Mid-Atlantic
Mu Omicron Omega Holds Harlem Renaissance Virtual Reading Club
Chapel Hill , NC – Mu Omicron Omega Chapter sorors are bringing the Harlem Renaissance alive . Using Zoom to engage in a weekly virtual reading club , sorors have great discussions while they study the themes and characters of classic literature from the Harlem Renaissance , known as the golden age for African American writers , artists , and musicians . Fiction works selected from the 1920s to 1930s include Passing , and Quicksand by Nella Larsen , and The Ways of White Folks and The Best of Simple by Langston Hughes . These works , along with many others , portrayed the great pride and control in how the black experience was represented in American culture . Sorors are following up with The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett that continues the theme of colorism on to later generations . The Harlem Renaissance movement was interrupted by the stock market crash of 1929 and the onset of the Great Depression . Sorors Lisa Norwood and Carol L . Bolden Stone-El lead the discussions .
CHAPTER NEWS
Zeta Chi Omega Holds Empowerment of Black Women Rally
Arlington , VA – Zeta Chi Omega Chapter , When We All Vote ( WWAV ) Squad members participated in the Empowerment of Black Women Rally . This family-friendly , social distancing event was hosted by three South County graduates now attending college : Marlon Dubisson , Emani Cannady and Devin Vandyke . They organized the rally to empower black women in the fight for systemic change and justice . Keynote speakers included Virginia Delegate Jennifer Carrol Foy who is currently a candidate for VA governor ; Karen Keys-Gamarra , Fairfax County at-large school board member ; and other community activists who were educational and inspirational while sharing their experiences with systemic racism . Black women were urged to ensure that their voices are heard in the workplace , community and at home . Attendees were urged to fight for justice for Breonna Taylor , the EMT and first responder , tragically killed in her own bed by Louisville , Kentucky police officers . The Connection Chairmen , Sorors Nelfred “ Tilly ” Blanding and Joyce Myrick Brooks urged everyone present to VERIFY their voter registration status , especially the college students who are not returning to campus . Congratulations to the " Generation Z " adults who organized the rally . Robin G . McCoy , chapter basileus , applauded young adults for their commitment to advancing justice and equality .
Omega Iota Omega Celebrates MLK Day
Charlotte , NC – Members of Omega Iota Omega Chapter celebrated MLK Day of Service by assembling bags of personal care items consisting of Kleenex , hand sanitizer , socks , alcohol pads , feminine hygiene items and shampoo and conditioner to support the Salvation Army ' s Center of Hope Shelter and " Tent City ", an area in the city where the homeless population gathers . Chapter members volunteered to purchase items and developed an Omega Iota Omega MLK Day registry for others in the community to support the sorority effort to serve . Sorority members wore masks and practiced social distancing to distribute the items to the community organizations . Soror Toria J . Burch serves as basileus and Soror Kim Best serves as anti basileus .
Beta Iota Omega Virtually March to Washington
Greensboro , NC – In commemoration of the March on Washington , Beta Iota Omega Chapter hosted a nine-week step challenge . The chapter had 21 sorors participate in the challenge to walk / run 8,280 steps per day . Over 11 million steps were achieved by these sorors in nine weeks . Sorors motivated each other and communicated via GroupMe . All sorors that participated in this challenge were presented with a sorority branded sweatband as a token of their hard work . This was the third fitness challenge offered to the chapter this year .
Beta Iota Omega members virtually March to Washington .
Gamma Upsilon Omega Provides Resources and Recognition for Caregivers
Hampton , VA – In recognition of Caregivers Impact Day , Gamma Upsilon Omega Chapter made many contributions during the month of November . Gamma Upsilon Omega , in partnership with Lambda Omega , hosted a virtual conference entitled " Caregivers Impact Day : Women ' s Health Summit ." The summit featured three dynamic speakers who are dedicated to helping caregivers take care of themselves . Dr . Fayron Epps , RN , Emory University , discussed care strategies for dementia caregivers ; Dr . Melissa Gomes , APRN , PMHNP-BC , FNAP , Hampton University discussed the importance of mental health for caregivers ; and Dr . LaTonya Hughes , RN , LNHA , Hampton University discussed making choices for home , assisted and long-term care . Over 269 participants from all over the United States registered for the event . Along with recognizing chapter members who are caregivers during the November chapter meeting , the chapter ' s Women ' s Healthcare and Wellness committee also donated $ 300 to Somerset at Town Center , a local low-income senior living community located in Hampton , VA . The administration staff were grateful for the donation on behalf of the chapter .
Gamma Upsilon Omega ’ s Women Healthcare and Wellness Chairman , Soror Ethlyn Gibson presents donation to a local senior living community .
Celebrating 100 Years of Ivy Leaf ® Magazine
Spring 2021 I vyL eaf ® 53