EXCELLENCE IN ACHIEVEMENT
capacity on the board , she chairs the diversity , inclusion and equity committee for the college . She holds a BS in industrial accounting , an MBA , Society for Human Resource Management " SHRM " certification and National Parliamentarian certification . Soror Thomas is a Silver Star and Life member .
Thomas Excels
Soror Shalicia Thomas of Theta Omicron Omega Chapter is a visionary leader in education . She obtained her bachelor ' s and master ' s degrees from the University of West Georgia in education . She has devoted the last 13 years to improving learning in the classroom . Earning the title of Teacher of the Year during 2020-2021 for the Douglas County Georgia School System , Soror Thomas works to advocate for children . She founded Kids ' Choice , Inc ., a nonprofit organization that provides an online platform for students to create , buy , and sell original educational resources while earning money for college . Kids ' Choice Inc . has been regionally recognized for its exceptional writing and STEM workshops . Soror Thomas ' idea embraces her mission of inspiring creativity and presenting the opportunity for students to independently navigate their financial challenges .
Traore First Person of African Descent Elected
Iota Phi Omega member , Soror Gigi Traore was sworn-in as the first person of African descent elected to Council for the Village of Newburgh Heights , Ohio . Soror Traore was appointed to the seat and won a full term the following year . Soror Traore is an Iota Phi Omega Chapter , fall 2019 initiate and serves as chairman of the Connection & Social Action committee . In January 2021 , Soror Traore was able to build upon that achievement when the Newburgh Heights Council confirmed her as Council Pro Temp .
Turnipseed Serves as Federal Affairs Lobbyist
Silver Soror Danielle Turnipseed , serves as a Federal Affairs Lobbyist for the American Medical Association ( AMA ). Soror Turnipseed worked for the organization as senior counsel , only the second African American attorney to serve in the Advocacy Department in the AMA ' s history . In her new role , she is working with the Biden-Harris administration on critical issues including the COVID-19 response and Medicare . She is admitted to the highest courts in Maryland , the District of Columbia and New York . Soror Turnipseed is also admitted to the US District Court of the District of Columbia , and the US Supreme Court . Soror Turnipseed was initiated at Duke University Iota Mu Chapter in 1996 . She holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan and a law degree from the University of Maryland . She serves as legal advisor for the Xi Zeta Omega Chapter of Washington , DC . Soror Turnipseed serves as a board member of the Ivy Foundation and co-chaired the foundation ' s WE LUV Women ' s Empowerment Luncheon .
Weeks Recognized
Soror Monica Weeks , of Nu Xi Omega Chapter , was recognized as a woman who shaped the city of New Brunswick , NJ as part of the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment . Soror Weeks is Crossroads Theatre Company ' s director of operations and marketing and executive director of the Hub City Jazz Festival , a signature event for the city of New Brunswick which brings artists from around the country to the Hub City . Her efforts resulted in the creation of " protégé to Pro " music labs and improvisation , providing students in the New Brunswick District schools with over 40 hours of beyond the classroom experience . She ’ s been recognized for her leadership by the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa Sorority , Inc ., Epsilon Alpha Chapter , Zakee Bowser Foundation , the Greater New Brunswick Chapter of the NAACP , and at the NAR Cluster IV Founders ’ Day . Soror Weeks was initiated at Iota Psi , Rutgers University and served as her chapter ' s connection chairman for seven years .
Wilson Elected to Court of Appeal
Soror Sharon Darville Wilson , a member of Zeta Psi Omega Chapter in Lake Charles , Louisiana , was recently elected to the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal . The Court of Appeal is an intermediate appellate court in Louisiana ' s three-tiered court system . It is between the trial courts and the Supreme Court of Louisiana . The Louisiana Third Circuit Court is the largest of the five Circuit Appeal Courts in the state . Its territory consists of 21 parishes in Southwest and Central Louisiana . Soror Wilson was the first African American woman to be elected as a District Court Judge in Calcasieu Parish . She also served as chief judge of the District Court for two terms . Soror Wilson received her Juris Doctorate from Louisiana State University Paul M . Hebert School of Law , being one of only eight African American graduates in a class of 259 . Prior to being elected to the bench , she served as an assistant district attorney for 17 years .
Celebrating 100 Years of Ivy Leaf ® Magazine
Spring 2021 I vyL eaf ® 37