Saturday, May 16, 2015

Epsilon Eta Zeta Chapter Community Pearls Scholarship Luncheon





In observance of Finer Womanhood, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority recognized five outstanding ladies of the community for their extraordinary work. The 2015 honorees were recognized at the chapter’s luncheon at the Columbus Country Club. The guest speaker for the luncheon was Mrs. Kathryn Davis Williams. 
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Mrs. Williams worked for the Bank of America for twenty-six years where she served in numerous capacities.  She now works for the State of Georgia Department of Driver Services, where she leads the Business Analysis team that is responsible for managing strategic planning, measurement development and analysis, process improvement and hardware and software management of the lobby management system that is located in sixty-six Customer Service Centers across the state of Georgia.

Mrs. Williams  is a member of Phi Omicron Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated where she currently serves as President.  She is a Diamond Life Member and also the Protocol, Logistics & Amenities Coordinator for the Southeastern Region and the State of Georgia.  

The 2015 Community Pearl honorees were as follows: Ms. Vickie Dikes, Mrs. Sarah Lang, Ms. Gloria Weston-Smart, Ms. Tonza Shree Thomas and Mrs. Lois Yvonne Williams.

Ms. Dikes served in the United States Army from September 1976 until February 2004; rising from the rank of Private to Command Sergeant Major.  During her tenure she served in many leadership positions and assignments in the Adjutant General Corps to include serving as a Battalion Command Sergeant Major at Fort Hood, Texas.  Since her retirement she has remained an active member of the Department of Georgia American Legion and a nine year member of the American Legion’s Gold Brigade, Vice-President and now President of the Retired Sergeants Major Association of Columbus.  Ms. Dikes’ community involvement includes her work with the Men’s Progressive Club.  She recently received an award as one of the 20 most Influential Women in Columbus.  Vickie is currently working as the Army Drug and Alcohol Manager at Fort Benning.


Mrs. Sarah E. Lang joined the Valley Healthcare System in 1994 as the Chief Executive Officer.  She moved to Columbus from Lansing, Michigan where she held the position as Executive Director/CEO of the Michigan Primary Care Association. She has more than 30 years’ experience in healthcare system leadership.  Mrs. Lang has served in numerous civic and professional leadership roles, including service as a board member for the Georgia Association for Primary Healthcare and as an appointed board member of the State’s Women Health Advisory Council.

Ms. Gloria Weston-Smart is the Executive Director of the Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission.  She directs the daily operations of the Commission, recruit and train volunteers, maintain and develop new programs to enhance beautification, promote city-wide recycling, and coordinate community improvement programs.  Ms. Weston-Smart has a passion for service to the community.  This is evident by her service to civic, social and professional organizations to include Tri-Directors of Volunteer Service, A.J. McClung YMCA Membership Drive, Neighbor Works, Inc. Advisory Board, Two-Thousand Opportunities, Inc., Rotary Club of Columbus, Historic Columbus Foundation and 100 Woman on the move.  Ms. Weston-Smart has received numerous awards and recognition and chairs “There is a Balm in Gilead Cancer Ministry” at Fourth Street Missionary Baptist Church and “Paint the Town Pink”.

Ms. Tonzee Sheree Thomas currently serves as the newly elected President of the Columbus, Georgia Branch of the NAACP and second term as NAACP State Secretary for the Georgia State Conference.  She is an active member of the American Red Cross/NAACP Disaster Relief Strike Team.  Ms. Thomas was deployed during the 2012 Hurricane Sandy Recovery and the 2013 Moore, Oklahoma Tornado Relief.  In her spare time she performed at the Liberty Theatre as an actress, singer and poet.  Her first performance was a playwright, “Voices…A Collection of Poems, where she performed a piece of her published art, “I’d Rather Start from the Bottom, Than Start from the Top”.

Mrs. Lois Williams has a rich history in Health Service and Education. She has served as a Staff/Supervisor for the Medical Center, Doctor’s Hospital and Pine Mountain Extended Facility, Columbus, GA; Senior Policy Analyst – Blue Cross Blue-Shield of GA; Medical Auditor, Hospital Corporation of America; and most recently Health Educator (Retired) Muscogee County School District. Mrs. Williams is a member of various organizations to include, Founder and President of the Greater Columbus Club of National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc.; Charter member, President and CEO for the Association of Sickle Cell, Lower Chattahoochee Region; Columbus, GA Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.; Kappa Chi Chapter, Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. (Professional Nurses).  She serves on the American Red Cross Minority Recruitment Board and the Columbus Times Newspaper Advisory Board. Mrs. Williams has received numerous awards and recognitions.






The luncheon was enjoyed by all. Proceeds from the luncheon will fund the inaugural Eunice S. Thomas Scholarship.  Live Jazz music was provided by the Chemistry Project Band.  Photos by Davis Video Creations.     

Alpha Theta Zeta Celebrates Finer Womanhood Week





Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, Alpha Theta Zeta chapter, celebrated its Finer Womanhood Week on March 22-28, 2015.  Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Finer Womanhood celebration is a Sorority hallmark which began in 1923. This celebration emphasizes the standards, morals, customs, and attributes of fine young ladies in the community and the sorority.

Local programming is organized throughout the Finer Womanhood celebration to encourage re-dedication to sorority ideals, increase community consciousness, and empower its citizens. Finer Womanhood month is celebrated the last week of February through the entire month of March.  


Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Alpha Theta Zeta chapter, began its Finer Womanhood Week by worshiping together with friends and family at Connor’s Temple Baptist Church on March 22, 2015. 


On March 24, 2015, the chapter members read to preschoolers at the EOA and donated books to each child.  


The chapter continued to exemplify its principle of sisterly love by delivering tea to its sick and shut-in members and hosting its Mad Hatter Tea at Barnes Restaurant on March 28, 2015. 


There were awards given to outstanding members:
2015 Soror of the Year – Shaniqua Vasser       
2015 Unsung Hero - Clyde Faison
2015 Unsung Hero - Lou Frazier-Brown



The week culminated with “Blue and White Bowling” at AMF Bowling Lanes.

The chairperson for the Finer Womanhood Week activities was Kathye Jinks and assisted by Thomasina Thompson.

Tea with Z with KIZ





Kappa Iota Zeta's "Tea with Z" was held Sunday, April 19, 2015 at the Radcliffe Presbyterian Church. This year marked the 21st anniversary of our signature event that pays homage to the life of Zeta member and author, Zora Neale Hurston. 

Guests were encouraged to dress in their Sunday's Best with hats and gloves included. The tea is sponsored by table hostess who decorated their tables with a unique flare to impress their guests and in the hopes of winning a prize. There is a HATITUDE competition allowing guests to “strut their stuff” and show off their hats from the smallest to largest, casual to classy, and everything in between. Attendees also had the opportunity to view beautiful teapots from around the world and cast their vote for the most impressive. Entertainment was provided via a special reading of Zora’s classic quotes by the Ramey Sisters and an inspirational hymn sung by the Royal Doves.

Special thanks to the sorors of Sigma Mu Zeta and Rho Xi Zeta for their support of the Tea with Z and to the KIZ youth groups who participated. It was a delightful afternoon and we look forward to hosting next year’s event.

LIGHT IT UP BLUE with Kappa Iota Zeta




The Sigma Zeta Foundation, under the Leadership of Soror Jacqueline Ward-Williams of Kappa Iota Zeta Chapter - Atlanta, spearheaded “LIGHT IT UP BLUE” an international event highlighting World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, 2015.

This event is celebrated around the world and focuses on honoring teachers, para-professionals, and others who work with students with Autism. The Sigma Zeta Foundation recognized several local teachers and para-professionals as well as an After School Learning Center for Autstic Students, and a Church with an Autistic Ministry. Guest-Speaker Ms. Megan Sayago, Autism Specialist with Rockdale County Schools brought an informative and inspiring message to the attendees. 

The evening was well attended by sorors of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and brothers of Phi Beta Sigma, family, and friends of the honorees. The Sigma Zeta Foundation is planning to make this an annual event spearheading by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.