May 2024 Pearl Gazette

Phi Nu Omega Chapter

Chartered January 29, 2000

The Pearl Gazette

2024 Executive Committee

Kirstin Riddick President

Pauline Smith Vice-President

LaSandra Purnell Secretary

Minyon Palmer Vice-Secretary

Marva Scott Treasurer

Essence Mitchell Financial Secretary

Kim Kendrick Hostess

Vikki Pretlow Ivy Leaf Reporter

Aliya Robinson Historian

Danielle Bridgeforth Chaplain

Lisa Heath Correspondence Secretary

Romana Lavalas Member-At-Large

Sharon Worthy

Kimberly Armstrong

Michelle Pretlow Thomas

Lona Gordon

Kimberly Walker

Yvonne Jones

Theresta Lanier

Greetings

May, a Month that Abounds in Appreciation and a Time to Care for You!

KirstinRiddick

This month brings the blooming of flowers and the unofficial welcome to summer. It is also a time when a lot of you, my sisters, are acknowledged with appreciation and admiration. Many of you are mothers or motherfigures, nurses, teachers, or military spouses. If you are blessed with any of those roles, we honor you this month. Thank you for your love, dedication, and tireless work you contribute in the support, healing, and nurturing of others. We salute and honor you.!

“Sister,arewegood?”This month is a time that may especially yield some form of heartache. I see you, Sisters. The Bible (Romans 12:15) reminds us to “rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” I would like to encourage you to reach out to a sister and check-in on her. She is not always okay. I recently learned about the acronym ASK (acknowledge, support, and keep in touch). These three action steps are quite powerful and could make an otherwise rainy day for a sister a little bit sunny. Let God use you!

“Takingcareofyourmentalhealthisanactofself-love.”-GennadiyShevtsov

All health is wealth. May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This is the time to reflect and check-in on ourselves also. Use this link here to check on your mental health, mhascreening.org. What steps are you taking to love on yourself - body, mind, and soul? Are you getting enough rest? How are you giving yourself space and grace? During our chapter meeting’s wellness minute, we learned about two fun ways to keep ourselves accountable to ourselves. Remember to get a self-care best friend through Finch (https://finchcare.com/) and create that Pretty Girl Calm Down Box!

I want you all whole and well. You cannot pour from an empty glass and as an organization that thrives on serving with a smile, we cannot be our best for others without dedicating time to replenish, restore, and recharge ourselves.

Power of Women

DanielleBridgeforth

“Awomanofstrengthwhocanfind?Sheisfarmorepreciousthan jewels.”(Proverbs 31:10 [NRSV])

I saw a podcast video the other day in which the facilitator, a therapist, asked an intriguing question: Do you know the number one indicator of whether children will grow into thriving adults? Let’s ponder the many possible answers for a moment. The presence of both parents in the home, perhaps? Whether their parents are financially stable, and their home safe? Or maybe, it is having access to quality education, healthcare, and food sources? Or even, exposure to the arts and/or other cultural and social activities and events? While all of these answers, and whatever came to your mind, are undeniably important, the answer posited by this therapist was this: “The quality of their mother’s happiness, is the best indicator of whether children will grow into thriving and successful adults.”

That’s deep, right? No pressure. Listen, we all know and understand that many things can and do impact our ability to be successful, well-adjusted, and healthy. Nevertheless, time and time again, we are brought back to this truth: the role of the women (mothers, mother figures, aunts, cousins, sisters, pastors, friends, etc.) in our lives is invaluable. As we prepare to celebrate mothers and motherhood tomorrow, I encourage us to do a couple of things. First, pray for the women in your life. Take the time to be grateful for those who have played a significant role in your life. Forgive them for their faults and imperfections, no matter how great or small. Look for ways to celebrate them, not just tomorrow, but all the time. Second, for the women reading, recommit to your own happiness. What the therapist in the podcast referenced above said is profound and yet simple: our mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being has a direct impact upon the lives of those to whom we are connected. Look for time, space, and opportunities to feed your soul, water your dreams, and nurture your spirit. Even the smallest investment that we make into yourself, will make an appreciable difference in your family, church, community, and our world.

All around us there are problems, issues, and matters of concern, many of which we cannot control. Nevertheless, we can control ourselves. Our happiness is our business. No one else can do it for us. Let’s tap into our power by taking God our weakness, our fears, and our questions and allowing Holy Spirit to infuse us with healing, grace, and strength.

Therearemanyvirtuousandcapablewomenintheworld,butyousurpass themall!”Charmisdeceptive,andbeautydoesnotlast;butawomanwho fearsthe LORD willbegreatlypraised.Rewardherforallshehasdone.Let herdeedspubliclydeclareher praise. Proverbs 31:29-31 (NLT)

Program Recap

Rosie Riveters STEM Kit Packing Night Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling April 23, 2024

Soror Attendance:

Program Recap

Childhood Hunger Initiative Power Pack (AKA CHIPP™)

May 18, 2024

To provide weekend and holiday meals for children within local communities, and target these families for participation within Alpha Kappa Alpha’s most ambitious childhood hunger program to dat

eadershipInstitute (AKA YLI)

May 18, 2024

To develop a youth-led and highly interactive leadership development program designed to empower and engage youth, ages 11-13.

Module 2: Engaging in Exploration, Discovery, and Self-ExpressionCultural Exchange

* YLI Curriculum Modules

* Food Tasting

Program Recap

April 20, 2024

Waste reduction is an initiative spanning our membership’s personal, household, chapter, and community endeavors to reduce waste and engage in eco-friendly practices.

Projects:

*Bullet Journaling: Energy Preservation

Earth Day 2024: Letter writing to protect our environment

*Be environmentally mindful in your personal, household, chapter, and community endeavors

*Household and personal waste reduction / minimization practices

*Demonstrates support for Environmental Protection annually

Upcoming Service Activities

DunbarBoys & GirlsClubsof Alexandria

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

Impact:To conduct a ‘Moot’ Court; To build enrichment and inquiry through STEM-based hands-on explorations; To understand the steps to short-term and long-term goal setting for organization (SMART); To identify steps to achieving a specific goal; To gain time management skills and etiquette.

Date: June 2024 (upcoming ‘Moot’ Project)

Service: Ages 11-13, under Teen Leader Derek

Location: On-site

Contact Soror Pauline Smith at PNOVicePresident.AKA@gmail.com with questions

NPHC Corner

Mark Your Calendars

• 2024 NPHC Cookout: June 23, 2024 from 2pm-7pm, Anderson Park.

Across the NPHC

The NOVA Section of the National Council for Negro Women are hosting a Jazz En Blanc on Sunday June 2,, 2024 from 12pm-4pm. It will be held at the Marriott Fairview Park in Falls Church. The address is 3111 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church, VA 22042. Tickets are $80 and the attire is All White Buffet Brunch. There will be live music provided by the renowned Jazzy Blu Band. There will also be door prizes, vendors, and a 50/50 raffle. The proceeds will be used to support area community service projects. Tickets can be purchased here

The Prince George’s County National Pan-Hellenic Council are hosting a Greeks at the Creek Wine Festival on June 22, 2024. It will be held at Hennessey Creek at 13201 Martin Rd. Brandywine, MD 20613 from 12pm-7pm. A portion of the proceeds will be donated for scholarships. Ticket prices are as follows: $65 for Early Bird, $75 General Admission and $800 for VIP Group Cabanas. Please bring your own lawn chair. Tents and Coolers are not allowed. There will be live performances. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.hennessycreek.com/event-details/greeks-at-the-creek-wine-festival-2

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated

The Fairfax County Alumnae Chapter is hosting a Day Party on June 1, 2024 at the Springfield Hilton. The Hilton Springfield is located at 6550 Loisdale Rd, Springfield, VA 22150. Tickets are $50/pp ($52.32 with tax.) Attire is Rep Your School. There will be line dancing, a 50/50 raffle, complimentary appetizers, and door prizes. Prizes for cards and dominoes winners too, along with a $250 book scholarship for the alumni chapter with the most in attendance! Tickets can be purchased here

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated

The Nu Xi Zeta Chapter is hosting a Field Day on June 1, 2024 at the Chinquapin Park Recreation Center & Aquatics Facility. The Rec Center is located at 3210 King Street Alexandria, VA 22302 (next to Alexandria City High School.) Please join them for a fun day of games, friendly competition, and fellowship. Tickets are $10pp and can be purchased here.

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated

The Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,, Incorporated and the Bernie L Bates Foundation Inc. are hosting Crab Feast 2024 It will be held on June 8, 2024 from 3pm- 8 pm at Mt. Vernon Columbus Club. The Mt. Vernon Columbus Club is located at 8592 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, VA 22309. Tickets are $85pp and $800/table. Non-shellfish options will be available. Tickets can be purchased here: https://e.givesmart.com/events/ByA/

A Tribute to Mothers

AMother's

Love

AMother’sloveissomething thatnoonecanexplain, Itismadeofdeepdevotion andofsacrificeandpain,

Itisendlessandunselfish andenduringcomewhatmay Fornothingcandestroyit ortakethatloveaway...

Itispatientandforgiving whenallothersareforsaking, Anditneverfailsorfalters eventhoughtheheartisbreaking...

Itbelievesbeyondbelieving whentheworldaroundcondemns, Anditglowswithallthebeauty oftherarest,brightestgems...

Itisfarbeyonddefining, itdefiesallexplanation, Anditstillremainsasecret likethemysteriesofcreation...

Amanysplendoredmiracle mancannotunderstand Andanotherwondrousevidence ofGod’stenderguidinghand.

Calendar, Celebrations, and Recognition

AKAversaries

Karen Davis Miller - May 14

Minyon Palmer - 1998

Birthdays

Karen Davis Miller - May 10