voter turnout in the midterm elections.