ISSUE
03 February 2010
Ivy Gazette Nu Epsilon Omega Soror Spotlight Soror Stacy Johnson was promoted to Vice President of Renasant Bank in February 2010. Previously, Soror Stacy served as Employment Representative for nine years. She is a graduate of the Barrett School of Banking, Itawamba Community College and she holds a Bachelor of Science in Banking Finance from The University of Mississippi. In addition to her active membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha, she is also a member of the Society for Human Resources. She serves as the Workforce Readiness Director for the North Mississippi HR Association-Tupelo Chapter #196. Renasant Bank has locations throughout Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee.
News Bits Soror Valerie Jackson and her family welcomed Savannah Chloe Madison into the family on January 21, 2010. The beautiful, third generation legacy weighed 8lbs 10 oz. Both Savannah and mom are doing well. Upcoming Events Sorors will donate items for victims of the Haiti Earthquake and the American Red Cross. Founders’ Day Celebration will be held on Sunday, February 28, 2010. The celebration will begin in worship at Southside Missionary Baptist Church at 10:00 and continue with a program and reception in the Cochran Ballroom on the campus of MUW. Nu Epsilon Omega will host a Pancake Breakfast at Applebees on Saturday, March 27, 2010 from 8:00-10:00. All Sorors are asked to sell 10, $5 tickets. “Sweet is the voice of a sister in the season of sorrow.” -- Benjamin Disraeli
February is American Heart Month Seven. Though small in sum the number seven is very important when it comes to heart health. According to the American Heart Association, there are 7 basic steps to a healthy life style and healthier heart; these seven steps are known as Life’s Simple 7. Life’s Simple 7 challenges all Americans to do the following: Get Active, Eat Better, Lose Weight, Stop Smoking, Check Cholesterol, Manage Blood Pressure, Reduce Blood Sugar. The Facts • • • • •
70% of Americans report being told to make lifestyle changes by a doctor or other healthcare professional. One third report being told each to exercise more (35%) and that they are overweight (33%). One in five adults report currently being a smoker (19%). Fewer than two in ten American adults (15%) achieve AHA’s recommended levels of moderate aerobic exercise, which is 150+ total minutes per week. For more than four of ten adults, eating 9 servings of fruits and veggies (44%) or eating fish at least 2 times per week (45%) is a rare activity.
My Life Check is a free service offered through the American Heart Association that allows individuals to see how they are managing their own Life’s Simple. In just a few minutes an assessment will be made then it gives them tips on how to improve bad habits for a heart healthy life. To enroll in the My Life Check community and get your free assessment please visit, http://mylifecheck.heart.org/ . Since 1963, February has been proclaimed as American Heart Month. Nu Epsilon Omega participated in Go Red Day on February 5, 2010. Page 1
Ivy Gazette Nu Epsilon Omega Little Know Black History Facts Cathay Williams was the first and only known female Buffalo Soldier. She was born into slavery and worked for the Union army during the Civil War. She posed as a man and enlisted as Williams Cathay in the 38th infantry in 1866. She was given a medical discharge in 1868. Judy W. Reed was the first African-American woman to receive a patent in 1884 for a hand-operated machine used to knead and roll dough. *Maya Angelou's autobiographical, "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" is the first non-fiction work by an African-American woman to make the best-seller list. *Diahann Carroll was the first African-American woman to have her own television series, "Julia" in 1968. It was a controversial, yet Nielsen top ten rated show about a single working mother raising her child . *Vonetta Flowers became the first woman to win a Gold Medal at the Winter Olympics, in 2002 for bobsledding. *Suzanne de Passe was the first African-American woman to be nominated for an Academy Award for screen writing. *Yvone Brathwaite Burke was the first woman to chair the Democratic National Committee. First Lady Michelle Obama was invited to become an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha in July 2008; she has not been initiated.
Heart Healthy Recipe Grilled pineapple and fresh mint and strawberries combine with tangy lemon and a bit of hot pepper flakes to make an interesting salsa for grilled chicken. Ingredients 1 teaspoon canola or corn oil Salsa 2 slices fresh pineapple, each 1/2 inch thick, patted dry 1 cup whole strawberries (about 5 ounces), diced 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion 3 to 4 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves 1 to 2 teaspoons sugar 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1 medium lemon Chicken 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 4 ounces each), all visible fat discarded 2 teaspoons salt-free steak seasoning blend 1/4 teaspoon salt Directions Preheat the grill on medium high. Brush a grill pan or grill rack with the oil. Heat the grill pan or rack on the grill for about 2 minutes, or until hot. Grill the pineapple for 2 minutes on each side. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool slightly, about 2 minutes, before chopping. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir together the remaining salsa ingredients except the lemon. Grate 1 teaspoon lemon zest, reserving the lemon. Stir the zest and chopped pineapple into the strawberry mixture. Set aside. Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with the seasoning blend and salt. Grill for 5 minutes on each side, or until no longer pink in the center. Transfer to plates. Squeeze the reserved lemon over the chicken. Serve with the salsa on the side.
If you would like to submit any articles to the next issue of the Ivy Gazette, please email Soror Serena at, serena.mccovery@gmail.com
On December 19, 2009 Nu Epsilon Omega held its December Meeting and Christmas Party at the beautiful home of Soror Kathy Scott. Special Thanks to Soror Kathy for hosting the event and Soror Marjorie for assisting with the cooking.
*Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Page 2
Ivy Gazette Nu Epsilon Omega Winter Birthdays Valerie Engret Bertha Kiane Denis Einna Gennette Velma News Bits All Sorors are asked to donate $5.00 at the next meeting to assist with the Chapter Birthday Celebration. Local Entrepreneur, Ms. Helen of Helen’s Kitchen will be the guest speaker at the February Meeting. She has a new cookbook and website at, http://www.helenskitche nonline.com/ .
Across the Sorority The 2010 Boulè will be in St. Louis, Missouri, July 9-16. Registration for Boulè is available on the nation website, www.aka1908.com. The Graduate regestration fee is $450 until April 15 and $550 between April 16 and May 15. The Post Boulè tour will be held in New Zealand and Australia, July 17-26, 2010. Across the globe, Sorors have responded to the the disaster in Haiti. Sorors have raised more than $50,000 for Hatian relief ($4,294.55 from the South Eastern Region). Alpha Kappa Alpha has partner with CARE and the UN World Food Program. The donations collected will be used to provide medical staff and food in Haiti. Alpha Kappa Alpha recently won the case of the Joy Elaine Daley, et al. v. Alpha Kappa Alpha. In an email to the sorority, National President Barbara McKinzie, “urge the membership to view this legal action --and its outcome - as a wakeup call. Let's use this victorious occasion to revisit our sacred vows and recommit ourselves to the sanctity of Alpha Kappa Alpha and the strength of the sisterhood.” If you would like to submit any articles to the next issue of the Ivy Gazette, please email Soror Serena at, serena.mccovery@gmail.com The HEART of our Future! Pink Roses, Pink Diamonds, Pink Angels
Forever Like A Rose Alpha Kappa Alpha forever like a rose, Plant a seed of sisterhood, and patiently watch it grow It is rooted in friendship, trust, and honesty It's nurtured by love, respect, and loyalty A symbol of emotion, the endurance and beauty fair Like this passionate and lovely flower AKA is a treasure rare... Lets keep all of our sisters lifted up in prayer. Page 3