Special History Feature

B L A C K HISTORY l l l l l l

Black History is our Chapter History

Zeta Chi Omega Chapter evolved from the realignment of the South Atlantic Region when the Mid-Atlantic Region was established in 1953. Three years later, the Chapter Organizer who would later become the 9th Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, Soror Evelyn Reid Syphax, chartered the chapter along with 20 other sorors. There are now more than 400 members, with 38 Golden and 160 Silver Star sorors among them.

Zeta Chi Omega’s program focus has been service, geared toward youth and seniors consistent with the Program Targets of each international administration. That service has included: feeding the homeless; providing scholarships; participating in breast cancer walks; health fairs; tutoring; mentoring; and sponsoring forums and workshops that interest and serve the needs of the local community.

Among the Chapter’s signature programs are the Cooley-Moore Scholarship Fashion Show and Luncheon, which has awarded over 244 deserving students scholarships totaling more than a quarter of a million dollars, and the Annual Cotillion which has presented more than 1300 young ladies to society in its 62-year existence. Project Step-Out, an ongoing mentoring program for at-risk second- through fifth-grade girls, in cooperation with the Alexandria Commission for Women and the Charles Houston Recreation Center, is one of the Chapter’s longest-running community outreach programs.

In 1975, then President Gerald Ford was a guest at the Regional Conference hosted by Zeta Chi Omega Chapter. The Chapter sponsored an undergraduate chapter and the region's first city-wide chapter, Sigma Alpha, which was chartered in 2000. Chapter members participated in hosting the Centennial Boule in Washington, DC in 2008 and chaired the Sisterly Welcome at the 110th National Founders' Day.

In 2018, Zeta Chi Omega sorors logged more than 1600 hours tutoring and mentoring youth, reclaimed 29 inactive sorors, served over 800 meals to shelter residents, and provided scholarships for 8 students. In addition, Chapter member Soror Joyce Henderson completed her term as the 18th Mid-Atlantic Regional Director (2014-2018). The following sorors are currently serving International appointments:

• Soror Amirah Salaam International Connection Representative

• Soror Lula Hicks International Financial Officers Certification Representative

• Soror Crystal Lander International Graduate Advisors Certification Representative

• Soror LaFrances Williams International Special Projects Representative

• Soror Kendra Gillespie Benson International Strategic Planning Representative

Other sorors from Zeta Chi Omega Chapter who formerly served on the Directorate include: Ade’Leaka Gore, Second Supreme Anti-Basileus; Lula Lang-Jeter, Supreme Tamiouchos; Ruth Harvey Charity, Supreme Parliamentarian and Graduate Member-at-Large; and Patricia Russell McCloud, Supreme Parliamentarian.

HISTORY OF ZETA CHI OMEGA CHAPTER

Interest Group Name: Alpha Kappa Alpha Women of Northern Virginia Charter Date: May 25, 1956 Location: Arlington, Virginia

Charter Members and Regional Leadership (l-r):

Row 1 (on floor): Soror Suellis Muse*, Soror Helen Smith*, Soror Elora Brotherton, Soror Frances Williams* Row 2 (seated): Soror Hermeles Jones* , Soror Marjorie Parker* (former North Atlantic Regional Director), Soror Grace Pleasants* (former Mid-Atlantic Regional Director), Soror Evelyn Syphax* (Organizer), Soror Regina Duncan* Row 3 (standing): Soror Catherine Butler* , Soror Helen Cauthorne*, Soror Mary Witten*, Soror Ophelia Pinkard*, Soror Nellie Stewart*, Soror Beatrice Gilkes*, Soror Ella Lewis*, Soror Emma Moore*, Soror Carrie James, Soror Margery Robinson*, Soror Ann Marie Cooley*, Soror Marjorie Weeks Not pictured: Soror Hilda Lucy*, Soror A. Lauretta Whitney*

Black History is making History

NOTE: Our Ivy Leaf Reporter is working on having the errors corrected for Soror Tia Johnson’s name and Soror Jackie Roundtree’s comments.

Senior Living ‘Morale Boosters’ for Sorority Sisters Celebrate The Local Community By Marilyn Campbell Vice President Kamala Harris The Connection News, Page 12

Wearing their sorority’s signature strand of pearls and clothing in shades of pink and green, Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) sorority members, Martha Coleman K Scarry of Herndon, and Shirley Dickerson Taylor were filled with awe and Community Director of The jubilation as they watched their sorority sister and fellow Historically Black College and University (HBCU) alum Kamala Harris, sworn in as Vice President of the United States. Both women are decades-long members of the sorority and are now part of the Zeta Chi Omega Chapter, which is made up of women People’s Supper, and Jimmy Cirrito, owner of Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern in Herndon, discuss a new initiative that needs no funding “to get all of our neighbors and local businesses through to the other side of Photo by Robin McCoy Robin McCoy, is a 40year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and serves as the chapter’s president. Photo by Tia Smith Tia Smith wore pink and green on election day to celebrate Vice-President Harris’ victory. Both women from Arlington, Alexandria and the pandemic.” are members of Alpha Fairfax counties. Local mem- Kappa Alpha sorority bers supported Harris’ election Providing Hope to Neighbors Opinion, Page 4 Classifieds, Page 10 Senior Living Page 8 Photo courtesy of Alpha Kappa Alpha “Golden” members of the Arlington/ Alexandria chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, who joined the sorority before and during the Civil Rights v and say their emotions include pride and optimism, for older members as well as younger. “As someone who participated in the Civil Rights movement of the 60s, I get emotional just thinking about this huge accomplishment and how far we as a people have come,” said Coleman, who has been a member for 53 years. “The idea that a woman of color, who attended an HBCU, and who was raised by a single parent is now our Vice President is mind boggling.” “I was overcome with joy and happiness to witness this historical day,” added Taylor, who has in their families. “The swearing in of my soror Kamala Harris filled me with sadness, joy and delight,” said Margarette Peterson, who was initiated in 1959. “Joy came to my heart to know that my granddaughter would continue to grow up in a better world. … I was filled with sadness because it has taken so long for a black woman with outstanding qualifications to be recognized. I dried my tears and took a picture ... proudly in my Golden Soror tee shirt.” “I thought of my 10-yearold granddaughter’s future in a country that has elected the Facing Eviction, Homelessness News, Page 6 Questioning Racially-Biased Gang Database News, Page 3 online at www.connectionnewspapers.com January 27 - February 2, 2021 Photo by Jennifer Heffner Postal Customer ECR WSS Attention Postmaster: Time sensitive material. Requested in home 1-28-21 PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Easton, MD permit #322 Movement, shed tears of joy as the witnessed the historic swearing-in of Vice President Kamala Harris. been a member for 63 years. “The tears flowed as I watched Soror Kamala take the oath and become the Vice President of the United States.” “I witnessed something that I never thought I would witness in my lifetime, said 68-year old Linder Gibson who lives in Montgomery County. “I was overwhelmed. “This lets me know that my little granddaughter can grow up and become anything she wants to be, even President.” Those who joined AKA at Howard University felt a special connection. “She has been an inspiration for many, said Linda first woman as Vice President, who happens to be Black, who happens to have been shaped by our founders at Howard University, and who happens to have been the recipient of the unflinching support from women all over America,” said Tia Johnson. “My granddaughter’s future was looking brighter. Vice President Harris’ election provides the answer that all things are possible.” The Arlington/Alexandria chapter includes older members that range in age from 60 to 90. Many thanked a higher power for the victory. “I was overcome with a flood of emotions and … a tremendous feeling of gratitude that God allowed me Elaine Newman, who has been an active member for to live long enough to witness this historic moment: 43 years. “I was doubly proud because I am also a the first woman, the first Black, the first Asian Amerigraduate of Howard University. Her positive accom- can, the first HBCU graduate and the first AKA to beplishments have given good recognition to HBCUs come Vice President of the United States of America, and our beloved sisterhood.” a heartbeat away from the most powerful office in the

“From the standpoint of being a black and Asian world,” said Lula McLain Hicks who was initiated in woman it was a monumental moment,” added Patri- 1968. “In that moment, Vice President Harris reprecia Wallace, who has been a member for 55 years. It sented every member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, was astounding since, in both these cultures, women Incorporated and our 113 years of service to humanwere deemed to be on the bottom rung, thought of kind.” as property and second-class citizens. Now the glass Wanda Smith, who joined the sorority 42 years ago, ceiling has broken.” said the swearing-in underscored the lyrics of the offi-

The Arlington/Alexandria chapter has been in ex- cial hymn of AKA: “‘By merit and culture we strive and istence for more than 60 years. “Tears of joy flowed we do things that are worthwhile. And with a smile down my face as I watched the first woman, the first we help each other for we know there’s no other like woman of color and my sorority sister take the oath our sisterhood,’” she said. “Yes, I cried and thanked of office for the Vice President of the United States of God.” America,” said Robin McCoy, who is a 40-year mem- For Aretha Marable Cunningham who was initiated ber and serves as the chapter’s president. in 1973, the ceremony offered optimism. “I feel ex-

Many felt a sense of optimism about the possibilities treme joy, relief, excitement, and hope for our country, that would be conveyed to the young women and girls the United States of America.”

Black History is HERstory

FOR YOUR REFERENCE

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