October 2009 Volume 42, Number 8

Message from the Inside this Basileus issue: Dear Sorors, Directory Update 2 Calling all Epsilon Omega Sorors! Are you ready for our fine fall line-up of Exciting Sisterly Productions? Foundation News 3 October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Walk with us on Sunday, October 18, in Hunt Valley, Maryland, for “AKAs for the Cure.” On the Platform 3 Sorors are excited about the Cluster I Leadership Conference on Saturday, October 24, Chapter News 4 2009. Registration forms are due by October 16, 2009. Let’s get on the Epsilon Omega bus leaving from the Ivy Center at 6:30 a.m. The cost is $22.

Announcements 5 You will not want to miss our Biennial Chapter Retreat on Friday, November 6 and Sat- and Tidbits urday, November 7, 2009 with our theme “Who’s Your Sistah.” Calling all Sorors to register now. Happy Birthdays! 6 After you are energized by the retreat, on Sunday, November 8 2009, the Cultural Arts Along the Ivy 7 Committee will present the opening of the NAACP exhibit at the Ivy Center, as well as Vine unveil our ceremonial street naming sign. Please bring your family and friends to view this wonderful exhibit and celebration.

Pink roses to Sorors who participated in the Day of Service activity. Everyone experi- enced pride and satisfaction about the contributions made at the two schools. We are continuing our service with our can good donations for the Maryland Food Bank. Please bring your canned goods to the October Chapter meeting.

Congratulations to the Connection Committee on an exceptional viewing and discussion Next Chapter of “Unnatural Causes” on Tuesday, September 22, 2009. Meeting October 10, 2009 Continued on Page 7 9:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast Vision & Mission

Epsilon Omega Chapter will be recognized as a viable, dynamic, positive force in Balti- 10 a.m. Meeting more that impacts the community educationally, politically and culturally. We will have an informed, committed, dedicated and spirited membership.

It is the mission of the Epsilon Omega Chapter to provide consistent and effective ser- vices to its members, civic organizations and local, national and international communi- ties to improve the quality of life for all whom we serve. 2 Foundation News

Epsilon Omega The Epsilon Omega Foundation Raffle keep of the Ivy Family Support Center. Executive Committee has been extended to Saturday, October Please contact Sorors Isabella Branch- 10, 2009. The drawing will be held at the Brown, Sylvia Johnson or Barbara C.

Basileus Chapter meeting. The cost of one ticket Robinson.

Soror Angela C. Gibson is $1.00 and 6 tickets are $5.00. The first Thank you to everyone who supported Anti-Basileus (Program) prize is $100, second is $50 and third is the 2009 Card Party. The fundraiser gen- Soror Audrey M. Bennett $25. The proceeds will support the up- Anti-Basileus (Operations) erated $7,082.61. Soror Joann R. Barber Grammateus Soror Sheila E. Tidline Screening of Join AKAs Anti-Grammateus Soror Francina C. Spencer Unnatural Causes for a Cure Tamiouchos The Connections Committee welcomed Soror Sylvia Burke Anti-Tamiouchos more than 50 individuals for the viewing Soror Virginia B. Vauls and discussion of Unnatural Causes: Is Ine- Pecunious Grammateus quality Making Us Sick? Special guests in- cluded Delegate Shawn Tarrant and Renee Soror Jan W. Carter Join the “AKAs for a Cure” on Sun- Anti-Pecunious Grammateus Cohen from Senator Benjamin Cardin’s of- Soror Geraldine S. Curry fice. day, October 18, 2009, so you can be Epistoleus among the anticipated 30,000 people Soror Ruby M. Bass-Coleman who will participate in the 2009 Ko- Philacter men Maryland Race for the Cure Soror Emma J. Hamlin held in Hunt Valley, Maryland. Your Anti-Philacter Soror Rita Johnson participation will help support the Hodegos Komen promise of saving lives and Soror Shirley S. Briscoe ending breast cancer forever by em- Ivy Leaf Reporter powering people, ensuring quality Soror Shaletta D. Espie Parliamentarian for all and energizing science to find Soror E. Francine Stokes-McElveen the cure. Anti-Parliamentarian Please consider walking with the Soror Edmonia T. Yates Historian team and/or making a contribution to Soror Cardrienne P. Griffin show your support. Our team’s Standards goal is to raise $1,000 this year! To Soror Barbara A. Burgess register as a member of “AKAs for a Graduate Advisors Alpha Delta (Morgan)- Soror Cure” and/or make a donation to- Adrienne Stokes-Orange ward the team’s goal, please contact Epsilon Kappa (Coppin)- Soror Karen Soror Michelle Byers. P. Foster Xi Tau (Johns Hopkins) - Soror Lois D. Knight-Harrison Directory Update Members-at-Large Soror Isabella Branch-Brown Soror Joanne C. Carpenter Soror Reather F. Green Janis L. Wiggins Please send your contact information Soror Edna Y. Rich 614 South 6th Street (address, e-mail and telephone) updates Foundation President Wilmington NC 28401-5212 to Soror Virginia Vauls at Soror Evelyn C. McLeod 910-763-6310 (Home) [email protected] or 8004 Township Immediate Former Basileus Soror Cheryl L. Frazier 202-906-9408 (Cell) Drive, Owings Mills, Maryland 21117. [email protected] (E-mail) Along the Byline, September 2009 3 On the Platform - Health Chapter Song

The Facts about the H1N1 Virus H1N1 virus is not much more threat- should be widely available in Septem- ening than regular seasonal flu. Dur- ber. People over 50 are urged to be ing the few months of this new flu's among the first to get that shot. existence, hospitalizations and deaths Like seasonal flu, the H1NI Virus from it seem to be lower than the aver- spreads through the coughs and age seen for seasonal flu, and the virus sneezes of people who are sick. Wash- has not dramatically mutated. That's ing your hands often will help protect (Tune: “Moonlight and Roses,” by what health officials have observed in you from germs. When soap and water the Southern Hemisphere where flu are not available, alcohol-based dis- Lemare, season is now winding down. Still, posable hand wipes or gel sanitizers Black, Moret) more people are susceptible to swine may be used. When you wash your flu, and U.S. health officials are wor- hands, do so with soap and warm wa- I ried because the H1N1 virus survived ter for at 15 to 20 seconds. If using an Epsilon Omega, the summer—a time of year when the alcohol gel, rub your hands until the flu usually goes away. The chapter that we gel is dry. The gel does not need water all love. The H1NI Virus is more of a threat to to work; the alcohol in it kills the certain groups, ages 6 months—24. germs on your hands. Other precau- Epsilon Omega, Ordinary, seasonal flu hits older peo- tions which will help to prevent infec- ple the hardest but not the HIN1 flu. tion include, not rubbing your eyes, The chapter we’re Scientists think older people may have nose, and mouth, sneezing and cough- proudest of. some immunity from exposure years ing into a tissue and disposing of the earlier to viruses similar to H1N1 vi- tissue immediately and do not share Alpha Kappa Alpha, rus. food and drinks with others. A sisterhood noble

Millions of flu shots should be avail- If you get sick – be prepared to stay and true. able by October. If you are in one of home for two weeks. Have a supply of the priority groups, try to get your shot food, water, over-the-counter medi- Alpha Kappa Alpha, as early as possible. Check with your cines, the medications you normally Our hopes are in you. doctor or local or state health depart- take, tissues and alcohol-based hand ment about where to do this. Many rubs. Staying at home means that you II children should be able to get vacci- should not leave your home except to We pledge devotion, nated at school. seek medical care. You should stay In all that we try to do.

Even those who get the flu shot early home for at least 24 hours after your will not have immunity until around fever is gone, except to get medical From ocean to ocean, Thanksgiving. That's because it's care. (Your fever should be gone with- We seek to honor you. likely to take two shots, given three out the use of a fever-reducing medi- weeks apart, to provide protection. cine). Avoiding normal activities, in- One thought, one purpose, And, it takes a week or two after the cluding work, school, travel, shop- United in spirit we stand. last shot for the vaccine to take full ping, social events and public gather- effect. The regular seasonal flu shot ings can help to limit others exposure Epsilon Omega, to the virus. The best in the land. Scoop Sheet Deadline To ensure the timely distribution of Along the Byline, no scoop sheets will be accepted later than Monday, October 12, 2009. Please return your scoop sheet to Soror Shaletta D. Espie at [email protected] or 5717 Willowton Ave- nue, Baltimore, Maryland 21239. Scoop Sheets are available at the sign-in ta- ble at Chapter meetings. 4 Chapter News Sorors Participate in the National Day of Service on September 11, 2009

Sorors braved the weather to observe President Obama’s National Day of Service on Friday, September 11, 2009. They visited Grove Park Elementary and Margaret Brent Elementary/Middle Schools where they performed various tasks— from assisting the principal to assuring the efficiency of school operations. The Brent School has approximately 280 stu- dents. The principal is Dr. Jacqueline Waters-Scoffed. She is the daughter of the late Soror Marjorie Woolridge-Waters and the niece of Soror Janet Woolridge. Our Epsilon Omega Soror Linette Horsey-Fitten teaches math at the Brent School.

Sorors Shaletta Espie and Barbara C. Robinson work together to prepare text- Sorors Annamaria Joyner and Veris Lee team-up to pack boxes of textbooks. books for distribution to the students at Margaret Brent School.

(l to r) Sorors Linette Horsey-Fitten, Barbara C. Robinson, Joann Barber, Sorors with students at Grove Park Elementary School (l to r) Verna Jones, Min- Annamaria Joyner, Shaletta Espie and Odessa Dunston pose with Margaret gon Moore, Marion Patterson, Shirley Johnson, Helen Dupree, Ellen Gonzales Brent School Principal Dr. Jacqueline Waters-Scoffed. and Cecilia Wright-Brown. Along the Byline, September 2009 5 Announcements and Tidbits Nominations for Election Due document for the committee which • Watch, discuss, and act! Order Soon! you are a member. a copy of the documentary “A Powerful Noise,” a film about Election Day 2009 will be here soon. If you have any questions, please do In this odd number year, we will women changing the world. not hesitate to contact Soror Barbara Then, hold a viewing party at elect the following positions: Burgess at 410-655-3058. your home or at your next meet- • Anti-Basileus for Program ing to discuss the issues pre- • Grammateus Save-the-Date: Sunday, November sented in the film and take action together! The DVD, available at • Tamiouchos 8, 2009 www.care.org/apowerfulnoise, • Epistoleus On Sunday, November 8, 2009, the Baltimore City Branch of the includes a discussion guide and • Hodegos NAACP will display a historical ex- action ideas. • Anti-Pecunious Grammateus hibit of photographs, posters, docu- • Participate! Attend one of the • Anti-Philacter ments, newspaper clippings and CARE events being held in Oc- • Executive Committee (2) memorabilia showcasing their 97 tober in Atlanta, Miami, and • Nominating Committee (4) years of service. other key cities. Visit www.care.org/stand for more Please contact any member of the The naming of Ivy Center Way will information. Nominating Committee to avail also take place. • Speak out! Learn more about yourself or suggest someone to run. More details are forthcoming. CARE’s work to provide access Members of the Nominating Com- to economic opportunity for mittee are Sorors: Shop, Shop and Shop! women across Africa The Epsilon Omega Foundation Fall (www.care.org/accessafrica) and • Isabella Branch-Brown (Chair) Flea Market will hold special sales then take action in support of the • Patricia Sparrow (Co-chair) for Sorors after the October Chapter GROWTH Act. The act pro- • Barbara Burgess meeting. An invitation is extended to motes microfinance tools like • Crystal Cotton-Faison Sorors to visit “The Boutique CARE’s village savings and loan • Ramona Greene Room.” programs, enhanced land and

• Roselyn Hammond Take a Stand Against Global Pov- property rights and business • Barbara Harding erty! training for women living in poverty around the world. Visit • Lillian Jackson On Saturday, October 17, 2009, the www.care.org/growth to take • Vivian Jackson International Program Committee is

action now! encouraging Sorors to join with Please make your recommendations CARE and stand in solidarity with Please email [email protected] if you ASAP so the candidates’ profiles can poor and marginalized women need more ideas or tools to get appear in the newsletter. around the world. Make plans to do started. Together, we have the power one or all of the following: to help women around the world Documents at Meetings! • Read, learn and act! Encourage build a better future for all. Please remember to bring your docu- the members of your local chap- North Atlantic Regional Confer- ments to Chapter and ter to read a book about issues affecting women and girls ence Hostess Fee committee meetings, as well as con- around the world. Visit Epsilon Omega is one of the Hostess ferences. www.care.org/bookclubs for Chapters for the 2010 Regional Con- CARE’s books recommenda- The primary documents are the latest ference. All financial Sorors in 2009 tions, discussion guides and edition of the Sorority’s Constitution will be assessed a hostess fee of $75, creative ideas to help you take and Manual of Standard Procedures, due by December 31, 2009. action. the Chapter By-Laws, and any offi- cial sorority reference

Continued on Page 6 6 Announcements and Tidbits Happy The Regional Conference will be EO Cares held on March 25-28, 2010, at the Please bring canned goods to the Birthday! Gaylord Conference Center in Na- October and November Chapter tional Harbor, Maryland. meetings to support the Maryland

October 2 Cluster I Conference Bus Food Bank. Distribution to the Food • Soror Lois Waters A bus to the Cluster Conference on Bank will be made prior to Thanks- • Soror Maxine Wood Saturday, October 24, 2009 will be giving.

October 4 available. It will leave the Ivy Center Notes from Around the Region at 6:30 a.m. and return at 5 p.m. The th • Soror Yvonne Fletcher Theta Omega Omega Chapter’s 40 cost is $22 per person. Please contact Anniversary Luncheon will be held October 5 Soror Esther Bailey at 410-542- on Sunday, November 22, 2009, at • Soror Edith Gordon 5731. Deadline is October 10, 2009. the Hilton Hotel in Rockville, Mary- No refunds. • Soror Beulah Maxwell land. The tickets are $75. • Soror Jan Williams Love Your Sister Day December 5 is “Love Your Sister Metropolitan Founders’ Day October 8 Day.” Sorors are asked to do some- The event will be held on Sunday, • Soror Francina Spencer thing special with a Soror as a way January 24, 2010, at the BWI Mar- riott. The guest speaker is Reverend October 9 of showing love for each other. More information will be available at the Dr. Debyii Thomas. The tickets are • Soror Helen Dupree Cluster I Conference. $60 and available at Chapter meet- October 11 ings • Soror Odessa Dunston

October 13 • Soror Joanne Bryant Carpenter

October 14 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated • Soror Iris Jay North Atlantic Region 2009 Cluster I Leadership Conference October 18 CONFERENCE REGISTRATION • Soror Karenthia Barber Name______Financial Card#______Street______Telephone# ______October 20 City______State______• Soror Mary Ward Zip______Chapter ______October 21 Location/Cluster______E-Mail Address______• Soror Sylvia Burke Membership Classification (Please Check All That Apply): • Soror F. Helen Crosby Graduate___ Undergraduate___ General___ Basileus___ • Soror Irene Gillis Diamond Soror__ Golden Soror___ Silver Star___ Int’l Officer___ • Soror Karen Robertson Regional Standing Committee Chair___

October 22 Any Special Needs: ______• Soror Rita Crooms Registration Fees: October 23 Registration form with chapter check, certified check or money order must be post- • Soror Justyne Boyd marked on or before Friday, October 16, 2009. A $30.00 fee will be assessed on all returned checks. PERSONAL CHECKS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. THERE • Soror Ingrid Sampson WILL BE NO ON-SITE REGISTRATION. Graduate and General Members -

$75.00 Undergraduate Members - $60.00 October 30 • Soror Maryellen Smackum Make check payable to: North Atlantic Region. Please designate your chapter af- October 31 filiation in the memo line of your check and mail your registration fee and form to: 2009 Cluster I Registration, c/o Soror Nicola Kennedy, PO Box 445, Laurel, Maryland • Soror Isabella Branch-Brown 20725. • Soror Geraldine Curry Along the Byline, September 2009 7 Along the Ivy Vine Thank You from Soror Ruth Congratulations to Soror Veris Lee! Retirement Celebration for Soror Brown Margarett Shipley Thank you for the many expressions October 23, 2009, 7 p.m.—11 p.m. of care and concern during this pe- The Forum; Tickets: $60 riod of sadness at the homegoing of Contact: Soror Maxine Wood at my brother and friend on August 12, 2009. 410-367-5703

Andrew “Brother” Payne fought a good fight, finished the course, kept the faith and received his crown of Message from the righteousness given to him by the Basileus Cont’d Lord, the righteous judge.

“Brother” was a loyal supporter of Epsilon Kappa (Coppin University) his AKA family – 3 sisters, 1 daugh- At a recent Soror gathering at the celebrated its 40th Anniversary on Sun- ter and 5 nieces. After the 1996 Family Life Center in Baltimore, day, September 27, 2009, and we wish Boule, he traveled to Egypt with our Maryland, Soror Veris Lee was them many more years of service. sister Soror Doris J. Payne and me awarded a proclamation for her ac- We salute our Sorors Geraldine Waters and had an AWESOME AKA time. complishments in politics, youth de- and Veris Lee for their recognition of velopment and the empowerment of We will truly miss him. Service by the Neighborhood to Fam- women by our Soror and Maryland Congratulations Soror Ruthe ily Association. State Senator, The Honorable Verna Sheffey! Jones-Rodwell. CALLING ALL SORORS! Epsilon Dr. Ruthe T. Sheffey received the Omega committees are excited and Thank You from Soror Cardri- Morgan State University Professor ready for your participation in our ac- of the Year award on Wednesday, enne Griffin tivities. August 12, 2009, at the opening of Thank you so very much for your the Faculty Institute. concern, encouraging words and Sisterly Love, prayers. The beautiful flowers helped Soror Angela Prayers and Thoughts to brighten my day and lifted my Please take a moment and whisper a spirit. I greatly appreciate your ex- prayer for the following Sorors: Glo- pressions of sisterly love. ria Carpenter, Virginia Clark, Yvonne Fletcher, Jeanette Hairston, Cardrienne Griffin, Doris Levi, A. 2009 Chapter Retreat Registration Form Bernice Hunley and Helen Thornton. Friday, November 6, 2009 6 p.m.—9 p.m. ● Saturday, November 7, 2009 8 a.m.—3 p.m. $30 by October 10, 2009 Our Condolences $35 after October 10, 2009 Please send your condolences to So- ror Ann Barnes-Mobley, who lost Please complete the registration form by Saturday, October 10, 2009, and her father, Lloyd Barnes II, on Au- return it to Soror Maxine Wood or Soror Odessa Dunston. gust 16, 2009. Mr. Barnes was also the grandfather of Soror Tahira Rooks. Name:

Thank You from Soror Gloria Address: Carpenter Thank you for your outpouring of Phone: love as I mourn the death of my mother Martha Elizabeth Rhodes, E-mail: who was 100 at the time of her pass- ing. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Epsilon Omega Chapter P.O. Box 67006 Baltimore, Maryland 21215-0005

Save-the-Date

• Saturday, October 10, 2009 Chapter Meeting, 9:30 a.m. (Continental Breakfast), 10 a.m. (Meeting), Ivy Family Support Center • Sunday, October 18, 2009 “AKAs for a Cure”, Breast Cancer Awareness Walk, Hunt Valley, Maryland • Saturday, October 24, 2009 Cluster I Conference Leadership Meeting, New Carrollton, Maryland

• Monday, October 26, 2009 Foundation Executive Committee Meeting, 6 p.m., Ivy Family Support Center • Monday, November 2, 2009 Chapter Executive Committee Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Ivy Family Support Center • Friday, November 6-Saturday, November 7, 2009 Epsilon Omega Chapter 2009 Retreat • Sunday, November 8, 2009 NAACP Exhibit and Naming of Ivy Center Way, Ivy Family Support Center • Saturday, November 14, 2009 Chapter Meeting, 9:30 a.m. (Continental Breakfast), 10 a.m. (Meeting), Ivy Family Support Center • Saturday, November 21, 2009 Day of Hope Activity • Monday, November 23, 2009 Foundation Executive Committee Meeting, 6 p.m., Ivy Family Support Center • Saturday, December 5, 2009 “Love Your Sister” Day • Monday, December 7, 2009 Chapter Executive Committee Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Ivy Family Support Center • Saturday, December 12, 2009 Chapter Meeting, 9:30 a.m. (Continental Breakfast), 10 a.m. (Meeting), Ivy Family Support Center