VIOLET VOICE - Gwinnett County Alumnae Chapter

Volume 10 :: Issue 1 :: October, 2015
V V
IOLET
OICE
A Publication of the Gwinnett County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Our
Dynamic
GCAC
Leadership
Team
2015-2017
Sorors,
GCAC has kicked off the 2015-2016 sororal year with a bang
and it’s no wonder. We have over 220 of the most magnificent
sorors in all of Delta. Our vision for the biennium is to BUILD
on GCAC’s solid foundation and programs, SHARPEN
GCAC’s focus of uncompromising commitment to the Gwinnett
County community, and LEAD GCAC in becoming THE
premier chapter in our sorority. If our first 2 months are any
indication, we are well on our way to making our vision a
reality.
President
Annie H. Davis
1st Vice-President
Candace Bush
2nd Vice-President
Andrea Hagood
Recording Secretary
Paula Peek-Roberts
Corresponding
Secretary
Cheryl Hunter-Rowland
Financial Secretary
Cynthia Easley
Asst. Financial
Secretary
Corrine LochanEdwards
Treasurer
Michelle Townsend
Asst. Treasurer
Traci Bahsoon
Our CoBeau Committee kicked off their program year with the
welcome reception and monthly activities that are leading up
to our Crème de la Crème – Committed to Excellence 2016 CoBeau Ball. The Membership
Services and Sisterhood Committees hosted a fabulous, fun-filled kick-off event that put everyone
in attendance on center stage. Delta Academy/Delta GEMS are in full effect and have already
provided beautifully decorated boxes of toiletries to foster kids in the county.
Our Social Action Commission and Political Awareness and Involvement Committee are not
playing. They have managed to register over 100 students at Georgia Gwinnett College, support
Unified Gwinnett’s efforts in signing a petition to get a meeting with the sheriff, and hosted an
amazing legislative session with our local government representatives. Can I call out our Economic
Development Committee who led GCAC as the first community organization to volunteer at the
Junior Achievement Discovery Center Gwinnett? We showed up with over 35 volunteers for our
first GCAC Day at the center. Our award winning (I’m claiming it) 10th Annual Taboo Tea and
Women’s Health Summit empowered and educated women like never before. Violets and Pearls
to our Physical and Mental Health Committee for another life-changing program. Let’s not forget
our support committees. The Courtesy and Chaplains Council have been supporting all of our
members through illnesses, loss of loved ones and continuous prayer. I want to personally give a
huge thank you for all that you do. We are our sister’s keeper.
It’s obvious that we love Delta, our community and are committed to making a difference. July,
August, September and October have been very exciting and productive for GCAC. None of this is
possible without our world-class leadership team – officers and committee chairs – and our
talented, smart, and professional sorors who CHOOSE to honor their lifetime commitment to our
beloved sorority as members of GCAC. Let’s keep the momentum going and most importantly,
let’s have fun while doing it.
We are GCAC – Dedicated to Service, Destined to Lead, and Devoted to a Better Gwinnett.
Gwinnett County
Alumnae Chapter
Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority, Inc.
P.O. Box 491508
Lawrenceville, GA
30049
Yours in Service,
Annie
Annie H. Davis, President
www.gwinnettdst.org
1
Committee Updates
GCAC DAY - JA DISCOVERY CENTER GWINNETT
On October 2, 2015, GCAC’s Economic Development Committee partnered with the
Gwinnett Chapter of Junior Achievement of Georgia to bring economic awareness to
Gwinnett County youth via JA’s BizTown and Finance Park programs.
Thirty-two GCAC chapter members spent
the day increasing financial literacy and
work readiness education for 210 middle
school students. Youth participants took
on various roles such as Chief Financial
Officer, Chief Executive Officer, Marketing
Manager, and Consumers in
JABIZTOWN. Students also learned how
to navigate a household budget based on
their career selection in JAFinance.
Thanks to all participating sorors who
gave their time, service, and leadership to
help educate youth about the global
economy.
Submitted by Soror Hope King, Chair – Economic Development Committee
G.E.M.S/ACADEMY HAPPENINGS
Our 2015-16 Delta G.E.M.S. and Academy programs started with a bang. September
was our orientation month and an opportunity for our participants to reconnect with one
another and for their parents to complete all necessary documentation for the new
sorority year. October prepared our participants for continuing the journey in the spirit
of service. Our girls decorated toiletry boxes, made friendship bracelets, and painted
keepsake boxes as gift tokens. The gift tokens were shared with foster children. This
was a heartfelt session focusing on character development with an emphasis on
“compassion” and “humility” for the less fortunate. Each participant was extremely
meticulous in creating the perfect design and creating the most meaningful message to
pass on to another youth.
October Service Project
October Service Project
In November, our girls will participate in a session with topics related to self-image and
will explore the “My Black is Beautiful” key curriculum concept. In addition, the
November session will be presented collaboratively with GCAC’s Arts & Letters
Commission. Home is where the heart is during the month of December when our
young ladies will continue to expand upon their gifts and talents. Each participant will
reflect about their own relationships with their friends and family members. A special
tribute will be dedicated to the participants’ mothers during the mother/daughter
brunch.
Submitted by Soror Michelle Smith, Chair – Educational Development Committee
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www.gwinnettdst.org
Mark Your
Calendar!
Cotillion~Beautillion Ball
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Gwinnett Center
6400 Sugarloaf Parkway
Duluth, Georgia 30097
Membership Highlights
Welcome to our
New & Reclaimed
Members:
Lisa Adams-Harris
Paris Brooklyn Baker
Dawn Blackwell
April Blowe
Gracita Bond
Claire Boyce
Dionne Brockington
Leclorist Brown
Tracie Burnette
Cecilia Carmichael
Kimberly Carson
Constance Clinkscales
Antoinette Cole-McKenzie
Brenda Collier-Richardson
Santriece Copeland
Pamela Crenshaw
Muriel Davoll
Cornelya Dorbin
Denise Edwards
Peyton Fraser
Tamara Hodges
Kia Holyfield
Darcele Horton
Rakisha Hunter
Regina Jackson
Tiffany Jacobs
Tifinie Jean-Louis
Helisa Jefferson
Penny Jones
Estacha Johnson
Jamila Johnson
Debra Joseph
Karen Kelly
LaWanda Kemp
Kania Kennedy
Christi Laurent
Keisha Long
Tracy Lester
Sharon Moses
Traci Lyn Palmer
Lakisha Platenburg
Stacy Poteat
Arianne Raysor
Tami Rawlins-Tucker
Samela Reid
Myra Richardson
Kimberly Richey
Victoria Simpson
Carlmetta Sheppard
Sedessie Spivey
Sherlyn Taylor
Shauna Tomlinson
Ramona Toole-Sakhanokho
Bakal Towns
Aisha K Tucker-Brown
Augretta Tutson
Phontonia Walter
Michelle Washington
Kimberly Watkins
Ghislaine Wilson-Walters
WELCOME ABOARD
GCAC’s
Delta Train!!!!
SOROR SPOTLIGHT
Soror Latabia Woodward was chosen for the
second time to serve on the Gwinnett County Budget
Review Board. The budget review team is
responsible for setting priorities and making
recommendations for the 2016 county budget.
Soror Woodward serves as a strategic planning
principal for Georgia Power and is the immediate
past president of the Gwinnett County Alumnae
Chapter.
Soror Woodward is one of Gwinnett’s citizens who
has a seat at “the table.”
Soror Latabia Woodward
Delta Research and Educational Foundation
received $1,000 from The Allstate Foundation in
honor of Allstate Agent Acquanette Chatman's
volunteerism. DREF and GCAC are pleased to
partner with Allstate and their commitment to
making our hometowns better, safer places to live.
Thank you Soror Chatman for your continued
support of our community and GCAC.
Submitted by Soror Annie Davis, President, GCAC
Soror Acquanette Chatman
Our Delta D.E.A.R.S
Delta D.E.A.R.S are members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., who have
reached the golden age of 62 years. GCAC’s D.E.A.R.S celebrated their Fourth
Annual High Tea on August 1, 2016, at the St Regis Hotel, in Buckhead Atlanta.
Our Executive Committee were honored to have been invited and participate in
such a special afternoon. Our D.E.A.R.S look forward to next year’s celebration.
Submitted by Soror Johnetta Gillies, Chair, Delta D.E.A.R.S Council
GCAC Delta D.E.A.R.S and Executive Committee at 4th Annual High Tea
www.gwinnettdst.org
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A Message from our Journalist
Greetings Sorors - I hope you enjoyed this edition of our chapter newsletter. Thanks to all contributors that submitted
articles for this edition. The Information, Communication, and Technology Committee is in need of sorors to join our
publicity team. If you have a background in public relations, journalism, or marketing, you may be the one to make our team
complete. For questions or to confirm your interest, please email me. Lastly, please visit our website often to stay updated
on GCAC. As always, the ICT committee welcomes all comments, suggestions, and ideas regarding our website and
newsletter.
Thank you!
Sisterly,
Arlette
Arlette Moorer, Journalist
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Gwinnett County
Alumnae Chapter
Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority, Inc.
P.O. Box 491508
Lawrenceville, GA
3004 9
MISSION STATEMENT
To empower Gwinnett
County citizens with a
comprehensive approach
to community
involvement and social
development through
Delta's Five Point
Program Thrust.
OCTOBER AWARENESS
Think Pink! October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. While
African-American women are less likely to be diagnosed with breast
cancer overall than white women, nationwide statistics show that
we are 44 percent more likely to die from breast cancer. To address
this disparity in breast cancer mortality rates, Susan G. Komen
announced on October 6, 2015, the launch of a free educational
resource for organizations that provides accurate and useful
information about breast cancer in African-American communities.
It can be physical, sexual or psychological. Intimate Partner
Violence (IPV) affects 12 million people in the U.S. each year and is
the secret killer that costs $8.3 billion annually. One in three
women have been victims of IPV, resulting in long and short-term
physical and psychological trauma for many. October is Domestic
Violence Awareness Month. Know, report and prevent Domestic
Violence.
Submitted by Soror Veronica Jones, Co-Chair, Physical & Mental Health Committee
www.gwinnettdst.org