Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority has embarked upon a national multi-year campaign to educate the community about how to manage asthma through its Asthma Prevention and Management Initiative. The sorority will galvanize thousands of members who will fan out to the nearly 1,000 communities worldwide where Alpha Kappa Alpha has chapters. Locally, Mu Alpha Omega (Midland) and Eta Upsilon Omega (Saginaw) have combined resources to address the issue in Midland, Saginaw and Bay counties. The initiative is expected to reach millions of people afflicted with the disease, with a particular emphasis on reaching children.

This campaign is being carried out in partnership with the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), a program under the National Institutes of Health. NICHD conducts and supports research on all stages of human development, from preconception to adulthood, to better understand the health of children, adults, families, and communities.

According to attorney Carolyn House Stewart, Alpha Kappa Alpha’s International president, Alpha Kappa Alpha was motivated to wage a public education offensive when the sorority became aware of the pernicious effect asthma has on children’s quality of life and on the nation’s economy.

According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), asthma accounts for more visits to the emergency room, costs the nation $3.2 billion to treat annually, afflicts 5.6 million school-aged children and can lead to death. Asthma disproportionately afflicts low-income, minority children, a population most vulnerable to the ravages of the disease but a population with few outlets where parents can be informed about the disease and how to manage it. Reaching this population is the core mission of AKA’s Asthma Prevention and Management Initiative.

By definition, asthma is a long-term inflammatory disease in which the airways of the lungs constrict, causing wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing. It is a potentially debilitating disease that results in “episodes” when the disease is triggered. The NCCDPHP reports that tobacco smoke, dust mites, furred and feathered animals, molds, chemicals and strong odors in the school environment can trigger asthma attacks.

However, according to the NICHD, children with asthma can lead full and productive lives through proper diagnosis control of triggers that spark episodes, and through overall management. This can be achieved through an aggressive public outreach effort, which is the purpose of the Asthma Prevention and Management Initiative.

The initiative is a major program under AKA’s new administration, whose theme is “Global Leadership Through Timeless Service.” The local effort is being spearheaded by the chapters’ taskforce, which is chaired by Bridget Hall of Saginaw, and Octavia Cabey of Midland. Dr. Diane Adams, M.D., a member of the sorority, is project director of the campaign.

Three organizations have joined forces for one common mission: to decrease the number of babies born prematurely in Harlem, New York. Harlem Hospital Center, March of Dimes and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. will launch the Stork’s Nest Program at Harlem Hospital Center auditorium on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Stork’s Nest is a national program of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and is sponsored by March of Dimes, a leader in the fight to ensure that all babies are born healthy. The program educates pregnant women about the link between prenatal care and delivering a healthy, full-term baby. It focuses on the importance of keeping monthly medical checkups, following the most up-to-date nutritional information and the benefits of taking pregnancy supplements such as vitamins and folic acid. Participants earn points that they can trade in at the program’s culmination for useful baby products.

A Stork’s Nest will reduce the number of premature births in Harlem, which has the highest rate in Manhattan, according to a 2009 New York City Department of Health study. East Harlem has a 12.7% rate of premature births, which is the highest in Manhattan. Central Harlem has the second highest rate of premature births at 11.4%, according to the same study.

Secondly, a Stork’s Nest will strengthen Harlem Hospital’s ties to the community as a trusted, medical provider. According to Dr. Edgar Mandeville, M.D., Harlem Hospital Center Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Harlem Hospital is the hospital of choice for most Harlem residents, including women from neighboring shelters and temporary housing situations.” In addition, Harlem Hospital Center has provided a wide range of medical, surgical, diagnostic, therapeutic and family support services to the residents of Central Harlem, West Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood since 1887. Hence, Harlem Hospital Center is the ideal location for a Stork’s Nest.

Lastly, a Stork’s Nest at Harlem Hospital Center will help to maintain Harlem’s position by serving as a model program to demonstrate how credible organizations can pool their resources to create an even stronger entity. The Harlem community is respected as a groundbreaking, thriving community and is thus an ideal location for a partnership between the three institutions that creates a new community-focused entity. Harlem Hospital Center is currently a 286-bed acute care facility and a designated Level I Trauma Center, with a full spectrum of specialty services, including a burn unit, an adult intensive care unit, a neonatal intensive care unit, a pediatric intensive care unit and a cardiac care unit. Harlem Hospital Center’s website is www.nychhc.org.

March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide, and its premier event, March for Babies, March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com/ny or nacersano.org.

Founded January 16, 1920 at Howard University, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. is one of the nine historically black Greek letter service organizations. A non-profit organization, its principles are Scholarship, Sisterly Love, Service and Finer Womanhood. It has also chartered sorority chapters in the Caribbean and Africa. To learn more about the sorority visit www.zphib1920.org. The Sigma Nu Zeta chapter’s website is www.zphibsnz.org.

Kencle Satchell-McKoy, 212-939-1372, kencle.satchell-mckoy@nychhc.org

Ruby Wint, 212-353-8365, RWint@marchofdimes.org

Kim Green, 347-763-6327, kimgreen@kimgeepr.com

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. partner with Delaware Valley Baptist Church to raise heart health awareness

Leading Ladies: “Go Red & Think Pink”

The “Leading Ladies Go Red & Think Pink” campaign is an initiative sponsored by the American Heart Association, American Stroke Association, American Cancer Society, and the Cancer Coalition of Burlington County.  Locally, the women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Theta Pi Omega, Pi Mu Omega, and Epsilon Upsilon Omega chapters; have partnered along with the Rancocas Valley Alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Delaware Valley Baptist Church to bring this worthwhile program to the African-American community on Friday, February 24, 2012 at Delaware Valley Baptist Church, located at 493 Beverly-Rancocas Road, Willingboro, NJ 08060.  This event is free and open to the public.

This is a collaborative event to share information about the importance of living life in healthy ways while sampling of “Healthy Food Recipes for the Soul” prepared by local chefs and food specialists. The goal of this collaborative is to share information with the hope of raising awareness about the importance of living life in healthy ways to prevent heart disease, stroke, and breast cancer among African-Americans.

The highlights of the evening will be health information workshops on heart health and breast cancer awareness. In addition, participants will be provided a sampling of heart healthy foods prepared by local chefs and food specialist. Further, there will be a video on display, which will feature women who will share their testimonies about living with or having overcome heart health issues and breast cancer.

Heart disease is still the No. 1 killer of women, taking the life of one in three women each year, and this is especially important for African-American women, who are at increased risk due to factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and diabetes.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among African-American women. It is also the second leading cause of cancer death among African-American women, exceeded only by lung cancer.

We hope that you will join us on February 24th for a casual evening of caring, sharing, and fun.

The Omega Men of Rome were joined by the Georgia Northwester Technical College Lady Bobcats basketball team for a walk around South Rome promoting awareness of prostate cancer, the first ever for the social organization who hopes to make the walk into a tradition.

The group’s president Joel Berrien Jr. said Saturday that he was hoping next year that with a more robust organization and sponsors to make the walk an annual event.

“Being that we’re men, we want to first and foremost promote awareness for prostate cancer,” Berrien said. “But we’re also involved in lots of social causes, and we hope in the weeks and months to come to get more participation from the community.”

The Omega Men of Rome is currently seeking a graduate fraternity charter from Omega Psi Phi, who has 700 chapters around the United States. If the group receives their charter from the fraternity by the end of the year, Berrien said it would represent the entire Northwest Georgia region.

“We’re all from different schools as graduate members, but we have a number of undergraduate chapters in universities all over the country,” he said.

Once chartered, Berrien said the group will continue to promote activities in the community that promote social awareness for a wide range of issues from voter registration to helping to build Habitat houses.

The only requirement to join the fraternity is that members must already have their undergraduate degrees from a accredited university, Berrien said.

For more information about the group, contact Berrien at jberrienjr794@gmail.com.

Read more:RN-T.com – Omega Men of Rome hold first Prostate Walk for Awareness

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Zeta Zeta Zeta Chapter in Denver Colorado holds the March Z-Hope Project ”Family Fitness Expo” sponsored by the Colorado Black Health Collaborative. This Family Fitness Expo is targeted at getting families more ACTIVE and aware of Healthy Eating Choices in the Montbello area. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority is sponsoring the Jump Rope Activity Table and also helping with with registration and way-finding.

Enjoy free fitness assessments, demonstrations, interactive computer stations, healthy eating solutions, basketball competitions, contests, and much more. And, cool prizes too!

FAMILY FITNESS & FUN EXPO

Saturday, March 19, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Rachel B. Noel Middle School

5290 Kittridge St., Denver, CO 80239

Just for the HEALTH of it!

Supported by a grant from We Can!

Brought to you in partnership with: Montbello Cheetahs and Colorado Black Health Collaborative, Kaiser Permanente (African American Center of Excellence, and Mile High Fitness.

Sisters Network® Inc., (SNI), the only national African-American breast cancer survivorship organization, today announced Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., ® (AKA) and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. have joined Sisters Network in the fight against breast cancer as National Partners in support of the organization’s 2nd Annual Stop the Silence® National African American Breast Cancer 5K Walk/Run.

The event will be held at the Discovery Green Park in Houston, Texas on Saturday, April 9, 2011. The registration fee is $30.00 per person and $300.00 for a team (minimum 10). Participants also receive a t-shirt. To register, log on to http://www.stopthesilencewalk.org.  For more information, call 1-866-781-1808.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is the Honorary Chair. Celebrity Chairs include Dr. Mae Jemison, Omarosa and Zina Garrison. Corporate sponsors to date include Sysco Corporation, Kroger and Schlumberger. National media partners include Rolling Out Magazine, Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine,Women & Cancer Magazine and Monarch Magazine. Regional and local media partners include Majic 102.1 FM, Praise 92.1 FM, Houston Style Magazine, The Forward Times Newspaper; D-Mars.com, Tre Magazineand the Wash Allen Show.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among African-American women. The incidence rate of breast cancer is higher among younger African-American women (under age 40) than among white women. The incidence rate of breast cancer is 12% lower in African-American women; however, the mortality rate is higher compared to white women.

Funds raised from the Stop the Silence® 5K Walk/Run benefit Sisters Network Breast Cancer Assistance Program (BCAP) which provides assistance to women facing financial challenges after diagnosis. The national program provides free mammograms and financial assistance for medical related lodging, co-pay, office visits, prescriptions, and transportation. Last year, $50,000 was raised and set aside to provide free mammograms.

“Sisters Network appreciates the support of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority to increase awareness about the 2nd Annual Stop the Silence National African American Breast Cancer 5k Walk/Run. The collaboration between Sisters, the AKAs and the Deltas is a natural fit as our organizations are committed to educating and positively impacting African American women’s lives nationally, regionally and internationally,” said Karen Jackson, Founder/CEO, Sisters Network Inc.

“Alpha Kappa Alpha is pleased to collaborate with Sisters Network through an advocacy and education campaign aimed at impacting our respective memberships and the global community. Together, we can make a difference in combating this deadly disease,” said Atty. Carolyn House Stewart, International President, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, (AKA).

“Delta Sigma Theta is committed to educating and empowering African American women about the importance of breast health awareness and early detection,” said Cynthia M. A. Butler-McIntyre, National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. “We are pleased to support Sisters Network in spreading the important message about breast health to our global membership of more than 250,000 and to the communities that we serve. We look forward to having a strong representation at the 2nd Annual Stop the Silence National African American Breast Cancer 5K Walk/Run.”

Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. is an international service organization that was founded on the campus of Howard University in 1908. It is the oldest Greek-lettered organization established by African American college-educated women. It is comprised of 260,000 members in 958 graduate and undergraduate chapters in the United States, the U. S. Virgin Islands, the Caribbean, Canada, Japan, Germany, South Korea and on the continent of Africa. Its membership includes distinguished women who boast excellent academic records, proven leadership skills, and are involved in the global community through advocacy and service.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was founded in 1913 on the campus of Howard University to promote academic excellence; to provide scholarships; to provide support to the underserved; to educate and stimulate participation in the establishment of positive public policy; and to highlight issues and provide solutions for problems in communities. Today, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority has more than 250,000 members and nearly 1,000 chapters worldwide. The Sorority uses its Five-Point Programmatic Thrust of economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and political awareness and involvement to create its national programs.

About Sisters Network Inc.

Sisters Network® Inc., (SNI) is a leading voice and the only national African American breast cancer survivorship organization in the United States. The organization’s purpose is to save lives through breast health awareness and provide a broader scope of knowledge that addresses the breast cancer survivorship crisis affecting African American women around the country. Currently, Sisters Network has 43 affiliate chapters in 22 cities nationwide. The national headquarters is located in Houston, Texas. As a nationally recognized organization among leading medical establishments and breast cancer physicians, Sisters Network is also recognized as a critical information resource for African American women.

Please visit http://www.sistersnetworkinc.org or call 1-866-781-1808.

Follow us on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

SOURCE Sisters Network, Inc.

An Albany woman is in a battle for her life, and a group of concerned friends in the community are dedicated to making sure she doesn’t face that battle alone.

Deborah Battle, an Albany native and Albany State University graduate, has congestive heart failure. She has been accepted by the Georgia Transplant Foundation as a candidate for a heart transplant, and a fund has been set up in her name to raise money to help with the cost of the procedure.

“The Georgia Transplant Foundation is a wonderful organization, and one of the things they require is that their candidates have something in the pot to help with the cost of the procedure,” Deborah Battle Heart Transplant Fund Chairman John White said. “Through her involvement with the foundation, she is eligible for matching funds up to $10,000. We have set a goal of raising $25,000 for her.

“The cost of this procedure is enormous, but Albany has a reputation for reaching out to people who are in need.”

White said he had spoken to Battle’s daughter, Sameka, Tuesday, a day after Battle had an artificial heart implanted.

“The artificial heart is being used until a suitable heart donor is found,” White said. “Sameka said her mother had gone through the operation well and would have to spend another week in the hospital before coming home.”

Deborah Battle has worked with the Dougherty County School System, Turner Job Corps, M&M Mars and Merck Chemical Co. in Albany before being disabled by her heart disease. She worked for 20 years as a chemist supervisor at Merck.

She is a charter member of the local Sigma Gamma Rho sorority, and a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

Battle’s late parents were also well-known members of the community. Charles M. Battle was a long-time postal worker and past commander of American Legion Post 512. Mabel Bass was a personnel staffing specialist at Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany.

Battle’s sister, Yvette Battle, is a teacher in the Dougherty school system, and her brother is an assistant manager of Auto Zone in Lee County. Sameka Battle is mother to Deborah’s lone grandson, Donavin.

White said the fundraising efforts of the local group could be a matter of life and death for Battle.

“The immunosuppressive medications Deborah will need typically cost from $35,000 to $40,000 per year,” he said. “Even with insurance coverage, our fundraising could be a matter of life and death for her. We’ve helped at least five other citizens return to active lifestyles over the years, and that’s why all of us are involved.

“Deborah has been declared a good candidate for a transplant, and her friends, sororoity sisters and others her family has connections with want to help her meet her medical needs.”

Persons wishing to donate to this cause may make checks payable to The Deborah Battle Heart Transplant Fund. Donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 3506, Albany 31706. All funds will be transmitted to the Georgia Transplant Foundation in Atlanta.

For additional information, contact White at (229) 436-3641 or (229) 347-5085, or fund treasurer Arthur Williams at (229) 883-1698.

The Mu Epsilon chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. at the University of Florida ventured into the east Gainesville community last Friday afternoon to help spread the word about the devastation the HIV/AIDS epidemic is reaping in the black community.

The sorority sponsored a block party at Village Green Apartments on NE 15th Street that included free HIV/AIDS testing by the group, Finding Alternatives That Initiate and Transform Hope, also called FAITH Inc.

Zeta member Lauren Taylor, a 21-year-old Jacksonville native who has been a member of the sorority for almost a year, said the event was held as part of the sorority’s annual Finer Womanhood Week activities, which also included giving out gift bags at UF and teaching an etiquette class to the Archonette Club at Buchholz High School. The Archonette Club is a national program sponsored by the Zetas to help mold and cultivate teen girls into finer women. “We saw a need in the Gainesville community for this because a lot of people are not aware of the HIV/AIDS situation in our community,” Taylor said. “We are trying to get more involved in the community as a sorority, and this is something we will definitely be doing again.”

While some people took advantage of the free testing, the Zetas, along with members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. from UF, performed step routines.

A large crowd of children attended the event and competed in dance competitions while doing “The Dougie” and “The Wu-Tang” as DJ Barrington Guthrie Jr., aka “Mr. Magnum” at Gainesville radio station MAGIC 101.3, played music.

Toward the end of the event, Guthrie got the older crowd to join the young dancers by playing “The Electric Slide” and “The Cha Cha Slide.”

Several members of the United Methodist Women’s group from Bartley Temple United Methodist Church and the Gainesville group Sisters Helping Sisters in Need enjoyed the change in music.

“One of our ladies who is 86 got up and went and danced,” said Dr. Vivian Haynes-Tinker, president of both groups. “The ladies really had a great time.”

Christina Bachelor, a 21-year-old Fort Lauderdale native who has been a Zeta for two years, said members of the sorority met with Teresa White, regional minority HIV/AIDS coordinator at the Alachua County Health Department, to plan the event.

She said White told the sorority that FAITH Inc., United Methodist Women and Sisters Helping Sisters would serve as great partners for the event. The Zetas provided the food, some of which was prepared by the United Methodist Women and Sisters Helping Sisters. The menu included grilled chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, green beans, macaroni and cheese, chips and soft drinks.

Haynes-Tinker said the groups she is involved with decided to participate in the event in order to teach their youth departments about giving back to the community.

Although everyone seemed to be having fun, the real reason the event was held is dear to Pastor Ruby Davenport, executive director of FAITH Inc.

“We are on the scene every opportunity we get to help stamp out this disease,” said Davenport as she and eight other volunteers from FAITH Inc. waited to test residents. FAITH Inc. received a three-year, $159,000 grant in 2009 from the Florida Department of Health to travel across the state and provide HIV/AIDS education and training on how to administer HIV testing.

Andrea Guy, a 37-year-old Village Green resident, said she was happy the event was held at Village Green.

“I totally think this is a good thing, and I got tested for the first time,” said Guy, adding that FAITH Inc. gave her a $5 gift card to get tested and will give her another one when she gets her test results in two weeks. Gift cards can be used at McDonald’s or Pizza Hut.

“I got tested because I want to know my status and I think more people ought to want to know theirs.”

“While not a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Camille Winbush shares Sigma’s commitment to making a difference in the lives of young people and she is looking forward to helping us to promote the Youth Symposium and Project Reassurance on a national level,” states International Grand Basileus Joann Loveless.

Winbush will be assisting the 88-year old organization in spreading their theme of “H³: It’s all About Me – Healthy Choices, Healthy Living, Healthy Generations.” The actress has videotaped a PSA with several members of Sigma Gamma Rho’s youth affiliate group, The Rhoer Club. Alumnae chapters are expected to use the video and other support materials featuring Winbush to promote local events taking place on Saturday, March 12.

Chapters will simultaneously celebrate the National Youth Symposium, which is traditionally set within Sigma Week. Programming will focus on support of First Lady Michelle Obama’s fight against childhood obesity as well as offer panel discussions and other activities to encourage students to excel in or look at careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

Sigma Gamma Rho is a national partner with the White House’s STEMprogram to promote math and the sciences, particularly among children of color. It also recently formed a unique partnership with the Centers for Disease Control that posits the organization as the only African American sorority to participate in the Act Against AIDS Leadership Initiative.

The Youth Symposium was originated by Sigma Gamma Rho’s late past Grand Basileus LaRona J. Morris to give youth tools to combat peer pressure. In its 14th year, the symposium has addressed such issues as teen pregnancy, diet and nutrition and low self-esteem.

]]> http://progressivegreek.com/organizations/sigma-gamma-rho-sorority/actress-camille-winbush-s-spokesperson-for-sigma-gamma-rhos-2011-national-youth-symposium/feed/ 0 http://progressivegreek.com/news_events/awards_recognition/aka-soror-dr-tracy-a-allen-recognized-for-excellence-in-mental-health/ http://progressivegreek.com/news_events/awards_recognition/aka-soror-dr-tracy-a-allen-recognized-for-excellence-in-mental-health/#comments Fri, 17 Dec 2010 15:21:21 +0000 kevin1914 http://progressivegreek.com/?p=4977 Source

Tracy A. Allen, Ph.D., Mental Health Professional and Owner of Allen Mental Health Agency, has been recognized by Cambridge Who’s Who for demonstrating dedication, leadership and excellence in mental health.

After serving in the United States Military for 20 years, Dr. Allen retired as a captain. In 2005, she established her own private practice, Allen Mental Health Agency, where she specializes in post-traumatic stress disorder. As a mental health professional, Dr. Allen performs diagnostic assessments of her patients, and conducts family, individual and group counseling sessions. She works mostly with military veterans and their families. Dr. Allen attributes her success to her experience in the military and realizing veterans can became unstable after they experience war.

In 2010, she received a Ph.D. in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University. A licensed professional counselor, Dr. Allen is a member of the American Psychological Association and the American Counselors Association. She also belongs to the National Association of Professional Women, the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors, The National Geographic Society, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc and the American Mental Health Counsel Association. Dr. Allen has received Bronze Star and a Meritorious Service Medal, both from the United States Military. In her spare time, she mentors adolescent females and volunteers for Reading for Fun. She aspires to publish articles and intends to write a book on women’s self esteem in the future.