Honoring our Soror Dr. Dorothy Irene Height

Posted on April 20, 2010 by Brittiny Clinton

STATEMENT BY REP. FUDGE ON THE PASSING OF CIVIL RIGHTS MATRIARCH DR. DOROTHY IRENE HEIGHT

04/20/10

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Today, Representative Marcia L. Fudge (D-OH) issued the following statement on the passing of Dr. Dorothy Irene Height, Civil Rights advocate and humanitarian:

“Today Civil Rights icon and humanitarian Dr. Dorothy Height passed away. She was my friend, my mentor, and my predecessor as national president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

“Dr. Height was passionate about justice and equality. Everything she did, every position she held, and every policy she advocated, served her life’s mission—to eliminate barriers to success for women and blacks while inspiring the next generation to greatness.

“Even though Presidents and other world leaders sought her counsel, she always took the time to advise and encourage young women.

“While we mourn her loss, we also celebrate the life of Dr. Height—a great humanitarian who leaves a legacy of strong and caring women.”

Today, Rep. Fudge will introduce a resolution celebrating Dr. Height’s life and recognizing her work.

Dr. Height served as President of the National Council of Negro Women for four decades, stepping down from the position in 1997. In her position with the Council, which connected nearly 4 million women worldwide, she tackled issues that affected families, including child care for working mothers, health and nutrition and providing adequate housing for families in need. She served as the national president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. from 1947 until 1957.

Widely recognized as one of the founding members of the Civil Rights movement, Dr. Height was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994 by President Bill Clinton. In 2004, she received the Congressional Gold Medal.

Dr. Height fought for equal rights for both women and blacks, and was active in such causes as securing voting rights, equal employment opportunities and the desegregation of public schools. Marching alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., she advocated women’s rights during the Civil Rights struggle. Dr. Height was instrumental in the fight for equal pay for women and organized numerous programs to help women achieve equal rights and independence.

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2009 Midwest Regional Conference Highlights

Posted on July 13, 2009 by Brittiny Clinton

Good Morning Sorors!

I am overjoyed to announce that The Indianapolis Alumnae Chapter received the 2009 Midwest Region Physical & Mental Health Award for exemplary programs & activities! The award was presented during the 44rd Midwest Regional Conference Sisterhood Luncheon on Friday, July 10, 2009 in Charleston, West Virginia.

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IAC receives 2009 Midwest Region Physical & Mental Health Award for exemplary programs & activities.

Heartfelt thanks to Soror Brittiny Clinton for her diligence and hard work in preparing our electronic award submission, and Soror Adrienne “Lizzi” Preddie for working with me to gather and compile the information from the various committees in order to have our award submission in by the deadline. Also a very special thank you to Soror Dannee Neal, Soror Aneasha Moore, Soror Erika Quarles & Soror LaTasha Stubblefield who submitted information, flyers and/or pictures on behalf of the Health Awareness Committee, Delta GEMS Committee, and the Arts & Letters Committee. Additionally, the programs & activities our former First Vice President, Soror Lizzi Preddie implemented under the Total Woman, Healthy Lifestyles Initiative during her tenure such as the DSTeeny Meeny Marathon, Iron Chef Delta, & IAC’s Biggest Loser were also included. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.

Additional Congratulations go out to Soror Tavonna Harris Askew who received the 2009 Women on the Move Award in the area of Law, this award was also given during the Sisterhood Luncheon.

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Soror Tavonna Harris Askew who received the 2009 Women on the Move Award in the area of Law

I am also extremely pleased to announce that our very own, Soror Anita Wood Gaillard is the newly elected Chair of the Midwest Regional Nominating Committee!

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Soror Anita Wood Gaillard, Chair of the Midwest Regional Nominating Committee

Our newly elected Midwest Regional Leadership Team is:

* Midwest Regional Director: Soror Regina R. Harper, Columbus (OH) Alumnae Chapter
* Regional Representative: Soror Leslie P. Nobles, Gamma Nu Chapter, Indiana University, Bloomington
* Midwest Member, Scholarship & Standards Committee: Soror Mona Y. Davenport, Bloomington Normal (IL) Alumnae Chapter
* Midwest Member, National Nominating Committee: Soror Phyllis Harden Carter, Esq., Charleston-Institute Alumnae Chapter
* Chair, Midwest Regional Nominating Committee: Soror Anita Wood-Gaillard, Indianapolis Alumnae Chapter
* Members, Regional Nominating Committee (3 were elected)
* – Soror Tyler Maria Brown, Milwaukee Alumnae Chapter
* – Soror Anitra Durand-Allen, Louisville Alumnae Chapter
* – Soror Jessica Willliams-Norton, Greater Cleveland Alumnae Chapter
* Collegiate Member, Regional Nominating Committee, Soror Christa Smith, Lambda Chapter (Chicago-City Wide)

Other highlights from the 2009 Midwest Regional Conference will be shared in the near future.

Sisterly Yours,

Soror Rachelle D. Hardiman
President
Indianapolis Alumnae Chapter
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Soror Dannee Neal, CLD Minority Achievement Award Winner

Posted on March 24, 2009 by Brittiny Clinton

Dr. Dannee J. Neal was the recipient of the CLD Minority Achievement Award for Professions at The 29th Annual Minority Business & Professional Achievers Recognition Awards Dinner that was held last evening in the Sagamore Ballroom. Soror Neal is a gifted physician at the Shalom Health Center here in Indianapolis. Soror Neal is a wife and mother of three. She is currently the co-chair of our Health Awareness Committee and an active member of other committees within IAC as well. She was recommended for this award by our chapter and is truly a stellar example of the myriad of talent that the women of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. embody. Congratulations Soror Neal!

Tayisha McGuire, CLD Minority Achievement Award Winner

Posted on March 18, 2009 by Brittiny Clinton

Tayisha McGuire was the recipient of the CLD Minority Achievement Award for Arts/Music/Theater at The 28th Annual Minority Business & Professional Achievers Recognition Awards Dinner that was held last evening at the Sagamore Ballroom with the theme “Honoring Exellence…In Life’s Work and Service to Community”. Soror McGuire is an accomplished opera singer who sings with the Indianapolis Opera. She has performed nationally & internationally. She was recommended for this award by our chapter and nominated by Soror Adrienne Preddie. She is truly a stellar example of the myriad of talent that the women of Delta Sigma Theta embody. Congratulations Soror McGuire!

Soror Christi Morse named one of WFYI’s Daycare Providers of the Year

Posted on February 20, 2008 by Brittiny Clinton

Christi Morse was named one of five WYFI’s Day Care Providers of the Year, and was subsequently selected to represent the state of Indiana in Washington, DC. Her daycare, Harmony Learning Center was featured on WYFI’s “A Place of Our Own” program.

Click here to watch the video. Real Player required.

2007 Sisterhood Retreat: Introducing Delta Legends

Posted on January 6, 2007 by Brittiny Clinton

The Membership & Reclamation Committee of the Indianapolis Alumnae Chapter is in full swing planning the 2007 Sisterhood Retreat. This year’s retreat is scheduled for March 31, 2007. The theme for this year’s retreat is “A Spirit of One.”

The signature activity for this year’s Sisterhood Retreat is our Delta Legends Ball Luncheon. The luncheon is based on “Oprah’s Legend’s Ball and Luncheon.” The Membership & Reclamation Committee will honor our own “Delta Legends”. We encourage you to nominate a Delta that has been an inspiration to you.

As you consider your nomination, your attendance at the Sisterhood Retreat, and your life as a Soror as the anniversary of our sorority’s founding comes closer, reflect on these words:

“We feel deeply rooted and connected to the souls of Black folk who came before us. We see each one of their lives as bridges to our own – A Bridge to now. As young Deltas we’ve admired our Founders, Past National Presidents, Regional Directors, State Coordinators, Chapter Presidents, Advisors, and Specs. They were our role models and the Delta women we strived to be.

Our African-American history make us keenly aware that the ground on which we travel so freely has been forged by sweat, intelligence, talent, and courage of ancestors who couldn’t even imagine the life we’re blessed to live. When our Founders walked down Pennsylvania Avenue during that first historic women’s suffrage march, they gave birth to generations of women who would pave the wave for our civil liberties. We have a fierce respect and reverence for those whose names have made history and for the millions that did not. Just ordinary people, many of which were sorors, who received no recognition but were resourceful, resilient and remarkable in their perseverance. They endured slavery. Succeeded in spite of segregation. Triumphed over indignities. Founded our sorority. They sang, “We Shall Overcome” and indeed, they did.

We marvel at their will. We celebrate their strength. We rejoice in their determination to keep coming. Our Delta Legends Ball luncheon is a celebration for every Legend, specifically our Delta Legends, known and unknown to us from then and now.

We honor you. We thank you. We owe you. We love you.”

Sisterly Yours,

The IAC Membership & Reclamation Committee

-Adapted from: http://www.oprah.com/presents/2006/legends/legends_main.jhtml

Pictured below: Our own Soror Dorothy I. Height shares tender moments at Oprah’s 2006 Legends Weekend.

Dorothy Height and Shirley Caesar. Photo by George Burs and Bob Davis. Copyright Harpo Productions Inc.

Tina Turner pays respects to our own Soror Dorothy I. Height at Oprah's Legends Luncheon. Photo by George Burns and Bob Davis. Copyright Harpo Productions Inc.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Indianapolis Alumnae Chapter

The IAC official website.

Category Archives: Notable Sorors