Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Flint Alumnae Chapter
June 2010
Contents
President‟s Report
1
Scholarship
1
Supporting the Arts
1
Political Awareness
2
International Awareness
2
Empowering at Wilkins
2
Serving Our Seniors
3
Diabetes Sunday
3
Economic Development
3
Educational Development
4
DREF
4
Executive Committee
2010-2012
President
Sharon FJ Sawyer
First Vice President
Felicia Watson
Second Vice President
Ineatha S. Waters
Recording Secretary
Khalilah Majied
Corresponding Secretary
Tamar QP Swain
Financial Secretary
Lisa Rogers
Treasurer
Cheryl Green
Sergeant at Arms
Donyale Clemons
Assistant Sergeant at Arms
Marla Bannister
Parliamentarian
Bobbie J. Ewing
Journalist
Tanya Jefferson
Historian
Catherine Frederick
Custodian
Pamela Williams
Assistant Custodian
Marquita Adams
Chaplain
Alice D. Evans
Immediate Past President
Wanda D. Harden
Volume 1 Issue 2
President’s Corner
For fifty-six years, the Flint Alumnae
Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,
Inc. has continued to make a positive
impact in the Flint area through public
service and social action efforts.
We routinely assess our programs to
ensure we are in tune with the pulse of
the community and truly making a
difference. Two significant programs,
Delta Academy and Delta GEMS involve
providing young girls with enriching and
educational activities.
Continuing in this effort with mentoring
youth, Flint Alumnae Deltas recently
formed a partnership with Big Brothers
Big Sisters of Greater Flint to leverage
our collective strengths.
Some of the chapter‟s programs and
activities over the past year are
highlighted in this newsletter. Please
visit our website for upcoming events:
www.flintdeltas.com
On behalf of the members of Flint
Alumnae Chapter, I thank you for your
interest and continued support. Please
consider making a tax deductible
contribution to DREF to help support
the chapter‟s programs.
Scholarship
The Flint Alumnae Chapter of Delta
Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has given
scholarships to deserving students in
the greater Flint community since
1958. In 1972, the scholarship was
renamed in the honor of a member and
past
president,
Rebecca
Louise
Robinson.
students through fundraising efforts.
This year, ten scholarships totaling
$8,000 were awarded.
An annual Scholarship Recognition
Banquet to honor the recipients was
held on June 15, 2010 at Walli‟s East.
The speaker, Victoria McCaskey was a
previous two year recipient of the
Over the years, the chapter has scholarship.
awarded over $260,000 to Flint area
Supporting the Arts
Developing and implementing programs
that promote cultural awareness with
emphasis on the African-American
community is the purpose of the
sorority‟s Arts and Letters Committee.
for the Gee‟s Bend Gala at the Flint
Institute of Arts. In addition to the gala
and quilt exhibition, weekend events
included a lecture, book signing, and
quilting demonstration workshop.
Again, Flint Alumnae Chapter cosponsored
the
African
American
Quilters Show with the Flint Public
Library in September 2009. The
Saturday morning guest lecturer was
Mr. Raymond K. Houston from St. Louis,
Mo. In addition, four quilts made by
chapter members, the “Crimson and
Cream Quilting Bees” were also on
display.
The Flint Institute of Music‟s Black
Classical Music Family Festival was
another supported event. This year‟s
guest artist was Flint native and opera
singer Isaac Greer.
The chapter also served as a sponsor
Flint Alumnae Chapter supported
several
other
artistic
endeavors
including the New McCree Theatre,
Tapology, and Flint author Christopher
Paul Curtis.
Page 2 of 4
Flint Alumnae Chapter Newsletter
Political Awareness and Involvement
Khalilah Majied and
Donyale Clemons
register attendees at the
Basic Needs Fair.
Flint Alumnae Chapter‟s Social Action
Committee continued its efforts toward
voter education and awareness with
„Meet the Candidates‟ forums from July
through October 2009. The events were
co-sponsored with the League of
Women Voters and nine other nonpartisan
organizations.
Voter
registration drives were also held
during the year.
Being eco-friendly and knowledgeable
is a priority of the chapter. Several
presentations were provided at chapter
meetings to educate the membership
on recycling.
Delta Day at Flint City Hall
with Mayor Dayne Walling
Being connected at the local, state and
national level brings a global awareness
to the group. Flint Alumnae Chapter
participated in the “Delta Day in the
Nation‟s Capital” and “Delta Day at the
State Capital.” Additionally, April 26,
2010 marked the chapter‟s first “Delta
Day at City Hall.” Delta members
initiated an informative meeting and
reception with Flint Mayor Dayne
Walling and attended a council meeting.
Delta‟s interest in the public school
system was the motivation for attending
a Flint Board of Education meeting.
The importance of Census 2010 was
highlighted in February and March by
providing information tables at various
events.
And finally, the chapter‟s first Basic
Needs Fair was held in March
concurrently with the Genesee County
Tax Assistance Program. Twenty-three
local agencies participated in this effort
providing basic resource and services
information to the community.
International Awareness and Involvement
The International Awareness and
Involvement Committee focuses on
educating chapter members and the
public regarding ongoing international
issues, primarily affecting people of the
African Diaspora.
Committee Chair,
Marquita Adams kicks
off Poetic Thirst.
that face us globally, Flint Alumnae and
Mu Phi collegiate chapter co-sponsored a
World AIDS Day activity on December 1,
2009.
Additionally, funds were raised to support
the American Red Cross‟ emergency relief
In the fall of 2009, the chapter and recovery efforts for earthquake
partnered with Classical Academy and victims in Haiti.
the Future Teachers Association at Mott
The lack of clean drinking water is one
Community College to collect art
reason why 5 million children die annually
supplies for the Murals for Mali
in Africa. The chapter presented Poetic
Project. Artists and social activists in
Thirst, a free poetry showcase, in April to
Mali will use these donated supplies to
spotlight this issue. Money donated by the
work to uplift abandoned children
audience was sent to the Water Tanks and
through art.
Wells Project in Africa.
Continuing to bring awareness of issues
Empowering at Wilkins
Chapter members at Wilkins
School Family Fun Day
Flint Alumnae Chapter members have
volunteered at Wilkins Elementary
School for a number of years. Activities
have included reading and donating
books to the children on Dr. Seuss Day,
tutoring and donating uniforms and
winter accessories.
included arts and crafts, food, family
photos, a bounce house, and a US Census
bureau presentation. Wilkins School is
closing this year and the Flint Deltas have
truly
enjoyed
the
close
working
relationship with the staff, students and
parents.
The last project of the year at Wilkins The Empowering Our Schools committee is
was a Family Fun Day. Activities chaired by Denyatta Henry.
Flint Alumnae Chapter Newsletter
Page 3 of 4
Serving Our Seniors
The Senior Citizens Committee services
the needs of the Delta DEARS
(Dedicated Energetic and Respected
Sorors), senior citizens and home-bound
population in the Flint community
through advocacy efforts.
Again
in
December,
Flint
Chapter hosted a Holiday Reception at
the Heritage Manor Senior Living Center
on Beecher Road in Flint. Games,
Christmas carols, lunch and gifts were
provided for over 40 residents who
attended.
Alumnae
Deltas bring holiday cheer to
residents at Heartland Manor
Nursing Home.
Diabetes Sunday and Health Initiatives
The
chapter‟s
Health
Awareness
Committee is focused on bringing health
education programs, heath fairs and
provisions for health care services to
community residents.
included F.A.C.E.D. Faith-based Health
Team, the Health Ministry of Grace
Emmanuel and Zeta Beta Omega
Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority,
Inc.
The Diabetes Sunday and Health
Initiatives program held on February 28,
2010 at the Grace Emmanuel Covenant
Center was a huge success! Over nine
hundred people participated in the free
health screenings.
Dr. Osama, a Nephrologist, stated that
every aspect was covered concerning
diabetes, hypertension and kidney
failure screening.
According to data compiled by Hurley
Medical Center‟s, Hurley Center for
Health Outcomes, it was one of the
largest church health fairs in Genesee
County. “We were able to perform a
service for our community which was
much needed” stated Pam Williams,
Health Awareness Committee Chair.
Other groups taking part in the event
During the event numerous attendees
who
were
previously
unaware
discovered they had high blood
pressure, kidney problems or diabetes.
Additionally, the issue of childhood
obesity was addressed through cooking
demonstrations
by
Genesee
Intermediate School District and Wii
exercise demonstrations from Genesys
Athletic Club.
Economic Development
On May 8, 2010, Flint Alumnae Chapter
participated in a Habitat for Humanity
Women‟s Home Build Project. Chapter
members assisted with interior painting
of a rehab home project located at 1165
Stockton (off Court and Grand Traverse
Streets). Members who participated in
this activity included: Lavonda Rimmer
(volunteered her children), Donyale
Clemons,
Darlene Carpenter-Kelly,
Mae Green, Marquita Adams, Celestia
Catherine Frederick (DST)
and Corey Taylor (AKA)
register patrons on
Diabetes Sunday
Bell, Renee Patrick, Sharon Sawyer,
Ineatha Waters and Felicia Watson.
Desiree Conyers was one of
the many volunteers to
assist with screening on
Diabetes Sunday
Other groups participating in the rehab
home project included Sigma Gamma
Rho and Americorps.
Chapter members
participate in a Habitat
rehab during National
Women Build Week
Educational Development
Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority, Inc.
Flint Alumnae Chapter
P. O. Box 13198
Flint, MI 48501
E-mail:
Info@flintdeltas.com
Intelligence is the
torch of wisdom.
Check our website for
information on
programs and
upcoming events
www.flintdeltas.com
Delta Academy for girls ages 11-14 and
Delta GEMS for girls ages 14-18 are key
parts of our chapter‟s program. The
Delta Academy program focuses on
leadership, encouraging the cultivation
of relationships, scholarship in math,
science and technology and building
self-esteem. The Delta GEMS program
seeks to develop strong, confident and
respectful young ladies and prepare
them to take an active role in their
success and society.
Both groups took part in many
community service projects. Activities
included the Food Bank of Eastern
Michigan, ribbons for Haitian relief
effort, Relay for Life and AIDS Walk.
In February 2010, the girls participated
in the Flint Public Library‟s Quiz Bowl
and Read-in and a Black History Program
at McGrath Elementary in Grand Blanc.
Both groups had the opportunity to be
part of many workshops addressing teen
issues and attended many cultural
events during the year.
Academic excellence is stressed in both
groups. Graduating seniors from the
Delta GEMS have won scholarships and
100% have enrolled in a college or
university for the fall.
Delta Research and Educational Foundation
The Delta Research and Educational
Foundation (DREF) provides a fund
transfer service that allows local Delta
chapters to receive tax deductible
contributions, The service is made
possible through DREF‟s tax-exempt
status as a 501 (c) (3) entity.
Flint
Alumnae
Chapter
accepts
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Flint Alumnae Chapter
P. O. Box 13198
Flint, MI 48501
RECIPIENT NAME
STREET ADDRESS
ADDRESS 2
CITY, ST ZIP CODE
contributions for its Rebecca Louise
Robinson Scholarship Fund through
DREF. Each year, the chapter solicits
donations for the scholarship fund. In
fact, in 2009 over $3000 was
contributed to the scholarship fund
through DREF.