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For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the
government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of
Peace ~ Isaiah 9:6
Happy Holidays Sorors, We always hear people say Jesus is the
reason for the season, and as a sorority founded on Christian
principles, we know this to be true. It is also a time to celebrate
and reflect on what has transpired during the year and begin to set
priorities and aspirations for the new year. I celebrate you,
sorors, for your continued dedication to Gary Alumnae Chapter. We
have really made some strides in this virtual setting. We have been
doing amazing programming across all programmatic thrusts and
committees. We closed out last month with our 15th Annual
Thanksgiving Day Drive-By Dinner and went right into December with
Rock the Ribbon for World Aids Day. Both events were awesome. Our
youth programming continues to inspire and engage our children, and
the Delta Dears would not let a pandemic stop their 3rd Annual
Christmas event. Sorors are really navigating technology to reach
the community and enjoy each other. I know Christmas is typically
viewed as a day to give physical gifts to family, friends, and
loved ones and although it may be more of the same for many, it
will be different for some. I think the biggest gift that we can
all share is love. God loved us enough to give us His Son, so in
return let us spread a little Christmas love. The gift of love is
what we all need. Take some time over the next few days to call,
email or text a soror and say I love you. Continue to pray for our
sorors and their families.
With Love, Soror Shana Caruthers
Volume 9, Issue 4
December 2020
GARY ALUMNAE CHAPTER
DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INC.
Chapter President’s Message
Thanksgiving Day Dinner 2
World AIDS Day 3
Past Presidents Council 4
In Memoriam 5
Chaplains’ Report 6
National Updates 7
Committee Reports 8
What’s Happening in GAC 10
Chapter Leadership 11
Chapter Emails 12
Calendar of Events 13
Inside this issue:
The Gary Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is
dedicated to the virtues and principles of our beloved sorority and
has carried out our programmatic thrusts in Northwest Indiana since
1938.
Shana Caruthers
President, Gary Alumnae Chapter
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15TH ANNUAL THANKSGIVING DAY DINNER
For fourteen consecutive years, Gary Alumnae Chapter, along with
several community partners, provided Thanksgiving Day meals for the
citizens of Gary, Indiana. The coronavirus pandemic seemed on track
to derail this year’s signature event. But thanks to the tenacity
and perseverance of Madame President, and the Economic Development
Committee, GAC was able to hold its 15th Annual “Project Everybody
Eats” Thanksgiving Dinner. Volunteers were limited, social
distancing and masks were a must, and instead of the traditional
family-style setting, four hundred fifty pre-packaged meals with
food provided by several local and national sponsors were given to
residents as they drove through the pick-up location at St. Timothy
Community Church in Gary. Meals were delivered to local police and
fire departments, senior living facilities, displaced youth and
families, and homeless shelters by volunteers of Omega Psi Phi
Fraternity, Inc. Ford Motor Company also donated masks that were
included with the meal. Sponsored by NIPSCO and Beyond Meat,
community partners included Senator Eddie Melton; Soror Joslyn
Kelly of J's Breakfast Club and the Love for Jalyn Foundation; One
Drop; Chef Pam, Soror Michelle Wainwright of Cute as a Cupcake; St.
Timothy Community Church; and Damon Dash, Entrepreneur, Music
Mogul, and owner of Dame Dash Studios. Thank you to everyone at GAC
for support in spirit and a special thank you to over thirty sorors
who volunteered for being on the frontlines and living our mission
of commitment to public service.
Sorors of Gary Alumnae Chapter distributing Thanksgiving Day
meals
at St. Timothy Community Church in Gary, Indiana.
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WORLD AIDS DAY
Even COVID could not stop Gary Alumnae from hosting its 8th
Annual World AIDS Day Gospel Explosion, organized by International
Awareness and Involvement Chair, Soror Erika Robinson. Though
usually held in a local church, the Chapter still provided valuable
education and testimonials virtually about the impact of HIV/AIDS.
A combination of live and pre-recorded presentations included a
youth gospel choir, praise dancing, poetry and free verse, and two
sessions of trivia where gift cards were awarded to winners. The
committee wanted to ensure that all age levels were educated on the
history of World AIDS Day and HIV/AIDS by sponsoring an essay
contest for grades 4-12. For the younger ones, a curriculum and
coloring contest were developed for children in Pre-kindergarten
through 3rd grade.
Community partners included Bright Path Support Service,
Edgewater Health, Regional Mental Health Center, Community
HealthNet, and the Aliveness Project. Over fourteen hundred people
accessed the program via Facebook Live, while more than one hundred
and twenty participated through Zoom. The capstone of the night was
a rendition of “We Are The World” by various members of the
chapter.
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Beta Nu 1938 - 1975 1938-1941 Edna Johnson Morris*
1941-1943 Inez Brewer* 1943-1944 Mabel Cox* 1944-1945 Josephine
Riggins* 1945-1947 Mattalyn Bonner* 1947-1949 Pocahontas Brown
Greadington* 1949-1950 Ethel Pannell* 1950-1952 Beatrice Joiner*
1952-1953 Lenora Rickman* 1953-1955 Dorothy Bradshaw* 1955-1956
Frankie McCullough* 1956-1957 Harriett Mackel* 1957-1958 Charlena
Taylor* 1958-1960 JoAnn Hall Evans* 1960-1961 Harriet Mackel*
1961-1963 Constance Hill* 1963-1965 Ruth Taylor* 1965-1967 Ardenia
Leek Goodson* 1967-1969 Kathlyn Thompson* 1969-1970 Leola Rule*
1970-1972 Della Burt-Bradley 1972-1974 Jeanette B. Pike 1974-1975
Wilma Logan Brown
Gary Alumnae Chapter 1975 - Present 1975 -1976 Wilma Logan
Brown
1976 -1978 Alice Davis 1978-1979 Vera Cornish 1979-1980 Juanita
Vincent 1980-1983 Harriett Mackel* 1983-1985 Delbra Bradley
1985-1987 Daisy Holiday Purnell 1987-1989 Rosie G. Washington
1989-1991 Donna Burton* 1991-1992 Vertelle Staton 1992-1994 Patsy
Merriweather 1994-1996 Ernestine Dobbins 1996-2000 Hortense House
2000-2002 Vertelle Staton 2002-2004 Delores Gibson 2004-2006
Saundra Holden Parrott 2006-2008 Alesia Pritchett 2008-2012 Deborah
Hendricks Black 2012-2014 Sheila Baker 2014-2018 Arlene Mitchell
(Pearson)Pace 2018-2020 Yvonne D. Lucas 2020- Shana L. Caruthers
*Omega Omega Chapter
PAST PRESIDENTS COUNCIL
Soror Goodson was a graduate of Hampton Institute where she
pledged Gamma Iota Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,
Incorporated. Ardenia, lovingly known as "Dedi," was born in Gary,
Indiana, and is a 1955 graduate of Roosevelt High School. She
earned a B.S. degree in education at Hampton Institute and a Master
of Science from Valparaiso University. Soror Goodson taught in the
Gary Community School system prior to moving to Hampton, Virginia.
She taught elementary education for 41 years collectively in Gary,
Indiana, Arlington and Hampton, Virginia. Soror Goodson
transitioned on October 29, 2020 in Hampton, Virginia where she
lived for 23 years.
This month’s feature is on Past President Ardenia Leek
Goodson,
from 1965 – 1967.
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IN MEMORIAM
The following Sorors transitioned into Omega Omega this
year:
Soror Jeanna Holloway Thornton— April 2020
Soror Winifred PatJones— June 2020
Soror Frances Hightower— July 2020
Soror Glynette Richards— July 2020
Soror Imogene Harris— July 2020
Soror Gwendolyn McDaniel Tibbs— September 2020
National Headquarters has given Chapters permission to hold
Omega Omega services for our dearly departed sorors. To prepare for
their final rite of passage in Delta, we are looking for volunteers
to assist during the services. If you would like to give a eulogy
for one of the sorors listed above, please contact Soror Myrtle
Davis.
Myrtle Davis
Chair, Rituals and Ceremonies
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CHAPLAINS’ CORNER
Calling all Sorors to the Prayer Call!! We've got some sorors
and we need some more. Please join us on one or all of the
remaining Mondays in the last month of 2020 to give thanks unto the
Lord by praying, praising, reading Scripture, singing or listening.
Meet us on Monday at 7:00 p.m. by dialing 712 775 7464 and putting
in the code 749688#.
Condolences were sent to the following Sorors
La Fonda Morris' father-in-law, Mr. Thomas K. Morris was
funeralized on November 28,2020. Crystal Shannon's father, Mr.
Kenneth Shannon passed away. Visitation is December 10th, 2020,
12:00 -8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be private. All services
will be held at Smith and Bizzell Funeral Home. LaFonda Morris'
aunt -in-law, Mrs. Mary Morris Leonard, will be funeralized on
Monday, December 10th, 2020 at Hinton and Williams Funeral Home in
East Chicago, Indiana. A sympathy card was sent.
Illnesses
Soror Shirley Story-Nelson is recuperating and cards would be
appreciated rather than calls. The Chaplains Council continues to
keep you in our prayers. For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son
is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder. And His
name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The
Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9: 6 KJV Linda
Odums and Jeanette Pike Chaplains
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NATIONAL UPDATES
Code of Conduct
Delta Sigma Theta Code of Conduct: Revised April 2019 Section 3:
Information and Communications
Publicly displaying any information related to the chapter,
chapter members and any member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
via any form of media such as, but not limited to, chapter website,
Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, email, etc. is prohibited.
All forms of communication must adhere to the official Delta
Internet Guidelines.
A. Violations of the Sorority’s Internet Guidelines.
Sanction/Fine Chapter: Probation for 1 Year Fine $500
Member/Soror: Probation for 1 Year Fine $500
Applicant/Candidate/Pyramid: Barred for 1 Year from
Membership
Technology
The Delta Technology Guidelines, p. 30: 7.3 - SORORS &
SOCIAL MEDIA: Sorors and the general public are encouraged to use a
platform’s share feature or content reposting apps to distribute
posts from national, regional, or chapter social media
pages/accounts to their personal networks. However, do not edit
official Delta social media posts prior to sharing them on a
personal social media page. Individuals may add their comments when
sharing.
C. Unauthorized release of chapter membership roster or other
proprietary chapter information.
Sanction/Fine Chapter: Probation for 1 Year Fine $500
Member/Soror: Probation for 1 Year Fine $500
Zoom Tips for Meetings
Lighting it Up On Zoom: It is recommended to have a light behind
the computer for better lighting to audiences on Zoom. A lamp, or
device directly by your face, for even, steady lighting. No side
light or backlight, as it will add darkness to your profile. Avoid
sitting with your back to the window, as the camera will expose the
light and make you into a silhouette. Practice before your meeting
by logging into your account and starting a meeting.
Customizing Your Profile on Zoom: In accordance with
headquarters, all members must identify before you can be allowed
into the chapter meeting. Please ensure that you have customized
your profile name BEFORE chapter meetings. Please go into your Zoom
account and access your profile page. Click the in settings or on
your picture on the three ellipses and change your name. Note: You
cannot change your name once you get into the waiting room. You
must do this BEFORE you enter the Zoom room.
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COMMITTEE REPORTS
Protocol: As a reminder for sorors in anticipation of Founders
Day, we are to respect and give recognition for our Founders. The
twenty-two Founders represent the history and ideals of the
Sorority. We honor the legacy they passed on to us. The names of
the Founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. should be listed
on all Founders Day programs. The Founders should be revered and
honored; therefore, use of their pictures should be limited to
official documents, posters and wall hangings. Their pictures are
not for casual usage such as T-shirts, tote bags, puzzles, screen
savers, etc. — Cheryl Bennett, Chair
Delta D.E.A.R.S.: We are excited about our upcoming Virtual
Christmas Outing on December 12 . It was necessary to change
performers, but the show will go on. We are now in the process of
planning our Virtual Game Day! — Faye Barnes, Chair
Domestic Violence: The Domestic Violence Committee will begin
its Fortitude 500 Purse Campaign beginning December 19, 2020. The
committee will be partnering with local businesses and hair salons
including but not limited to Salon Eboni (19th and Broadway) and
Salon V.U.E (Griffith) to begin collecting gently new or used
purses filled with female hygiene products, toiletries, hair
products, and personal items. The goal is to collect at least five
hundred items to be included in the purses, which will then be
distributed to several local area women's shelters throughout
northwest Indiana. The campaign will run until the end of March and
we are asking for sorors to help get the word out about the
campaign. The committee will also establish designated drop-off
locations and times for those sorors who wish to donate purses
filled with items. Drop-off locations and times will be published
in up coming marketing material and social media public pages.
Additional logistics will be shared during chapter meeting.— Nemia
Cooper-Miller, Chair
Membership Services: Reclamation Delta BINGO deadline has been
extended to December 12, 2020. Please send BINGO cards to
[email protected]
GAC’s Virtual Holiday Party brought to you by Membership
Services and Education Development on December 19, 2020 after
Chapter Meeting. I am so excited to say that we have over 70 sorors
registered for our Virtual Holiday Party and Secret Santa! Be
prepared to paint, participate in Delta Christmas Trivia, and sing
Christmas songs. Our Christmas celebration will begin at 2PM.
J13 Founders Day Festivities: This year Membership Services
presents Founders Day 2021 Spirit Week. A list of activities will
be emailed and presented at December’s Chapter meeting. Sorors will
take pictures of the daily activities and post them on the
Chapter’s social media pages at #GACDeltaSpiritWeek
Also on January 13, 2021, GAC’s FD activity will consist of
GAC’s Vision Board Party. Grab a poster board, old magazines,
scissors, tape, glue, glitter, and Zoom with the GAC sorors and
let’s creatively express our goals as a member of DST, as well as
our personal goals for 2021. Let’s enjoy old Delta songs,
reminisce, and reflect on our first introduction to Delta and how
Delta has impacted our lives— Lisa Derico, First Vice President
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COMMITTEE REPORTS
Policies and Procedures: Greetings Sorors! On behalf of the
Policies and Procedures Committee, please review the GAC Policies
and Procedures 2020-2021 and submit any and all changes recommended
to: [email protected]. Recommendations must be submitted no
later than January 8, 2021.— Sonya Scott-Dix, Chair
Emergency Response Team: Sorors, continue to carry your Red
Envelopes. We want to make sure that Gary Alumnae is 100% accounted
for.
December is Toy Safety and Gift month. Continue to stay safe and
at home during the pandemic. — Jessica Bailey, Chair
Past Presidents Council: We decided to present a president per
month in our Gazette. We also talked about how we can replace the
soup kitchen in a virtual world. The Past Presidents agreed we will
present a recipe per month in place of the soup. The Past
Presidents also talked about our next steps with our scholarship.
More to come. We agreed that every fourth Tuesday we will meet. —
Arlene Mitchell Pace, Chair
Political Awareness and Involvement: The Political Awareness
Committee met on November 18, 2020. Committee members reviewed the
activities for September through November, 2020. The chapter also
participated in two debate watch parties and a third educational
forum regarding the election. The Chapter participated in “Souls to
the Polls” during the early voting period. These events were done
in collaboration with other members of the Divine 9, the NAACP,
Urban League, and other non-partisan organizations.
Sorors discussed activity that might be undertaken for the
remainder of the program year. A discussion was held about the
debate underway in the Indiana General Assembly about consent in
sexual assault cases. Committee members will make additional
suggestions going forward. Committee members decided to meet on the
second Wednesday of each month.— Karen Freeman-Wilson, Chair.
Programming, Planning & Development: We are in the process
of updating our calendar. As programs are added or changed, please
submit that information so the calendar can be updated. In
addition, we have a Zoom and Conference Call Usage Calendar to
ensure all committees are able to meet using one of the chapter’s
platforms. Our chapter is celebrating how we have been able to
answer the call of our community with no contact/virtual
programming. Kudos to all sorors that worked to ensure that our
Drive-by Thanksgiving Dinner and World Aids Day Gospel Explosion
were a success! Let’s continue to be effective, efficient, and
community centered. Remember, as we get updated on Delta’s new
procedures, some of our programming perimeters have to change.
Virtual Programming is new and evolving. Keep up the good work!—
Sandra Brown, Second Vice President
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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN GAC
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GARY ALUMNAE LEADERSHIP
President– Shana Caruthers
1st Vice President– Lisa Derico
2nd Vice President– Sandra Brown
Financial Secretary– Yvonne Lucas Assistant Financial Secretary–
Mechelle Moore
Treasurer– Tinisha Greenwell Assistant Treasurer– Dierdra
Shittu
Recording Secretary– Michelle McGill-Vargas Assistant Recording
Secretary– Stephan Bates
Corresponding Secretaries– Nemia Cooper & Shelia Horton
Audit Committee– Melanie Lacy
Chaplain– Jeanette Pike & Linda Odums
Companion Sorors– Mary James
Heritage & Archives– Maxine Miller
Journalist– Michelle McGill-Vargas
Parliamentarian– Shelice Tolbert
Custodian of the Properties– Tina Davis-Powell
Sergeant-At-Arms– Dianne Canton-Reed & Ernestine
Davis-Foster
Economic Development Chair– Lois Wilkins
Educational Development– Janelle Williams
Delta Academy– Ashley Pratt Delta GEMS– Nicole Musenja &
Laconya Pitts-Thomas
EMBODI– Dr. Maya Blackwell & Lori Lindsay PEACE (Parent)
Program– Pamela Cook
Risk Management– Janelle Williams Scholarship: Saundra Woods
International Awareness & Involvement– Erika
Robinson-Watkins
Physical & Mental Health– Shalonda Hall
Sexual & Domestic Violence– Nemia Cooper Emergency Response
Team– Jessica Bailey
Political Awareness & Involvement– Karen Freeman-Wilson
Social Action– Arlene Mitchell Pace
Rituals and Ceremonies: Myrtle Davis Founders Day– Mary
Cossey
Arts & Letters– Mary Cossey & Irene King Policies and
Procedures: Sonya Scott-Dix
Communications & Information– Tina Davis-Powell Technology–
Yvonne Lucas
Marketing– Arlene Mitchell Pace Corporate Partnership– Mona
Derico-Howell
Delta D.E.A.R.S.– Faye Barnes Election Chair– Alesia
Pritchett
Membership Services– Lisa Derico Program, Planning &
Development– Sandra Brown
Nominating Committee– Faye Barnes, Cheryl Bennett, Sharifa
Townsend, Linda Odums
May Week– Deanna Johnson NWI InterGreek Council– Lisa Derico
Collegiate Transition Task Force– Tinisha Greenwell Step &
Stroll– Francesca Ballard
Protocol– Cheryl Bennett L.E.A.D.– Aimbrell Holmes
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Chapter Emails
Gary Alumnae President
[email protected]
Membership Services 1st Vice President
[email protected]
Program Planning & Development 2nd Vice President
[email protected]
Finance Team
[email protected]
Corresponding Secretary
[email protected]
Recording Secretary
[email protected]
Chaplain
[email protected]
Information & Communications
[email protected]
Journalists
[email protected]
Marketing/Public Relations
[email protected]
Special Events (assigned by C&I)
[email protected]
Emergency Response Team (ERT)
[email protected]
Nominating Committee
[email protected]
Primary Business Address PO Box 64690 Gary, IN 46401 Chapter
Email: [email protected]
Leading with Love, Sisterhood and Service
GARY ALUMNAECHAPTER DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INC
We’re on the Web!
GaryAlumnaeChapterDST.org
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
(All events are VIRTUAL until further notice)
December
21- Chaplain’s Prayer Call, 7:00PM 1-712-775-7465 CODE:
749688#
24– Christmas Eve
25- Christmas Day
28- Chaplain’s Prayer Call, 7:00PM 1-712-775-7465 CODE:
749688#
31– New Year’s Eve
January
1– New Year’s Day
11- Chaplain’s Prayer Call, 7:00PM 1-712-775-7465 CODE:
749688#
13– HAPPY FOUNDERS DAY!
16- Executive Board Meeting, 10:00AM
Chapter Business Meeting, 12:00PM
18- Chaplain’s Prayer Call, 7:00PM 1-712-775-7465 CODE:
749688#
25- Chaplain’s Prayer Call, 7:00PM 1-712-775-7465 CODE:
749688#
