1

April 2015 Annapolis Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

THE DELTA TIMES

GREETINGS FROM THE PRESIDENT

Sorors, Spring is in the air, and it is time to celebrate all the beauty of the season. As we celebrate Spring 2015, there are several events that come to mind.

First, last month we celebrated Sisterhood Month, and members of the chapter participated in a variety of activities that helped to reinforce our sisterly bond.

Second, on Saturday, March 28, 2015, several members of the chapter had the honor of attending an Omega Omega Service for Founder Pauline Oberdorfer Minor. As many have heard, our Founder, Pauline Oberdorfer Minor, was found in late 2013 buried in a pauper's grave in Pennsylvania with three other people, and she had never had an Omega Omega ser-vice. Soror Thelma Daley, our 16th National President, led a beautiful ceremonial tribute written specifically for our Founder, which took place at the First African Baptist Church in Darby Township, PA and attended by hundreds of sorors. After the service, members of the sorority released 22 red and white balloons in honor of the sorority’s 22 Founders outside of the church. Afterwards, sorors attended the Monument Unveiling Ceremony at the Historic Eden Cemetery, and the day culminated with a luncheon attended by more than 400 sorors. Words cannot adequate-ly express the pride and gratitude experienced during this incredible day.

Third, on Sunday, April 19, 2015, the chapter will hosts its 32nd Annual “Outstanding Minority Scholar Awards Program and Spring Fashion Show Luncheon” at the Westin Annapolis Hotel beginning at 3:00 p.m. Almost 400 tickets have been sold for the event which will honor 10 scholars from Anne Arundel County Public Schools followed by the spring fashion show.

Fourth, on Saturday, April 25, 2015, the chapter will hosts its first “Thelma T. Daley STEM Initiative” at Annapolis High School beginning at 8:30 a.m. (registration) followed by the program at 9:00 a.m. In focusing on early exposure (grades k-8) the goal of this initiative is threefold: early exposure—to increase awareness of STEM fields and careers at an early age; role modeling—to allow participants to see groups traditionally under-represented in STEM (women and minorities) actually working and succeeding in STEM fields and careers; and hands-on exposure—to provide research opportunities and produce a tangible STEM-related product.

Finally, on May 16, 2015, the chapter will hosts its first community forum on “Human Trafficking and Sex Trafficking” from 1:30-4:00 p.m. at the Wiley Bates Legacy Center. The event is a partnership with the local NACCP, and potential presenters include local law enforcement officials as well as Dr. Nesa Chappelle, the founder of “Spirit Driven”, an organization dedicated to education on this issue.

Each month, I reiterate just how much we have to be thankful for as a sisterhood devoted to service. As our chapter continues to reinforce its 67 year legacy of sisterhood and service to the Annapolis and surrounding communities, we continue to grow as individuals and sis-ters. Sisterly,

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Tribute………..………………...……2

EMBODI ..................................4

Health ......................................5

Spring Activity .........................6

Chaplain’s Corner………………..7

Birthdays…………………… ..…….7

Upcoming Events……………..…8

2

3

Tribute to Founder Pauline Oberdorfer Minor

On Saturday, March 28, 2015, hundreds of sorors attended an Omega Omega Service for Founder Pauline Oberdorfer Minor. Founder Pauline Oberdorfer Minor graduated from the Philadelphia High School for Girls and founded the sorority, along with fellow Howard University students. She was the valedictorian of her class and taught school in West Chester. In addition to being an accomplished singer, she authored two books. In late 2013, she was found buried in a pauper's grave in Pennsylvania with three other people, and she had never had an Omega Omega service. A ceremonial tribute written specifically for our Founder was led by Soror Thelma Daley, 16th National President. The service took place at the First African Baptist Church in Darby Township, PA. After the service, members of the sorority released 22 red and white balloons in honor of the sorority’s 22 Founders outside of the church followed by the Monument Unveiling Ceremony at the Historic Eden Cemetery. The day culminated with a luncheon attended by more than 400 sorors. The effort to resolve Founder Minor’s final resting place began in 2013 when C. Gloria Ackers, a member of the National Heritage and Archives Committee, was looking for a place to erect a marker honoring the founder. With the assistance of Geraldine Myles, they searched the school archives and found a record book with basic information about Founder Minor along with her 1910 graduation photo. Serving as the lead researcher on what became the Minor Project, Myles scoured through numerous books, records, and articles to help solve the mystery that culminated in the tribute on March 28, 2015.

TRIBUTE TO A FOUNDER

4

On May 9th the EMBODI Committee will partner with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity to present a Young Men’s Conference at Arundel High School from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The theme this year is….

The topics so far are:

Black Lives Matter Know Your Rights (From the School to the Streets) Black Pride (Image Is Everything!) Your Body is Your Temple Dress for Success Personal Hygiene Substance Abuse Financial Awareness Technology Presentation And more!

So, I know you are wondering how you can help! There are several opportunities. Help is needed with registration, refreshments, moderating the sessions and/or presenting a session, etc. There is also a need for donations for the gift bags, breakfast, lunch,, door prizes, etc. For additional information or to provide support please contact Tamla Bias at tamla_bias@yahoo.com or (301) 254-8870 or Cherika Campbell at cherika.campbell@gmail.com or (240) 533-7468.

Stay tuned for additonal information!

Submitted by: Soror Tamla Bias, Chair

COMMITTEE NEWS: EMBODI

5

COMMITTEE NEWS: HEALTH

April is NCADD Alcohol Awareness Month

Alcoholism: A FEW FACTS WORTH KNOWING...

Alcohol effects 10% of women and 20% of men with most beginning in their mid teens.

Approximately 2000 deaths under the age of 21 are related to car crashes involving alcohol each year.

Alcohol is involved in nearly 1/2 of all violent teen deaths.

Women are more at risk of developing cirrhosis of the liver and heart and nerve damage at a faster rate than men.

Risk factors include: low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, family history of alcohol/or other substance abuse.

Signs and Symptoms of alcohol abuse include: drinking to get drunk, drinking alone, keeping alcohol a secret or hiding alcohol in odd places, irritated when unable to obtain a drink, having blackouts (failure to remember drinking), problems in home/work life.

CAN DRINKING ALCOHOL BE SAFE? Some research has shown a reduction in the risk of heart disease, stroke and dementia.

SAFE MEANS MODERATION... 4-8 oz of wine per day as an example!

First recognize there is a problem. Talk to your Doctor to see what treat-ment plan is best for you.

Information obtained from www.medicinenet.com

Submitted by: Soror Nnemdi Baird, Chair

6

We are truly excited about the Outstanding Minority Scholar Awards Pro-gram and Fashion Show Luncheon scheduled for Sunday, April 19, 2015, Westin Annapolis Hotel, 100 Westgate Circle, Annapolis, MD. Please arrive at 2:00 to shop from our vendors. We are encouraging everyone to use valet parking for a small fee of $7.00 (cash). Staffing has been arranged to accommodate this service. You must obtain a special event parking ticket to receive the discounted rate for valet and self-parking. Doors will open at 2:30 and our program will begin promptly at 3:00 P.M. Lunch will be served before the scholars are presented.

Please make sure your guests have their tickets prior to Sunday. We prefer no will-call for tickets so that the persons at the Registration Desk will be able to enjoy the program. There will be an area with limited seating near the registration desk and in one of the exhibit rooms for persons to wait prior to the doors opening. In utilizing this area, please be considerate of our seniors, Delta Dears, and those

requiring special assistance. Also, a reminder, there will be a red envelope on each table for raffle tickets and a white envelope containing a red door prize ticket for each guest at your table.

We are asking sorors at each table to facilitate the sale of raffle tickets at your table. Each envelope will have a corresponding number for your table. Volunteers are needed to assist with the collection of the raffle ticket envelopes. Please see Soror Candis T. Milbourne if you would like to serve as a volunteer.

There will be a final floor plan available for your review at the chapter meeting to verify your table number. Please see Janet Anderson if you have questions.

Reminder: Please bring your stubs to the chapter meeting. place them in an envelope with your name and raffle ticket number. after payment has been made, Soror Candis Milbourne will take your stubs! Thanking you in advance for your assistance in this matter.

We look forward to seeing each of you on Sunday, April 19th for our

spectacular scholarship program and fashion show.

Submitted by: Soror Janet Anderson, Co-Chair

COMMITTEE NEWS: SPRING ACTIVITY

7

ANNAPOLIS ALUMNAE CHAPTER

DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INC.

Please send articles to

journalist@annapolisalumnae.org

by the 7th of the month.

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

Greeting Sorors,

What an exciting time of the year! The Outstanding Minority Scholar Awards Program and Spring Fashion Show Luncheon provide us the opportunity to take time and celebrate and reflect on the Annapolis Alumnae Chapter hard work and dedication to fulfill our sorority’s mission. We also have the opportunity to acknowledge the accomplishments of 10 extraordinary young men and women who reside in the community we serve.

Taking the time to celebrate and reflect on our chapter’s accomplishments is key to ensuring we remain relevant and focused within our community. Acts 20:35 (ESV) states "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, “it is more blessed to give than receive."

The hard work of the Annapolis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. will directly impact 10 exceptional scholars who will go on to make an impact in our community and society at large. Sorors, we must continue to set the bar high and extend ourselves and continue to reach new heights! Bigger and better next year! Submitted by: Soror Robin Lartigue , Chaplain

YOUR LOGO HERE

Happy

Birthday

April

Birthdays

3-Michelle Schoonmaker

3-Pamela Gentry

3-Anne Vintes

6-Bernice Johnson

11-Gloria Shelton

13-Tressa Ballard

14-Tanya Diggs

20-JoAnn Scipio

22-Janice Sydnor

26-Alva Sheppard-Johnson

27-Jacqueline Alexander

29-Rashonda Stansbury-Diggs

8

9

10