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 community service.  The number five is noteworthy of the five founders of our sorority.  The 2016 honorees were recognized at the chapter’s luncheon which was held at the Columbus Country Club, April 9, 2016.  The guest speaker for this occasion was Dr. Robbie Latimore.

Dr. Latimore retired as Vice-President of Academic Affairs for South Georgia Technical College in Americus, Georgia.  She previously served as Vice-President for Student Services, Director for Instruction and Business Education Department Head in the Technical College System of Georgia.  Our speaker received a standing ovation throughout her presentation.  The message was powerful as she challenged all to be servants in the community and at church.  She delivered a message that we all could identify with and based on her biblical beliefs and upbringing.  Dr. Latimore challenged us to not only sign-up but to sign-on as members of organizations and religious affiliations and not to be bench members but willing servants.

The 2016 Community Pearl honorees were as follows:  Ms. Valerie Boggs, Mrs. Evergreen Ford Covington, Mrs. Margaret Jenkins, Ms. Cheryl Johnson and Mrs. Martha Nelson Jones.

Ms. Boggs is the Fund Development Director for Girls, Inc. of Columbus.  After retiring from the U.S. Army in October 2000 with twenty-one years of service, she began serving as the Director for the Chattahoochee Valley Resource Center at the United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley. In 2002 she became Director for Girls, Inc.  Some of her affiliations include:  Building Toward Wellness Community Coalition—Secretary and Board Member; Board Member for Columbus Family Connection, Chairperson of the Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Volunteer as a Girl Scout Troop Leader and Big Sister with the Big Brother-Big Sister Program.

Mrs. Evergreen Ford Covington continues the legacy of her father—George W. Ford as the owner and operator of Progressive Funeral Home for 28 years.  She gives back to the community by serving on the board of the Department of Family and Children Services and the Orchettes Social and Civic Club.  Mrs. Covington believes that the ultimate measure of a woman is not where she stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where she stands at times of challenge and controversy.

Mrs. Margaret Stewart Jenkins a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother is indeed a community servant.  She is a retired educator from Muscogee County School District but also taught in Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi.  Mrs. Jenkins community service includes work with the Easter Seal Drive, United Negro College Fund, Girl Scouts, A.J. McClung YMCA, Columbus Community Center, Mayor’s Commission on Women and Minorities, the Columbus Museum, The International Benevolent Society, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).  Mrs. Jenkins is the first African American to serve on the Muscogee County Board of Election and Registration; presently the board chairperson.  Mrs. Jenkins is the recipient of numerous honors and awards.        

Ms. Cheryl A. Johnson, President and CEO with West Central Georgia Cancer Coalition (WCGCC), a local non-profit committed to helping reduce the burden of cancer in the communities we serve.  Ms. Johnson activities in cancer prevention and control consist of participation in the Statewide Implementation Committee for Georgia’s Comprehensive Cancer Plan and the Regional Council of Coalitions of Georgia.  She considers her parents, Rev. and Mrs. Jessie Averett, Jr. and her faith and family as the driving forces behind her career choice as a public servant. Ms. Johnson continues her service as a member of St. James CME Church and Rho Rho Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Mrs. Martha Jones is a retired Behavior Specialist for the Muscogee County School District.  She is the founder of SMIA (Successful Motivation in Action).  SMIA’s purpose is to focus the individual on his or her own intrinsic motivation and use it to produce successful actions, thus creating Successful Motivation-in-Action.  Mrs. Jones accomplishes her mission by presenting empowerment seminars designed for all ages from kindergarten, pre-adolescence, college, to senior citizens.  Mrs. Jones was presented the ABCD (Above and Beyond the Call of Duty) Award by Muscogee County School District for exceptional achievements through parenting workshops and seminars for teachers throughout Muscogee, Russell and Randolph County Schools.  She is presently the abstinence facilitator for Terrell County High School and founder of Terrell County Parent Academy.

The luncheon was enjoyed by all. Proceeds from the luncheon will support our scholarship program for deserving high school students in the area.  Music was provided by the Chemistry Project Band and photos by Davis Video Creations.

Savannah sorority chapter presents newest members

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. - Alpha Theta Zeta Chapter  presented "Dining with the Newest Finer Women" induction services held April 10 at the Con-Ed Building. The 11 Pearlz of Nu Blu are: Jennifer Baker, Danitra Beadles, Yolanda Bright, Kristina Ferebee, Comia Flynn, Dorsenia Hendrix, LaShaun Lovett, Reina Mike, Lawanda Robinson, Hazel Waldon and Ansley Williams.

The national membership of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. includes more than 125,000 college-educated, dynamic, community services driven, diverse and professional women. The benefits of membership include opportunities for professional and personal development and sisterhood. Mary Breaux Wright serves as International President, Gina R. Smith, President, and P. Shaniqua Vasser, MIP coordinator.

Finer Womanhood Celebration

The women of the Remarkable Rho Xi Zeta chapter celebrated Finer Womanhood Month by having a Rededication Ceremony followed by a brunch. The Rededication Ceremony was held on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at Three Southern Girls Tea Room. Past Georgia State Director Chrislyn Turner led the women in taking the sorority pledge and gave the charge.                                                                          

Following the ceremony chapter enjoyed a jazz brunch that featured Bianca Hamilton, Principal of DeKalb Elementary School of the Arts.  Additionally the women collected over 200 items of professional clothing and accessories, and donated them to Dress for Success. An international non-profit organization, Dress for Success, “empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the developmental tools to help women thrive in work and live.” (dressforsuccess.org)

Spotlight On Scholarship: Remarkable Amicette India Heath

Amicette India Heath was inducted in the Junior Beta Club National Honor Society on March 1^st, 2016 at Powder Springs Elementary School. Powder Springs Elementary is one the seven elementary schools in Cobb County with a Junior Beta Club. A deserving honor for a young woman who has been on the A/B Honor Roll for four consecutive years. The Junior Beta Club is one of two divisions of the National Beta Club, the other being the Senior Beta Club. 

Amicette Heath is an accomplished young woman who also participated in the Helen Ruffin reading bowl two consecutive years along with her twin Nadia. Her other activities include, Powder Spring Elementary (PSE) Art Club, PSE Honors Chorus. Amicette Heath is the daughter of Soror Kelly Clark of Rho Xi Zeta Chapter

Iota Sigma Annual Greek Week

Sigma Mu Zeta is a proud advisor of the beautiful women of Iota Sigma of Clayton State University. Soror Serafina Williams of Sigma Mu Zeta is their devoted advisor and we are happy to highlight the successful Zeta events of their Annual Greek Week.

Each year Iota Sigma participates in the Clayton State tradition of Greek Weeks. This year the chapter theme was IΣlay inspired Beyoncé last song "Formation" the theme also incorporates the chapter's name. Events were held Monday, March 28 through Thursday March 31, 2016. The ladies hosted a week long Cutest Baby Photo Challenge for March of Dimes. Participants donated money to the jar with the cutest soror's baby photo of their choice. Iota Sigma raised 95 dollars throughout the fundraiser and will continue to fundraise via the chapter's March of Dimes link. 

In addition to the fundraiser, the ladies hosted their Annual Finer Womanhood Observance event. This year the event was a collaborative effort between Iota Sigma, Alpha Tau and Sigma Mu Zeta as all three chapters participated on the Finer Womanhood panel for the event. Soror Karen McFadden says, “This event helped encourage Sorors and other guests to give their definition of what a "Finer Woman" or what "Finer Womanhood" means to them”. Students led an icebreaker where participants came down and use a word that describes a "Finer" woman by writing one word on a poster board with each letter. Some of the words were:

F—fabulous, fine faithful

I—intellegent, inspiriational

N—nice, nurturing

E—example, emotional

R—regal, royal

Then a panel of 6 Zetas, who represented the sorority membership from a few months to 35 years, chose a characteristic to define "Finer Womanhood" and elaborated.”

On Tuesday, the chapter held its 2nd Annual Splash Zeta where the campus donated towards March of Dimes to Splash their favorite Zeta. That evening the ladies hosted Silent Library inspired by the hit MTV television show of the same name. Participants were allowed to play on teams with the chapter and complete a wide variety of challenges. On Wednesday the ladies hosted a mini carnival entitled “Carniblu” for their campus community. There were small carnival inspired games, treats and prizes. On Thursday the ladies concluded with their Baby Photo Challenge March of Dimes Fundraiser. The final event "Baby Hair and Afros",an event that would have explored society's portrayal of the Black Women, was cancelled due to inclement weather. 

Omicron Alpha Zeta Welcome's Soror Tyseanna Walton

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Omicron Alpha Zeta Chapter would like to welcome and introduce to some our newest member, Tyseanna Walton. Soror Tyseanna Walton was born and raised in Columbus, GA. 

She attended Carver High School of Columbus. Soror Walton joined the United States Army Reserve during her junior year of high school and is now a Veteran of the United States Army. She serves as a Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic and maintenance clerk in her unit. She has been serving her country for seven years and plans to make it a career. She has been deployed overseas to Afghanistan and has traveled to many different parts of the world. Soror Walton graduated high school ranked number 3 in the top 10 of her senior class. 

Soror Walton went on to further her education at the "Unsinkable" Albany State University, where she majored in Healthcare Management. During her four years of college, she was a member of the Lady Rams Track and Field Team, an active member of the Anointed ASU Gospel Choir, a member of High H.E.E.L.S. (Honorably Esteemed Educated Ladies of Success) mentoring group, Army ROTC Color Guard member and was inducted into the Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society. In December of 2015, Soror Tyseanna Walton received her Bachelors of Science degree in Healthcare Management with a concentration in Healthcare Administration. She is currently pursuing her Associates Degree in Nursing at Darton State College in hopes of becoming a pediatrician and opening her own Children’s Hospital. 

Her hobbies include singing, playing basketball, spending time with family, and mentoring the youth. Since becoming a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. she has went above the call of duty.  She attended the 2016 Joint Leadership Conference.  She has been appointed the Newsletter Editor for the chapter.  The Omicron Alpha Zeta Chapter is excited to have Soror Walton as part of our family.

Order of Omega Induction

Congratulations to Soror Rebecca Jordan and Soror Shermaine Pinkard for being inducted into the Omicron Phi chapter of Order of Omega at Kennesaw State University on Sunday, March 13, 2016. Order of Omega is a Greek leadership honor society open to members of all Greek letter organizations. Both of these ladies are members of the “Tenacious” Theta Rho chapter.