The parthenon 2017

PARTHENON The

A Lifestyle Magazine

WE ARE FAMILY

Blessed and Highly Favored

Vol: 1 | Issue: 1 | Fall 2017

Judith

Presley From Surviving to Thriving

Kicking off Parthenon's 30th Year Daughters of Destiny

FEATURES

VOL: 1 | ISSUE: 1 | FALL 2017

A LIFESTYLE 7 PARTHENON MEMBERS

photography by GARY LAYDA

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19 DELEGATION

Serve, Inspire, and Lead!

To Jamaica II

13 CHAPTER SHEROES Recognized at the 40th Central Area Conference

22 GIRLTREK Stages a #StressProtest In The Mountains

15 A LINK'S PERSPECTIVE On Leadership

28 GORDON PARKS EXHIBITION

The Nia House Montessori School

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CONTENTS

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VOL: 1 | ISSUE: 1 | FALL 2017

37

49

56

Welcome p.5 • Thank You p.6 • Gwendolyn B. Lee, Ph.D. p.8

30

Daugthers of Destiny

37

Project Crowning Glory

61

Tablescaping with Style

63

Born a Crime

64

Emergency Preparedness

65

How Nashville Became

69

The Parthenon

72

Belmont

75

We are Family

Our Future Leaders

Book Review

Celebration of Beauty, Strength, and Resilience 41

Securing and Protecting The People We Love

Friendships

Enrich Your Life and Improve Your Health 45

60 is the New 30

49

Happy Retirement

54

Christmas Goes Pink

Music City 32

Judith Presley

From Surviving to Thriving

Mama Collier!

Meharry Medical College Convenes Cancer Coalition 56

5 Travel Tips From

A Gallivanting Link

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Centennial Park's Centerpiece

Celebrates Diversity Week On Cover: Dr. Judith “Judy” Presley

Blessed and Highly Favored

THE

PARTHENON PUBLISHER

EIC​/CREATIVE DIRECTOR​ Genma Stringer Holmes

PRESIDENT

Jan-Néé Sheats-Mathis, D.M.D.

ART DIRECTOR Detric Stanciel

PHOTOGRAPHY

2006 Metro Government of Nashville/Gary Layda ​Tina B.​ Belmont University ​Ora Bransford​ C-Suite Pics Photography​ ​Facebook​ ​Daphne Ferguson-Young, D.D.S.​ ​Shellee Fischer Bree Gant Genma Stringer Holmes Ms. Dig Photography NIA House Montessori School Lucius Outlaw, Ph.D. Vando Rogers​ VisitMusicCity.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Gwendolyn B. Lee, Ph.D. ​ Belmont University ​ Ora Bransford Phyllis Cain ​ Daphne Ferguson-Young, D.D.S. ​ Gwen Harris Genma Stringer Holmes ​ Mayo Clinic Staff​ Michael Malone, M.D. Charlotte Mann Jan-Néé Sheats-Mathis, D.M.D ​ Veonie McKinnie​ Valencia McShan, D.D.S. Nashville Life Style​ Sedrik Newbern ​Derrick ​Scott VisitMusicCity.com

THANK YOU​

​ arsha McFadden​, ​Hawaii' (​HI​​) Chapter​ ​ M Jacqueline Coy Gist, Windy City (IL) Chapter (Accessories) Kara Thompson, Buckhead-Cascade (GA) Chapter​ (Cover Bling) Wesley Paine Roja Gabriel Simmons (Cover) ​Dante' for Giorgio Armani at Cool Spring's Dillards ​ Special thanks to our sponsors, program collaborators, community partners, table hosts and in-kind donors for supporting the Parthenon (TN) Chapter's 30th Anniversary activities and events.

Jan-Néé Sheats-Mathis, D.M.D

Welcome to the Inaugural Issue of The Parthenon Magazine! We want to share insights about The Parthenon (TN) chapter of The Links, Incorporated as we celebrate our 30th Anniversary. Over the past 30 years, we have focused on creating transformational programming and impacting communities across Middle Tennessee.

Being a member of The Links, Incorporated is a delicate balance of friendship and service. The Parthenon (TN) Chapter was chartered on June 18, 1988.

Our charter members implemented Project LEAD: High Expectations. Today, many of the initial participants are now community leaders, educators and administrators. Chapter members participated in the Kettering Foundation’s “Closing the Achievement Gap” forums and continue to offer personal tutoring and mentoring of young girls and boys. All of our program facets have worked together to partner with youth organizations, such as the Daughters of Destiny. Our service with this faith-based organization has exposed young girls to programming around the STEAM disciplines, the arts, health and wellness, self-esteem, bullying, etiquette, and overall development.

The Parthenon (TN) Chapter has also developed programs such as Project O.P.E.R.A. and Project Crowning Glory to align with the national initiatives of The Links, Incorporated. In addition to these signature programs, we have taken a hands-on approach in supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the Nashville area. The chapter also supports international efforts in Haiti, Jamaica and other countries as well.

Members of Parthenon (TN) Chapter are an intergenerational mix of dynamic women from different personal and professional backgrounds. Our common goal of friendship and service has enabled us the opportunity to work together to serve our community with passion and conviction. This magazine reflects the spirit in which we lead, live and serve. You will be enlightened. You will be intrigued. You will be inspired as we share stories of survival, discuss living your life to the fullest and share updates on what is happening in Nashville, as well as our lives. I hope that you will enjoy our magazine--and again, welcome into our home!

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words from ​ my ​ elders in my family and ​ wise​ Link sisters​​are shared often with Links across the country who call for advice dealing with social media issues that are causing them conniptions behind the emerald green curtain known as a Link's computer screen. "If it doesn't kill you, it will make you stronger," I spout as we walk through the issue of the day. From those calls over the last several years, I have grown to cherish being in unity with the mission and vision of our sisterhood. I love to see the p​ ower​of a positive word uplifting the spirit of a sister who may be going through a rough time on the other end of the call. In my role, I see firsthand how quickly kindness can change an attitude and how fast a consensus can be reached when members are working ​together ​​for​the greater good of the organization. I have seen how much can be accomplished when the focus is not on problems but on solutions. I have also learned to "l​et go and let God." Not every situation is for me to try to solve, mend or fix. How is that for growth and maturity?

THANK YOU PARTHENON!

by GENMA STRINGER HOLMES

I was born and raised in Mississippi. My grandmother, my mother and aunts are still my go to counselors and greatest supporters. Being the oldest of my parents​'​four daughters, my cup runneth over with sisters. ​Thanks to my aunts, I have sister-cousins far and wide. I​ n my family, the entire clan keeps me grounded and c​ onstantly reminds​​ me ​who I am and Whose I am.

Shortly after I became a member of the Parthenon (TN) Chapter, I began serving ​quietly ​at the Area level then joined ​the ​National communications team. To my surprise, I gained several grandmother figures, a few extra moms, 30 plus aunts and quite a number of sisters.

Over the years, those relationships ​have deepened into friendships that are more than I ever hoped or imagined.

Since becoming a member of the National communications team,

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With a fire-hose ready when ​a call or text message is received​​​​​ , I have gained tremendous insights into what makes us click as people, treasuring relationships, valuing self-worth and a g​ reater​ appreciation for friendships, old and new. From the White House to the Rocky Mountains to Honolulu to Alaska to New York to Jackson, Mississippi to Chicago to Miami to Ft. Worth and everywhere in between, there are multitudes of Links who are up at five in the morning ready to start the day with a meaningful word with me. And through the beauty of God, communications and social media related calls have shifted to prayer calls for ill family members, calls of encouragement, calls to congratulate or share good news and calls to invite me on ventures that ​have ​created memories that will last a lifetime.

None of the work over the last few years has been in vain even when the load seemed extra heavy at times. My ventures in The Links have kept my 96 year old grandmother thoroughly entertained and engaged in life. Whenever I share a story that​ starts ​with "Mother, ​you ​are ​never going to believe this​,​​​"​ that​ highlights Link encounters, she looks heavenly ​smiling ​and says, "Won't He do it. Chile, you better thank them women in Parthenon." If my grandmother says it, you better do it. Thank you Parthenon!

PARTHENON MEMBERS

SERVE, INSPIRE, & LEAD!

by VEONIE MCKINNIE

We are are influential decision makers and opinion leaders. The Chapter has attracted many women who are individual achievers and have made a difference in our city, state, area, and across the country. Our members are business and civic leaders, role models, mentors, activists and volunteers who work towards a common vision by engaging like-minded organizations and individuals for partnerships in city. We are Linked in Friendship, Connected in Service.

Here are a few of our sisters on the move this year:

Cathy Bender was inducted into the Vanderbilt University's Sports Hall of Fame.

Jan-Néé Sheats-Mathis, D.M.D. of Sheats Endodontic Group was recognized as one of Nashville Lifestyles Top Dentists in 2017.

Daphne Ferguson Young, D.D.S. was admitted as a fellow to the pregtious International College of Denists.

Genma Stringer Holmes has won several regional and national communication awards for The Links, Incorporated and The Ohio State University.

Veonie McKinnie was honored as "Woman of The Year" at Lee Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church.

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We all know May Alice Ridley, PhD doesn’t just look around and see things that need attention. She takes action. We all saw the same things that May Alice saw. There were jobs that needed to be done, problems that needed to be solved, and as we looked at those things and thought about our busy lives, we most likely said to ourselves, “Somebody will take care of that.” We meant well but we just didn’t get around to doing anything. May Alice was the person who did something.

When we look at the Parthenon Chapter, which was only a dream thirty years ago, many of us on the National level were in the camp that said “We really do need another chapter in Middle Tennessee that could meet the Economic, Health, and Educational needs of the African American Community. There were a lot of people that needed our help and somebody needed to do something. “Well, that somebody was May Alice Ridley. She saw possibilities and took action where the rest of us saw need with no action. She saw opportunity where the rest of us saw a few problems. She didn’t say, “Let somebody else do it.” She said, “I’ll take that on.”

Gwendolyn B. Lee, Ph.D. 14th National President

With the speed of the Energizer Bunny, May Alice started talking to possible members and raising money. All of May Alice’s talk and enthusiasm gave the prospective members what they needed most – and that was leadership.

She was the quarterback in a drive that took the Parthenon Chapter from a dream to a reality….the reality that this fine chapter will enjoy for many years to come.

So May Alice, on behalf of myself and the Middle Tennessee communities that your chapter serves, I’d like to say thanks for being a woman of action and not just words. You got the Parthenon Chapter started, rallying many people to work together to complete the task. It would never have happened if it had not been for you.

Happy Thirtieth Anniversary!

With Love, Your Friend,

Gwendolyn Lee 14th National President Thee Links, Incorporated

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May Alice Ridley, Ph.D. Chapter Organizer

Flourish Conference for Women in Leadership is proud to support The Links, Incorporated.

Our missions are aligned.

Kudos, to The Links, Incorporated for creating a space for some of the country’s most iconic women of color as they build upon existing successes in business and in life.

We are always “Linked in Friendship, Connected in Service.”

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GREETINGS THE PARTHENON (TN) CHAPTER 30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

It gives me great joy to bring greetings and well wishes to the Parthenon (TN) Chapter from members of The Links, Incorporated throughout the Central Area in honor of its 30th anniversary.

For three decades the Parthenon (TN) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated has steadfastly served, inspired hope and led with grace.

The 30th Anniversary is typically celebrated in a traditional manner with the pearl and in a contemporary fashion with the diamond. The attributes of these precious gemstones are reflective of: strong relationships, the safeguard of children, a courageous spirit, self-respect and abiding love.

The Parthenon (TN) Chapter’s intergenerational membership demonstrates all of these characteristics through its deep commitment to the Nashville community. As a chapter of dynamic, professional women - you gracefully function as role models to young girls, support survivors of cancer, encourage members of the military and veterans, and implement innovative programming to make a positive and lasting difference in your community.

For 30 years, you have been influential and successful in transforming many lives in Middle Tennessee establishing a legacy of excellence. The members of Parthenon are truly gems in the Crown Jewel of The Links, Incorporated. It is an honor to recognize the chapter for its accomplishments past, present and for those accomplishments yet to come.

I congratulate you on 30 years of friendship and service and look forward to your continued legacy of commitment to serving, inspiring and leading within your community.

Glenda Masingale Manson 19th Central Area Director

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The first major exhibition to explore the various ways American artists responded to the First World War.

October 6–January 21

Organized by the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

World War I and American Art at PAFA was made possible in part by major grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human endeavor, and from the Henry Luce Foundation. The PAFA Presenting Sponsor for this exhibition is the Exelon Foundation and PECO.

Downtown Nashville 919 Broadway Nashville, TN 37203 fristcenter.org/wwi #WWIFCVA

The Frist Center is supported in part by the FRIENDS OF AMERICAN ART and

Childe Hassam (1859–1935). Early Morning on the Avenue in May 1917, 1917. Oil on canvas, 30 1/8 x 361/8 in. Addison Gallery of American Art, Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts, Bequest of Candace C. Stimson, 1944.20. Photo: Addison Gallery of American Art, Phillips Academy, Andover/Art Resource, NY

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Sharon Carter, D.D.S pictured with The Links, Incorporated National President, Glenda Newell-Harris, M.D. and 19th Central Area Director, Glenda Masingale Manson

Chapter Sheroes Recognized at 40th Central Area Conference

by GENMA STRINGER HOLMES

The 40th Area Conference of the Central Area of The Links, Incorporated convened in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Area June 7-11, 2017. During the conference, Nashville Sheroes were recognized for their unwavering service to our country.

Daphne Ferguson Young, D.D.S. (Army); Sharon Carter, D.D.S. (Navy); LoLita Toney (Army); and Rosetta Miller Perry (Navy) were honored at the Civic Luncheon along with twenty-three other women veterans and active duty members as part of an initiative of the 19th Area Director, Glenda Masingale Manson titled Honoring Our Sheroes.

Manson kicked off her administration at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts where she honored the Central Area's first Link Sheroe, Lt. Colonel Ferguson Young, in October 2015 at the Frist Center for The Visual Arts.

After the successful launch of the Central Area's initiative, The Links Incorporated launched a social media campaign, #LinkSheroes, during Veterans Month by recognizing members who are veterans or in the military who protect

and guard our liberties and freedoms around the globe.

In respect of their leadership, The Links highlighted their military service. The social media campaign spotlighted members from all branches of the United States military and shared the rich history of African-American women who have served our country. The campaign was picked up by media outlets throughout the country and on military bases and has been recognized by several national organizations for awards including an "Excellence in Communications" by IABC (International Association of Business Communicators.)

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, "Women have served in the U.S. Armed Forces since the Revolutionary War, but their numbers paled compared with their male counterparts. Today, there are more than two million women veterans across the United States.

They represent more than 9 percent of all living veterans and are one of the fastest-growing segments of the veteran The Parthenon • Fall 2017

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Rosetta Miller Perry

Colonel Angela Steward, Genma Stringer Holms, and Lt. Colonel Natalie H. Dixon

population. They are expected to be almost 18 percent of the total veteran population by 2040 and already comprise 20 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans." What is often not acknowledge is the role of African Americans who have served, especially African-American women.

“We want to acknowledge our sisters w​ith​military backgrounds and their families. We are very proud of them and the sacrifices they have made for our country. We must never take our freedoms for granted nor the women who helped fight for those freedoms," stated Glenda NewellHarris, M.D., 16th National President of The Links, Incorporated.

Manson, the daughter of a Montford Point Marine, stated, “Our patriotism is not often reflected in media stories. The Links, Incorporated is changing that narrative by starting within our organization with our sisters who are serving or have served our country."

LoLita Toney

The Parthenon (TN) Chapter and the Music City (TN) Chapter were also recognized for their on going support of communities Sheroes and for being pilot chapters of the Honoring Our Sheroes initiative. Dr. Janice Garnett, the Central Area National Trends and Services, Chair, facilitated the honors. Also in attendance was Genma Stringer Holmes, National Social Media Manger for The Links, who created the social media campaign.

Young, Carter and Toney are members of the Parhenon (TN) Chapter and Miller Perry is an Alumna member of the Hendersonville Area (TN) Chapter.

Reprinted from Tennessee Tribune Lt. Colonel Daphne Ferguson Young

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A LINK’S PERSPECTIVE

ON LEADERSHIP

“Every great dream begins with a dream.

Always remember you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world”.

Harriet Tubman

by DAPHNE FERGUSON-YOUNG, D.D.S.

The Links, Incorporated dream started on November 9, 1946 when two friends decided that an organization based on friendship and service could positively impact their communities. Founder Margaret Roselle Hawkins, a natural born leader from high school, who lead an effort for the black students to attend the annual prom which was promptly cancelled by the school’s administrators and Sarah Strickland Scott whose career was dedicated to mentoring and guiding young people joined forces with their perspective passions. No one could have envisioned that a small group of highly educated African American women comprised of two co-founders and seven members would plant a small seed in Philadelphia. Moreover, that small seed would explode to become a highly respected and international non-profit organization with a membership over 15,000 professional women of color, 283 chapters located in many of communities in the United States, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

What is even more remarkable is that The Links, Incorporated members have donated over one million service hours.

Margaret Roselle Hawkins

These accomplishments would not have been possible and successful if not for the leadership skills of its members. It does not take a fancy title, office with a view or your name on every “A” list global invite to have the type of international impact that The Links have had over the last seventy one years. It does, however, take commitment, vision, patience, hard work, outside of the box thinking, stretching of the comfort zone and fearless actions.

The Links, Incorporated is not based on one type of leadership style. According to the Center of Association Leadership, there are eight common leadership styles:

Sarah Strickland Scott

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“Linked in Friendship, Connected In Service” is more than a motto for us; it is a code that with each unbroken link, we indeed stand strong. United.

Together!

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Charismatic Innovative Command and Control Laissez-Faire Pace Setter Servant Situational Transformational

With an organization consisting of leaders in their careers of: education, politics, media, healthcare, providers, engineering, legal, paraprofessional, entrepreneurship, writers, advocates and activists, to name a few; we each have learned to master the art of leading a team. We each realize that with the opportunity of leadership, we have to fit a leadership style with the goals and the objectives of the program at hand. And we must be able to learn from one another. Every member of The Links is important and critical for the success of all of our global initiatives.

“Linked in Friendship, Connected In Service” is more than a motto for us; it is a code that with each unbroken link, we

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indeed stand strong. United. Together!

I value my “LINK’ in the chain as I know I can contribute to the success of all of our initiatives, global programs, and key facets; not only in my beloved chapter and the Area conference but nationally. I am a leader individually but bonded together with my fellow Link sisters, together WE are powerful!

In closing, I value my membership with the Parthenon (TN) Chapter. I have had the opportunity to work and learn from some of the most accomplished sisters in Nashville, The Central Area and around the country. They are the "movers and shakers" in politics, finances, medicine, media, education, philanthropy and entrepreneurship. They each have their own individual style of leading. Together, we have made our mark in the community. As we prepare to celebrate thirty years of service to our community, we will not stop to rest on our laurels but move forward to do as Harriet Tubman stated, “ to reach for the stars and change our community” as our founders had envisioned in 1946.

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662.392.0695 | dstanciel@nine23studios.com

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The Parthenon • Fall 2017

DELEGATION TO JAMAICA II

by DERRICK SCOTT

Washington, DC – Cornwall Regional Hospital and three schools in Montego Bay, Jamaica benefitted from a working visit by US-based The Links, Incorporated, from January 24 – 28, 2017.

Armed with art supplies, technology equipment, oral health care kits, and a mission to transform communities, a 120-member strong delegation from the friendship and service organization of African-American women, arrived in Western Jamaica for a four day mission trip to build lasting partnerships that enhanced the health, welfare and future of the island’s schools and medical communities.

Mt. Zion Primary School, Watford Hill

Primary School and St. Mary’s Preparatory School were among Montego Bay organizations that were served with tangible resources and hands-on engagement.

The visit was The Links’ second trip to Jamaica and part of a three-pronged Global Linkage Initiative slated for completion in 2018.

The delegation was led by the organization’s president, a medical doctor, Dr. Glenda Newell-Harris.

"Our organization’s goal was to extend this partnership with our Jamaican colleagues and leave them with programming that is integrative, sustainable and transformational,” said Newell-Harris, the first physician to lead the 70-year old organization. “With their help, we hope to make a collective and long-term on-the-ground impact to empower and invigorate Montego Bay, especially the educational and health care communities.”

The delegation included Links in the medical field, healthcare profession-

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als, educators and executives of Fortune 500 companies who worked to assess the needs and wants of each group, determining the best way the organization can provide ongoing assistance.

During the trip, members opened a new library, delivered educational curricula, trained teachers, parents, and provided computer tablets to students.

Colgate Palmolive offered dental education and provided on-site dental care.

They also made available over 2,000 free oral health kits. Other sponsors include AARP and 3M. “I’m very pleased to have Colgate Bright Smiles Bright Futures join The Links delegation to give dental screenings to needy children,” said Clarice Taylor, Worldwide Director at Colgate. “We’ll also have classroom education and games to help children learn about good, dental hygiene practices. We are aiming for happy kids and healthier smiles.”

Dr. Newell-Harris also led the delegation to Cornwall Regional Hospital to distribute hygiene kits and made a special monetary presentation. Through the generosity of the organization’s local chapters, the technology needs of the three schools were met. The members worked, assisted and taught the students and their families. They hoped they left Jamaica a little better than they found it.

The Parthenon (TN) Chapter was proudly represented by Daphne Ferguson Young, D.D.S. who traveled with members of The Links, Incorporated for its second mission trip to Jamaica. Dr. Young will be accompanying the Jamaica III delegation in 2018.

The Links, Incorporated is featured in the August issue of Ebony Magazine in an ​ advertorial about the long-standing national program partner Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures.

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From the published article: National Dental Association dentists were also part of a Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures contingent that supported The Links, Incorporated’s Global Linkages Initiative by providing free dental screenings and oral health education to more than 1,200 at three elementary schools in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

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GirlTrek

Stages a #StressProtest in the Mountains

by GENMA STRINGER HOLMES

On Labor Day Weekend, hundreds of sisters staged a #StressProtest in the mountains of Colorado.

We spent the weekend reflecting, Members of GirlTrek and The Links, Incorporated flew to the Rocky being nurtured, resting our weary souls, rejoicing at the breathtaking Mountains from all over the world! views, absorbing the serenity of the There are no words to describe accurately the magic that happened on mountainside and relishing in the peace and tranquility found at Estes that mountaintop.

Park's YMCA. I hope some of our favorite photos captured the awe and wonderment of Black women united with a purpose to be whole and healthy. In the spring of 2018, the Parthenon Links will be joining 100,000 Black women who are taking charge of

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their health by facilitating a 30 Day #StressProtest as part of our year long 30th Anniversary activities.

We are inviting Link Chapters in our cluster and the state as well other women groups to join us as we link in friendship and walk to address the stressors

of life that may be self-inflicted, environmental, work related or relational that can take an enormous toll on our physical and mental health.

We are determined to be advocates for our personal

health, mind, and body, first, and partner with other organizations who are determined to be change agents in our community for our sisters' health and well being. To learn more about GirlTrek and this national health movement for Black women and girls, go to www.girltrek.org.

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CONGRATULATIONS!

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Gordon PARKS EXHIBITION

The Nia House Montessori School is a source of pride in the Nashville Area! Several Parthenon Links are volunteers at the four year old Montessori and are advocates in the community for the students who are talented beyond their years.

At the 40th Area Conference, photos from their well publicized Gordon Parks Exhibition were on display at the Area's Art Gallery that featured photography from school children ages 7-17 from around the Central Area! We are so proud of our artists-in-residence and their artistic work that represented our chapter, Nashville and Tennessee.

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DAUGHTERS of DESTINY

by GWEN HARRIS

Our chapter's Service to Youth Facet has worked with a faith based female youth group, Daughters of Destiny, for four consecutive years. The Daughters of Destiny is committed to service, leadership and education while putting God first in the lives of young girls who ages range from 6 to 22 years.

For the first three years, members of the Parthenon (TN) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated shared the program activities with the church program. However, during the 2017-2018 program year, The Links will have its own Saturday. Three hours every fourth Saturday of the month, all facets will be engaged to help shaped the lives of future young women leaders of tomorrow from our community.

Each facet sponsors or co-sponsors a monthly activity that integrates our transformational programming. Previously,

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there were eight calendar meetings with three months off for summer vacation and one month off for Christmas vacation. The programs for the 2017- 2018 year will be 12 months.

Members of the chapter are rolling up their sleeves to provide hands on guidance and solutions to steer young girls away from systemic issues like low graduation rates and economic hardships. The chapter members are working alongside leaders in the community to address poverty, crime rates and lack of access to healthcare that have engulfed certain areas of Nashville.

With the backing of The Links, Incorporated national programming initiatives like STEAM Education, HBCU Initiatives, and mentoring, The Parthenon Links have

During the 2016-2017 program year, the members of the chapters continued their hands-on activities with the Daughters of Destiny. Here are a few of the educational and transformational programs that were enriching and rewarding to the young girls as well as the members: Marched in King’s Day Parade and attended King’s Day Convocation at Tennessee State University, participated in Black History Month Celebration, promoted health and wellness with meal planning while stressing the importance of learning the value of exercise early in life.

seen steady gains with each passing year. The Daughters of Destiny have had many outings that have included exposure to the arts, higher education, and careers in science.

By being in engaged and exposing Daughters of Destiny to educational programs and activities, Parthenon Links hope to highlight the importance of education and mentoring while simultaneously celebrating the rich heritage and culture of Africa Americans in our country and exploring the African diaspora globally. In addition to Saturday workshops, here are a few of the activities, events, and programs attended during the 2015-2016 program year: Attended the Martin Luther King. Jr., concert with the Nashville Symphony, marched in Nashville King Day Parade, participated in Black History Month Bowl, participated in Walk with A Doctor walk-a-thon, visited The Carl Van Vechten Gallery, attended the Black Women Agenda’s program, and International Students Day on Fisk University’s Campus.

The Daughters of Destiny continued their exposure to college by participating in several STEAM workshops at Fisk with the renowned scientist, Dr. Ken Wallace, and spent the weekend at Fisk University where honor students were their hosts. They visited The Carl Van Vechten Gallery, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts and the Muhammad Ali Center to help further their interests in the Arts and History.

To show how much fun education can be and showcase the sky is the limit thinking for Black women and their career choices, Dr. Wallace taught the Daughters of Destiny how to fly a plane with a flight simulator. With awe and wonderment, the girls learned to communicate with air traffic controllers, take off and land, and how to work together as pilots and co-pilots.

Additionally, members helped the Daughters of Destiny create fascinators to wear, taught luncheon etiquette and planned a Mother Daughter Tea program to celebrate mothers, grandmothers and motherhood.

To celebrate an uplifting year, families and friends were invited to an end of the summer picnic and swim party. What is next? We kicked off our 2017-2018 program year focusing on Childhood Obesity. The Daughters of Destiny will also participate in our Christmas Goes Pink Cancer Survivor Breakfast and Program. As members look back on the last several years of mentoring the young ladies, many have noticed how the girls have grown physically and mentally but also how much spending time with the Daughters of Destiny has helped our members become closer in harmony and in spirit.

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Judith Presley

From Surviving to Thriving

by SEDRIK NEWBERN​

W

hen Dr. Maya Angelou penned “Phenomenal Women”, she was describing my mom and your friend, Dr. Judith “Judy” Presley. The stanza that sums up my mother states, “Now you understand just why my head’s not bowed.

I don’t shout or jump about or have to talk real loud. When you see me passing, it ought to make you proud.” To know her story, you would understand why she would make you proud too.

My mom came from very humble beginnings in Lexington, TN, a small town in west Tennessee. To go from picking cotton and cleaning houses to a college professor and advocate for breast cancer survivors and support groups, doesn’t happen without faith, determination and support. Because of these qualities, her life is truly a story of going from survivor to thriving.

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As her only child, I watched how hard she worked as a single mom for 13 years to provide for me and ensure that I had a quality education. She also made sure I had the right support system in place to encourage and guide me as a young man.

I didn’t understand why she kept me so involved, but now I understand that was just one of her ways to protect me and keep me from becoming a statistic.

This is just who she is! She is selfless and giving. She supports the marginalized and the disenfranchised. She shows up to love even those who don’t love her back. She is the ultimate encourager even when she needs encouraging herself. She makes an impact on others who may never know who she is or even what she did to make their lives better. That’s what

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makes her life story less about what has happened to her, and more about how she reacts to it.

This is why knew breast cancer wouldn’t define her. Instead, it became another motivation for her to make a difference. She quietly beat the disease and then set out to encourage other women, in particular African American women, as a speaker at various organizations and support groups. In the last ten years, I can only imagine the countless number of women who made the decision to get screened or who found hope in my mom’s encouraging words.

My mom is my hero… not just because of what she has overcome, but because her head has never bowed and because she makes me so proud.

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AT THE 40TH AREA CONFERENCE, THE PARTHENON CHAPTER RECEIVED SEVERAL

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The Parthenon • Fall 2017

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PROJECT CROWNING GLORY:

CELEBRATION OF BEAUTY, STRENGTH, AND RESILIENCE

by JAN-NÉÉ SHEATS-MATHIS, D.M.D

Project Crowning Glory grew out of the passion and vision of the Parthenon (TN) Chapter to strengthen the bonds of sisterhood, friendship and service. The initial goal was to address the unmet needs of African American women living with cancer, as well as those women who survived cancer.

In 2009, Parthenon Links collected 150 wigs for female African American cancer patients and survivors. After the successful wig drive, the chapter invited the Nashville Cluster to participate and entitled the joint activity as Links Helping Cancer Patients. Over 500 new and gently used wigs designed for African American women were collected and

a wig distribution center was established to provide cancer patients with wigs at no cost.

Former chapter member, Freida Outlaw, added an educational component by collaborating with Meharry Medical College and Tennessee State University to host a community luncheon and educational forum focusing on breast cancer awareness. Dr. Patricia K. Bradley, Ph.D., RN., an Associate Professor at Villanova University, was the featured speaker for the forum entitled “Getting Connected: African Americans Living Beyond Breast Cancer.” The forum explored how women, especially African American women, The Parthenon • Fall 2017

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are affected by the psychological impact of cancer. The success of these projects led to the creation of The Parthenon (TN) Chapter's umbrella program, Project Crowning Glory.

The members commitment to sisterhood extended to the community. Thirteen women were recruited to participate in Project Crowning Glory. One weekend in the spring of 2010, several cancer patients were treated to high fashion makeovers and an exclusive photographic session. It was as if they had each spent a day at the spa. The photographs, which were taken by acclaimed photographer,​ Dr. Lucius Outlaw​, truly captured the beauty, strength and resilience of each woman.

The women came from all walks of life.

Although they ranged from 30 to 85 years of age, each was affected by cancer in a profound way. Regardless of their differences, the women formed a bond that they had never experienced before. The photo shoot transformation experienced by the women, and members, was not physically but mentally and spiritually.

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Project Crowning Glory: A Celebration of Beauty, Strength and Resilience puts a face of color on cancer.

The survivors were wives, mothers, sisters and friends.

It encouraged members and women in the community to reach out and share their journey as both a supporter and a friend.

The Parthenon Links have continued to engage with, and involve, the community in our efforts to educate Middle Tennesseans about cancer.

We were awarded a grant from Susan G. Komen to display the framed portraits, which are featured in color, black and white and sepia tones, at Matthew Walker Comprehensive ​Health Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center Hospital and Vanderbilt Health at One Hundred Oaks, Fisk University, and at Meharry Medical College respectively.

“Getting Connected: African Americans Living Beyond Breast Cancer.”

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The Parthenon • Fall 2017

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FRIENDSHIPS

ENRICH YOUR LIFE AND IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH

D

by MAYO CLINIC STAFF

Discover the connection between health and friendship, and how to promote and maintain healthy friendships.

Friendships can have a major impact on your health and well-being, but it's not always easy to build or maintain friendships. Understand the importance of friendships in your life and what you can do to develop and nurture friendships.

What are the benefits of friendships?

Good friends are good for your health. Friends can help you celebrate good times and provide support during bad times. Friends prevent loneliness and give you a chance to offer needed companionship, too. Friends can also: • Increase your sense of belonging and purpose • Boost your happiness and reduce your stress • Improve your self-confidence and self-worth • Help you cope with traumas, such as divorce, serious illness, job loss or the death of a loved one

• Encourage you to change or avoid unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as excessive drinking or lack of exercise Friends also play a significant role in promoting your overall health. Adults with strong social support have a reduced risk of many significant health problems, including depression, high blood pressure and an unhealthy body mass index (BMI). Studies have even found that older adults with a rich social life are likely to live longer than their peers with fewer connections.

Why is it sometimes hard to make friends or maintain friendships?

Many adults find it hard to develop new friendships or keep up existing friendships. Friendships may take a back seat to other priorities, such as work or caring for children or aging parents. You and your friends may have grown apart due to changes in your lives or interests. Or maybe you've moved to a new community and haven't yet found a way to meet people.

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Developing and maintaining good friendships takes effort. The enjoyment and comfort friendship can provide, however, makes the investment worthwhile.

What's a healthy number of friends?

Quality counts more than quantity. While it's good to cultivate a diverse network of friends and acquaintances, you also want to nurture a few truly close friends who will be there for you through thick and thin.

What are some ways to meet new people?

It's possible that you've overlooked potential friends who are already in your social network. Think through people you've interacted with — even very casually — who made a positive impression.

You may find potential friends among people with whom: • You've worked or taken classes • You've been friends in the past, but have since lost touch • You've enjoyed chatting with at social gatherings • You share family ties If anyone stands out in your memory as someone you'd like to know better, reach out. Ask mutual friends or acquaintances to share the person's contact information, or — even better — to reintroduce the two of you with a text, email or in-person visit. Extend an invitation to coffee or lunch.

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have to go to places where others are gathered. Don't limit yourself to one strategy for meeting people. The broader your efforts, the greater your likelihood of success.

Persistence also matters. Take the initiative rather than waiting for invitations to come your way, and keep trying.

You may need to suggest plans a few times before you can tell if your interest in a new friend is mutual.

For example, try several of these ideas: • Attend community events. Look for groups or clubs that gather around an interest or hobby you share. These groups are often listed in the newspaper or on community bulletin boards. There are also many websites that help you connect with new friends in your neighborhood or city. Do a Google search using terms such as [your city] + social network, or [your neighborhood] + meet-ups.

• Volunteer. Offer your time or talents at a hospital, place of worship, museum, community center, charitable group or other organization. You can form strong connections when you work with people who have mutual interests.

• Extend and accept invitations. Invite a friend to join you for coffee or lunch. When you're invited to a social gathering, say yes. Contact someone who recently invited you to an activity and return the favor.

• Take up a new interest. Take a college or community education course to meet people who have similar interests.

Join a class at a local gym, senior center or community fitness facility.

• Join a faith community. Take advantage of special activities and get-to-know-you events for new members.

• Take a walk. Grab your kids or pet and head outside.

Chat with neighbors who are also out and about or head to a popular park and strike up conversations there.

Above all, stay positive. You may not become friends with everyone you meet, but maintaining a friendly attitude and demeanor can help you improve the relationships in your life and sow the seeds of friendship with new acquaintances.

How does social media affect friendships?

Joining a chat group or online community might help you make or maintain connections and relieve loneliness.

However, research suggests that use of social networking sites doesn't necessarily translate to a larger offline network or closer offline relationships with network members. In addition, remember to exercise caution when sharing personal information or arranging an activity with someone you've only met online.

How can I nurture my friendships?

Developing and maintaining healthy friendships involves give-and-take. Sometimes you're the one giving support, and other times you're on the receiving end. Letting friends know you care about them and appreciate them can help strengthen your bond. It's as important for you to be a good friend as it is to surround yourself with good friends.

To nurture your friendships: • Be kind. This most-basic behavior, emphasized during childhood, remains the core of successful, adult relationships. Think of friendship as an emotional bank account. Every act of kindness and every expression of gratitude are deposits into this account, while criticism and negativity draw down the account.

• Listen up. Ask what's going on in your friends' lives.

Let the other person know you are paying close attention through eye contact, body language and occasional brief comments such as, "That sounds fun." When friends share details of hard times or difficult experiences, be empathetic, but don't give advice unless your friends ask for it.

• Open up. Build intimacy with your friends by opening up about yourself. Being willing to disclose personal experiences and concerns shows that your friend holds a special place in your life, and deepens your connection.

• Show that you can be trusted.

Being responsible, reliable and dependable is key to forming strong friendships.

Keep your engagements and arrive on time. Follow through on commitments you've made to your friends. When your friends share confidential information, keep it private.

• Make yourself available.

Building a close friendship takes time — together. Make an effort to see new friends regularly, and to check in with them in between meet-ups. You may feel awkward the first few times you talk on the phone or get together, but this feeling is likely to pass as you get more comfortable with each other.

• Manage your nerves with mindfulness. You may find yourself imagining the worst of social situations, and feel tempted to stay home. Use mindfulness exercises to reshape your thinking. Each time you imagine the worst, pay attention to how often the embarrassing situations you're afraid of actually take place. You may notice that the scenarios you fear usually don't happen. When embarrassing situations do happen, remind yourself that your feelings will pass, and you can handle them until they do. Yoga and other mind-body relaxation practices also may reduce anxiety and help you face situations that make you feel nervous.

Remember, it's never too late to build new friendships or reconnect with old friends. Investing time in making friends and strengthening your friendships can pay off in better health and a brighter outlook for years to come.

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AD

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The Parthenon • Fall 2017

60 is the New 30

by JAN-NÉÉ SHEATS-MATHIS, D.M.D.

JoAnn

The Parthenon (TN) Chapter has four members to retire in recent months. My plans are to turn them into chapter worker bees, but these women stay on the go! I was able to catch up with Deborah, Ingrid, JoAnn and Janice to talk about what retirement is like for each of them.

What is the best part of retirement so far?

Deborah: Enjoying family, friends and doing just what I want to do!

Ingrid: I enjoy taking my time getting dressed, or not, for the day and not having to rush into the office. Fall is my favorite season of the year, so to sit on my patio and read after a morning walk is truly a blessing.

Janice: Being able to enjoy the simple things in life I've taken for granted. I'm doing more of what brings me joy, which includes enjoying a cup of tea on my patio while watching the sun rise, taking a nature walk by Radnor Lake and enjoying the beauty of the surroundings. I am having a leisure lunch mid-week with lifetime friends at the newest opened restaurants in Nashville and am able

photo by MS. DIG PHOTOGRAPHY

to travel and make new friends in other countries.

Jo Ann: As Maxine Waters said, "I'm Reclaiming My Time."

What plans do you have?

Janice: I plan to travel to other parts of the world, enjoying its culture, food and the people. Since traveling to Kenya for the last few years, I have developed a greater appreciation for the life that I live here in the US. It has opened my eyes to the things in life that are most important. The awesome power of GOD and the love of family and friends. I have developed a close relationship with The Diani Children's Village located in Diani where I have visited on each trip to Kenya, donating food staples, clothing and financial resources.

I also planned art activities with dessert for the children and staff.

Ingrid: My plans are to travel with friends, visit family and friends more frequently, and volunteer at Fisk and at a social service agency.

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Feature Jo Ann: I plan to devote more time to my church, volunteer with a local nonprofit whose mission is to feed the underserved and travel.

Deborah: Traveling, working more in the community and just enjoying each new day. I am so happy that I no longer have to endure the rush hour traffic!

People say "60 is the new 30."

What does that mean to you?

Ingrid: “Sixty is the new 30� is a state of mind and that state of mind exists long before age 60. Even though Americans are living longer, a portion of that process begins with maintaining good eating habits, remaining physically active and possessing a positive mindset. As a result of this lifestyle, your body and mind reflect a wonderfully youthful

appearance. Deborah:  Enjoying life and having as much fun as possible. This is what I was doing at 30. Jo Ann: It means I have the stamina to keep it moving both mentally and physically at 60+. It is fun to see the expression of younger people I'm with when I share my age. They think I'm younger because I'm right there with them having as much fun as they are having!

Janice: Â At 63 years of age, I never imagined I would feel as good as I do and enjoy life so much more now than when I was working. I attribute this to mediation and prayer every morning, walking 3 to 4 times a week, eating a healthier diet and surrounding myself with positive people and positive things. I have less stress and more peace in my life. Yes, I feel 60 is the new 30, because I feel just as vibrant and alive as I did in my 30's.

Do you have any advice for anyone who is thinking about retirement?

Deborah: Life is short. Earlier, I wanted to work well beyond age 70 until I realized that the freedom to travel and see family and friends outweighed the daily work schedule. If it feels right and you are ready, just do it.

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Deborah

Janice: It is most important that you plan and begin planning early in your career for retirement.  Participate in your companies 401K or 457 plan and contribute as much money as you are able to contribute.  When you are given a raise, allow those funds to be transferred into your retirement fund. Invest in long-term care insurance which will assist your family with your care in the event you become unable to care for yourself. Pay off any and all credit cards if you have not prior to retiring.  It will free up more expendable cash. Establish an emergency fund account for unplanned incidentals. Planning adequately ahead will allow you to enjoy a stress free and happy retirement.

Ingrid: Preparing for retirement begins long before one actually retires. It is imperative to financially prepare by paying off bills, downsizing or making repairs to your living space and adding to your retirement funds and saving accounts. Entering retirement with the least amount of debt and living concerns will make retirement a smooth transition and a welcome relief.

Jo Ann: Pray for guidance before you make your decision. Recognize when it is time to pass the baton to others and have no regrets because you deserve itđ&#x;’š.

Deborah Broadwater is from Birmingham, Alabama.

She graduated from Spelman College and received her Master’s Degree from Atlanta University (now Clark Atlanta University). She retired from Vanderbilt University after 27 years. She was the Associate Director of the Eskind Biomedical Library. Deborah has been married to Ernest for over 45 years and has 2 sons and 2 grandchildren. She has lived in Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Pittsburgh and finally Nashville.

Ingrid Collier is from Atlanta, Georgia. She graduated from Fisk University and received her Master’s degree from Tennessee State University. She retired from Fisk University after 20 years.

Where she was the Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Management and Dean of Women.

Ingrid has 4 daughters and 7 grandchildren, including a set of quadruplet boys.

Jo Ann Davis-Davis is from Hermitage, Tennessee.

She graduated from Tennessee State University. She retired from Tennessee State Employees Association as a Legal Services Manager and Lobbyist after 33 years.

photo by TINA B.

Janice Woodard is from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She graduated from Dillard University. She retired from Nashville Electric Service as a Senior Utility Official after 37 years.

She handled Platinum Level Clients and provided consulting services involving energy efficiency, electric vehicles, power quality issues, understanding power rates, revenue allowance calculations and power contracts. Janice has one daughter.

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The Parthenon • Fall 2017

HAPPY RETIREMENT

MAMA COLLIER

W

by MICHAEL MALONE, M.D.

When I was asked to pen an article about Mrs. Collier to celebrate her retirement, I was elated! But I quickly realized as ​started writing​, I could not share about her many accolades and career accomplishments without sharing how she has personally impacted me as a young would-be-doctor even before I became her son-in-law. ​I​ have encounter many mother-in-laws in my life​time, but there is only one Mrs. Collier.

Mrs. Collier has been there for me since my early days of medical school at Meharry Medical College. I was introduced to the Collier family while attending St. Vincent Catholic Church. She is not ​just​my mother-inlaw, she is my second mom, a counselor and a friend. I learned early, it is a Nashville tradition to stop by her house and get a slice of her famous pound cake.

Whether she is preparing young Deltas for a tradition of sisterhood, prepping Links for area and national leadership roles or grooming the young men on the

campus of Fisk University, she has ​molded​​countless young leaders for decades. She has wonderful insight and has always been ​a p ​ roblem solver. She serves her community through the Parthenon (TN) Chapter, where she is a charter member​ , and in several other civic organizations​.

"It pays to do the right thing!"

I nicknamed her "Ruby Dee" because she is always preaching the word and spreading knowledge of her experiences and suggesting to those who will listen, "It pays to do the right thing!"

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Her greatest joy​s in life​will always come from her children and her grandchildren. Her latest battle is to champion the ​equal rights among children who struggle with autism. This is personal battle for her because her grandsons have this disorder. Her wisdom and guidance is vital to Kelly and I as we are raising our sons. I am extremely grateful to have her give so much of herself to helping us.

My second mom is a classy, jazzy, smart, funny, God- fearing woman. Mrs. Collier is loved and respected for her legacy to Fisk and her community. Upon her retirement, Fisk University lost a true leader. Hopefully, her tradition of s​haring w ​ isdom will b ​ e ​passed down to the students and you will see many "Mrs. Colliers" roaming ​Fisk's c​ampus. W ​ e​ hope her legacy of excellence and grace continues to rain down on all those she touched! Congratulations on your retirement "Mama Collier!"​I love you!​

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GOES PINK

Christmas 54 |

MEHARRY MEDICAL COLLEGE CONVENES CANCER COALITION Meharry Medical College convened a Breast Cancer Awareness and Action Coalition that met on October 6, 2017, the 100th birthday of Civil Rights Legend, Fannie Lou Hamer. She was known for fiery impassioned speeches and was a Civil Rights' trailblazer who marched tirelessly for health and economic wealth for AfricanAmericans, especially in the rural South. Fannie Lou Hamer died from breast cancer on March 14, 1977.

The Parthenon • Fall 2017

The coalition included several local and state healthcare agencies and civic and community organizations who met to begin plans for the first Christmas Goes Pink. The coalition’s shared goals are to arm African-American women with information to prevent breast cancer’s deadly impact and to encourage best practices in early detection, screening and treatment of the disease.

The sponsoring organizations are Intercultural Cancer Council (ICC), TN Department of Health, Office of Minority Health and Disparities Elimination, and the Self-Made Network.

The coalition members for Meharry 's Christmas Goes Pink are The Links, Incorporated; Carin’ and Sharin’ Breast Cancer Education and Support Group; Sisters Network, Memphis Chapter; Surviving, Thriving, African-Americans Rallying Support Group

(STAARS); Seeds 2 Life, Inc.; Community Action Team of Shelby County (CATS); Community Health Advisory Specialty (CHAS), American Cancer Society; The Church Health Center; Tennessee Cancer Coalition (TC2); Common Table Health Alliance; Men’s Health Network and Cervical Cancer Coalition.

“Together, we are committed to the reduction of breast cancer’s mortality rate by increasing awareness and action among Black women, the population that discovers the disease much later and dies from it much earlier than any other group in our region,” said Patricia Matthews-Juarez, Ph.D., Vice President, Office of Faculty Affairs and Development and Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine.

On Saturday, December 9, 2017, from 8a.m. to 2p.m., the coalition will hold a summit titled, “LIVE! AfricanAmerican Women Surviving Breast Cancer through Education, Early Detection, Screening and Treatment.”

Designed to unite, support and empower women, this event will gather 700 Black women of varying ages, education levels and socioeconomic backgrounds at the Cal Turner Family Center on Meharry's Campus. The event will include breast cancer survivors, women who consider themselves at risk for the disease, and those whose lives have been altered or touched in some way by breast cancer.

During the summit, each registered participant will receive a range of free personal care services (e.g., manicures

and seated mini-massages), complimentary refreshments (including breakfast and lunch), a gift bag filled with useful items for women and their children, plus access to a variety of healthcare industry vendors. The event will culminate in an educational and motivational presentation that will focus on the need for each participant to become an advocate for breast cancer education, early detection, screening and treatment among her family, friends and community.

For updates and announcements, follow us on Facebook at www. facebook.com/LiveJustAsWeAre or on Twitter, @just_ar1.

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Tuileries Garden – Paris France

5 TRAVEL TIPS FROM A

Gallivanting Link Sister

by ORA BRANSFORD

Travel somewhere new as often as you can.

I have been guilty of returning to places I love. I will always find a way back to Paris. I will visit my friends in Belfast whenever they’ll have me.

New York is continually calling my name. But you become comfortable with the familiar. There is something about being shaken out of your comfort zone. This applies domestically and internationally. Exploring new places and new cultures gives you a new set of eyes, a new perspective. Even if you don’t remember all of the names of the places you went or the restaurants you ate at, you’ll remember the experience.

On top of the Musee D’Orsay- Paris France

Talk to Strangers.

Street Art – Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK

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The Parthenon • Fall 2017

Floating Umbrellas – Belfast Northern Ireland, UK

If you are an extrovert this may not be a problem for you but I am the epitome of an introvert. I am that person that will put in headphones while walking down the street so that I don’t have to talk to people. But when I travel, I make an effort to talk to stangers.

This is not easy for us introverts but it has come to be one the most important aspects of my travels. This is how

you experience a culture.

Not the museums. Not the beaches. Not the tourist trap gift shops. It’s talking to the person at the cafe or the bar; talking to your Uber/Lyft/taxi driver; asking questions about people not just places; trying to speak their language even if you only picked up a few words.

Take a class; ask to join in a game of futbol or bocce.

People are kinder than we think and less annoyed with us than you’d imagine.

Rooftop Sunset – Paris France

Dune the Pilat (Largest Sand Dune in Europe) – Bordeaux, France

Just eat it!

Eat the weird food! Just do it! You probably won’t get another chance. Short list of weird foods I’ve eaten and not died from: Escargot, elephant ear fish, beef tartare, fried crickets, durian fruit, black pudding. Food is culture. Just eat it.

Notre Dame at Night – Paris France

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The cliffs of Biarritz, France

Don’t be so American.

When travelling internationally, Americans are easy to spot in the crowd. We have the big backpacks or purses with our life in them. We carry giant bottles of water.

We ask for the wifi code before getting the menu. We wear sneakers everywhere. We ask for ice. We don’t even try to speak the language because we assume everyone knows English. Adapt to your environment.

Try not to stand out so much. People will be much nicer if you do.

Don’t be afraid.

I HATE it when people ask me “Aren’t you afraid to go there?” or “Aren’t you afraid to travel alone?”

No. Fear is the number one reason people don’t do things. We have got to stop being so afraid. There is so much going on in the world. It’s easy to be afraid of kidnappings, terrorist attacks, plane crashes, fascists; the list goes on and on. But we only have one life here on earth. Have faith that God wants you to see as much of His creation as possible and that he will protect you wherever you go.

The Chateau at St. Emilion – Bordeaux France

St. Emilion, Wine Region – Bordeaux France

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The Parthenon • Fall 2017

Selfie in Biarritz, France

Sunflower fields in Aix-En-Provence

Picnic in the Basque country side

Lavender as far as the eye can see

Lavender fields in Aix-En-Provence

The Mediterranean, Marseille, France

The Port of Marseille

Cathedrale La Major – Marseille, France

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Nice Beach

The French Riviera, Nice France

Breil-sur-Roya – The French Alpes

Nice is Nice, Nice, France

France L’arc du Triomphe – Paris, France

Disneyland Paris – Marne-la-Vallee, France

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The Seine River – Paris, France

TABLESCAPING

with Style

by VALENCIA MCSHAN D.D.S.

A

Any celebration can benefit from tablescaping to add class, sophistication and style.

Tablescaping is the art of decorating a table with visually pleasing elements, such as centerpieces, linens and detailed accents. A tablescape sets the overall tone and mood. When looking to highlight a theme, tablescaping can transform an event, party or extravagant soiree into a “one of a kind� experience with pizzazz and endless compliments from guests.

Consider these helpful ideas when designing a tablescape for your next social event:

Begin with a theme. Look for inspirations around you such as magazines, online websites and home decor stores. Do not be afraid to be creative!

Include items that reflect your theme. Select a style that fits your personality and interests. It can revolve around holidays or birthday celebrations. It is a time to have fun and enjoy family and guests who will attend.

Organize and work within

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a budget. Good planning and organization are important when planning an event. Organize your ideas and plan ahead to reduce stress. Look for cost-effective ways to achieve an upscale look without breaking the bank.

Keep it simple. Add clean, simple and classic lines with linens, glassware and silverware for a refined and romantic ambiance.

These items can serve as a great backdrop while adding a fare of sophistication.

White linens serve as a great base to any table.

Incorporate a “wow” factor.

Keep in mind your theme when designing your centerpieces. Create centerpieces that make a statement and a focal point. However, balance, size and scale are important.

Vary height and larger items for added impact without obstructing conservations with guests.

Incorporate elements that add warmth, texture and color. Choose items that captivate the eye. Include layers of color to add harmony and continuity to the design. Different textures of materials make the 62 |

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design space more appealing. Fabric and textures can also infuse a unique and artful style.

When planning your next event, allow your thoughts to flow. Desire

to inspire! Get your creative juices working and make your next event unforgettable! Do not forget to capture and share the memories with others.

BORN A CRIME

STORIES FROM A SOUTH AFRICAN CHILDHOOD Book Review by PHYLLIS CAIN

B

Born a Crime is the aptly titled memoir written by Comedy Central Network's host of The Daily Show, Trevor Noah.

Noah's birth on February 20, 1984, was considered a crime in his native South Africa because the union between his Mother, Patricia, a Black Xhosa woman, and his father, Robert, a white man from Switzerland was forbidden. The birth of the child was illegal because of the stringent apartheid laws banning relationships between blacks and whites, and was punishable by five years in prison.

Most of Trevor's young life was spent indoors. He was kept hidden because his fair skin was a telltale sign of his mixed parentage. When apartheid was dismantled in 1994, Trevor and his Mother were free to live out in the open without fear.

Born a Crime is a series of stories that takes the reader on a journey through Noah's childhood to the present. The book chronicles his many childhood misadventures due to his mischievous nature, his minor scrapes and major problems with the law, his strained relationships with both his father and his stepfather, his ostracism by dark-skinned people, the attempted murder of his beloved Mother, and his tenacious ambition.

Examples of his Mother's tough, but unconditional love, her support and determination for his success in life are evident throughout the book. These qualities, according to Noah, have helped to make him the person that he is today.

Trevor Noah's ability to tell his story with wit, intelligence and humor makes this book an enjoyable reading experience.

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EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SECURING AND PROTECTING THE PEOPLE WE LOVE

by CHARLOTTE MANN

September has been declared National Emergency Preparedness month and what better time than now to educate and prepare your family for a weather related emergency. All too often, we watch various news outlets report story after story of weather emergencies and disasters. It is easy to think that a disaster is happening somewhere else and it probably will not affect you or your love ones. But who would have thought that an entire state would be placed under an emergency watch until Hurricane Irma hit Florida.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), everyone should take simple steps to prepare for and respond to potential emergencies,

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including natural disasters and terrorists attacks.

Families should do three simple things: get an emergency supply kit, make a family emergency plan, and be informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur and their appropriate responses. Families should have basic supplies on hand in order to survive for at least three days if an emergency occurs. Some basic items that every emergency supply kit should include: water, non-perishable food, battery-powered or hand crank radio/ NOAA Weather Radio, flashlight & extra batteries, first aid kit, whistle to signal for help, dusk mask, moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation, wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, can opener for food and local maps. Additional items to consider adding to your kit are one month’s supply of prescription medications; extra glasses; infant formula and diapers; pet food; important family documents; cash/traveler’s checks and change; sleeping bags or warm blankets; change of clothing; matches in a waterproof container; feminine supplies and personal hygiene items; paper and pencil; books, games or other activities for children; chlorine bleach with a medicine dropper and paper goods.

Finally, before an emergency happens, families should sit down together and decide how to get in touch with each other, where to go and what to do in the event of an emergency. Remember to keep a copy of your emergency plan in the emergency supply kit. We cannot stop emergencies from occurring, but by being prepared, we can limit their impact on us and those we love.

Fisk-Jubilee-Singers cira 1870

HOW NASHVILLE BECAME

MUSIC CITY

by VISITMUSICCITY.COM

From its very beginnings, Nashville grew from a foundation built on music. Music has been the common thread connecting the life and soul of the city and its people. And visitors have ventured here to experience the music that weaves such a fundamental pattern in the city’s cultural, business, and social fabric.

Nashville’s earliest settlers celebrated in the late 1700s with fiddle tunes and buck dancing after safely disembarking on the shores of the Cumberland River. Nashville’s first “celebrity,” the noted frontiersman and Congressman Davy Crockett was known far and wide for his colorful stories and fiddle playing.

As the 1800s unfolded, Nashville grew to become a national

center for music publishing. The first around-the-world tour by a musical act was by the Fisk Jubilee Singers from Nashville’s Fisk University. Their efforts helped fund the school’s mission of educating freed slaves after the Civil War – and also put Nashville on the map as a global music center. In fact, upon playing for the Queen of England, the queen stated the Fisk Jubilee Singers must come from the “Music City.”

In 1897, a group of Confederate veterans chose Nashville as the site of a massive reunion. The event was held at the former tabernacle that would later become known as the Ryman Auditorium. So many former Confederate soldiers poured into town that a new balcony was built inside the tabernacle to accommodate their great numbers. It was dubbed “The Confederate Gallery,” a designation still visible today as the The Parthenon • Fall 2017

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Tommy Sims

Ryman continues to host an array of musical events.

the best auditorium in the nation to experience live music.

Before even the Ryman became known as the downtown home of the Grand Ole Opry, it already enjoyed a national reputation. Enrico Caruso, John Philip Sousa, and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra gave roof-raising performances there that earned the Ryman the nickname “Carnegie Hall of the South.” The Ryman’s unrivaled acoustic qualities continue today – it has received Pollstar magazine’s prestigious “Theater of the Year” award consecutively for the past five years as

In 1925, the establishment of radio station WSM and its launch of the broadcast that would be called the Grand Ole Opry further secured Nashville’s reputation as a musical center and sparked its durable nickname of “Music City.” The Opry, still staged live every week, is America’s longest-running radio show. They are celebrating their 90th anniversary in production this year. It ignited the careers of hundreds of country stars and lit the fuse for Nashville to explode into a geographic

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center for touring and recording. The modern-day empire of Music Row, a collection of recording studios, record labels, entertainment offices, and other music-associated businesses, populates the area around 16th and 17th Avenues South.

Nashville has also long been known as the “Songwriting Capital of the World.”

Songwriters from all over the world come to Music City to learn the art and share their passion of songwriting.

The famous Bluebird Cafe showcases songwriters performing their original music in an intimate “in-the-round”

Ascend live music concert

Schermerhorn

setting that was created in Nashville and allows them to share the stories of inspiration behind their songs. Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), which fosters the art of songwriting and works to protect writers’ rights, is headquartered here. The annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival puts these songwriters somewhere they’re not use to being, in the spotlight. Over the course of five days, more than 300 songwriters perform at venues around town.

In recent years, cable television has broadcast Music City’s stars and music to the world. CMT and GAC have taken country music to a new level of acclaim and recognition.

The gospel music series hosted by Nashville’s Bobby Jones on Black Entertainment Television is now cable’s longestrunning program. And recently, the city hit primetime with the ABC show “Nashville,” which has brought a new wave of

fans to the city and its music.

Over the years, Nashville has also become a hub for pop, rock, bluegrass, Americana, jazz, classical, contemporary Christian, blues, and soul music. Rolling Stone recently gave Nashville the title of “Best Music Scene.” Artists like Robert Plant, Kid Rock, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Bon Jovi, and Michael Bublé, among many others, have come to Music City to write and record. Names like Kings of Leon, The Black Keys, Taylor Swift, Kesha, Michael McDonald, Keb’ Mo’, Sheryl Crow, Paramore, Hot Chelle Rae, and Jack White have chosen to call Nashville home. The vast number of recording studios, music publishers, record labels, and studio musicians continue to draw in musicians of all genres. In fact, Nashville has the highest concentration of people working in the music industry per capita than anywhere else in the world.

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These musicians are the city’s greatest spokesmen, sharing their love for the city and its music with the world.

Live music can be seen and heard every day and night of the week in Nashville.

The world-famous honky tonks, located on Broadway, offer free live music 365 days a year. And with more than 150 music venues around town ranging from large arenas and concert halls to small clubs, featuring nearly every genre of music, it’s easy to see why this is the city that “music calls home.”

Music festivals and events fill Nashville’s calendar throughout the year. From large festivals such as the CMA Music Festival and Bonnaroo to events like the CMA and CMT Awards, Nashville continues to be a place for the biggest names in music to perform.

Nashville proudly proclaims itself to be Music City and is making strategic efforts to continue to foster young musicians and entice musicians of all genres to write, record, and live here. The Music City Music Council

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Nashville-Ryman-Auditorium

was formed to strategically grow and strengthen Nashville’s creative community.

There’s truly no other place in the world like Nashville. Its connection to

music is unequalled, and its reputation as Music City has been consistently proven for over 200 years. Welcome to the city where music is written, recorded, and performed every single day. Welcome to Music City.

The Parthenon The Parthenon stands proudly as the centerpiece of Centennial Park, Nashville's premier urban park. The re-creation of the 42-foot statue Athena is the focus of the Parthenon just as it was in ancient Greece. The building and the Athena statue are both full-scale replicas of the Athenian originals.

Naos are direct casts of the original sculptures which adorned the pediments of the Athenian Parthenon, dating back to 438 B.C. The originals of these powerful fragments are housed in the British Museum in London.

The Parthenon also serves as the city of Nashville's Originally built for Tennessee's 1897 Centennial art museum. The focus of the Parthenon's permanent Exposition, this replica of the original Parthenon in collection is a group of 63 paintings by 19th and Athens serves as a monument to what is considered 20th century American artists donated by James M. the pinnacle of classical architecture. The plaster Cowan. Additional gallery spaces provide a venue replicas of the Parthenon Marbles found in the for a variety of temporary shows and exhibits.

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Long before he sat on the United States Supreme Court or claimed victory in Brown v. Board of Education, Thurgood Marshall (Chadwick Boseman) was a young rabble-rousing attorney for the NAACP. The new motion picture, "Marshall," is the true story of his greatest challenge in those early days – a fight he fought alongside attorney Sam Friedman (Josh Gad), a young lawyer with no experience in criminal law: the case of black chauffeur Joseph Spell (Sterling K. Brown), accused by his white employer, Eleanor Strubing (Kate Hudson), of sexual assault and attempted murder.

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BELMONT CELEBRATES DIVERSITY WEEK

by BELMONT NEWS

Students enjoy moon cakes at the Chinese Moon Festival celebration.

Belmont University held its third annual Diversity Week, an opportunity for faculty, staff and students to engage in a celebration of the University’s diversity and learn more about its campus-wide diversity and inclusion efforts, The Belmont State of Mind. Launched two years ago as a way for Belmont community members to engage in important dialogue and participate in meaningful experiences, this year’s celebration included more than 20 events planned by Belmont’s Welcome Home Diversity Council, students groups and more.

The week began with a presentation by the University’s interdisciplinary Welcome Home Diversity Council, a team of faculty, staff and students that advise on and oversee campus diversity and inclusion efforts. This discussion highlighted and detailed The Belmont State of Mind, Belmont’s newest, overarching campus-wide diversity and inclusion initiative.

Monday evening featured the Corners of Campus Student Panel, hosted by Belmont’s Black Student Association, where a panel of student leaders discussed their experiences on campus as individuals and as members and representatives of their organizations. Conversation included opportunities for panel members to reflect on their experiences across campus.

Director of the Office of Multicultural Learning and Experiences & Bridges to Belmont Dr. Mary Clark presents at The Belmont State of Mind convocation.

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Tuesday evening’s Privilege Walk: Walking Toward Awareness, Equality and Action, was held in the Curb Event Center and provided a meaningful opportunity for students, faculty and staff to engage in dialogue surrounding privilege, individually and as a group. Outside facilitators and community leaders Lindsey Krink and Rhiana Anthony guided participants through a silent activity that cultivated awareness and highlighted critical self-reflection.

Students leaders from across campus share their perspectives.

Diversity Week also included Real Talk sessions for students, faculty and staff–a campus favorite.

These sessions, facilitated by Telecommunications Manager and Welcome Home Diversity Council Member Gary Hunter, provide a space for all members of the Belmont community to engage in honest conversations surrounding topics related to diversity and inclusion. This year’s faculty and staff Real Talk was the largest session Belmont has held.

The University’s Chinese Cultural Club hosted the Chinese Moon Festival Celebration on Wednesday, October 4 in honor of the second largest cultural celebration in China. The event featured a presentation by the Chinese Cultural Club’s Vice President, detailed descriptions of the historical significance of the event and a sampling of moon cakes, the traditional treat served at these festivals.

More than 100 students, faculty and staff attended the celebration.

Participants line up in the Curb Event Center, ready to walk toward awareness, equality and action.

The remainder of the week included a panel discussion and screening of the newly released film, “Marshall,” a discussion on the intersectionality between Christian faith and hospitality, a presentation highlighting the history of Aztec dance and the Stone Soup Cook-Off where faculty and staff celebrated the end of the week together, tasting dishes that honored each other’s heritage. Created after the Stone Soup parable, this event emphasized the ways diverse community members bring unique aspects of themselves to the larger community, creating a richer and more valuable experience for all.

The week also included an ongoing art project where faculty, staff and students were encouraged to create an “identi-tree” that highlighted their unique identity and was hung in the “Belmont forest.”

Completed trees were on display in the Beaman Student Life Center throughout the week. Additionally, more than 100

opportunities to serve diverse populations in the Nashville area were provided through Diversity Week’s Side by Side Service Initiative.

Vice President, Chief of Staff and Chairwoman of the Welcome Home Diversity Council Dr. Susan West said she was so pleased with the response to the week’s events as countless Belmont faculty, staff and students got involved throughout the week. “So many members of the Belmont community joined us in celebrating diversity,” she said.

“These conversations are essential to the growth of our community, and it’s so encouraging to see faculty, staff and students eager to engage. This year’s Diversity Week programming provided many opportunities for our community to get involved in this important work– I’m looking forward to continuing these conversations as we further The Belmont State of Mind.”

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At Belmont University, encouraging and celebrating diversity isn’t just an institutional priority, it’s a state of mind. One characterized by inclusivity, open-mindedness and a welcoming spirit. One that honors differences, challenges ideals and encourages dialogue. To learn more about Belmont’s initiative to become increasingly more diverse and broadly reflective of our local and global communities, visit BELMONT.EDU/DIVERSITY.

PROUD SPONSOR OF THE NAACP NASHVILLE 74 |

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WE are

FAMILY!

by VEONIE MCKINNIE

Members of The Links, Incorporated are linked in friendship to sisters in 284 chapters. Imagine having nearly 15,000 sisters to cheer you on! We often celebrate the accomplishments of our Link sisters in our chapter, cluster, 41 states, the District of Columbus and the Bahamas. But we are known to erupt in thunderous applause and shout to the roof top when a member of our chapter shares the successes and milestones of our Connecting Links, HeirO-Links and family members. Nothing like the joy of seeing others succeed in life and watching a family bear fruit!

Eric Qualls, husband of Carolyn Qualls, graduated from Tennessee State University with a Master's.

Veonie McKinnie and Gloria Jubilee's great nephew, Caylin Moore, Texas Christian University Graduate, was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to study at England's Oxford University.

Cpl Roger Cornelius Amadeus Holmes , II (USMC) , son of Genma and Roger Holmes, graduated from Tennessee State University and was deployed overseas shortly after graduation.

Lacie K. Dunn, daughter of Rhonda Dunn, graduated from Tennessee State University with a Master's.

Sedrik Newbern, son of Judith Presley, has released his third book titled Unpack Now. The Parthenon • Fall 2017

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Randall Toney, son of LoLita and Montrell Toney, was married on October 6, 2016 to Carissa Tallman. On March 8, 2017, they became the proud parents of twin girls Peyton and Norah Grace.

Portia and Anthony Jordan celebrated the marriage of their daughter, Atia Jordan, M.D. to Nicholas Harris. The Jordans also became proud grandparents of Nathaniel Wayne Jordan, born August 13, 2017 to their son and daughterin-law, Anthony and Brandi Jordan.

Lester McClain, husband of Virginia McClain was inducted into the University of Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and the UT Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame.

Roosevelt T. Faulkner, son of Marquette and Roosevelt Faulkner, received a second Master's from Indiana University.

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Marlah Green, daughter of Ann Green, received her MBA from Tennessee State University.

Jylana Sheats, daughter of Simone Sheats and the late Dr. Jimmy Sheats, was married on September 16, 2017 to Mychal J. Stuart.

Ann Haynes' granddaughter, Kamaria Nelson, graduated from Meharry Medial College School of Medicine.

V I S I T O U R B A K E RY I N

HISTORIC GERMANTOWN The Cupcake Collection 1213 Sixth Avenue North | Nashville, TN 37208 TheCupcakeCollection.com

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