Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®

Zeta Chi Omega Chapter Newsletter

Volume 17 | Issue 4

Stepping Out

Sometimes stepping out meansstepping on our security blankets

and building new visions out of unfinished dreams.Stepping out in reality is more than just a small

move forward -It’s truly a leap of faith.

For in that one small step are all the yearsof wondering and wanting

of certainty and indecision, of static and motion.Sometimes stepping out means stepping back to what we’ve

known was our true passion all the time.Stepping back, however, is not indicative

of a present-day failure,Rather stepping back returns us to a place

where tasks left undone can be revisited and whereour aspirations can be refined.

Stepping out always positions us for forward motion,although the path upon which we step

can sometimes be uncertain.Those who stepped before us did notalways do so on a chartered course.

More frequently, they stepped upon a thoroughfare where few,if any, had trod before.

Stepping out for many is frightening and a little unsettling.These take a single step forward while keeping

one foot firmly in place.But for those whose steps are ordered by God,

stepping out represents a complete and confident motiontoward fulfilling the will of the One

who can guide us to our dreams, Step by Step—-One Step at a Time.

Submitted by: Soror Negleatha Jones Johnson

3 BASILEUS MESSAGE

5 CALENDAR

7 PROGRAMS

15 OFFICER REPORTS

16 COMMITTEE

REPORTS

20 2017 NOMINATIONS

24 PHOTO GALLERY

26 IVY FOUNDATION OF

NORTHERN VIRGINIA

2

SPIRIT & INSPIRATIONChairman: Soror Tujuanna Williams

Co-Chairmen: Sorors Regina Hawkins and Beverly Anderson

April 2017Volume 17 | Issue 4

3

Greetings From The Basileus

Soror Rhonda Luss

continued on the next page >>

HAPPY EASTER!Celebrate the Resurrection. He is risen!

This is an exciting time in our Chapter. Our minds wander to the months ahead, but don’t forget

about the tasks at hand. Our first priority is to be of service to all mankind. So let’s stay focused

on serving the communities of Arlington and Alexandria.

Tea roses to the Membership Committee Chairman and Co-Chairmen, Soror Tonya Perkinson,

Soror Tonya Parham, and Soror Erika Bouknight, respectively, the Membership Committee, and

all presenters for executing an informative Chapter Orientation and Information Session.

Pearls of thanks go out to Soror Allyson Hilliard and the Sisterly Relations Committee. To date,

the committee has hosted two fabulous Sisterly Relations activities: “Hidden Figures” Movie

Night and the Sisterly Love Brunch! Also, thanks to the Sister Circles who have conducted

gatherings and activities.

Showers of tea roses and pearls to Soror Robin McCoy, Anti-Basileus/Program Committee

Chairman, along with the Target Area Committees for an outstanding job of executing the

International Programs. A special thank you this month goes to Target I Chairman, Soror Blanche

Maness; ASCEND Chairman, Soror Geneva Greene; and One Million Backpacks Lead, Soror Ayanna

Puryear.

Congratulations to Soror Madeline Wingate-Alfonso and the Cotillion Committee on the beautiful

Mother Daughter Tea, Debutante Retreat and successful cotillion.

Thank you to all the Committee Chairmen who have held committee meetings.

REGIONAL CONFERENCE

Get ready for the 64th Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina, April 27-30,

2017. Soror Joyce Henderson, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, along with the sorors of the Northern

Carolina Cluster, have worked hard and planned an awesome conference for us. Zeta Chi Omega

Chapter delegates should arrive a minimum of 30 minutes prior to the start of each plenary session

in order to be seated together.

The Chapter delegates are Sorors Rhonda Luss, Robin McCoy, Patricia Edwards, Stephanie Woodland Kelly, VaShawn Guice Veal, Monique Robinson, Erika Bouknight, Freda Bredy, T’Anya Newell, Joy Ngwenya, Steronica Mattocks, and Jessica Sims.

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April 2017 Activities at a Glance

Alternates please be prepared to serve as delegates if an elected delegate is unable to serve. The

alternates are Sorors Katrina Anwar, Ade’Leaka Gore, Angelene Hemingway, Betty Morrison,

Melissa Finney, Deborah Wilson, C. Starr Garrett, LaFrances Williams, Sherry Billingsley, Lucretia

McClenney, Cassandra Borden, and Geraldine Lewis.

Don’t forget to review the 63rd Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference minutes and the bylaw

amendment, which is posted in the “Members Only” section of the Mid-Atlantic Region’s

website.

CORPORATE OFFICE

History Book: Pre-sale orders of the sorority’s eighth edition of its history book, Priceless Pearls,

are ongoing. The cost of the history book is $50.

Ivy Tree of Honor: The Ivy Tree of Honor mural displayed on the 3rd floor of the Corporate Office

is being expanded to raise funds for the Corporate Office Improvement Plan (COIP). The

contribution levels are as follows:

Individual Soror - $1000

Chapter Large - $2500

Contributions will be accepted throughout 2017.

Date Time Activity Location

Apr 1 10:00 a.m. General Body Meeting Nannie Lee Center

Apr 1 6:00 p.m. *Cotillion Hyatt Crystal City

Apr 11 4:00 p.m. Project StepOut Charles Houston

Apr 25 4:00 p.m. Project StepOut Charles Houston

Apr 25 7:00 p.m. *IFNV Board Meeting Nannie Lee Center

Apr 27-30 Regional Conference Raleigh Convention Center*IFNV activity for information only.

MIP Hotel Room Reservations: Please refer to the following link for hotel room reservations at

the Hilton Washington Dulles Airport during MIP, June 23-25, 2017. Copy and paste the URL

below into your web browser to access the available rates. Please note, the entire URL must be

copied and pasted for it to work properly.

https://secure3.hilton.com/en_US/hi/reservation/book.htm?inputModule=HOTEL&ctyhocn=IAD

AHHF&spec_plan=AKAZCO&arrival=20170623&departure=20170625&cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,

EN,DirectLink&fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT

You can also call 1-800-HILTONS (800-445-8667) and reference Alpha Kappa Alpha ZXΩ.

Hotel: Hilton Washington Dulles Airport

Group Name: ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA ZXΩ

June 23-25, 2017

Please feel free to share this link with anyone

desiring to reserve a room at the ALPHA KAPPA

ALPHA ZXΩ rate.

~ April 2017~

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat30

ExecutiveCommittee

Meeting

31 1

General Body Meeting

Cotillion

One Million Backpack Collection

2

Pearl Drop submissions

due every Sunday

3 4 5 6 7 8

ASCENDSM

AKA/NAMI Awareness Day

9 10

Membership

Committee

Meeting

11

Project Stepout

12 13

Property Committee

Meeting

14 15

16 17

ProgramCommittee

Meeting

18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25

Project Stepout

*IFNV BoardMeeting

26

Connection Committee

Meeting

27 28 29

*IFNV event - for informational purposes only

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

5

Mid Atlantic Regional Conference

April 2017Volume 17 | Issue 4

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Message From The Anti-Basileus

Soror Robin McCoy

Let’s continue “Launching New Dimension of Service” as we prepare for “A Kapital Affair” at the

64th Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference (MARC) in Raleigh, North Carolina. For the MARC Service

Project, each soror is encouraged to bring a backpack to the MARC. The Mid-Atlantic region has

partnered with Yoobi to offer an option to help us reach our One Million Backpack goal. Sorors

may purchase backpacks and school supplies online from www.yoobi.com at a 20 percent

discount – use special code AKAIMPACT.

We will continue to collect backpacks at the April

Chapter meeting for distribution to local schools in

the Arlington/Alexandria communities. Please refer

to the Educational Enrichment report for additional

information.

Sorors, for the April Chapter meeting please remember to bring your unwanted, gently used

paraphernalia to the chapter Paraphernalia Swap and to wear green, in observance of Earth Day.

Earth Day is an annual event created to celebrate the planet's environment and raise public

awareness about pollution. Please refer to the Environmental Ownership report for additional

details.

April is Financial Literacy month. Please refer to the Family Strengthening report for

everyday tips on improving your financial literacy and www.handsonbanking.org for

financial literacy classes.

The Health Promotion Committee just introduced a new health challenge – sorors, please

participate, and record your progress in the challenge. Please refer to the Health Promotions

report for more details.

Tea Roses and Pearls to:• The sorors that donated backpacks at the March meeting and One Million Backpacks Committee for distributing 30 backpacks to the students of Samuel Tucker Elementary School.

• Our Educational Enrichment Chairman, Soror Blanche Mays Maness, our ASCEND Chairman, Soror Geneva Greene, Soror Aisha Jefferson and Soror Ashley Huggins, who accompanied close to 50 students as they toured Lockheed Martin’s Global Vison Center in Crystal City, Virginia on Friday, March 10th. The students attended several sessions,to include, a Fighter (Aircraft) Demonstration, a Space Experience and the Energy Solutions Center. The students also competed in a STEM activity that required them to build gumdrop structures to test their engineering abilities. The 2017 Black Engineer of the Year STEM Career Achievement winner, Steven Hill discussed his engineering journey and gave an introduction to Lockheed Martin. Lockheed Martin’s Talent Acquisition Director Cheri Larkins closed the visit with a discussion on personal branding, resume building and networking.

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• Soror Linda Hall and financial advisor, Sybongile Cook, for preparing our scholars for financial success by exposing them to scholarship information and the tools for debt, credit and budget management at the ASCEND workshop on Saturday, March 18th..

• The Environmental Ownership Committee, who has been diligently working to foster our partnership with Doctor’s Run Park in Arlington, Virginia and develop a partnership with Powhatan Park in Alexandria, Virginia. Please refer to the Environmental Ownership report for additional details on our AKA Playground Mobilization Day in May.

International Programs

Target I: Educational EnrichmentSoror Blanche Maness, ChairmanSoror LaVonne Shingler, Co-ChairmanSoror Geneva Greene, ASCENDSoror Ayanna Puryear, One Million BackpacksSoror Christina Carter, Think HBCUContact us at: education@aka-zco.org

ONE MILLION Backpacks SM

Congratulations sorors! We have played a pivotal role in supporting the learning process of local students in Alexandria City Public Schools through the donation of backpacks. On Monday, March 6th, 2017 Zeta Chi Omega’s One Million Backpacks Committee was able to donate 30 backpacks to the students of Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School. Backpacks donated were collected at the March General Body Meeting. The staff and students were truly appreciative of Zeta Chi Omega’s efforts. Way to go sorors! We will continue to collect backpacks at the April General Body Meeting to donate to another local school in need. In the year 2017 we are encouraging each soror to donate 7 backpacks. Please remember that as the 64th Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference approaches, each soror is encouraged to bring with her one backpack that will be donated to local schools within the Raleigh area. Thanks for all you do, and let’s get packing!"

April 2017Volume 17 | Issue 4

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Marvelous Mid-Atlantic Region

Dear Mid-Atlantic Sorors,

The Mid-Atlantic region has partnered with Yoobi to offer an option to help us reach our One

Million Backpack Goal. Sorors may purchase products and have them shipped to the below

mailing addresses or they may have the items shipped to their home address and bring them to

the conference.

This is something new, we are ordering online so Chapters and Sorors won't have to pack the

large volumes of school supplies in their suitcases. Remember, Shipping costs are waived by

Yoobi and you get a 20 percent discount on every purchase. Please order now! See the flyer

below. Thank you.

Bethel AME Church

200 Regan Street

Greensboro, NC 27401

Pastor Alphonso E. McGlen, Senior Pastor

Alamance Burlington School System (ABSS)

Dr. LaJuana Norfleet

1712 Vaughn Road

Burlington, NC 27217

Wake County Public Schools System

Kevin McLeod

Sr. Administrator- Talent Engagement

5625 Dillard Drive

Cary, NC 27518

Durham Public Schools

William Sudderth

1817 Hamlin Road

Durham, NC 27704

Orange County Schools

G. Seth Stephens

Chief Communications Officer

Orange County Schools

200 E. King St.

Hillsborough, NC 27278Soror Joyce Henderson

Mid-Atlantic Regional Director

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®

9

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ASCEND℠

ASCEND Scholarly Notes

Think HBCU℠

Model United Nations (UN) Day

Charles Houston Recreation Center

901 Wythe Street, Alexandria, Virginia

22314 Saturday, April 22, 2017

10:30 am - 12:30 pm

To promote global education and engagement, ASCEND Scholars will spend the day exploring

international topics and participating in related Model UN modules.

Fisk University, or simply, Fisk, is a private HBCU founded in 1866 in

Nashville, Tennessee by John Ogden, the Revered Erasmus Milo

Cravath, and the Reverend Edward P. Smith. The School was named in

honor of General Clinton B. Fisk of the Tennessee Freedmen’s Bureau.

It is the oldest institution of higher education in Nashville, Tennessee.

Fisk has a tradition of excellence that was developed out of a history

marked by struggle and uncertainty. The Fisk world famous Jubilee

Singers originated as a group of traveling students who set out from

Nashville, Tennessee on October 6, 1871 to raise money to keep the

door of the school open.

Fisk’s longstanding legacy of excellence is reinforced by its

accomplishments in Science, Technology, Engineering and

Mathematics. Fisk remains the only HBCU ever to win the prestigious

Research & Development 100 Award and to date has won four.

According to the American Physical Society, Fisk is the number one

producer of underrepresented minority Master’s in Physics degrees.

Fisk also was the first HBCU to receive a charter for a chapter of Phi

Beta Kappa.

From it’s earliest days, Fisk has played a leadership role in the

education of African Americans, Fisk faculty and alumni have been

among America’s intellectual, artistic and civic leaders.

April 2017Volume 17 | Issue 4

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Among them have been:• Johnetta Cole, former President of Spellman College and Bennett College for Women• Rel Dowdell, acclaimed filmmaker and producer• Judith Jamison, acclaimed dancer, choreographer and artistic director Alvin Alley American

Dance Theater• Honorable Hazel O’Leary, seventh U.S. Secretary of Energy and past President of Fisk• Kim Whitley, actor comedienne• Nikki Giovanni, poet, author, professor• John Lewis, Congressman• Frederica Wilson, Congresswoman

Zeta Chi Omega Fisk Graduate: Dorthy B. Wigglesworth

Be sure to check out the Washington Post article about HBCU myths.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/five-myths-about-hbcus/2017/03/03/5adc236a-ff76-

11e6-8f41-ea6ed597e4ca_story.html?utm_term=.5f5fa0b7c7e3

For more information about HBCUs, visit and create an account at

http://www.hbcutoday.us/AKASororityZXΩ.

To ensure no one is left off the list of HBCU graduates, please update your information on the Zeta

Chi Omega Chapter website. All sorors are encouraged to donate to Think HBCU on the corporate

website.

Target II: Health PromotionSoror Jacqueline Guillory, ChairmanSoror Melissa Finney, Co-ChairmanContact us at: health@aka-zco.org

The Longest Day is June 21, 2017

The Longest Day is an event to honor those who face Alzheimer’s disease with strength, heart

and endurance through a host of physical and mentally stimulating activities occurring from

sunrise to sunset. Let’s not wait until June to support this worthy cause. Join Team AKA Zeta

Chi Omega in our fight against Alzheimer’s.

The link is: Help AKA Zeta Chi Omega fight Alzheimer's on The Longest Day!

Our goal is to raise $1,600 by June 21st. Help spread the word so we can meet and possibly

exceed this goal. Ensure your donation is under Team Zeta Chi Omega so our Chapter can get

the credit. You can create your own webpage to enlist the support of family and friends.

Support Team AKA Zeta Chi Omega…Donate today!

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Target III: Family StrengtheningSoror Melanie Barrington, ChairmanSoror Betty Morrison, Co-ChairmanContact us at: family@aka-zco.org

April is National Financial Literacy Month. Although April is designated as Financial

Literacy month, understanding the financial aspects of how to build wealth, create financial

security, and making families more fiscally responsible is a continuous learning process. Below

are several tips to improve financial literacy that should be practiced everyday:

Know how to manage credit

Know how to save for emergencies and/or unexpected expenses

Know how to manage debt

Know how to save and use investment vehicles to accumulate wealth and retirement income

Know how to manage risk to protect current income and assets

Know how to manage cash so that you are not living from payday to payday; this will

require you to develop a budget that will serve as your spending plan

Know how to protect oneself from fraud or predatory lending practices

Know how to use financial services such as checking, saving and money market accounts

"The single biggest difference between financial success and financial failure is how well

you manage your money." ~ T. Harv Eker

More information and online financial literacy

education courses can be found at

www.handsonbanking.org.

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Target IV: Environmental OwnershipSoror Yolanda B. Gibson, Chairman Soror Aja Charity , Co-Chiarman Soror Joy Page Ngwenya, Co-Chiarman Contact us at: gogreen@aka-zco.org

In observation of Earth Day, April 22, 2017, we are asking all sorors to Go Green in April by

wearing green to the General Body Meeting and recycle your unwanted gently used

paraphernalia during our ZXΩ AKA Paraphernalia Swap! As a reminder, please stop by the AKA

Paraphernalia table before you leave the Chapter meeting to collect your items that were not

swapped.

Sorors, we are asking you to Save the Date--

Saturday, May 13th! We will host our annual AKA

1908 Playground Community Impact Day at 10:00

am. During this time we will refresh, restore, and

renew the playground located at Doctor’s Run Park

(Arlington) from 10:00 am 11:00 am; and Powhatan

Park (Alexandria) from 11:00 am-noon! We plan to

pick up litter, remove sticks from the sandpit,

remove weeds, and distribute literature to children

and families regarding the importance of protecting

the environment. Sorors, if you plan to participate

in this event, please bring gardening gloves! It is important that you arrive to the service day on

time as we will begin the clean-up promptly at 10:00 am and 11:00 am, respectively.

If you are willing to assist in this service initiative, please email gogreen@aka-ZXΩ.org and

indicate your preferred park:

Doctor’s Run Park is located at 1301 S. George Mason Drive, Arlington, VA, 22204; Powhatan

Park is located at 1010 Douglas Street., Alexandria, VA 22314.

In case of inclement weather (i.e. rain/lightening/ etc.) on Saturday, May 13th, we will conduct

this community service project on Saturday, May 27th.

Tip of the month: If you have unused cell phones that you would like to recycle or trade-in, feel

free to contact Verizon to obtain a credit or gift card. If you want to learn more about the cell

phone recycle phone program, visit the following link:

https://www.verizonwireless.com/promos/device-trade-in.

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Target V: Global Impact

We are excited about our renewed partnership with Africare and encourage you to visit the Africare website https://www.africare.org/aka-partnership/.

Africare is one of the most experienced and largest African-American led non-profit international development organizations, and are leaders in development assistance to Africa. Since their founding in 1970, Africare has delivered more than $1 billion in assistance to tens of millions of men, women and children across the African continent. Learn more about Africare by checking out these videos on just some their work.

Africare History/Overview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P85iumystdsTanzania nutrition - https://www.africare.org/video-now-baby-two-months-old-greatTanzania orphans and vulnerable children -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hzm_EpeJ1I

United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) – A program of the United Nations Foundation

Engage with the UN through special membership opportunities:

Invitations to events at the United Nations Nationwide conferences with UN experts Impactful advocacy initiatives to voice your support of US engagement at the UN

Join online at unausa.org/join – Special rate for AKA (UNA-AKA).

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Project for Liberian Girls

Sorors, did you know that Liberian pubescent girls will miss school on average 84 days out of

the year due to the lack of proper supplies for their menstrual cycle? They miss essential class

time and sometimes fall behind. Most schools in Liberia require tuition to attend, and if the

family saved enough for tuition, some essentials go lacking. Let’s help see that their education

is without interruption.

Stay tuned for more information on the Chapter’s efforts to help see Liberian girls get much

needed sanitary supplies.

OFFICER REPORTSSoror Jessica SimsContact us at: hostess@aka-zco.orgHodegos Report

Bereavement : Soror Amanda Pratter lost her grandfather, Arthur L. Nelson, Sr. He was also the

father of Rose Kary, former Zeta Chi Omega member. Mr. Nelson’s funeral was held on March 18,

2017 at Shiloh Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia.

April Birthday Celebration: Calling all April birthday celebrants! Please join us for our monthly

birthday luncheon, immediately following our April Chapter meeting. Join us at Warehouse Bar &

Grill located at 214 King Street in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. All sorors are welcome to join

the celebration!

Irma P. Bogan* 2 Melanie Countee 13

Tiffany Montgomery 2 Naomi L. Brooks * 14

Judith Vaughn 2 Vera M. Clyburn 14

Barbara Cooley* 4 Lula Hicks 14

Karyn L. Berry 5 Adria Tippins-Owens 15

Melodye Berry 5 Charissa Conaway Woods 16

Patricia Ann Bell 5 Eva Thomas* 18

Jacenta Collins 6 Barbara Bouldin 19

Negleatha Johnson 7 Shavoka Douglas 23

Felycya Waller 7 Vendella F. Jordan 25

Pavalon Lee 9 Toni Carter Pearson* 30

Jennifer F. Hansborough 11 Melonie Barrington 30

Betty J. Smoot 12 Vendella F. Jordan 25

Pearl White 12

Celebrating our April Pearls

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Sisterly Reminder: Sorors please check and update your information in the on-line ZXΩ directory.

This is the information used to send flowers, cards, and lists your birthday in the Ivyette each

month. Also, please remember to send all announcements, life updates, or celebratory

information to hostess@aka-ZXΩ.org.

Philacter Soror Yvette DarnabyContact us at: keeper@aka-zco.org

Happy Spring Sorors! Please don't forget to stop by the registration desk to sign in before

each General Body Meeting. There are two sign in rosters alphabetized by last name. Sorors only

need to sign in once. It is not necessary to sign both rosters.

When inviting visitors, please remind them that the attire for the meeting is business. All visitors

must present proper identification upon arrival, or we will not be able to grant them access into

the meeting. Visitors may present one of the following items, along with a photo ID, to gain

entrance into the Chapter meeting:

1. Financial Card (current or expired)

2. Copy of her Certificate of Initiation

3. Faxed verification letter or email confirmation from the Corporate Office

4. An old Ivy Leaf

5. An old EAF card

If you have questions please contact us at keeper@aka.com.

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

The 3rd Annual Educational Advancement Foundation (EAF) Chapter Challenge was issued

and you answered-143 Zeta Chi Omega sorors participated in the Chapter Challenge and

collectively donated $2,624.96 to EAF!! Thank you for your enduring support of the EAF.

Each chapter that meets 60% participation will be recognized at the Barbara K. Phillips EAF

Breakfast during the 64th Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. See

you in Raleigh!

Educational Advancement FoundationSoror Nelfred “Tilly” Blanding, Chapter CaptainContact us at: eaf@aka-zco.org

April 2017Volume 17 | Issue 4

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Items for pick-up: Please be sure to pick up your Chapter polo shirt, name badge, 2016

documents and 2017 financial card at the Membership Committee table before and/or after the

April General Body Meeting.

Thank you and Tea Roses: A special “thank you” to everyone who assisted in making the

Information Session held on March 21, 2017 a success. You are appreciated!

Membership Intake Process (MIP): Below is a summary of remaining key MIP dates, times and

locations:

May 19-21: MIP Session #1 @ Lee Center

Friday ~ 6 pm to 10 pm; Saturday ~ 8:30 am to 6 pm; Sunday ~ 2 pm to 6 pm

June 2-4: MIP Session #2 @ Lee Center

Friday ~ 6 pm to 10 pm; Saturday ~ 8:30 am to 6 pm; Sunday ~ 2 pm to 5 pm

June 23-25: MIP Session #3 @ Hilton Washington Dulles Airport

Friday ~ 6 pm to 10 pm; Saturday ~ 8:30 am to 7 pm; Sunday ~ 8 am to 3 pm

June 25: Final MIP Commitment and Re-Affirmation

10:45am @ Hilton Washington Dulles Airport

Public Relations Committee Soror Gloria Bell, Chairman

The AFRO is celebrating its 125th Anniversary this year, August 12, 2017 at Martin’s Crosswinds,

Greenbelt, MD. The AFRO anticipates strong attendance from the AKAs throughout the DMV, as

the AFRO has consistently supported the AKAs on the AFRO’s social pages over the years.

Early ticket purchases are encouraged, and/or if organizations want to place a congratulatory ad

in the souvenir program or the 125th special edition of the Afro, that will also be available.

April 2017Volume 17 | Issue 4

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Connection CommitteeSoror LaFrances Williams, ChairmanSoror Amirah Salaam, Co-ChairmanContact us at: connection@aka-zco.org

Dear Sorors,

Our ability to mobilize and respond quickly to issues at the federal, state and local level is at an all-time

high. As individual members of Alpha Kappa Alpha, we must be willing to participate through advocacy

and be prepared to contact our elected officials; informing them of the concerns that are critical to our

communities.

Through our leadership and activism, Alpha Kappa Alpha women have shaped, defended and provided a

voice for the marginalized. Today, we are faced with several Calls to Action, with healthcare being

paramount for all Americans, especially our members and the communities in which we serve.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated is urging all members of Congress to not repeal any portion of

the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also referred to as 'Obamacare', unless a full and comparable

replacement has been identified. To that end, the Directorate and the International Connection

Committee are asking all members to take the following steps to ensure our voices are heard regarding

the proposed ACA replacement.

1. Confirm the Washington, D.C. contact information for your members of Congress. We each

have one member of the U.S. House of Representatives and two U.S. Senators. You can find

this information HERE.

2. Visit the web pages of your three congressional officials and sign up for their newsletters and/or

subscribe to their updates to ensure that you are aware of their positions, proposed policies or

local events like town hall meetings where you have the opportunity to voice your concern in

person. Most Members of Congress have a subscription link on their websites; you may also

call their offices directly and ask to be placed on their mailing lists.

3. Attend as many local meetings as possible that are hosted by your Members of Congress. It is

okay to wear professional paraphernalia to these events as an individual or as a chapter, but

you are not authorized to speak on behalf of Alpha Kappa Alpha. Your presence matters!

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4. Call or email your legislators and let your thoughts be known about the ACA. You can also use

their websites to submit comments. Always include your name, address, email, along with your

opposition or support and why. The more personal you can make your remarks the better.

Sorors, now is our time to Take A.C.T.I.O.N. and "Be the Voice" for our communities!

Sisterly yours,

Soror Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson

Supreme Basileus

Soror Sylvia Blackmon-Roberts

Chairman, International Connection Committee

Diamond Golden Silver CommitteeSoror C. Starr Garrett, Chairman; Soror Joyce Myrick Brooks, Co-Chairman

Greetings, Sorors! Please join us in congratulating the following sorors who reached jewel

status this year:

GOLDEN SORORS

Rebecca Dortch Brown

Regina Crawley

Brenda Lamberson-Sias

Toni Carter Pearson

SILVER STARS

Freda Washington Bredy

Rochelle A. Brown

Tasha Rodgers Colbert

Tarsha Moses

T’Anya Newell

Robin Mazyck SundaramoorthyJewels Save the Date: May Chapter MeetingShine your crowns, get out your gold/silver attire, and get ready to join us in the “Jewels Parade” at the beginning of the May Chapter meeting. More details to follow.

The DGS chairman and co-chairman made a

surprise visit to our beloved Golden Soror

Mayme Holt at the Carroll Manor Nursing &

Rehabilitation Center in Washington, DC on

February 26th. She was stunning as usual and

absolutely delighted with our visit.

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Nominating CommitteeSoror Bonnie Jones-Moon, Chairman

Contact us at:

2017 ELECTIONS EARLY BIRD ANNOUNCEMENT

Sorors, can you imagine that we are just eight (8) months away from electing new leaders to fill

officer positions whose terms will conclude on December 31, 2017? Because the Nominating

Committee recognizes that the Chapter has a very busy calendar of events between now and the

summer hiatus, the committee would like sorors to start thinking about running for an officer

position. The officer and nominating positions that will be open with their corresponding Chapter

Bylaws sections are as follows:

POSITION REFERENCE

Baslieus Article IV, Section 1

Grammeteus Article IV, Section 3

Anti-Tamiouchos**Article IV, Section 6.

Pecunious Grammateus**Article IV, Section 7.

Ivy Leaf Reporter Article IV, Section 11.

Graduate Advisor*** Article IV, Section 14

PhilacterArticle IV, Section 15

Nomination Committee (Five (5) Seats) Article IV, Section 17

Sorors, start working on your AKA resumes! Applications for officer positions will be available

at the May and June meetings. Additionally, applications will be available on the Chapter

website no later than May 24, 2017.

*Basileus – Post-election must attend the Basilei Training Institute.

**Must be certified by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® Financial Officer Certification

Course, or become certified at the next training course.

***Prior to her nomination, the candidate must have been certified by the Directorate

approved Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.®, Graduate Advisors Program.

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Archives CommitteeSoror Monique Robinson, ChairmanContact us at: archives@aka-zco.org

Save the date! Regional Archives Day at Virginia State University (VSU) is Friday, June 2, 2017. More details to come. The Archives and History Committees are currently preparing items to be deposited into the Regional Repository during Archives Day.

The Archives Committee is actively collecting and keeping the significant milestone certificates on file for all Chapter members. Please print and turn in the following certificates (do not give us your originals):

Life MemberTwenty -Five Year Member (Silver Star)Fifty Year Member (Golden)

Visit our history-packed archives on Saturdays in April and May from 10:00 am- 12:00 pm.The address is 4650 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA. Cube Smart Storage. Please email Soror Monique moivy05@gmail.com if you can attend. Refreshments will be served.

Please copy the Archives Committee on event correspondences so that we can maintain flyers and programs on file in the Archives.

Remember, the Chapter history book, "Crown Jewels and Cultured Pearls Along the Ivy Vine", can be ordered and purchased online. A portion of the proceeds come back to Zeta Chi Omega.

History Committee Soror Mathelle K. Lee, ChairmanSoror Carolyn Rowe, Co-Chairman

Zeta Chi Omega Chapter is celebrating the 60th Annual Cotillion this year. What began as La Reine

des Mois or Queen of the Months in 1956 and 1957, became the Cotillion in 1958 and has

continued until the present. More than 1300 high school seniors and college freshmen have

curtsied and danced at the balls over those years. Some of the first debutantes from 1958 sent

greetings to the 2017 debutantes in an ad. Their names are: Earleaen Green Evans, Gwendolyn

Green Stanford, Constance Gray Brooks, Barbara Pelham McDaniel, Elsie Shepard Raney, Rose

Connie Fulford Strickland, Blanche Owens Trueheart, Barbara Bracey Wiggs, and Mabel Best Wilds.

Some of them were here for the 50th Anniversary, and some will be attending this year’s Cotillion.

To commemorate this Zeta Chi Omega Chapter milestone, the Souvenir Journal Committee listed

the names of the Miss Cotillions, their sponsors, and the Committee Chairmen in the history

section of the 2017 Souvenir Journal. Unfortunately, we could not list all of them because some

of the information is not available. Most of the information was gleaned from Journals in the

archives and sorors’ personal collections.

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The History Committee would like to follow up with this project and try to get all the names for

the missing years. We’re asking for your assistance. If you have a journal or know someone

who was a debutante in the years listed below, please share the information. If you do not

want to donate your book, although we would love to have it to complete the set in the

archives, take a picture with your cell phone and email it to Mathelle Lee

(mathell.lee@hotmail.com) or Carolyn Rowe (cecrowe@verizon.net). Thank you for your

assistance.

Missing or incomplete information for years: 1959-1977 and 1986.

Include pictures of the cover, the title page, the officers, the committee chairmen and co-

chairmen, the directresses, the names of all the debutantes, Miss Cotillion, and her sponsor.

Protocol Committee Soror Bonnie Jones-Moon, Chairman

Greetings Sorors and Happy Spring! Since Protocol is the responsibility of each and every soror,

we must stay informed of the most up-to-date information available. Please note that the

Official Guide to Alpha Kappa Alpha Protocol revised edition in 2015 is available on the

corporate website for $10.00 plus postage.

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference is fast approaching. Please refer to the guide on

conference attire, which can be found in the MARC Conference Guide on page 20. Please note

that our Business, Business Casual and Ritual attire guidelines are as follows:

Business: closed-toe shoes preferred; sandals are acceptable; hosiery; short or long sleeves;

skirt at knee length; and pantsuits.

Business Casual: open-toe shoes or sandals; no hosiery; sleeveless; skirt at knee length;

khakis/polo shirt, trouser/shirts, skirts/blouses, slacks/sweaters.

Ritual Attire: seasonal white sling-back; peep-toe, mules; peep-toe sling-back and pumps are

acceptable; hosiery, white or flesh tone; short or long sleeves; skirt at knee length to mid-calf;

and dresses or skirted suits with sleeves. Also note that our ritual attire for ceremonies should

be without embellishments and decorative pins. Orthopedic shoes of any color are permitted.

For those of our sorors who will be at the MARC Jewels Luncheon – Congratulations on your

milestone and wonderful achievements! Your attire can be celebratory. Business attire for all

others in attendance.

continued on the next page >>April 2017Volume 17 | Issue 4

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Just a few special considerations to remember:

1. Sorors, please respect all reserved seating sections for our Diamond and Golden Sorors,physically challenged sorors, Very Special Guests not seated on the dais, and delegates.

2. Please stand when Former Supreme Basilei and the Supreme Basileus enter the room andwhen they are introduced. Likewise, please stand for the Regional Director, our very own,Soror Joyce Henderson, at any event in her region.

3. Remember that holding seats at any function is unacceptable, unless advised otherwise.4. Please do not remove the centerpieces or decorations from conference events, unless

advised otherwise.

Sorors, we are in the midst of our MIP. Please remember that our MIP activities and

deliberative processes are Chapter business to be maintained within our Chapter. As they

say, “ What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”

Have a great time at the MARC, sorors!

Pan-Hellenic Council CommitteeSoror Angela Turner, Soror Chiquita KingContact us at: phc@aka-zco.org

For those of you who will not be attending the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference (MARC), the

National Pan-Hellenic Council of Northern Virginia (NoVA NPHC) cordially invite you to partake in

our NoVA NPHC weekend, which includes the following events:

NoVA NPHC Spring Happy Hour

Thursday, April 27, 2017

6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Topgolf Alexandria

6625 S Van Dorn St, Alexandria, VA

Cost: $9, if participating in unlimited putt-putt

golf. Please wear organization’s colors, not

letters.

NoVA NPHC Game Night and Fish Fry

Friday, April 28, 2017

7:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.

Kappa Multipurpose Facility

6343 South Kings Highway, Alexandria, VA

Cost: $20; tickets will be available at the

April General Body Meeting. Games include

spades and bid whist tournaments, Phase

10, dominoes, and more.

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Students tour the Fighter Demonstration Center at the Lockheed Martin Global Vision Center

Soror Ashley Huggins explores legacy space craft at Lockheed Martin

ASCEND students test their engineering skills by building a gumdrop structure with Soror Ashley Huggins

ASCEND

March 10, 2017

25

The South Lakes High School DECA chapter was also honored with the Annual Report Preferred Award, and SLHS marketing instructor and DECA sponsor Darlena Ricks earned the conference’s Outstanding DECA Advisor Award.

CongratulationsSoror Darlena Ricks

Several local high school students will be heading to California next month after qualifying for the international DECA competition with their performances at the state competition last weekend.

DECA is an international association of teachers and students in marketing, management and entrepreneurship. Competitions are held across the world each year to allow students to show their skills in those fields and more.

Ivy Foundation of Northern Virginia, Inc. the charitable affiliate of

Zeta Chi Omega Chapter

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated

presents

®

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IFNV FUND-RAISING EVENTS

Sorors, listed below are the upcoming fund-raising events sponsored by the IFNV in support of the Chapter’s scholarship and program activities. We are soliciting your support for each event.

2017 Cotillion Tickets – On April 1, 2017, the 2017 Cotillion will be held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, 2299 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA. The program begins and the doors will close promptly at 7:00 pm Please be on time. Tea Roses to Soror Madeline Wingate-Alphonso, Chairman; and her Co-Chairmen, Soror Sharonda Glover and Soror Andrea Streat; and the Cotillion Committee members. We are looking forward to this spectacular event as we celebrate the 60th

Cotillion of Zeta Chi Omega Chapter.

2017 Cooley-Moore Luncheon Fashion Show: The kick-off meeting for the Cooley-Moore-Luncheon Fashion Show (LFS) was held March 20, 2017, at 7 pm at the Lee Center in Alexandria, Virginia. The April meeting will be announced at the General Membership Meeting on April 1st. We request that you please sign up to support the LFS Chairman, Soror Jennifer Hansborough, and her Co-Chairman, Soror Karen Briggman. If you have any questions regarding the LFS, please contact Soror Jennifer at jennifer_hansborough@yahoo.com.

IFNV & KSEF June 9th Dance. Sorors, the "Summer Night with Diamonds and Pearls" joint fundraising event between the Ivy Foundation of Northern Virginia, Inc. (IFNV) and the Kappa Scholarship Endowment Fund, Inc. (KSEF) is moving nicely through the planning process. The event will be held Friday, June 9, 2017, from 8:00 pm to 12:00 am at the Camelot by Martin's in Upper Marlboro, MD. Tickets are $60 and available for purchase through late May on Eventbrite: http://www.diamondsandpearls2017.eventbrite.com. We encourage all sorors and their guests to attend in support of our fundraising efforts. Come out and enjoy a buffet dinner, DJ, cash bar, vendors, and two dance floors. Party with A Purpose!! Our next IFNV-KSEF Joint Committee Meeting is Thursday, April 28, 2017 @ 7:00 pm.

Thanking you in advance for your support.

April 2017Volume 17 | Issue 4

OFFICERS

Basileus Soror Rhonda Luss

Anti-Basileus Soror Robin McCoy

Grammateus Soror Patricia Edwards

Anti-Grammateus Soror Erika Bouknight

Epistoleus Soror Tamiko Francis

TamiouchosSoror Stephanie Woodland Kelly

Anti-Tamiouchos Soror Katrina Anwar

Pecunious Grammateus

Soror Crystal Lander

Anti-Pecunious Grammateus

Soror Joy Page Ngwenya

Hodegos Soror Jessica Sims

Philacter Soror Yvette G. Darnaby

Parliamentarian Soror Kendra Riley

Graduate Advisor Soror VaShawn Guice Veal

Ivy Leaf Reporter Soror Gloria Bell

Archivist Soror Monique Robinson

Immed. Past Basileus

Soror Kendra Gillespie

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

EDITOR Soror Tamiko Francis

PRODUCTION STAFF Soror Nicole ClarkSoror Melissa FinneySoror C. Starr Garrett

Soror Jennifer HansboroughSoror Stephanie Woodland KellySoror Steronica Mattocks

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®Zeta Chi Omega Chapter

P.O. Box 25763Alexandria, Virginia 22313

http://www.aka-zco.org

STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN

Archives Soror Monique Robinson

Awards Soror Tifani Burgess

Bylaws Soror Kendra Riley

Connection Soror LaFrances Williams

Contracts Soror Irma Bogan

Courtesy Soror Jessica Sims

Directory Soror Erika Bouknight

Finance Soror Stephanie Woodland Kelly

Graduate Advisory Soror VaShawn Guice Veal

Membership Soror Tonya Perkinson

Newsletter Soror Tamiko Francis

Programs Soror Robin McCoy

Protocol Soror Bonnie Jones-Moon

Public Relation Soror Gloria Bell

Scholarship Soror Diann Burns

Standards Soror Amanda Pratter

Technology Soror Leslie Dey

Telecommunications Soror Yvette Darnaby

Nominating Soror Bonnie Jones-Moon

Soror Ade’Leake GoreSoror Linda HallSoror Angie HemingwaySoror Vanessa JacksonSoror Brittney MontgomerySoror Inez “Chris” Pierce-GraySoror Carol TurnerSoror Judy Vaughn

Nominating Committee Members:

April 2017Volume 17 | Issue 4