108
th
Founders Day Celebration
SUNDAY January 31, 2021 2:00 PM
Harrisburg Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Sonja P. Waters, President
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Founders
First Row: Winona Cargile Alexander, Madree Penn White, Wertie Blackwell Weaver, Vashti Turley Murphy, Ethel Cuff Black, Frederica Chase Dodd
Second Row: Osceola Maarthy Adams, Pauline Oberdorfer Minor, Edna Brown Coleman, Edith Motte Young, Marguerite Young Alexander, Naomi Sewell Richardson, Eliza P. Shippen Third Row: Zephyr Chisom Carter, Myra Davis Hemmings, Mamie Reddy Rose, Bertha Pitts Campbell, Florence Letcher Toms, Olive Jones, Jessie McGuire Dent, Jimmie Bugg Middleton, Ethel Carr Watson Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was founded on January 13, 1913 by twenty-two courageous women on the campus of Howard University. The first public act our Delta Founders participated in was the Women's Suffrage March in Washington D.C. on March 13, 1913. Our Founders firmly believed in public service and continued to serve their respective communities after their graduation forming alumnae chapters in their hometowns. Our Founders are the embodiment of our belief that Delta Sigma Theta is a lifetime commitment!
Harrisburg Alumnae Charter Members Catherine Coleman C.D. Cook E.H. Copper Elizabeth Ellis Helen Howard Alfreda A. Johnson Zena B. Miles Jennie L. Morrison
Joyce S. Parker Charlotte B. Stewart Mary Ann Watts Mary Watson Evelyn Williams Jean B. Williams Juanita Wright Mary Yancey
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Program
“A Sisterhood Transcending the Issues of our Times” January 31, 2021 @ 2:00PM
Welcome - Mistress of Ceremony………………….……..…………….Catherine Clements-Jenkins Litany…………………………………………………………………………………………..Dr. Sybil Knight-Burney Lead
Response (Everyone)
The Lord is my light and my salvation
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life
Of whom shall I be afraid of?
When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes
They stumbled and fell.
Though an army may encamp against me
My heart shall not fear
I was glad when they said to me
Let us go into the house of the Lord!
Amen, Amen, Amen!
Prayer………………………………………………………………….……………………………..Tawanna Jackson Occasion……………………………………………………………….…Sonja P. Waters, Chapter President Video………………………………………………….………………………….………………………………Legacy 22 Solo……………………………………………………………………………………………….Dolorez Cobb-Jones Reflections of Voices Transcending Time……………………………………………………………………. Alfreda A. Johnson, Joyce Parker, and Lorraine Lipscomb Scripture…………………………………………………………..Monica Roberts, Second Vice President “For Such A Time As This!”…………..................................Special Guest Danita Wimbush, National Program Planning & Development Committee Solo…………………………………………………………………………………………….……….Genaye Channel Reflection of Voices Transcending Time……….……………………………………..Wendy Johnson Past Eastern Regional Director Scripture ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..JoAn Tracy Speaker: “Helmet, Sword & Shield...Battle Tested!” …………………..…….Twaneshia Jones Reflection of Voices Transcending Time……………………………………………………..……………….. Delores Leak, Lindabeth Parker, Lucille Mills, Indira Ridgeway, Kija Waithe Charge for the Future - Sisterhood Reflection………………………….…Merry-Grace Majors First Vice-President Candle Lighting honoring our Founders and beloved Sisterhood ……………………………… Trina Cox, Valerie Gates, Dawn Reeves & Deborah Waters 3 Closing Prayer ……………………………………………………………..……..Trishawanda Cabbagestalk Closing Video …………………………………………………………………………………………..“To Be Real”
President’s Message
Greetings Sorors, I consider it an honor as well as a privilege to greet you on the occasion of the Harrisburg Alumnae Chapter’s Founders Day Celebration! As the sitting Chapter President during the 108th anniversary year of the founding of our illustrious sisterhood, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to our first virtual Founders Day Celebration. One hundred and eight years ago a trail was blazed by 22 collegiate women on the campus of Howard University. Our illustrious sorority was founded on January 13, 1913 during challenging times nationally and throughout the world. These 22 women wanted to use their collective strength to promote academic excellence and to provide assistant to those in need. In March of 1913, the Founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. performed their first public act. They participated in the Women’s Suffrage March in Washington, DC. Our Founders paved the way for us to continue to be on the forefront of change. The Founders Day Committee, Chaired by Soror Sybil Knight-Burney has worked hard to help ensure that you will have a memorable experience as we celebrate 108 years of our sorority’s existence. I would like to thank the committee members who dedicated countless hours to make this celebration a success. Let us continue to celebrate 108 years of Delta’s Sisterhood, Service and Scholarship as we shine bright light a diamond in the communities which we live in and serve! The theme for the sorority’s National Founders Day Celebration was ‘Celebrating the Legacy of Fortitude’. May you go forward with fortitude and continue to use the power in your voice, the service in your heart and the joy in our sisterhood to blaze a path for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. to prevail as change agents of ‘good trouble’ for many years to come. In Service, Leadership and Love,
Sonja P. Waters Sonja P. Waters President, Harrisburg Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
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Walking in Delta Sisterhood Transcending the Issues of our Times! “Sisterhood is the essence of all the wisdom of the ages, distilled into a single word. You cannot see sisterhood, neither can you hear it nor taste it. But you can feel it a hundred time a day.” Anonymous As I began to think about the message I wanted to share, I started to reflect on all the different times in my life I have admired and respected the incredible bond of sisterhood that emanates from within Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. As a child I watched my Mother, with her “Sorors” meeting, planning and hosting events and programs in our community. I watched as the “Sorors” gathered in our home sometimes to celebrate and share good times and sometimes to console one another during hard times. I saw them as they provided for the aged and nurtured the young. I saw them march in rallies as they advocated for human and civil rights. I saw them serving those in need of a helping hand or a kind word. I saw them singing and praying for justice. Just to be in the midst of their presence, I could feel the impact of this uniqueness called sisterhood. As I look at the faces in the picture of our Founders, I think back through time and imagine the challenges they had to face. With a shared purpose and commitment to loyalty, their bonds of sisterhood continued to flourish through devoted trust and a deep and abiding love for one another. Now, as I reflect on my own life in Delta, I can see how our Sisterhood has helped me to grow and develop through time and in so many ways, I never imagined possible. I can truly say that through good times and sad times our Sisterhood has been a source of support and counsel. It has taught me patience and understanding. It has provided me with an opportunity to fully understand the meaning of servant-leadership. Through the faces of my Sorors, rings familiarity of the strong and empowering “Sorors” of my childhood, who together left their indelible impressions upon me, as I have become one with their memories. This pandemic, although as traumatic as it has been, has given us much time to reflect on the importance of our relationships. With this life altering affect, now more than ever, we need our bonds of sisterhood to be strong. I encourage each of you, my Sorors, to take time to reflect on the impact of Sisterhood in your lives. Reach out, connect with and let your Sorors know that our bond of Sisterhood is special, irreplaceable and never to be taken for granted. Special thank you to our Founders Day Committee and all of our participants for so willingly sharing your time and talents to make this a momentous celebration! “Oh, to be a Delta girl…” YID, Dr. Sybil Knight-Burney Founders Day Committee, Chair.
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“For Such A Time As This!”
Danita L. Wimbush is a graduate of Oakland University, Rochester Michigan, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, and is a Certified Biblical Counselor. She is a tenured Manager for the State of Michigan; (The Michigan Department of Civil Rights). Ms. Wimbush is a loving proud Mother to her legacy Kayla Lynn, sister, and friend with a passion for giving. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she has held numerous leadership positions. Ms. Wimbush is a woman with a servant’s heart with many gifts and talents. While she serves on several boards, she is most passionate about the Youth Empowerment Board, where she serves as an officer on the Board of Directors. Ms. Wimbush gives countless hours of non-compensatory service as a community advocate and volunteer within her local community and her sorority. Soror Wimbush is the Owner/CEO of ELOQUENTLY SPEAKING LLC. Soror Wimbush is a woman of God that models daily these words…“Whatsoever you do, do it heartedly unto the Lord and not unto man.” Colossians 3:23 Soror Wimbush is a Diamond Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., with 36 years of uninterrupted dedicated, committed and active experience and service. She has more than 20 years of executive board experience with extensive involvement in program planning and development, risk management, policies, fiscal operations and membership services. She is an exceptionally organized multi-tasker who is detailed-oriented. Soror Wimbush is a Strategic thinker who works tirelessly to uphold the ideals of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and its mission. She is a compassionate, devoted and positive Delta willing to serve and seek continued development on the local, regional and national levels. Soror Wimbush has proudly served on the National Program Planning and Development Committee (Economic Development Subcommittee) since 2008; she is a MIT/DID Trainer, Investigator, MIT Observer and Google Grow Trainer. Soror Wimbush wholeheartedly believes…“Without community service, we would not have a strong quality of life. It's important to the person who serves as well as the recipient. It's the way in 6 which we ourselves grow and develop.” ~ Dorothy I. Height
“Helmet, Sword & Shield ...Battle Tested!”
T.M. Jones is the founder and CEO of Joy of Autumn LLC, a company that specializes in helping people to overcome hardships and obstacles by achieving their personal goals no matter what season of life. She is a Veteran, serving as an Officer in the United States Army. Her military background has afforded her the opportunity to work with individuals from all walks of life. Many of the skills that she acquired from the military are utilized in her daily life and as a coach. Known for her grab the bull by the horns approach to life, T.M. Jones approaches life issues in a very direct and confident way. She understands that to everything there is a season and a purpose for everything that happens. She embraces all seasons of life and what it may bring. A devout Christian for over 20 years, she has served on several ministries and leadership positions at several churches and faith-based organizations. Some of her roles include Sunday School Teacher for young women, Singles' Ministry Leader, Children’s Ministry Teacher, Youth and College Ministry Leader, and Executive Assistant for a Women’s Ministry/ Women’s Conference. T.M. Jones is a motivational speaker and coach that has received her certification from the Center of Christian Coaching, which is accredited by the International Coach Federation. She is currently pursuing her Associate Certified Coach (ACC) Credential through the International Coach Federation. She is an active member of the International Coaching Federation, serving in the Philadelphia Chapter. T.M Jones is married to CPT Richard Jones, II. Together they have a daughter, Autumn Michelle.
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Founders Day Committee Sybil Knight-Burney, Chair Valerie Bates-Gates Deborah Brady Dolorez Cobbs-Jones Tyra Crews Trina Cox Vicki Daniels Tawanna Jackson Merry-Grace Majors Mary Ruth Parker Vanessa Parker Sandra Pharris Dawn Reeves Sandra Stokes Irlene Sweets Deborah Waters
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Chapter Officers President Sonja P. Waters First Vice President Merry-Grace Majors Second Vice President Monica Roberts
Corresponding Secretary Tiffanie DeVan Sergeant-at-Arms Doreena Sloan
Treasurer Wanda Johnson
Asst. Sergeant-at-Arms Hope Latimore
Asst. Treasurer Valerie Corbin Ketchen
Parliamentarian Angela Boateng
Financial Secretary La-Nysa Ravenel
Chaplain Cynthia Summers
Asst. Financial Secretary Naomi Frazier
Custodian La-Nysa Ravenel
Recording Secretary Deborah Brady
Historian Vacant
Asst. Recording Secretary S. Marie Miller
Immediate Past President Kristal Turner-Childs
Distinguished Distinctive, devoted, delightful, dedicated women of distinction, carrying themselves proud yet humble as the young girl is surrounded by the elders, she gazes at these… women of distinction, dreaming that someday she could be like them too honored, revered, cherished and loved, yet with all the love and honoring they receive they carry themselves with more humility than you and me those are the women of distinction they pass through a crowd and stand out only because they know what it is to live with and without they know what it is to work hard without recognition as they ripened on the tree and their flowers bloomed they hung gently from the tree suddenly to be noticed by you and me because that is not what they’re all about but because you can’t ignore the doctors, the lawyers, the dreamers who live the dream the aspiring women who created hope in us the women who would not stay on the back of the bus the warriors when no one else would fight the leaders when few wanted to follow This is to say thanks to those who made it possible for me to be here today, living my dream among the crop as the cream. – Paula Marshall –
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