ONEVision Summer 2011

June 2011

HAITI: Tuscaloosa Tornado:

Sorors pull together to assist sister who lost everything in storms

By Jamie Dawson Senior Designer

At the very least, Theta Nu Xi sister Melody Kelley had been expecting some kind of storm to hit Tuscaloosa on April 27th, 2011. When she learned that her daughter’s school had been canceled that Wednesday, due to the promise of inclement weather, Melody stayed home with 5-year-old Kiara anticipating more of the heavy rainfall and thunderstorms that had drenched the area for days.

But what Melody was not prepared for turned out to be one of the deadliest tornadoes that Alabama has ever seen; one out of a series of more than 300 tornadoes that swept through the South, Midwest and Northeast regions of the US over a four day period, killing over 350 people.

It was not that the residents of Tuscaloosa had no warning of this deadly storm system. Severe weather warnings began on the morning of the 25th. The tornadoes began sporadically in Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kentucky, Arkansas, Illinois, Tennessee, Louisiana and reached as far north as Michigan and New York on the 26th. Tornadoes

By Lindsay Romasanta Contributing Writer

On January 12th, 2010, the small country of Haiti was rocked by a 7.0 scale earthquake, leaving much of the country in shambles. Almost immediately following the disaster, those more fortunate around the world sprang into action, donating money, material goods, and even their time to emergency relief for the millions left homeless and stricken with loss. The sisters of Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. were amongst those who donated funds to the people of Haiti. Since the tragedy, news of the Haitian recovery has slipped out of the media’s spotlight, making way for more current issues. But, what is the fate of the millions devastated by the earthquake? How have the funds donated by so many been used to aid in the road to Haitian recovery?

On May 12th, 2010, CBS News reported on the state and usage of Haiti relief funds. By this time, exactly four months

Image courtesy of Google Images.

Image courtesy of Google Images.

a year in recovery

Continued on Page 16

Continued on Page 15

What’s In This Edition?

The Art of Paracrafting... Celebrating our Foundations... A Theta Woman’s Influence...

2 FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Sisters,

Editor-In-Chief

Rashida Rawls

Senior Editors

Elizabeth Edwards Dara Monasch Senior Designer

Jamie Dawson Copy Editors

Caitlin Bassett Sarah Hein

Staff Writers

Atiya Hasan Arianna Smith Nicole Zavodny

Contributing Writers

Tanya Arditi Rubi Morgan Lindsay Romasanta

Table of Contents

Cover Features....................................1 “Tuscaloosa Tornadoes” “Haiti: A Year in Recovery” From the President.............................2 Sisterhood Spotlight............................3 Featured Articles “Chapter Spotlight: Pi”........................4 “Support Sisters”..................................5 “Diversity of Interests”.........................6 “National Standards Committee”... 8 “Celebrating our Foundations”.........9 “Paracrafting”.........................................10 “View from the Top”............................12 “Living Your Ritual”................................13 “A Theta Woman’s Influence”..........14 “Chapter Highlights”.............................18 “Elections Information”.........................21

ONE Love,

Amanda Tomchak National President

NATIONAL CONVENTION 2011

Butterflies Building a Better Tomorrow:

ONE Step At a Time New Orleans, LA | August 5th to 7th, 2011

http://tnxconvention2011.orgsync.com

Image courtesy of Google Images.

Staff

This year we take our 13th Annual National Convention to New Orleans, LA! I am excited to celebrate our sisterhood with you in a city that has encompassed several different cultures in addition to creating an environment so unique from anything else one could experience in the United States. In addition to conducting national business over the weekend, we will be taking the time to experience New Orleans’ rich history and culture.

Sisters will have the opportunity to shop the French Quarter, treat themselves to yummy Beignets, and take in the historic scenery.

Music and other types of food are also significant cultural aspects of New Orleans. I encourage you to take the time to enjoy some jazz while feasting on fried okra, seafood, red beans and rice and of course a po’boy!

While our primary reason for gathering this August is for our National Convention, we will also be taking some time to serve the city of New Orleans through a small community service project of sorting and packing food at a local food bank. Sisters who do not attend the service project will have the opportunity to participate in a ‘Change Your World’ workshop by Whitney Smith, Girls For a Change. This workshop will allow you to learn how you can help girls in your community create change in the world.

Of course we will also take the time to remember the victims of Hurricane Katrina as well as honor the survivors. As you know, the people of New Orleans experienced a natural disaster six years ago that turned their lives upside down and many are still recovering from. Unfortunately, more people across the country are experiencing similar tragedies with the numerous tornadoes and wildfires happening today.

I cannot think of a better city to come together and promote our mission in this year. As you reunite with sisters and take in the culture of the city, remember your journey to Theta Nu Xi and your commitment to being a living example of sisterhood. Show this dedication by sharing who you are and helping to serve others as you represent our organization in New Orleans.

I look forward to building a better tomorrow with you this August in NOLA!

SISTERHOOD SPOTLIGHT 3 By: Atiya Hasan Staff Writer

What is your favorite thing about Theta Nu Xi?

I love the fact that we are truly diverse and not just in race, but in lifestyle and culture. We are a young and growing Sorority, so the opportunity to assist in laying the foundation for our Organization is so amazing! How many people can say they have had dinner with one of their Founders!?!

What was your reason for joining Theta Nu Xi?

I always loved the fact that there is no “typical” Theta Woman. Each Sister is embraced no matter what her social status, her upbringing or future goals and accomplishments. It was very important to me to have a close-knit relationship with the Women I call my Sisters.

I knew that I would not have to fit into anyone’s mold, but my own. I also really wanted to be a part of an Organization that I could really contribute to and make a difference.

How will you contribute to Theta Nu Xi this year?

I am currently the Xi Epsilon Parliamentarian and serve as a chapter delegate. I would like to serve on the National Standards Committee, and be a part of our new and exciting Regionalization process!

If you had one word to describe yourself, what would it be?

Passionate.

If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Does a world tour with Mariah Carey count!?!?

What is the best thing that has ever happened to you?

The best thing that has ever happened to me is probably my strengthened relationship with Christ and finding my church home. That process has allowed me to let a lot of past burdens go and open up to new things, people and ideas.

What is your one achievement that makes you the most proud?

I would have to say, the fact that I transcended all boundaries that were supposed to hold me back. I constantly think that girls that grew up like me weren’t supposed to make it to college or succeed in their careers or live happy lives.

What are the three most important things in your life?

My important things are God, my cat “Boop”, my family and my sorors, Mariah Carey and last but not least, happiness.

What experiences have marked you the most?

I would have to say that this whole year has really marked my life. I have more clarity and understanding in my Faith and in life overall. And of course joining Theta Nu Xi is remarkable! This whole experience has really taught me not to let go of my dreams!

MONIKA KING

#3 Vision de L’Amour Spring 2010 Xi Epsilon Chapter Atlanta, GA

4 FEATURED ARTICLE

Chapter Spotlight:

Pi Chapter

By Sarah Hein Copy Editor

What would you like your Sisters to know about Pi?

We are a small but very strong and passionate chapter. We persevere through tough times. For example, right now we have low numbers but we keep our heads up and have been trying innovative programming ideas and reaching outside of our comfort zone. We have very involved alumnae and believe that once you are a Pi sister, you are a Pi sister for life. Soror Andie Obienu explains, “We are a very humorous lot.” This attitude helps keep us close.

What are some of the Pi Chapter’s most memorable events and why?

On April 6th, we hosted a movie screening with American Indian Student Union for the first time. We showed the film “In Whose Honor?” which explored the controversial usage of American Indians as mascots. The event went really well. We had a good turnout of people for the film and some American Indian members of the Charlottesville community even came to the film screening. There was good conversation on the movie and everyone seemed to really enjoy it.

Every year we host “Portraits: A Production on Diversity”. Portraits is an event where different students get to share their portrait of the world through their medium of choice, be it comedy, dance, step, spoken word, a skit, music, or poetry. Every year the program grows and evolves and we are looking forward to the 7th annual presentation next spring, which is going to be bigger and better than ever!

How does your Chapter carry out the tenets of Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority Inc.?

True to the vision of Theta Nu Xi, each Sister upholds every one of our tenets, everyday. We are all involved in different service and leadership opportunities across campus and are very dedicated to the sisterhood aspect of the Sorority. If any one of us is ever down, we always know that we have at least five other people that we can count on to make it better.

For the 2009-2010 school year, the Pi Chapter won the Outstanding Scholarship Award and the Outstanding Service Award, given to the chapter with the highest GPA and service hours per sis-

Pi Chapter sorors showing off their unique sense of humor, which they attribute to keeping their chapter balanced.

ter (awarded at National Convention). We also won the Outstanding Contribution to the Community at Greek Awards 2010, hosted by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life and the Inter-Greek Council. Soror Rachel Gleason also received the Greek Person of the Year award, a title that a sister from the Pi Chapter has held since the 2005/2006 school year.

This year’s Greek awards will be held on April 26 and Pi is nominated for 4 awards including Outstanding Emerging Leader (Soror Jessica Hines), Greek Person of the Year (Soror Rachel Gleason), Outstanding Chapter Advisor (Soror Ashley Adams), and Outstanding Chapter.

Above: Pi Chapter sorors gather for their annual Alumnae Reunion.

Left: Pi at their 6th annual production of “Portraits: A Production on Diversity”

What kind of service activities does the Pi Chapter participate in?

Pi Chapter has participated in the “We Put the Giving in Thanksgiving” food drive for the Charlottesville community for the past two years. We collect canned goods at Kroger and then deliver them to families. To help keep the morale of students high, we give out lollipops during exam week. This

FEATURED ARTICLE 5 year we are also raffling off an exam week survival basket complete with blue books, Red Bull energy drinks, and snacks. We made holiday greeting cards for Girls For A Change employees, Valentine’s cards for The Laurels of Charlottesville Nursing Home, as well as picture books for the University of Virginia Children’s Hospital.

Above: Pi Chapter Founders reunite.

Right: Pi sisters gather for a wedding celebration.

What goals do you have for the future?

First, the Pi Chapter would like to increase its membership; recruitment is a realm that we plan to go full force in and we hope to increase our Chapter size from those efforts.

We also would like to expand upon our programming. We plan to have at least one medium-sized event every month for the entire school year, in order to increase visibility and interest in Theta Nu Xi. We plan to create at least one more annual signature event that future Pi Chapter Sisters can carry out every year. Currently, “Portraits”, our annual Alumnae Reunion and “We Put the Giving in Thanksgiving” are the only signature events that we have, and we would like to create at least one more. Lastly, we would like to improve our recognition on campus, and to reach this goal we plan to co-sponsor events with other organizations to help increase our visibility.

Support Sisters

Virtual buddy network connects sorors with common interest

By Lindsay Romasanta exchanged cards and holiday gifts with her as well. It’s been a meaningful and Contributing Writer enriching experience stemming from a

To be fit, fabulous and fun is one playful way to cheer each other on.” of the many mantras that women across Meyers and Tovar encourage other the nation live by. Shows such as The Big- sisters across the nation to reach out, meet gest Loser and Celebrity Fit Club mirror other sorors from all regions and create the lifestyle changing strategies for which similar support systems.

In fact, Meyers’ people across the nation are striving for. has helped influence this fitness support Even First Lady Michelle Obama is chalsystem to trickle down locally in Georgia. lenging the nation to combat obesity and The Xi Epsilon chapter started a fitness become more active. Sorors Lupe Tovar initiative, where they send out monthly and Elise Meyers have taken their own emails about helpful diet or fitness fact version of fit, fabulous and fun to another or meeting up to work out or take a class level by being virtual workout budtogether. Tovar believes that this virtual dies, while strengthening sisterhood ties workout buddy system can be a viral through thousands of miles away. movement and raved about the benefits,

Although sorors Lupe Tovar “It’s been great to have a posse of Butter(GAL) and Elise Meyers (Xi Epsilon) flies cheering me on & sisters to mutually have never met in person, they connected achieve with! Their kind words keep me through the social networking site Twitter going; their struggles remind me to cheer last year and have since kept each other accountable of workout and healthy eating them on. It’s great accountability!”

To join the #BBCommittee, follow strategies, as well as providing fitness tips Tovar at @AbsoluteLu and Meyers at with the hash tag #BBCommittee (Bomb @BrwnEyedAries.

Booty Committee) as their signature. Meyers is currently a substitute teacher and resides in Georgia, whereas Tovar is a program development specialist for a national youth-focused program and resides in Oklahoma.

Meyers commented that this nontraditional virtual workout buddy system has benefited not only her fitness goals, but also her sisterhood ties, “I feel more connected with my sorors through this virtual buddy network. I haven’t met Lupe in person, but she has been very supportive and we have become close. I’m excited to #1 Absolute Heart #4 Scrubs MD be able to meet her at Spring 2007 Spring 2009 National Convention.”

Xi Eta Chapter Zeta Chapter Similarly, Tovar said, “I Currently: GAL Currently: Xi Epsilon text with Elise and have

Bomb Booty Committee Sorors

Lupe Tovar

Elise Meyers

6 FEATURED ARTICLE

Diversity of Interests:

In the Heels of a Pageant Girl

Williams and Christine Nwabeke. Both contestants, both winners, and both more than anyone would expect from a “beauty queen.”

Savannah is a

By Rubi Morgan Contributing Writer

The stage is set with a glittery background and the lights are low. One by one, they step up the microphone, faces fixed with megawatt smiles. As the spotlight zones in, catching every sequin on their evening gowns and casting shadows of their perfect silhouettes, they begin their passionate speeches. They would like to thank their sorority for giving them this opportunity to reach out to the campus and community. To their sisters, who always there for them, they are entirely grateful. Without them, they could have never done it.

Are you shaking your head and rolling your eyes? Most people feel those words couldn’t be more cliché and unreal.

However, pageant participants all around the world would respectfully disagree.

Pageantry is more than what is seen on Miss Congeniality and you would likely be surprised to learn about a few of the strong and dedicated women who compete.

Who participates in Pageants?

Meet two of the newest additions to Theta Nu Xi’s Omicron Chapter at the University of Houston: Savannah

is hoping to meet the people and gain the experience she needs to become a sports anchor and put her opinions out into the public sphere.

These dynamic women are just two of the faces you would see up on that stage, representing who they really are in every way. Unfortunately, when those spotlights turn on, many find it hard to Left: Soror Christine Nwabeke struts her stuff. see past the crown.

When asked what they think Below: Christine (middle) about the participants of beauty pageants, stands out among the the majority of women reply with somecompetition. thing along the lines of, “They are shallow, obsessed with how they look, and stuck up.” Others feel that the whole idea of pageants and judging someone’s beauty is impossible when it is such a subjective quality. To many African Americans, pageants come off as an effective way to make the ideal beauty coincide with eurocentric standards. It seems that no matter whom you talk to, pageantry is either degrading to women or just pointless. There are countless preconceived notions about Mathematics major. She can figure out pageants, especially about the women just how long it would take her to disparticipating. prove anyone’s misconceptions about her What makes a competitions, solve the problem with her Pageant Participant? own witty response, and keep it entirely rational too. For her, pageants aren’t just

As a woman glides down a runa way to bring out her personality. They way in a dress you would sell your soul are preparation for when she plans to for, a lot of the time, you can’t help but be become a math professor. When she is envious. She appears beautiful, confident, on stage, speaking proudly to millions of and essentially perfect. But if our afteryoung girls, she sees herself in a classschool specials have taught us anything, room, educating and making a difference it is that no one is truly perfect. The in the lives of others. She was introduced perfect body is impossible when temptato pageantry as a teen by Christine, her tions such as chocolate cake linger nearby neighbor, now her butterfly Sister, and her and confidence is an attribute built only lifelong friend. through experience. So what do you truly

For Christine, pageantry was need to compete in pageants? always in her life. She started out in tod Double D’s and a tiny waist? dler pageants, charming the world before Though it is true that appearance is a key she even reached puberty. Growing up in part of being in any judged competition, it a Nigerian household with three brothis not without work. Women who comers, she also became a sports fanatic. This pete in pageants strive to keep their body beauty queen can give you the stats and in a healthy shape through paced diets a play-by-play for any member of the and consistent exercise routines. While Houston Rockets. Through pageantry, she a cheeseburger or two might find its way

FEATURED ARTICLE 7 into their mouth, contestants usually mas- mon misconception that pageant girls young girl’s self-esteem growing up. A will do anything to win ter cooking their own meals and finding few admitted that if their own daughter healthful alternatives to their favorite not- and are willing to step were given the opportunity to on anyone to get to the so-healthy indulgence foods. Of course, compete, they wouldn’t encourtop. But in fact, a lot of besides lettuce and bean sprouts, there age her to do so. Although the contestants meet their is always a little sweat involved. Like financial responsibility and the best friends through basketball or swimming, competing in a stress were factors, most were competitions and pageant takes a lot of physical training. concerned that competing would “Most pageant girls, if they’re not already many close friends as lead to serious confidence related well. According to athletes, train like one,” says Savannah, issues such as social detachment Christine, life backreturning from her own Insanity workout or anorexia. Contestants usually stage fortunately class. A lot of determination and selffeel otherwise. While making her doesn’t involve a control is necessary when competing in pageants, and many trainers warn the con- lot of gossip and testants to not bother if they aren’t willing betrayal. “I’m proud Above: to say that I haven’t to work hard every day.

Soror Savannah Williams formed any bad

And though the benefits and relationships with superficial nature of pageants are usually Right: Savannah (right) anyone! A lot of the wins Second Runner Up understood, many people don’t really and Miss Photogenic at girls are sweet and know what happens before the women the 2010 Miss Black it is nice to catch up receive that sash. They need to get skinny Texas pageant. with them competiand wear make-up, right? Not exactly. tion to competition.” Many relationThere is a lot of training that goes on ships built through pageantry, whether that doesn’t involve anything physical, it is with other competitors or the such as the question and answer portion judges, last long beyond the competiof the competition. Although contestants tion. Connections made allow both answer with poise and confidence, the winners and participants reality is, they have no to gain academic and ocidea what question they cupational opportunities that will be asked! Whereas own scrambled egg-whites sandwich, they never would’ve been many people, including Christine was asked to explain her emointroduced to otherwise. myself, would stand there tional journey: “I definitely have a higher In fact, many famous with a dumb look on their self-esteem now than I did when I began women today competed in face and mumble someto compete. In order to do well and still pageants. It is a common thing about world peace, have a little bit of sanity left, you really trivia fact that Oprah Winthese women have trained need to grow from deep within. After that frey was a 1971 winner in and studied hard to give transformation happens, thinking highly both the Miss Black Tenrespectful and thoughtof myself really just fell into place.” nessee and Miss Fire Preful answers that bring out What does it all mean? vention competitions. With their personality. “To me, her personality and spirit, a beauty queen is a com Pageantry will continue to be a she delighted the audience bination of a model and controversial issue, but for Savannah WilChristine strikes a when she was asked what a politician,” says Savanliams and Christine Nwabeke, it is more playful pose off stage. she would do with a million nah. “You have to be able than a hobby. These young women comdollars: “I’d be a spending fool!” Other to answer questions at the drop of a dime pete passionately and the sisters of Theta successful women with backgrounds in and you have to know what is going on Nu Xi’s Omicron chapter support them pageantry include Halle Berry, Diane in your community and the world around wholeheartedly. They have no problem Sawyer, Michelle Yeoh, and Bollywood’s you to do so.” Contestants work hard to explaining the nature of competitions to famous Aishwarya Rai. Pageants support be active members of their cities, doing anyone who asks and are very understandwomen of all cultures and interests includ- ing when it comes to criticism of what service in their community and staying in ing films and politics. constant communication with the people they do. For them, pageantry is a way to Unfortunately, knowing this who live there. It takes months of prepara- put their personality out for the world to doesn’t change the way some women feel tion, training, and perseverance to get to see and gain an opportunity to be a role about pageants. Though most pageants the same level as the women you would model for young girls. These Butterfly are actually held to award scholarships see on the brightly lit stage.

Sisters are just as proud to wear their for students, the bathing suit part tends to letters as they are to wear that shiny sash.

Why compete? throw people off. Many women, espeAnd when it comes down to it, their pascially mothers, feel as though competing

One also does not need to be a sion and drive will make them successful in a beauty contest is likely to tear up a cut-throat competitor to win. It is a comin anything they do.

8 FEATURED ARTICLE

checks & balances

Inside the National Standards Committee

Image courtesy of Google Images.

By Arianna Smith Staff Writer

Fulfilling sorority standards, those imposed both nationally and at the chapter level, is the crux of Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. Our standards define our organization and build our reputation on campuses and in surrounding communities. From time to time, fulfilling the standards set forth by the national organization may prove to be difficult for some members. In such cases, the National Standards Committee (NSC) is available to provide unbiased assistance for issues concerning Sorority standards.

The NSC is composed of active Sisters who volunteer their time to help ensure that the Sorority’s standards of conduct are met.

The National Standards Committee is open to any active undergraduate or GAP sister in good standing. Any sister elected to the NSC must serve for one full year. The duties of NSC members include the understanding of policies and procedures pertaining to NSC activities. NSC members are also required to read all incident reports and other documentation prior to a hearing and attend all scheduled hearings. Current NSC members reported spending much of their time on the committee reviewing current cases, researching policies, and revisiting past cases.

These tasks are essential to fulfilling the most critical demand of the National Standards Committee: to make accurate and fair decisions regarding standards appeals. For some members, participation on the committee has allowed for additional, seemingly unexpected, experiences. For example, one NSC member worked on a special project to empower sisters who may have academic challenges.

Undoubtedly, the members of the NSC are admirable and can be called the guardians of the Sorority’s integrity.

While the duties of the committee may seem fairly straightforward, it is easy to imagine how complicated

the position must be. Members of the NSC must be able to approach all cases with unbiased judgment. Essentially, they must harness the ability to make a fine distinction between sisterhood and business. This is an issue that many sisters, including myself, struggle with.

“It is a test of your character and ability to be fair, honest, and confident in your decision making,” says Goldie Pritchard, an NSC member. Guidelines for NSC operations have been enacted to minimize obvious conflicts of interest. Members of the NSC are not allowed to participate in hearings that involve sisters with whom the committee member is affiliated.

Like all things, serving on the National Standards Committee has its ups and downs. For Goldie Pritchard, a two-time NSC member, participating on the Committee has been a way to stay connected with the sorority at the national level. Her time on the NSC has allowed her to delve into the policies that govern our organization. It has also given her the opportunity to meet and interact with many sisters from all across the country; an opportunity any of us should be excited to have. Monika King, an NSC member from the Xi Epsilon Chapter, has used her time on the committee to make a difference in the sorority. “You also get the ability to have an input on things that you would like to see improved, as well as things that are working very well; not only from a Chapter level, but also on a national level,” says Monika.

Membership on the NSC, like many other national committees, provides the opportunity to be involved in the sorority at a national level. Unique to the NSC is the opportunity to explore the standards system that has been so carefully developed for the sisters of Theta Nu Xi. Both Monika and Goldie stated that they would serve on the NSC again. Moreover, they both encourage sisters, young and old, to serve on the NSC!

Interested in serving on the 2011-2012 NSC?

Applications are due July 1st, 2011!

FEATURED ARTICLE 9

CELEBRATING our FOUNDATIONS: Sorors commemorate our 14th year Anniversary

By Lindsay Romasanta Contributing Writer

On April 11th, 2011, Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. celebrated its 14 year Founders Day Anniversary. Read on to hear about how chapters across the nation

commemorated this wONdErful day.

Alpha Chapter The Alpha chapter

braved the rain and hosted their annual Founders Day Cookout at Woodcroft Park. Sisters from GAL and the Gamma, Xi Beta and Xi Theta chapters were also in attendance (pictured above). In addition, the Alpha chapter also commemorated Founders Week with a fund raising event, “Pie a Butterfly” to raise money to sponsor a young woman in Tanzania to attend school (pictured at right). Lastly, they hosted a sisterhood only dinner at The Loop, where they used this time to reflect on how the sorority and the Alpha chapter have grown.

Omicron Chapter The Omicron chapter planned a week long celebration, ensuring

to meet all of the sorority’s tenets, while educating others about Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority Inc., and about different issues in the world today.

Their week long celebration included a sisterhood event “Dinner and a Movie” in which they screened “Daddy and Papa”— a documentary about gay couples and interracial adoption. In addition, they also awarded a Murchison-Blake scholarship to a deserving student.

Upsilon Chapter The Upsilon chapter

hosted a spaghetti dinner on Founders Day that was cooked for them by their faculty advisor, Eric Love. They also created butterfly crafts and Theta Nu Xi paraphernalia.

Xi Eta Chapter The Xi Eta chapter hosted a sister-

hood dinner on Founders Day with attendance by GAL sisters as well as sisters from the Tau and Mu Chapters (pictured below, at left). During the dinner, each soror was asked to share with the group which tenet they felt impacted them most or they had the most influence on in the past year.

Xi Gamma Chapter The Xi Gamma chapter

celebrated Founders Day by organizing a special dinner for both chapter members and local GAL sisters including Founding Monarch Brenda Eribo as well as a Soror who was temporarily assigned to the area for work. Sixteen sorors met at Asian Spice in the Chinatown area of Washington, D.C., for dinner where they each received a lavender rose in honor of Founders’ Day. Founding Monarch Eribo led the group with a special toast.

GAL Sisters in Boston, MA In Boston, sorors from a variety of chapters organized a brunch

to connect sisters in the area (pictured below). It was a great way to relax and motivated them to plan events with each other in the future. Sorors Taryn Townsend and Mekea Harvey also visited the Race Exhibit at the Boston Museum of Science and Butterfly Garden on Founder’s Day.

10 FEATURED ARTICLE

paracrafting

the art of

By Tanya Arditi Contributing Writer

PARA-WHAT?!

When some sisters hear about paracrafting, they feel it is so out of their comfort zone that they might as well have heard, “Let’s go parasailing, parachuting, and paragliding ALL AT THE SAME TIME!”

Fear not. Paracrafting, or the art of crafting paraphernalia for others as well as for yourself, can be an extremely fun and rewarding activity. If you have done it before, then you know if you prefer working on your own, with someone else, or in a group. If you have never picked up the glue stick, a paintbrush, wooden goodies and lavender, Carolina blue, and black paint, then there are some questions you need to answer honestly before you get started.

First, when embarking on a project that may take a few hours, does it sound like something that will bring you peace and quiet as well as a little time to be introspective and meditate? If not, and you actually feel like you would be bored doing this on your own, would you enjoy it if it was a group activity with other sisters instead? Do your creative juices flow better when you are alone or when you can bounce ideas off other people and get their opinion as you go along? Do you enjoy doing a little bit of a lot of things (painting, gluing, cutting, sorting, shaping), or do you prefer having one task that TOP: Hand painted paddle you can do numerous times (beembellished with wooden Greek ing the designated glue master, letters and symbols. for example)?

BOTTOM: Photobox is perfect for Depending on your answers, storing keepsake sorority items. paracrafting may be a great hobby for you! I am of the personal belief that though we are not all creative in the same way, we can all enjoy crafting, because indulging in arts and crafts is one of the easiest ways to let your imagination run wild and maybe exercise a part of our brains that day-to-day living does not always allow.

You are probably thinking that this is all easy to say, but

how do you actually put it in action? If you have never crafted before because 1) You think you are just not artsy (or have convinced yourself of this!), or 2) You think it is too difficult (because you have only ever seen other people’s FINAL product, and the one they WANT you to see!), then I recommend you find a sister who loves doing it and ask her to either let you play with her “stash” or go with you to an arts and crafts store to put you on the right track with a greater starter project that will fit your skills. I do not have a favorite, but the big places like A.C. Moore and Michaels are always great.

Before you enter the spin cycle that a big arts and crafts store can be, I recommend you think about a couple of things:

[ Tip #1 ] Think about the

person you will be crafting for.

What is her personality? Is she mushy or is she practical? If she is very sentimental, think of making items that revolve around memories, like picture frames, picture cubes, or picture ’clouds.’ If she is a practical person, think of creating an item that will connect with her on the emotional level, but is not overly emotional, and has a practical use such as a box, folder, magnet, or key chain. If she is very into beauty, consider making her a make-up box, or embellishing a mirror. If she is an extremely active person, think of the things she is into and make her something she can use while doing it.

Please do not forget ABOVE: Painted wooden stool makes a unique bedside to think about her table. color preferences, and make sure you BOTTOM: Wooden butterflies know enough about are painted with names of them so you can add sisters in Family Tree and atthe personal touches. tached to length of ribbon.

[ Tip #2 ] Envision the finished product.

Now that you have an idea of an item (you do not have to choose it before you get to the store), think a little about the

FEATURED ARTICLE 11 things you would like to put on it. If you had complete freedom and ability to make anything come to life, what would you put where on an item? What would you like to see on something that someone gives you? Think about the variety of information about the person you would like to put on the item you are crafting so that you do not end up getting a lot of things about only one part of their information, such as line number or chapter.

[ Tip #3 ] Don’t forget about your budget!

ABOVE: Hand painted paddle with butterfly and swirl design.

you are ready to get started—ideally with your working area covered in something you would not mind throwing away when you are done, plastic tablecloths are excellent and reusable - lay out everything you bought. Then assemble it on the item you decided to make so you can visualize and adjust, and make decisions before you start painting, cutting, and gluing.

This is the time when you will probably need to be the most precise – to make sure you can let loose and enjoy the rest of the process. This is when you will decide the color patterns you will use, what needs to be cut, what you cannot use, and things like that. And remember, you do not have to make everything from scratch – it is okay to buy things that are mostly done and just assemble them! We cannot all be Martha Stewart.

Go ahead and use the internet to see examples of others’ work. Do not be afraid of using other people’s ideas if you have a hard time coming up with your own – after all, you are still making this yourself and it is personalized for the individual! And please remember it does not have to be perfect – it just has to come from the heart and be done with love and happiness. Think of the joy an item like the one you are making would bring you if it was given to you as a gift. Think of the ways you would use it, and think of the happy thoughts it would bring you, and forge confidently ahead in your project. Know that it will be with this same amount of happiness that it will be received.

If you want to craft in a group, enlist other sisters, or propose a chapter paracrafting day! I am personally currently working on putting together a chapter activity whereby everyONE crafts an item for someONE else; ideally someONE they have not ever made anything for. Another great idea for your chapter is organizing an arts and crafts day in one of those big stores; they often can offer such deals, so just call up and inquire.

Paracrafting does not have to be something you only do as a present to a new sister. In fact, if you try to do it here and there, when the time comes to make something that you consider to be of great importance, you will have a much easier time doing it and will most likely be extremely proud of your final product.

I can only speak for myself, but I know that when I go inside the big stores, I love everything and RIGHT: Painted mirror embellished with I want everything! Before going, Greek letters and give yourself a range between personalized for the which you would like to stay – Dean of Intake. because you should prepare to spend maybe a little more than a set sum in case you see something that is absolutely perfect to bring your vision to life.

Now that you have made it inside the store (congrats!), start browsing the aisles. Feel free to check out the bargains first as they may make your selection process easier!. I recommend you pick out things that catch your eye, things that are pleasing to you, and things that you find beautiful and that you think the other person would also like. Do not wrack your brain trying to only think about what the person you are crafting for would like because I guarantee you, if you like it, you will make your piece with happiness and love, and this will come through in your final product.

Use a variety of textures, shapes, and mediums. Do not be afraid to mix wooden items with fabric, dried flowers with stickers, and paint with beads. The more diversity in the things you are working with, the more it will accentuate your piece and bring it to life. And of course, whatever you do not use up this time, you can add to what will likely become a growing box/bag/ station of arts and crafts materials. If your first experience ignites a little spark of love for arts and crafts, you will find yourself randomly picking up things and saying “Oh, I could use this for something!”

Feel free to ask the people at the store to help you out.

They tend to be quite obsessed with arts and crafts and will be able to tell you if you can use a particular type of paint on different surfaces, or which glue will work best with the things in your basket. Also, if you have an idea of something you want but have a hard time finding it, describe it to them. For example, “I want ABOVE: Paracrafted items are a great way to to find something I can use that is basically butterfly wings I can stick on a memories’ box and draw in the middle with a stencil”. showcase your Theta Nu Xi spirit while tabling.

When you are done with an outlandish sentence like that, flash RIGHT: Handpainted paddle is inscribed with them a really big smile and watch as they scan the whole store in lines of the Theta Woman poem. The heritage of each Chapter Founder is symbolized on the wing their heads and try to give you options! of a butterfly which is painted to look like a flag.

Enough about the buying phase, let’s make stuff. When

12 FEATURED ARTICLE

View from the Top Reflections from Outgoing National Board Members

By Sarah Hein Copy Editor What kind of ‘mark’ will you leave on our Sorority as you leave the National Board?

Monica Copeland, National Administrator: As I leave the National Board, I’m reminded of a quote that I believe is attributed to Martin Luther King, Jr., which is, “Everyone can be great because everyone can serve.” I don’t know what type of legacy or mark I will leave, but I do know that I tried to serve the Sorority for the past eleven years in many different capacities (as a chapter member, on a local/state level, and on a national level) and particularly during a time of transition.

When I ran for office in 2009, the Executive Director position (later renamed National Administrator in 2010) had gone unfilled at Convention. I thought I could offer some consistency having served in the position before. Many of us know that the work of the National Board is not glamorous (i.e., the issues can be tough, overwhelming, or even mundane), but the need for people to keep at it despite personal challenges and the passage of time is what makes the organization what it is and what it has the potential to be in the coming years.

Rashida Rawls, Director of Communications: I believe I’ve accomplished my initial goal of streamlining the way we communicate internally and externally, adding a sense of professionalism to what we do nationally and maintaining the consistency needed to build a strong foundation that we can build on for years to come.

Amanda Tomchak, National President: This is a hard one, I’m not really sure. We’ve made a lot of changes to how the board operates in the past couple years and I hope that efficiency is something that continues and just gets better as the years go on.

What was your favorite memory you made while serving on the National Board?

Monica: This time around (2009-2011) my favorite memory with the National Board was attending the Board meeting in Atlanta in June 2010. No matter what transpires over the course of several months via email and phone, it is always a pleasure spending time with sisters in person. Meet-

ing in person also has a completely different feel than a conference call. The local sisters in Atlanta really contributed to making that meeting extra special. Sisters picked Board members up from the airport, prepared welcome materials for us, and even coordinated meals at various restaurants when we arrived and as we were leaving. Thanks again for making that weekend memorable, Zeta, Xi Epsilon, Delta alumnae, and GALs!

the big picture, and it even provides a way to contact members. The materials prepared in and around Convention are quite enlightening too (e.g., legislation, award bids, etc.). It’s nice to see creativity from members as well as the members taking initiative to make the changes to the National Organization that they see fit. There is also something exciting about new tools being developed such as OrgSync; it will be interesting to see how members utilize such tools in the future.

Rashida: I think my fondest memory to date was in the board room in L.A. right before we were to announce the convention city for 2011. We were hashing it out, back and forth, back and forth. Finally, AmanNational Administrator da was like, let’s take a vote!

Somehow we ended up with New Orleans. LOL! It was a crazy fun, frantic memory - and I guess you just had to be there.

But the kicker was how quickly Katie was able to develop that Big Easy video! Bananas! I’ve loved serving with these ladies.

They are all amazing!

Monica Copeland

Amanda: So many! My experience has really been amazing - I’d say Convention 2010 was a good memory as a whole because we were able to Dir. of Communications get our business done and have a good time. Also, the chapters I visited - such good times!

Rashida Rawls

Rashida: I’m glad to have revived ONEVision. It is essential for us to have a tool to communicate all the wonderful things Theta Women are doing worldwide. I hope to have developed a core virtual newsroom system that will never fade, and we can use for a very long time. I’m also very proud of creating the FROM THE DOC notes that I sent out to keep the sisterhood informed on what the national board was doing. I think it’s important for leadership to be as transparent as possible to avoid any speculations or assumptions.

Amanda: We’re currently bringing members into OrgSync which I think will help chapters, regions, and the national organization be better organized and run more efficiently - I’ve hear a lot of positive feedback so far, I hope it continues.

Name one project that you were particularly fond of that you developed or served on.

Monica: I cannot name just one project, but I am fond Advice for incoming officers? of some of the templates, Monica: For new officers tools, and time lines created (and new members): Try to track information over the not to be too intimidated by years. The Master Roster is members who have been in one example of a template that the organization for a long has evolved over time: it is a National President time. Older members may very simple document (just have access to historical knowledge, but an excel sheet with member information) there is always room to create your own but seeing over 1000 members listed when niche or challenge the status quo (especially I can remember there once being a little with some of the new positions but even over 30 members is always quite impreswith the long-standing positions). It’s nice sive. It shows the growth of the organization over time, it gives sisters a way to see Continued on Next Page

Amanda Tomchak

FEATURED ARTICLE 13 if you can bring a fresh perspective to the Board and the Organization, and if you are passionate about your office, that enthusiasm will rub off on others. For those of you who are contemplating running for office: first think about it long and hard and hopefully there will be a point when you can say yes. If that is not possible, I encourage you to continue to serve the Sorority in other ways. By chipping away at a project here or a task there, each person has the power to lighten the load for the Board and to make a difference in the Sorority. Remember, “Everyone can be great because everyone can serve.”

Rashida: Maintain a balance. This is a great way to serve the Sorority, but don’t get overwhelmed or sidetracked. Create your own “office hours” where you handle Sorority business and always treat sisters the way you would like to be treated. Always.

Amanda: There are so many benefits to being on the board, be sure to reap them all - getting to know new sisters, making new life long friends, building leadership and other types of skills, networking, adding to that resume, travel - take it all in, it goes really fast!

What goals do you have for the Sorority 5 years from now? 10 years from now?

Monica: Five years from now, I hope the dust settles from some of the Regionalization work. In other words, I just hope each Board member feels more settled in all of the new positions, and I hope that members take full advantage of the information sharing and resources they will have access to through regional and national initiatives.

Ten years from now, I’d like to see the Sorority continue to make positive, lasting changes in the lives of women across the country and perhaps even internationally. I know I’ve benefitted immensely from being a member, and I hope the Organization continues to take its most positive attributes and amplify those -- while minimizing or eliminating anything that is negative or detrimental to the greater good.

Rashida: In 5 years, I’d like to see us having established a lifetime membership policy with at least 100 lifetime members.

And in 10 years, I’d like to see us have a national headquarters somewhere.

Amanda: Five years from now I hope obtaining a full national board is not a concern we have as an Organization and it becomes something everyone works toward. Ten years from now I hope we are as true to our mission then as we are today.

Thank you to our National Board members for their unyielding service to our organization!

Living Your Ritual

By Nicole Zavodny Staff Writer

As sisters of Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Incorporated, we have all crossed and been through our ritual. We go through the same ritual which binds us together beyond sweatshirts, line jackets, and picture frames. As humans the key communication skill that separates us from other beings on this earth is our knack for symbolism and our ritual has plenty of that. We all took a vow to constantly attempt to improve the lives of both ourselves as well as others. We become “ONE” with hundreds of women all over the country through a series of symbols strung together. The question becomes: how do we live it every day of our lives?

We promised to be sisters, to see beyond the surface of those who went through the same process and love and respect each other. When I crossed I remember a sister telling my line something to the extent of, “You don’t have to like every sister, but you have to respect them.” Our organization is built off of the notions of both self respect as well as respect for others without prejudgment. We as Theta women promise to respect all people regardless of who they are or where they come from. How impossible does that seem? What about the person who seems to go out of their way to bully you or someone you care about? Do they deserve respect? Yes. It’s harder than it seems, but I believe that is the core to living our ritual every day. Not everyone will like one another, but we should be living examples of respect for all.

The cliché of smiling at a stranger to brighten their day and others like it are much easier than respecting the person who took credit for a fantastic idea you had at work, but it’s possible. The simplest way to respect even the person who you like the least is to try your best not to think negatively about them. Treat even those who have said some of the most unimaginably harmful things to you in your life by being polite to them and wishing them well.

The thought of respecting oneself probably sounds like a lesson from a cheesy movie once seen in middle or high school. However, self respect is one of the hardest lessons to learn and live. I struggle with that more than I struggle with wishing others well because I all too easily get caught up in the negativity thrown my way. Self respect is, after all, about being your own biggest cheerleader. So look in the mirror every day and instead of thinking about slightly crooked eye liner or if your thighs may be looking bigger than you like, think about the one thing that you love about yourself.

As Theta women we are encouraged to show respect to others and ourselves. In my eyes the core of our ritual is based on the notion of respect and trying to show it to everything and everyone we encounter on a daily basis. I’m not telling you to make amends with that person who hurt your feelings, but merely take a step back and the next time you have an opportunity to throw negativity at someSend us your thoughts on what it means to one, anyone, let promote our promise to Theta Nu Xi in our it go and send out positivity instead. daily lives at dmonasch@gmail.com.

How do you live YOUR ritual?

14 FEATURED ARTICLE

influence

a theta woman’s

By: Nicole Zavodny Staff Writer

When I was asked by one of the senior editors to write an article about being a Theta Woman and a mother, I thought a lot about what I do as a member of this organization to influence my daughter, Ava. Then I thought about the influence I have on a lot of little people in my life who watch me, my neighbor’s daughter or even the children of other Sorors. What I ultimately decided was that I wanted to really sum up an understanding of the influence we have on this world, and I thought of the first verse of the “Theta Woman” poem.

“Loyal to the cocoon/ From where she comes...”

We as Theta Women are taught to remember our roots not only as aspirants, but as people. Where do we come from? What lessons do we want to take away from that? While pregnant I started to really evaluate that fact. What did my parents do well or what did I want to do differently to give my daughter a better experience than I had growing up? I think about what my father once told me and I wholeheartedly believe it. He once said, “I do this to give you what I didn’t have.” I couldn’t help, but think about what I wanted to give to Ava that I felt was missing from my life. We remember those things, the holes in what we wanted out of our childhoods, and as Theta Women I believe it’s our responsibility to give that to future generations. On the same note, I believe that we need to remember our roots in a positive light. For however many things I wish my parents did differently, I also see that they taught me a lot of positive lessons that I try to teach to not only Ava, but other little ones I encounter.

“The Theta Woman rises out of a lavender dawn...”

We rise where once we may have been down. We lift ourselves up to lightness. This brings me back to my previous point. We take from our roots the good and we overcome the bad. As a mom I often want to do that for Ava. I see what I have learned from being a member of this Sorority and I want her to fly, to succeed, to always feel as though she can rise above whatever type of adversity may come her way. Though she is only an infant, I think about the ways in which I can teach her these things.

I try to teach other little ones in my life about being kind, understanding, and how to rise above negative influences of others in their life by both example and sometimes words. There have been more than a few bedtime stories I’ve told that had a moral lesson pertaining to an event earlier in the day.

“To proudly bridge the gaps in her world/ With her butterfly wings...”

How do we expect to teach the little eyes of the world who are watching us to do the same? The answer Nicole and her daughter Ava is by being living examples for future generations. I bring Ava with me almost everywhere and that’s partly by choice, partly by necessity. I am constantly trying to show her the wonders of this world and be a living example to her by doing things such as taking her to museums and introducing her to all of Mommy’s Sisters. As an organization we often call ourselves a social movement and I think we take that to mean a lot of mass or group communication. What about interpersonal? Those little people we love so much in our lives don’t miss a thing. Bridging gaps in their world means more than a visit to a museum or a book, it means showing them that they can be above the negativity that may surround them by doing that ourselves. Nobody is perfect and not everyone that we bring around the young people in our life will always have the best influence, but if we are the most positive influence we can be, those little people will fill in the gaps themselves and be able to soar farther than we ever imagined.

As a Theta Woman, a mother, and a mentor to all of the young people in my life I constantly try to be a living example of our values. By striving to be strong women who take the best from our past and improve upon the worst as well as rising above negative influences, we can bridge the gaps that may be there from the negativity in our young people’s lives. We have the power to influence not only our own children, but every child we encounter by being “living examples of sisterhood across different races, cultures, religions, backgrounds, and lifestyles.”

COVER STORY 15

HAITI: a year in recovery

Continued From Page 1

Images courtesy of Google Images.

following the earthquake, $14.9 billion had been donated to five major non-profit organizations. These included the Red Cross, CARE, Catholic Relief Services, the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund, and the separate Clinton Foundation Haiti Fund. And while this staggering amount is sufficient to provide every displaced Haitian family with $37,000, millions remained homeless and hungry. CBS News investigative correspondent Sharyl Attkisson reported that most of the donated funds are earmarked for long-term projects to rebuild Haiti. However, the slow usage of emergency relief funds for Haiti was subject to much criticism and raised concerns regarding the country’s long-term recovery.

It has been over a year since the earthquake left Haiti in shambles.

While many would think that the “long-term” projects would be well under way, Haitians are not satisfied with the relief efforts thus far. In an interview published online by TIME, ABOVE: Map details the intensity of the Port-au-Prince resident 7.0 Magnitude earthquake from 2010.

Feralia François expresses RIGHT: Survivors navigate the destruction her disdain for the progfrom the powerful quake in a city center. ress made. “Life hasn’t progressed at all since the earthquake,” she says. This sentiment is shared by the majority of those affected by the disaster.

To date, less than one-half of the millions displaced by the earthquake have been moved into new homes. The remaining population still lives and waits in tent camps. In addition, even basic relief efforts such as debris removal have fallen short.

TIME reports that such efforts have been slow due to the fact that “rubble removal,” along with other clean-up efforts, is not an appealing way to spend donated funds. Instead, those who donate to Haiti relief prefer to see funds go towards providing new housing or building new schools. However, Haiti cannot build until it receives help to clean-up. As a result, many residents of Haiti, especially in the overpopulated capital city of Port-au-Prince, are forced to relive the devastation of the tragic natural disaster on a daily basis.

Along with the lackluster relief efforts, Haitian recovery has been further complicated by bouts of cholera and political uncertainty. The cholera epidemic has claimed already over 4,000 lives and is only going to become worse. The

Lancet, a widely circulated British journal, predicts a staggering 800,000 cases of cholera by October, 2011. Ultimately, this will result in excessive emotional and financial burden on Haiti; already the Western hemisphere’s poorest and most devastated country. The current political troubles only aid in adding fuel to the fire.

In spite of the slow progress and stories of daily struggles, there are some stories of hope and improvement in Haiti.

With the help of an $8 million grant from the U.S. Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance and aid from numerous other agencies, the rubble has been cleared throughout Ravine Pintade, a small slum. Moveover, this area has been reconnected to running water and provided with new latrines, a health center, and day care clinic (TIME). For the residents of Ravine Pintade, things are looking up. Stories such as these provide hope that a new beginning is on the way for the rest of Haiti still lost in the rubble.

In the year following one of the greatest natural disasters, the recovery of Haiti has been slow at best. Given the looming cholera epidemic and political turmoil, it is unclear how further relief efforts will progress. It is imperative, however, that Haiti relief funds be used to facilitate basic clean-up efforts. These tasks lie at the heart of Haitian recovery. Like natural disasters before it, the tragedy in Haiti provides many lessons which can be applied to other natural disasters, such as the most recent Japanese tsunami and the tornadoes in the United States.

16 COVER STORY

laid in the remains of what used to be the closet, waiting. Within 10 to 15 minutes Tuscaloosa Tornado of initially spotting the tornado through Continued From Page 1 the window, it was over.

When they finally decided to began cropping up in Mississippi and the emerge from northern part of the state of Alabama by their hidthe morning of the 27th, and throughout ing spot, they the day, a flurry of tornadoes continued to discovered that barrage both states, with an astonishing like their apart32 separate tornadoes reported within an ment unit, most hour. of the rest of the

Even though the complex had warnings were given, accubeen reduced to rately predicting where and rubble. when a tornado will hit is

“We very difficult. Additionally, were basically unlike a hurricane, which is outside when typically tracked for several Images courtesy of Google Images. we got up. We Above: Partial walls of a days, a tornado can form rural home are left pushed the wood off of us, we got up, and disappear in a matter of standing. and we looked around and we didn’t seconds if the weather condiLeft: Front page of The see anybody,” Melody recalled. tions are favorable; but once The pair started walking toward Tuscaloosa News: formed, its behavior can be so “Tornado Ravages City.” an apartment that had some of its erratic that it’s hard to predict walls partially intact, and took refuge where it will go and how could see the inside with its tenant, hiding again in the much damage it could do. funnel coming. closet until they could be sure that the --Without a secstorm was really over. Melody still had

Originally a Michigan ond thought, she her cellphone with her and tried to make native, where she attended grabbed Kiara calls, but was unable to get any through.

Wayne State University in and ran into

“You could hear people screamDetroit and was a member of a closet.

ing outside, looking for their loved ones,” the founding line of the Alpha Within minutes, she said.

At one point, Melody heard her Beta Chapter, Melody relocated the tornado was own name being called.

“My boyfriend to Tuscaloosa four years ago actually hitting had actually came and started looking to pursue a Ph.D. in chemisthe apartment building. through the wood and everything that try from the University of Alabama. It

“It started with the glass breakwas on the ground in our apartment and was through her connection with the ing in the windows, and honestly that’s calling our name, because he thought we school that Melody was informed about really all I thought it would be,” Melody were under there.” potentially dangerous weather warnings said.

“Even in the closet through school wide email alerts. knowing that the tornado is

“I had been receiving emails for like, the last couple weeks every now and coming, I’m like, ‘Ok, its probably going to break the then about tornado warnings and nothing glass, we’re shielded from would happen,” Melody said. “It would the glass’, and it did - it be like ‘tornado warning until 3 o’clock’ broke the glass. But then and then 3 o’clock would come and it it broke everything else, would be over.” including the closet we

That day, she received a similar email from the school declaring a tornado were in. Everything just flew above our heads, and warning, and she even heard warning sirens, but like many other residents, didn’t everything just came down. take the matter as seriously as they should It was a shock.”

Terrified of the have. Melody went about her business tornado coming back or like it was any other day, tooling around that a second tornado on Facebook and watching movies online, would follow, Melody just unaware that she and her daughter would be in the path of a mile-wide tornado that Satellite images show the path of destruction with a would rip through the city center around before (top) and after 5 p.m. (bottom) comparison.

A loud noise first alerted Melody that something was happening outside.

“It wasn’t thunder,” Melody said.

“It had the consistency of a plane, but it was much louder. It was like a straight, just loud noise.”

Melody walked to the window of her apartment and

COVER STORY 17

Melody and Kiara emerged from what was left of the neighbor’s apartment to meet him for a bittersweet reunion, and Melody was able to really survey the damage around her for the first time since the tornado had hit.

“It was just very chaotic, it was like a disaster. The tornado had pretty much ripped up everything around my apartment. It was just like, apocalyptic, to be honest with you. It was very, very crazy.”

Melody would later learn that her parents had a similar experience with the storm, as it destroyed their neighborhood, located north of Tuscaloosa.

-- Even with the shock of what had just occurred, Melody kept a calm composure and immediately got on the phone with her insurance company. Her main concern was making sure Kiara had a roof over her head and they “could move on as quickly as humanly possible.” When asked about how her daughter handled the storm, Melody said, “She was very calm. She didn’t say a word through the whole thing. Then she started telling me to stop crying and to calm down.

She had a level head about the whole thing, even when we came back and she was looking at all her toys all destroyed.” The next day, they were able to move to another apartment that was available through her realty company.

Melody reports that the relief effort has gone very smoothly.

Homeowners who lost their homes have been put in hotels, while many renters, like Melody, have been moved to new apartments.

“Then you do have those people who are still in shelters, unfortunately. We got a few people who are in between. Just like the headlines say, we have a few people who can’t be found,” she said. “But overall, help has been great.

I’m amazed, everybody is pitching in.”

Volunteers have been pouring into the city, even weeks after the initial event.

So many volunteers showed up that the registration system to register and track volunteers was overrun and abandoned.

Many volunteers just drove through neighborhoods, looking for people who needed assistance, instead of being assigned particular jobs through the relief organizations. President Obama visited

Tuscaloosa on April 29th to view the destruction and promised federal aid to help the state rebuild.

A few days after the storm hit, over 12 hours away in Detroit, another relief effort began through the magic of the Internet.

Tiny Sebastian, Melody’s line sister and fellow chapter founder from Alpha Beta, began a Facebook campaign to help Melody and Kiara get back on their feet after the tragic ordeal.

On April 30th, Tiny was scanning her news feed on Facebook and noticed a few photos that Melody had posted of her for-

mer home, and immediately reached out to make sure that they were OK. The news of what happened to their Chapter Founder spread quickly throughout the Alpha Beta sisters through Facebook, “but I felt it needed to be bigger than just our chapter because a lot of people knew Melody when she was still in Detroit,” Tiny said. “So I created the event so that it could reach out to more friends from WSU. I didn’t realize how far this would reach. Melody was always there when one of us needed help and now it was our time to help her.”

The response to the event “Dona-

tion Drive to Help a Theta Woman” was immediate and surprised Tiny.

“I really did not think there would be this huge of a response! I was so surprised and happy when I was getting contacted from sisters from other chapters wanting to donate,” Tiny said.

“I didn’t know how far this event would reach because I know people get an onslaught of Facebook messages and events daily.

But to see sisters from Texas to Florida helping out, it was just overwhelming.”

Soror Brenda Cervantes, a Phi Chapter founder and alumnae, Above: Melody’s daugther was touched when she Kiara sits amidst the heard the rubble of their former home, wearing a pair of news on butterfly wings. Melody’s Facebook caption: “And she makes and made the best of it. What a a monetary soldier.” donation Left: Another photo posted to Melody’s to Melody Facebook shows the through Paydamage to her home.

Pal.

“One of the Phi sorors was talking about the donation page. It was heartbreaking to see the picture of her daughter amongst all the debris. It was really surreal to me because I had been seeing all of the destruction on the news and hearing about all of those families affected, and now someone that I am connected to was going through the same thing,” she said.

“Although I don’t know her personally, she is my sister and I wanted to help in any way.”

Soror Bahareh Moradi, a Pi Chapter founder and member of Xi Gamma, also felt the same sense of responsibility to help out a fellow Theta Woman, even though she had never met Melody personally. She planned to donate clothes and Continued On Page 20

18 CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS In order to keep all sisters up-to-date on what our various chapters are doing, each issue of ΘΝΞVision will chronicle quarterly highlights from each contributing chapter. while individual sisters were nominated for GSU Rising Star Award (Cymphoni Laster), GSU Student Leader of the Gamma Year (Chyna Donelson), and MLK Torch of Peace Award The sisters of the Gamma Chapter were thrilled with their (Chyna Donelson). On May 7, Chyna Donelson, Breonna win at the 3rd Annual Zeta Phi Beta Stroll Off on March Deloach, and Sathya Bazouma will graduate at the Georgia 25th, 2011.

Dome.

Nu

Zeta

At two recent award ceremonies, the Zeta Chapter was proud to have many nominations and be rewarded for their chapter and individual accomplishments. For the first time in their Chapter history, they were awarded the Dean’s Cup, which recognizes the Zeta Chapter as the model Greek organization on the GSU campus—excelling in academics, leadership, service, campus involvement, and impact. Based on these same areas of excellence, they were also awarded Five Star Status in the Five Star Greek Enhancement Program. They were also recognized for Excellence in Academics, outstanding completion of Intercultural Relations programming, and were the Greek Week 2011 winners. As individuals the sisters were recognized

in the following ways: Adria Lee as Panther Leader of the Month in April, Natrina Lawson as Outstanding Alumni, and Chyna Donelson with the Certificate of Special Recognition for Service as Chapter President, as well as the GSU Leadership Certificate and Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Amber Street was awarded the Kenneth M. England Scholarship. Some of the noteworthy nominations the Chapter received include student organization of the year, outstanding diversity program, and outstanding leadership program of the year,

The Nu Chapter recently won an award from the University of Pittsburgh. This Blue Star Award is called the Share the Vision Award and it recognizes an organization or student who, by supporting the worth and dignity of each individual and promoting diversity, inclusion, justice, and compassion on our campus and in our world, has furthered our shared goal of a just and humane campus community. The Chapter also has four graduating seniors for this school year: Ogechi Akalegbere, Melissa Schmidt, Krista Williams (who graduated in December), and Leigh Loman. Leigh Loman will be attending the University of Notre Dame Law School in the fall.

Omicron

The Chapter celebrates a very successful ONE Love Week, during which they raised $280 for the Chapter and Girls for a Change.

The sisters continued their high spirits by winning the Too Hype Trophy at the Omega Delta Phi Bowling Tournament for showing Oh-Mazing Spirit. The Chapter is also proud of it’s graduating sisters, Shale’ Jones and Sandra Ozigbo.

CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS 19 Alpha Alpha

The Chapter was recognized for the highest GPA in the MGC for the Fall semester, while individual sisters made future plans. Mai Le will attend the Levin College of Law at the University of Florida and two sisters, Denny Fe Agana and Virlany Taboada, will attend graduate school at the University of South Florida and Rutgers University, respectively. In personal news, Chapter Founder Jennifer Fajardo recently celebrated her wedding.

Xi Gamma

On March 24, Xi Gamma hosted a gathering for friends at ONE Lounge in the DuPont Circle area of Washington, D.C., for networking and relaxing. Sorors each brought at least one friend to introduce to the group and make new connections.

On April 1, Xi Gamma hosted Wii Fun Night at Tamika Jones and Antonya Jordan’s home. The evening celebrated sisterhood by playing Wii - Just Dance, Karaoke and Zumba, as well as receiving make overs from semi-professional makeup artist Soror Dana Wooster.

On April 16th, Xi Gamma Soror Dana Wooster and local GAL Soror Grace Han hosted a non-denominational Eggstravaganza for sisters and friends in the area. Combining egg dyeing with a multicultural potluck, attendees were encouraged to talk about their own holiday traditions while having a fun and relaxing Saturday.

Xi Epsilon

Xi Epsilon is proud to present its first ever Butterfly Banquet. “Feeling Good,” The Four Pathways to Success, targets 20 to 30 year-olds and is focused on providing women of this age group with four essential elements (Health and Well-Being, Financial, Mental Health, and Spiritual Success) to achieve a successful life. The Chapter is also participating in a 300 hours in 30 days service drive in the

month of May called “Where the Streets Have No Name”.

The purpose of the event is to continue to make a social impact in the Atlanta community by volunteering with numerous community projects and organizations. Xi Epsilon would like to congratulate Natrina Perkins-Lawson for being awarded Greek Alumni of the Year for Georgia State University. Although she graduated nearly five years ago, she put a tremendous amount of effort and time into Zeta Chapter, including volunteering to recruit at Zeta’s Orientation Table for nearly two months last summer.

Xi Iota

Naadirah Shapely Wells (pictured below, at left) and her partner Dee are expecting their first child in October and Lisa Peterson (pictured below, at right) is an author on an article that has been accepted for publication in Journal of Public Health Management & Practice.

Along with these achievements, Xi Iota is proud that the Chapter fitness group has logged more than 50 workout hours in 5 weeks.

20 CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS Xi Xi

GAL

Jennis Watson (pictured at left) graduated in Spring 2011 with a Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Management. This degree complements her two previous degrees in English (B.A.) and Biblical Literature (M.A.). The Xi Xi Chapter is proud of her commitment to scholarship as she achieved a 4.0 GPA while both working and going to school full-time.

Molly Delahunty (Alpha Alpha, pictured at right) is currently a member of the inaugural class of Professional Masters of Science in Real Estate at UCF with an expected graduation date of December 2011. In February, she won the award “UCF Student of the Year” from the Central Florida Chapter of NAIOP, which is the national trade organization for the Commercial Real Estate Development Association. To read more about it, check out: http://donedeals-3.blogspot.com/search/label/Crossman%20and%20Co.%20 3-25-11.

Cassandra Richardson (Omicron, pictured at left) got married on February 26, 2011 and is now Cassandra Richardson-Rosby.

In updates from Upsilon Alumnae, Kimberly Shrack (below, at left) is engaged to her long-term boyfriend and is expecting to have her wedding in 2012. Katherine Ntiamoah (below, center) graduated with her Masters Degree in International Affairs with a concentration in Humanitarian Assistance from the University of Denver. She starts her career as a U.S. career diplomat in September 2011. Catherine Houlihan (below, at right) was selected to serve as a 2011 community organizer for ServeNext, a grassroots service organization. She also received a promotion to Deputy Director of Education and Training at Best Buddies International headquarters in Miami, FL.

Tuscaloosa Tornado

Continued From Page 17

toys for Kiara.

“My initial reaction was wow, here is an opportunity to help a sister in serious need directly. I knew I wanted to help storm victims - who better than one of my Sorors,” Bahareh said. “I think part of the reason I founded this Sorority on my undergraduate campus instead of a club or group, is because of the sense of duty, loyalty and allegiance to other members.”

Soror Meredith Booker of the Alpha Beta Chapter sent clothes for Melody and Kiara as well as a Visa gift card. Even though she has only known Melody for a short time, she obviously has great admiration for her chapter founder.

“I had met Melody once in the summer of 2010, a few months after I crossed. We were at dinner celebrating another Soror’s birthday. It was great to meet another one of our chapter founders since many of them had left the city. Every time she comes back to visit she always make sure to meet up with her sisters.”

Of the Facebook event she says, “I was incredibly surprised and touched by the amount of Sisters that were donating and so open to helping. That is a value that is so rare to find in society these days. The whole situation has made me so proud to be a Theta Woman and reminded me of all the love that we have all over the nation.”

As she attempts to rebuild her life, Melody reflects on the ordeal and regrets not being more proactive in checking other sources for information.

“For me, it just raised the importance of...keeping an eye on current local events,” she said. “I don’t watch the news, I don’t listen to the radio. I’ve developed over the few years I’ve been in Tuscaloosa a very controlled environment, with respect to my entertainment. I control what I watch. So I think at the end of the day, that’s what killed me. I’m busy watching Law & Order on Netflix and on Facebook, when I should’ve maybe been listening to the news,” she said with a somber laugh.

“Because the people who watched the news and knew what was coming, they were straight. They were underground; they were OK. It was kids outside playing, and people like me, people who didn’t know what was going on until they saw it, and then they couldn’t do anything.”

ELECTIONS INFORMATION 21

} 1 1 { 20 ns

o i t c Ele line e m i T ard 2011 Nation al eBso Candidat nt } { National Preside s te No Candida

} graduate Affairs er nd U r fo P V l { Nationa Denaa Griffin Dana Wooster trator } { National Adminis i Samantha Swam } tudent Advocate S te ua ad gr er nd {U Tiffany Chen Lauren Spriggs Aun’Joli Ferguson | West } { Regional Director i Christine Tha | Central } { Regional Director ollins Amariee Sparro C munications } { Director of Com Jamie Dawson

no candidates for Note: As there are e will be another , ther National President n, post-Convention. sitio election for this po

• { June 25th } Candidate bids, Q&A and

website/Facebook page UR

Ls due.

• { July 1st } Bids will be up loaded to the De

legate listserv.

• We will begin a run-off electi on prior to Convention to narrow the Undergradua te Student Advocate (USA ) candiates down to the top two. Delegates will have on e week to send in any questio ns for the USA Candidates .

• Delegates will have one mo nth to send in questions for any of the Candidates who will not be in attendance at Convention.

• Please inform your chapter de legates of questions that you may have. GAL sisters or any sisters who are not affiliated with a ch apter can send questions to tnxelections2011@gmail.co m.

• { July 10th } Deadline fo r questions for USA Candidates. This is also the last day for USA Candidates to respond to any qu estions • { July 11th } The poll open from delegates. s to vote for run-off elections for the USA cand idates.

• { July 18th } The USA po ll closes.

• { July 19th } Top two US A candidates are announced.

• { August 3rd } Last day to ask questions of Candidates who are not att ending convention.