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A Legacy of Ivy, Roses and Pearls
By Phi Eta Omega Chapter Trafford Publishing
Copyright © 2014 Phi Eta Omega Chapter
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4907-5133-7
CHAPTER 1
The Gathering of Sorors 1998-1999
Although I held offices and chaired various committees throughout the years, which helped to enhance my organizational and leadership skills, my greatest challenge was helping to establish the Scotch Plains/Union County Interest Group. As president, making late night phone calls, developing liaisons for community service projects, working with two regional directors, establishing protocol, and attending many, many meetings with members was, at times, exasperating. However, we prevailed; hence, Phi Eta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated became a reality.
Interest Group of PHI ETA OMEGA
1998 – 1999
Under the urging of Soror Mary D. Williams, on January 7, 1998, a group of ten sorors; Carol AndersonLewis, Jacqueline Arrington, Patricia Brokaw, Gail Cole-Spencer, Mary Gladden, Rosetta Lattimore, Margaret A. Lewis, Jacquelynn Rhodes, Mary D. Williams and Drucilla Wiggins assembled at the home of Soror Drucilla and committed themselves to forming an interest group to petition Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® for chapter status. The group chose the name: The Scotch Plains/Union County Interest Group of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®.
The group organized and, shortly afterwards, mobilized four other members. Sorors Newana Barnes, Nellie Suggs, Ann Troupe Thornhill and Ogretta Whipper Hawkins joined the interest group. On January 14, 1998 the group elected the following officers:
President -- Drucilla Wiggins
Vice President -- Margaret A. Lewis
Secretary -- Jacquelynn Rhodes
Financial Secretary -- Jacqueline Arrington
Treasurer -- Rosetta Lattimore
Hostess -- Mary Williams
Chaplain -- Nellie Suggs
The interest group met with Soror Wilma Tootle, North Atlantic Regional Director, at Freshwaters Restaurant, Plainfield, NJ on January 20, 1998. Soror Tootle and the group discussed the feasibility of creating a chapter in the Scotch Plains area. Subsequently, Sorors Adunni S. Anderson, Mary L. Goldsboro and Joyce R. Hobbs also became a part of the chartering petition. Their goal was to establish an interest group in the Scotch Plains/Union County area to mobilize inactive and non-affiliated sorors, and ultimately, to become a graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. The mission of the interest group was to promote harmony and friendship among members and to develop and implement programs that would enhance the self-esteem of the youth in their communities.
The group developed a mission statement and identified community service programs under Alpha Kappa Alpha's international theme, "Blazing New Trails", ON TRACK. The interest group's signature program was to sponsor a NJ Orator's Chapter with St. John Baptist Church in Scotch Plains, NJ. The NJ Orators was an organization established to encourage minority youth, ages seven to eighteen years, to develop strong verbal and oratorical skills. The group established a weekly tutorial program (TAG) at St. John's to assist and strengthen the academic skills of the area youth. The interest group also chose to partner with the Foreign Missions Board at Shiloh Baptist Church, Plainfield, NJ. As a mission to assist the Christ Our Hope Maternity Home in Ghana, West Africa, sorors donated supplies and materials. Soror Edith Booker, the newly elected North Atlantic Regional Director, met with the interest group on December 12, 1998 at the home of Soror Margaret A. Lewis. Soror Booker reviewed the chartering application and discussed the required materials that were needed for submission to her and to the international office. Once the Directorate approved the interest group, the chartering had to take place within six months. The official approval of the chartering was given at the March 1999 Directorate Meeting in Freeport, Bahamas.
On June 6, 1999, the Scotch Plains/Union County Interest Group became Phi Eta Omega Chapter, the 128th chapter and the 67th graduate chapter in the North Atlantic Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. The chartering ceremony and luncheon was presided over by Dr. C. Edith Booker, North Atlantic Regional Director, at the Woodbridge Hilton, in Woodbridge, NJ.
The seventeen chartering sorors were; (L-R, 1st row) Drucilla Wiggins, Jacqueline Arrington, Rosetta Lattimore, Margaret A. Lewis, Regional director Dr. C. Edith Booker, Ann Troupe Thornhill, Nellie Suggs, Adunni Anderson, Carol Anderson-Lewis, (L-R, 2nd row) Ogretta Whipper-Hawkins, Mary L. Goldsboro, Newana Barnes, Mary Gladden, Gail Cole-Spencer, Mary D. Williams, Joyce R. Hobbs, Jacquelynn Rhodes and Patricia Brokaw.
There was little time to enjoy the euphoria of becoming the 67th graduate chapter in the North Atlantic Region of ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INC. The small group, under the leadership of Soror Margaret A. Lewis, as the first president, rolled up its sleeves and quickly went to work. There were certain programs already in place to continue and some new ones to inaugurate.
At Christmas in 1999, the chapter donated black dolls to the Plainfield Area YMCA Shelter. The following year, after Phi Eta Omega Chapter became a member of Jerseyland Park Community Center where its monthly meetings were held, the beautiful dolls were donated to the children who attended Jerseyland's annual Christmas party.
CHAPTER 2
A Beginning 1999 - 2001
The formative years of any organization are usually a mixture of adventure, tremendous hard work, dissonance and optimism. Such was the case in the launching of Phi Eta Omega. Since I had previously served as basileus of my undergraduate chapter, Gamma Alpha, and a graduate chapter, Beta Pi Omega, I was well aware that the strength and success of any basileus depends, in part, on all members of the chapter.
It was with zeal that my sorors and I developed and implemented programs addressing the family, economics, education, health and the arts. We, indeed, set about "Blazing New Trails." Activities included sponsoring Scotch Plains Chapter of the New Jersey Orators, launching economic empowerment projects such as Black Dollar Days, planning the IVY ACADEMY at Jerseyland Park, presenting the first annual monetary scholarship/book awards and establishing the chapter's annual major fundraiser--the Cards and Games Scholarship Luncheon.
The chapter's partnership with NJ Orators (St. John Baptist Church/Scotch Plains Chapter) continued for a 2nd year. Orators, ages seven to seventeen, held an audience spellbound as they delivered their orations at Barnes & Noble Book Store in Springfield, NJ in April of 1999. At the spring competition of 13 chapters and approximately 300 youth, Scotch Plains orators won 1st place for the group and four top individual prizes. Soror Grace Spivey's daughter, Nicole, received a perfect score. The final encore of the season was given at the Priory Restaurant in Newark, NJ where the orators were guests of the New Community Corporation. Among the pleasantries of the evening was the presentation of a Certificate of Recognition by the founder and Executive Director of the NJ Orators, Jim Hunter. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, through the sponsorship of the Phi Eta Omega Chapter, was the first and only Greek-letter organization to sponsor an orator chapter.
The year 2000 began with two sorors, Angela Driesbach Rose and Lyn Nickens Hamlin, transferring into Phi Eta Omega. Acts of volunteerism continued. Sorors participated as ushers at Crossroads Theater in New Brunswick, the first African American owned and operated theater in the state of NJ. Led and organized by Soror Jacqueline Arrington, Sorors Joyce Hobbs, Ogretta Hawkins, Jacquelynn Rhodes and Ann Troupe Thornhill volunteered on a bi-annual basis to support WBGO, NJ's only public/non-profit member-supported radio station. They contributed their time and talent as phone operators and tally masters, as well as accepted pledges and handled mailings during the station's fall membership drive.
The chapter received a "Heart Grant" in the amount of $1,000 from the Union County Chosen Freeholders to support IVY AKAdemy. IVY AKAdemy provided arts and cultural programming for youth ages 14-17 in Scotch Plains. Young people were exposed to dance, songs, oratory, dramatic presentations and photographic exhibits. This initiative was led by Sorors Mary D. Williams, Nellie Suggs, Mary Gladden, Sharon Alsbrook, Grace Spivey, Yvonne Nambe and Margaret Lewis.
Numerous "acts of kindness" were carried out during Soror Margaret's tenure. Plants and cards were gifted to senior citizens of St. John Baptist Church in Scotch Plains. Additionally, the chapter instituted a new program, "The Black Angel Network", under the Black Family Corporate Target. "The Black Angel Network" was an adopt-a-family program. In collaboration with Metropolitan Baptist Church of Scotch Plains, the chapter identified a family of three boys, ages three, six, and eleven who were being reared by their single grandmother. Toys, clothes and food were donated throughout the year to support this family. In addition, an African American Literary Program was created in which books and CDs were donated to the Scotch Plains Public Library during the celebration of Black History Month. The chapter also participated in the nationally sponsored initiative, AKA IFresh Shoe Box Project. Shoe boxes were filled with school supplies and other multi-cultural educational materials for schools in Africa. On May 18, 2000, at Scotch Plains/Fanwood High School, Phi Eta Omega presented its first annual college book scholarships in the amount of $500.00 each to Christina Anne Hillman and Khalia Taylor.
In June, Phi Eta Omega's first anniversary was celebrated at the Spain Inn in Piscataway, NJ. On September 30, 2000 the chapter's first games/card party scholarship luncheon premiered. The revenue collected was for the benefit of scholarships. It was co-chaired by Sorors Grace Spivey and Mary D. Williams and was held at Café Piancone 2000 in South Plainfield, NJ. October was an active month for the chapter. Sorors walked in the American Cancer Walk-a-Thon in Newark, NJ and raised eleven hundred dollars for the cause.
Sorors continued to worship at least once a year as a group. In November the chapter worshipped at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Scotch Plains.
On December 9, 2000, Soror Ogretta Whipper Hawkins presented a workshop on Alpha Kappa Alpha's protocol, traditions, and rituals. Phi Eta Omega's first Membership Intake Process (MIP) also occurred in December at the Holiday Inn in Springfield, NJ. The new sorors were: LeShaun Arrington, Learline Buckner Beaty, Carol Ann Brokaw, MaryAnn Anderson Fulmore, Monica Gallimore, Yvonne Nambe, and Candace Pryor.
CHAPTER 3
We're on our Way 2001 – 2005
Assuming the torch as the second Basileus of Phi Eta Omega, it was my honor to serve and lead the chapter into the new millennium with the transitioning of the new Corporate Signature Program, the Spirit of Alpha Kappa Alpha. In keeping with the corporate theme, my primary goal was to promote and foster the tenants of our great sisterhood. To attain this goal of retaining and reclaiming sorors, the following chapter programs were implemented: Secret Soror, Soror2Soror, and Sisterly Gatherings were spearheaded by the Hostess Committee. These activities included monthly repasts following chapter meetings, attending worship services, holiday luncheons and the distribution of a monthly basileus newsletter entitled Phi Eta Omega Newsletter. Previously, a quarterly newsletter, ASWALOS NEWS (All Sister With a Lot of Soul), had been published. The chapter also sponsored its first reclamation event and a leadership retreat.
A secondary goal was to promote greater visibility in the Scotch Plains area. This goal was accomplished by participating in community service events such as the collection and donation of books to the Scotch Plains Public Library, participation in the Black Angel Network, donation of pajamas, clothing and books to children in need, and the educational sponsorship of two female students attending school in Kenya. The chapter embarked on the beginning phase of a major collaborative project that involved the restoration of Caesar's (a freed slave buried in the cemetery at S.P.B.C.) Gravestone with the Scotch Plains Baptist Church. This project was partially funded by a HEART Grant made possible by the Union County Historical Society. During my tenure as basileus, the chapter's visibility was increased not only within the Scotch Plains community but also with representation at the Cluster IV Basilei Council, Cluster Leadership, North Atlantic Regional Conference (NARC), Summer Leadership and Boule Conferences. On behalf of the chapter, I proudly accepted the regional (NARC) recognition award for timely completion and submission of the Standards Report, AKA Connection Report and Retention of Membership-Ivy Level. Phi Eta Omega also took the lead for Cluster IV at the Ivy Beyond the Wall/Worship Service at NARC in Atlantic City, NJ. The growth of the chapter membership was increased by the reclamation of two sorors and in February 2005 a new group of enthusiastic sorors, affectionately known as the "Loquacious Eight".
With the addition of seven enthusiastic sorors, Phi Eta Omega made great strides in carrying out programs already in place and in creating new ones. On the first Sunday in February, sorors participated in the African American Read-In sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of English. The national reading lists were distributed among the sorors who also shared their own lists with the group. Each participant shared a book(s) with the group, gave a brief synopsis and described why she enjoyed the book(s). Several sorors, who were educators, also planned this activity for their students as well. This activity, endorsed by the International Reading Association, created a chain of readers across the country and in addition, helped to promote sisterly relationships. The chapter continued to support additional reading programs by collecting and donating used books to the Scotch Plains Public Library. This was an effort to increase circulation of African American literature. Through Fountain Baptist Church in Summit, NJ, the chapter sponsored two African students by paying their tuition to the Isunguluni Primary School in Kenya. In the spring, the program committee designed an informational health workshop focused on diseases and health issues that impact commonly on Black women. Information was provided on diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The committee developed a handbook for each soror that outlined the causes for these diseases as well as suggestions for diet and exercise.
During this year Phi Eta Omega partnered with Links Inc. to develop educational workshops on organ donation and sickle cell anemia. These workshops were led by visiting Soror Gail Thigpen Allen. Chapter participation in "The Black Angel Network" continued. Sorors served as volunteer advocates in senior nursing homes and participated in breast cancer walk-a-thons as well as AIDS ministries.
In the fall, the chapter supported "Dress for Success/Back-to-Work" campaign by donating business suits and dresses for women exiting welfare and entering or re-entering the workforce. The annual card party to raise funds for scholarship support was held at The Westwood in Garwood, NJ.
Phi Eta Omega launched its first annual chapter retreat. The purpose was to provide a forum for reviewing chapter goals, objectives, sisterly relations, problem solving and to address the needs and interests of the members. Leadership development was an important component of the retreat.
For the holiday season, black dolls and toys were purchased and donated to the children of Metropolitan Baptist Church in Scotch Plains. In addition, food and clothing items were collected and donated to local food banks and community agencies that fed the homeless.
Throughout the year, sorors continued to work with WBGO and were encouraged to support blackowned businesses and to keep abreast of newly established Black-owned businesses through the Black Dollar Days Initiative.
As a new millennium was getting underway, Phi Eta Omega continued its service to the surrounding Union County communities. Under the leadership of Joyce R. Hobbs, new programs were added to a strong platform already in place. The chapter continued clothing donations of women's suits to "Back to Work/Dress for Success" sponsored by the chain clothing store, Dress Barn. Our partnership with "The Angel Network" was sustained for a 2nd year. The chapter continued to support the single grandmother and the three grandsons that she was rearing. At Christmas the family was shown Phi Eta Omega's caring attitude with gifts and toys. In September at the start of the school year, book bags and school supplies were donated.
Our sponsorship of a chapter of the NJ Orators along with St. John Baptist Church of Scotch Plains, NJ continued to blossom with sorors serving as tutors and mentors. Seventeen Sorors participated in the 13th National African American Read-In on February 4 at Soror Lyn Hamlin's home in Somerset, NJ. The read-in offered a unique observance of a time honored tradition to read, reflect, and discuss significant literature of the African American culture and to define the impact on its status in post-civil rights America.
The chapter's annual activities continued. Seventeen sorors attended Founders' Day on February 23, 2002, along with other Cluster IV sorors at the Clarion Hotel and Towers in Edison, NJ. The 2002 North Atlantic Regional Conference was held in Uncasville, CT. At this conference, Soror Rosetta Lattimore was recognized as a fifty year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. Soror Lattimore along with Soror Mary Goldsboro became Phi Eta Omega's first golden sorors. Twelve of thirteen registered sorors were in attendance April 25-28 at our 71st NARC. Our delegates were Sorors Carol Brokaw-Boles, Joyce Hobbs and Jacquelynn Rhodes. Other sorors attending were Carol Anderson-Lewis, Jacqueline Arrington, LeShaun Arrington, MaryAnn Anderson Fulmore, Lyn Hamlin, Candace Pryor, Angela Driesbach Rose and Ann Troupe Thornhill.
(Continues...)
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