EXCELLENCE IN ACHIEVEMENT
Allen Featured in USA Today
Soror Elmer Lucille Allen of Eta Omega Chapter was featured in USA Today as a " Woman of the Century .” Soror Elmer was the first Black chemist at the Brown- Foreman Company in her hometown of Louisville , KY . She worked not only a senior chemist but earned a master ' s degree in ceramics . She was the first recipient of the Community Arts Lifetime Local Achievement Award and was named a Woman of Distinction in 2004 . She ' s spent her life dedicated to volunteer work , has received numerous awards for her artwork and the subject of multiple books . More than 100 Kentucky women were nominated by the public earlier this year and a panel of Kentucky historians and educators narrowed it down to 15 women . The finalists for the national recognition represent what ' s best about Kentucky and span from early 20th century icons to modern-day activists .
Banks Receives Leadership Award
Soror Machelle Banks , basileus of Gamma Alpha Omega Chapter , received the Leadership Award from Bridging the Gap Tennessee for her leadership and service to the West Tennessee community . She is actively involved in the community and serves on several local boards . As a community activist , she has advocated for children , the homeless , and the underserved . Over the years , she has held leadership roles in the sorority and other national service organizations . Soror Banks was initiated into Gamma Alpha Omega in 1996 and will be recognized as a Silver Star this year . In 2018 , She was named Most Precious Pearl by her chapter . In 2019 , she received the South Eastern Regional Humanitarian Award . Soror Banks currently serves as the president of the Jackson ( TN ) Chapter of the Links Incorporated . Under her leadership , she was instrumental in bringing the National Colgate Bus to Jackson , Tenn ., to ensure underserved students would receive dental screenings and will install a Buddy Bench in a local park to help deter bullying and increase inclusion among school age children .
Baptiste Named Top 40 Under 40
Soror Naomie Baptiste of Nu Iota Omega Chapter in Maitland , FL , recently was listed among the Orlando Business Journal ' s " 40 Under 40 ," which recognizes Central Florida ' s outstanding young professionals in industry and in the community . She is an engineering manager in the aerospace defense industry . She holds a bachelor ’ s degree in rengineering from Florida State University and is an MBA candidate at Howard University . She has more than 10 years of work experience in Fortune 500 companies with a focus on strategic and continuous improvement and program management . She serves Nu Iota Omega Chapter , as co-chairman of the membership committee . She also serves the community as the executive vice president of the Central Florida Society of Women Engineers ( SWE ) section . She is instrumental in establishing the strategy to recruit and retain women in the STEM field .
Celebrating 100 Years of Ivy Leaf ® Magazine
Black-Poon Elected as Vice President
Soror Denise Black-Poon , a member of Zeta Alpha Omega Chapter in Toledo , OH was elected as North Central District Vice President for the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women ' s Club which covers Illinois , Indiana , Iowa , Kentucky , Michigan , Wisconsin , Ohio , North Dakota , South Dakota , and Western Pennsylvania . She was also appointed to the National-District Membership Team .
Blackmon Named Professor Emeritus
Soror Velma Brown Blackmon , PhD , Zeta Kappa Omega Chapter , was named Professor Emeritus by Elizabeth City State University ( ECSU ). Soror Blackmon retired as a full professor of communications and the Director of the University Honors Program . She completed her BA degree in English at Alcorn State University , her MA in popular culture at BGSU , and her Ph . D . in human communication studies at Howard University . Prior to serving as Honors Program Director , Soror Blackmon had served as director for the Center for Teaching Excellence , and chair of the Department of Language , Literature and Communication . Soror Blackmon served the university in numerous other capacities , including as chair of the commencement committee , chair of the SACS committee on undergraduate education , as well as an awardwinning debate team coach . Her research interests include popular culture , the Black Press , African American honors programs , where she has published and presented her research . Soror Blackmon had the honor of receiving the Professor Emeritus status with her husband , Dr . Ronald Blackmon , a retired biology professor and administrator at ECSU .
Brown Appointed Magistrate Court Judge
Soror Sonja Natasha Brown has been appointed to serve as a magistrate court judge in Cobb County , GA . Soror Brown is the only African American woman currently serving as a full-time judge on this court . She was appointed to the bench after serving a 14-year career as a prosecutor in two of the largest jurisdictions in Georgia and began her legal career as an in-house staff counsel for a technology company . She is excited about the opportunity to serve the community in this new role . Soror Brown is a member of Tau Pi Omega Chapter of Stone Mountain Lithonia , GA and serves on the sorority ' s International Day of Prayer Committee .
Burns Appointed Vice President
Soror Lanee S . Burns was recently appointed as Vice President of Equity , Inclusion and Diversity in NEWH Inc . NEWH is the premier Hospitality Industry Networking organization . NEWH Inc ., is an international organization with chapters across the United States , Canada , Paris , and Italy to name a few . Prior to her appointment she served as scholarship director and treasurer on the board of the Los Angeles Founding Chapter of NEWH Inc . She is the first African-American woman to lead in an executive position within this organization . Soror Burns is a 23-year member and currently serves as the
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