March 2009 Volume 42, Number 3 A Diamond Diva is Crowned Inside this Anytime, we gather to honor our issue: Founders something magical happens. But, at this year’s Message from the 2 Founders’ Day celebration, not Basileus only did something magical hap- pen, something historical hap- Chapter News 3 pened. Epsilon Omega crowned Announcement 4 its first Diamond Diva, Corinda and Tidbits S. Walters. Foundation News 4 Soror Corinda, 92, was initi- Along the Ivy 4 Vine ated into the Alpha Delta Chapter at Morgan State Uni- Happy Birthdays! 6 versity in 1934. At Morgan, she majored in Health Sci- ences and Physical Education. Directory Update 6 She taught for 42 years, first in the Baltimore City Public School System, then at Bowie, Coppin and Morgan State Universities after earn- ing her Ph.D. (l to r) Sorors Reona J. Thomas and Angela C. Gibson present Soror Corinda with a beautiful shawl. Continued on Page 7 Next Chapter Meeting Nellie Quander: An Alpha Kappa Alpha Pearl March 14, 2009 Join Judge Rohulamin Quander as he discusses his book, Nellie Quander, An Alpha Kappa Alpha Pearl (the Story of the Woman 9:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast Who Saved an International Organization), on Saturday, March 14, 2009, 2 – 3:30 p.m. at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum (830 E. 10 a.m. Pratt Street). Meeting Nellie Quander was instrumental in the birth of Alpha Kappa Al- pha Sorority, Inc. She authored the AKA constitution’s preamble and served as Supreme Basileus, 1910-1919. Admission to the discussion is free with museum admission. 2 Message from Basileus Epsilon Omega Executive Committee My Dear Sorors, February was an extraordinary month for Epsilon Omega. During the month, we Basileus celebrated Black History, Founders’ Day and Sisterly Love. Soror Angela C. Gibson At the urging of our North Atlantic Regional Director Soror Evelyn Sample-Oates, I Anti-Basileus (Program) Soror Audrey M. Bennett established an ad hoc Soror Relief Committee to assist members of our Chapter in Anti-Basileus (Operations) critical and extenuating circumstances. Soror Joann R. Barber Little did we know that one of our own would need the action of the committee Grammateus right away. Chaired by Soror Adrienne Stokes-Orange, we helped to provide finan- Soror Sheila E. Tidline cial assistance and items of necessity to our Soror Alika Gillis-Redd and her family Anti-Grammateus Soror Francina C. Spencer who lost everything in a fire that displaced several residents in her apartment com- Tamiouchos plex. Sorors, I am extremely proud of your generous donations to our Soror. Epsilon Soror Sylvia Burke Omega Chapter doesn’t do what is easy; we do what is necessary - “we help each Anti-Tamiouchos other.” Soror Virginia B. Vauls Secondly, I was humbled and honored to witness and crown our first Diamond So- Pecunious Grammateus ror Corinda Stewart Waters, at our Founders' Day celebration. We congratulate So- Soror Jan W. Carter Anti-Pecunious Grammateus ror Corinda on this significant recognition. This was Epsilon Omega history in Soror Geraldine S. Curry Black History month up close and personal. The Founders’ Day speaker, Vic Carter, Epistoleus gave us a powerful message. Our worship service was hosted by our Soror Pastor Soror Ruby B. Coleman Lisa Weah who provided a spiritual sermon on Sunday to complete our Founders’ Philacter Day weekend. Congratulations to the Founders’ Day Committee led by Sorors Jan Soror Emma J. Hamlin W. Carter, Cecelia L. King and Sheila E. Tidline. Well done. Anti-Philacter Soror Rita Johnson Sorors, welcome spring and Women’s Herstory Month. We look forward to travel- ing to the NARC in NYC, AKA Night in Annapolis, An Afternoon of Jazz and our Hodegos th Soror Shirley S. Briscoe 8 Anniversary of Eating Together Program Ivy Leaf Reporter We’re fine in 2009. Soror Shaletta D. Espie Parliamentarian With Sisterly Love, Soror E. Francine Stokes-McElveen Anti-Parliamentarian Soror Angela Soror Edmonia T. Yates Historian Donate Unused Eyeglasses and Soror Cardrienne P. Griffin Cell Phones at NARC Standards Soror Barbara A. Burgess Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. By donating Cluster III Community Service Project Graduate Advisors Eyeglasses, you will By donating cell Alpha Delta (Morgan)- Soror provide glasses for Extraordinary Service Project phones, you will help women in Adrienne Stokes-Orange the underprivileged domestic violence and homeless Epsilon Kappa (Coppin)- Soror Karen Think Pink Speak Green centers have access P. Foster population. Helping One Family at a Time to emergency Xi Tau (Johns Hopkins) - Soror Lois numbers. D. Knight-Harrison Members-at-Large Soror Isabella Branch-Brown Vision & Mission Soror Joanne C. Carpenter Soror Reather F. Green Epsilon Omega Chapter will be recognized as a viable, dynamic, positive force in Soror Edna Y. Rich Baltimore that impacts the community educationally, politically and culturally. We Foundation President will have an informed, committed, dedicated and spirited membership. Soror Evelyn C. McLeod Immediate Past Basileus It is the mission of the Epsilon Omega Chapter to provide consistent and effective Soror Cheryl L. Frazier services to its members, civic organizations and local, national and international communities to improve the quality of life for all whom we serve. Along the Byline, March 2009 3 Chapter News Basileus Congratulates Poetry Winner Congratulations to Our New Diamond, Golden and Silver Sorors Diamond Corinda S. Waters Golden Jo-Ann N. Batie-Smith Beverly Givens Reid Shirley N. Stills Silver Alicia M. Alston Mary M. Bethea (l to r) Mayor Sheila Dixon and Soror Angela C. Gibson congratulate Alexis Finnerty, a LaJerne T. Cornish 6th-grader at Harlem Park Elementary and Middle School, for winning third prize in the Mayor’s Poetry Contest at the “It Takes a Village” Black History Month Celebration. Soror Kathy F. Crosby Angela presented the young winner with a $100 savings bond Geraldine S. Curry Helen E. Dupree Xi Tau City Chapter Members Attend Margaret B. Friend Doris M.P. Holmes NARC Leadership Conference Sara W. Jerkins Lillie N. Myers Clarissa G. Price Tonja L. Ringgold Barbara A. Robinson Sheila E. Tidline Mary D. Ward Janet K. Williams Congratulations to Michelle Byers, Crystal Cotten-Faison, Lisa Foust, Angela C. Gib- son, Tonja L. Ringgold and Sheila E. Tidline for being selected to participate in the 2009 (l to r) Sorors Lindsay Bynum, Jessica Turral and Lena Mitchell with North Atlantic Re- Ethel Hedgeman Lyle Leadership Academy! gional Director Evelyn Sample-Oates Scoop Sheet To ensure the timely distribution of Along the Byline, no electronic scoop sheets will be accepted via e-mail later than Monday, March 16, 2009. Please e-mail your scoop sheet to Soror Shaletta D. Espie at [email protected]. News for “Along the Ivy Vine” is greatly appreciated. Please let me know about any awards received, promotions, fam- ily additions, marriages, graduations, etc. Photos are also appreciated. Thank you! 4 Announcements and Tidbits Eating Together Program Set to AKA Night in Annapolis • Soror Gloria B. Jones is recovering Celebrate Anniversary AKA Night In Annapolis is Thursday, from surgery. On Wednesday, March 18, 2009, the March 12, 6 - 8 p.m. A bus will leave Congratulations to the Eating Together Program will cele- the Ivy Family Support Center at 4:30 2009 Founders’ Day Committee brate its 8th anniversary at the Spring p.m. The cost to travel on the bus is for planning an outstanding Fling 2009 at the Ivy Family Support $10. Please contact Soror Karenthia A. and memorable event! Center, 12 noon - 3 p.m. The event Barber at 410-366-1355 to reserve will feature a fashion show, entertain- your seat. Sorors are encouraged to ment, dancing, lunch, door prizes, fel- wear pink and green. Foundation News lowship and much, much more. Chapter Web site: What Are Your Get Your Tickets to the Afternoon of If you are interested in modeling in the Thoughts? Jazz; Last Day Saturday, March 14 fashion show, please contact Sorors The Technology Committee is solicit- The Epsilon Omega Foundation will Elizabeth P. Dyett and Catherine P. ing comments on the development of present, An Afternoon of Jazz, on Sun- Stansbury. Sorors are also asked to the Chapter’s Web site. Please send day, March 15, 2009, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m., donate gifts for door prizes. Please your ideas and thoughts to Soror Car- at the Ivy Family Support Center. give your donations to Anne Roberts men T. Maxwell at ctmax- or bring them to the Ivy Center on [email protected]. Tickets are $40. The last day to pur- Mondays or Wednesdays. chase tickets will be Saturday, March Keep Our Sorors in Your Prayers! 14, 2009, at the Chapter meeting. Tickets are $10. To purchase, contact • Soror Gloria J. Carpenter broke Please contact Soror Isabella Branch- Sorors Anne Roberts, LaVerne A. her foot. Brown about purchasing tickets at 410- Turner, Lillye M. Wells and Wynola • Soror Marlene Greer-Chase is 922-1002. W. Cunningham. back in the hospital. Save-the-Date; Get Ready to Ride! On Saturday, August 8, 2009, come Along the Ivy Vine along and ride on our fantastic card party voyage. More info. to come! Soror Graces the Front Page Soror Honored by Leadership Maryland of Baltimore Sun Scholarship Applications Available The 2009 Epsilon Omega Founda- tion scholarship applications will be available at the March 2009 Chapter meeting. If you know an eligible graduating high school senior, please complete the application by Friday Soror Karenthia A. Barber (right) with Leadership Mary- March 20, 2009 and return it to Soror land board members at a reception honoring program Shirley T. Hill. participants If you opened the Baltimore The next meeting of the Scholarship Sun a day after President Soror Karenthia A.