EXCELLENCE IN ACHIEVEMENT
Gaines Inducted into Wall of Fame
Golden Soror Florence Terry Gaines of Zeta Omega Chapter , in Wilmington , DE , was among four awardees inducted into the 2019 Wall of Fame by the Howard High School Alumni Association in Wilmington , Delaware , during their Annual Black History Celebration . Soror Gaines was the librarian of the High School from 1955-1979 . Her portrait will be featured in the library she served , now the school ' s Memorabilia Room . She was selected for this honor for her distinguished career as a librarian and her dedicated service in the community . Following her retirement from the school district , Soror Florence helped change the African American Community ' s landscape in Wilmington by serving as the driving force for establishing a public library in the African American community .
Gilchrist Honored
Mu Zeta Omega Chapter celebrates Golden Soror Essie Gilchrist . Soror Gilchrist was initiated into the Gamma Mu Chapter at Alabama A & M University , an HBCU , in 1970 . She has been an advocate for women ' s and civil rights for her entire adult life . In honor of her contributions to the community , she has received the Who ' s Who in America Award , the Women of Color Award in Sacramento , and the Veteran Feminist of America Award from the San Joaquin Commission on the Status of Women . The native of Birmingham , Ala ., has had a noteworthy career which includes serving as a ninth-grade teacher . Also , Soror Gilchrist worked for the U . S . military as a civilian for the Army , Navy , and U . S . Small Business Administration for over thirty-nine years . In addition , she has served on many boards in the Stockton area and is a member of The Links Inc ., AAUW , the DKG Educator Society , and the Junior League Society . She has a daughter , Jordan Gilchrist , Esq ., and goddaughter , Safietou Sambou .
Givens-Wajed Wins Award
Silver Soror Alexa Givens-Wajed of Xi Epsilon Omega is one of six winners in the National Flourish and Thrive BIPOC Mentoring Program for 2021 , " Her jewelry and creative brands shined bright during the application process ." Each participant in the program will receive access to coaching , mentorship , and the best in business programs to help grow their jewelry and creative businesses . BIPOC is an acronym for Black , Indigenous , and People of Color . Soror Givens-Wajed is a visual artist , jewelry designer , and sought-after chef with over 20 years of entrepreneurial leadership and success . She recently founded a Creative Design Solutions Agency , " Eat Off Art ," which strives to change the narrative from a starving artist to a thriving artist . Her Jewelry line , # Fleathers which are hand-painted leather earrings , are carried in many boutiques , including the Burchfield Penney Arts Center . She is a board member of UPward Design for Life , community activist , and artistic leader ; she is frequently featured in local magazines and is a highly regarded guest speaker for many creative , community , and corporate engagements .
Gray Elected State President
Soror Henrietta S . Gray , EdD ., Gamma Sigma Omega Chapter , was elected as the 2021 State President-Georgia Retired Educators Association ( GREA ). This esteemed organization serves over 31,000 members across the State of Georgia . Soror Gray has also held the 2014- 15 president of the Chatham Retired Educators Association and the 2016-2019 Area 6 Director of GREA . This Golden Soror is a graduate of Savannah State University and a retired educator from the Savannah Chatham County School District . Throughout her membership in
Gamma Sigma Omega , Soror Gray has served diligently . Her service includes three terms as chapter chaplain and two terms as the chapter ' s member-at-large . This ordained minister ' s work extends beyond the local chapter . She also works as the South Atlantic Region Spiritual Oversight Committee chairman . Soror Gray lives by the words , " God orders the steps of an empowered leader ."
Gree Named Distinguished Professor
Soror Lisa Green , of Xi Xi Omega Chapter in Springfield , Massachusetts , was named one of UMass Amherst ' s Distinguished Professors . The title Distinguished Professor is given to highly accomplished faculty who have already achieved the rank of professor and meet a demanding set of qualifications . As a professor of linguistics and preeminent expert on African American English ( AAE ), Soror Green has made remarkable contributions to UMass Amherst since 2011 , serving on over six boards and committees . In addition , her work extends to local communities , such as raising awareness of AAE in high school classrooms , coordinating activities in summer reading programs , and teaching summer reading classes to students . Soror Green stands out for her impact in AAE by advancing scholarship in the study of AAE and ensuring research on AAE is accessible . Seth Cable , associate professor of linguistics and chair of the personnel committee for the department , wrote , " Professor Lisa Green is the world ' s leading scholar on African American English ."
Greer Receives Award
Soror Berna Greer , CPA , was awarded the Commissioners Award for working with the Micro Captive Cross BOD Team in the Public Service Recognition Ceremony . This award is the most distinguished honor the IRS Commissioner presents . Soror Greer also received The Deputy Commissioners Award as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ( TCJA ). The TCJA made significant changes to the Internal Revenue Code and marked the most significant changes to the nation ’ s tax system in 30 years . Soror Greer is a member of Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter and is a Silver Star and Life Member . Previously , Soror Greer served as Supreme Tamiouchos from 2002-2006 . Currently , she is chairman of the International Financial Officers Certification and Foundation Committees . Soror Greer is a graduate of Jackson State University and was initiated into Gamma Rho Chapter . Soror Greer has traveled to all 50 states and various international designations in Africa , Europe , and Asia . She participated in more than 15 marathons and half marathons and has raised over $ 30,000 for multiple charities , including the American Stroke Association and leukemia and lymphoma .
Harrington Receives Top Award
Soror Eboni Harrington of Beta Chi Omega Chapter has been named District Teacher of the Year for Roanoke City Public Schools in Virginia . A seventhgrade math teacher at Lucy Addison Middle School who initially received the school ' s Teacher of the Year honors , Soror Harrington is the first black woman to receive the district honor in the Roanoke school system . She will now compete for Regional Teacher of the Year . A committee of Roanoke City Public Schools employees , retirees , and last year ' s Teacher of the Year reviewed this year ' s nominations and selected the finalists and District Teacher of the Year . Soror Harrington , who graduated from Norfolk State University with a degree in math , taught for two years at a charter school in North Carolina and has taught at Addison for the past four years .
Celebrating 100 Years of Ivy Leaf ® Magazine fall 2021 I vyL eaf ® 33