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www.garlandjournal.com
FEBRUARY 15, 2017
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Alpha Xi Omega Chapter celebrates Founders’ Day A Tribute to Our Founders and Our Legacy: Sisters Perpetually Purposed for Service was the theme for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Xi Chapter’s 2017 Founders Day Luncheon where two members were honored for 50 years of service and eight were honored for 25 years. The Sorority is 109 years old. To top off the event was a keynote speech filled with love, commitment and sincerity, to her profession and sisterhood, by OB-GYN and reality star, Dr. Jacqueline Walters, or Dr. Jackie as she is affectionately known on the Bravo TV Show, “Married to Medicine.” In an exclusive interview, and during the luncheon, the Alcorn State University alum, who graduated with dual Bachelor of Science degrees from Alcorn and the University of Mississippi where she also earned her medical degree, stressed the importance of sisterhood and healthy living. A two-time breast cancer survivor, she said she relied heavily on the generous support she received from her sorority sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha. Those women, she said, were there as she went through tests and treatments, recovery and relapses.
“I couldn’t have made it without them,” said Dr. Jackie. “They let me know that I was not in my situation by myself.” Calling her decision to seek membership one of the best decisions she made in her life, she elaborated on how important sisterly relationships are and she saluted the chapter’s honorees for their decades of service. “The greatest relationship you can have is with a sister,” she said, adding that she has lifelong, lasting friendships because she joined Alpha Kappa Alpha. “We are sisters with a purpose.” As Dr. Jackie talked about sisterhood, she also encouraged the filled to capacity room of women and men, to work together.“Today we are witnessing a rise in hatred,” she pointed out. “We must nourish and encourage. We must strengthen one another.” And that’s exactly what she tries to do whether she’s seeing a patient in her very successful private practice where her high-profile clientele includes The Braxtons, rapper TI and all-around entertainer, Usher, or working with her foundation, 50 Shades of Pink Foundation. The Foundation, she says, is dedicated
to paying tribute to women and men diagnosed with breast cancer, and nurturing their psychological and physical well-being. She says you don’t have to look like what you’ve been going through and oftentimes a little attention and pampering can be therapeutic. “I got a third chance at life and I’m taking advantage of it!” Then there’s also the reality show. Dr. Jackie said when she was initially brought on the show, she thought she would be mentoring the wives of doctors. She didn’t expect to share so much of herself and her husband, Curtis. But life doesn’t happen as we plan all the time, she acknowledged. And now her reach, which has become a ministry of sorts, has extended exponentially as she became a breakout star of the show and she uses her platform there to share positive, authentic messages. Interrupted several times because of the applause, Dr. Jackie encouraged the audience to be their own best friend first and her challenge to everyone was to “be the change that we want to see.” -Cheryl Smith
Dr. Jackie
Presentation of Donation to 50 Shades of Pink
Seated (L-R): Carmen Gills, Epsilon Sigma Chapter President; Beverly Randall, Founders’ Day Committee Co-Chairman; Cheryl Benson, Founders’ Day Committee Chairman; Kassie Gossom, Alpha Xi Omega Chapter President; Dr. Jacqueline Walters, Keynote Speaker; Atty. Katina Semien, AKA South Central Regional Director; and Danette Reed, International Treasurer.
Cong. Eddie Bernice Johnson
Shirley R. Fisher, representing Sen. Royce West 21st South Central
Atty. Katina Semien, South Central Regional Director
Alicia Grinage First Vice President, AKA - Alpha Xi Omega
Standing (L-R): Former Alpha Xi Omega Chapter Presidents - Kim McCree, Rita Cloman, Donnetta Henry, Stephanie Hawthorne, Sherel Riley, Marian Willard, Merle Carmouche, Cynthia Nunn, Mae Frances Saulter, Beverly Eikner-Jones, Lynda Mayberry, Shirley Fisher, and Donnie Breedlove. Sitting (L-R): Dr. Jacqueline Walters, Keynote Speaker; Kassie Gossom, President; and Atty. Katina Semien, South Central Regional Director
Dallas Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Erik Wilson
President, Epsilon Sigma Chapter, Texas A&M University-Commerce,
Founders' Day Chair Cheryl Benson
Velena McRae, Second Vice-President, AKA Alpha Xi Omega Chapter
Founders' Day Committee Advisor, Sheri Hayes
Silver Honoree Barbara Jones Cash with pinners, Kyndal Wilson and Denise Green.Hayes
Golden Honoree Constance Washington with pinner Deborah Pullam Moore.
Silver Honoree Leticia McGowan with pinners A. Shonn Brown and Sharon Bracey
Alpha Xi Omega President Kassie Gossom and Dr. Jackie
Silver Honoree Ramona Powers with pinner Kim McCree
Silver Honoree Eleita Brew with pinners, Kirsten Brew White and Joele Brew Hatton.
Silver Honoree Chrisdya Houston with pinners, O'Sheila Brown and Rickie Wright.
Silver Honoree Cynthia Toles with pinners Jacqueline Bosh and Elmarie Brown.
Golden Honoree Felicia Hammons with pinner Paula Davis Bosh and Elmarie Brown.
Silver Honoree Barbara Lewis with pinners, Remelle Sims and Deitra Mosley.
Silver Honoree Thomasetta Blount with pinners, Bonnie Clack and Geneva Rideaux
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