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.

Creacy A. Saunders December 13, 2011 Creacy A. Saunders, 62, of Syracuse, passed away Tuesday at Upstate at Community General Hospital. Born in Gatesville, NC, she resided in Syracuse for 40 years. Mrs. Saunders retired from the Syracuse City School District as a home and careers teacher, most recently at Huntington Middle School. She was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She was predeceased by her parents, Willard and Bertha Saunders, and her brother, Michael Saunders.

Creacy is survived by Henry L. Green; one son, Henry A. Green; sister, Jean (William) Phillips; and one nephew, William E. Phillips. Funeral Services: noon Tuesday at Central Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery. Calling Hours: 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday at the church, 1926 Midland Ave., Syracuse. Omega Omega service will be held at 11:30 a.m.

Contributions may be made to the Delta Torch Foundation, PO BOX 6578, Syracuse, NY 13217. FARONE & SON FUNERAL HOME has arrangements. Condolences may be offered at www.faroneandson.comFarone & Son Funeral Home

Texas police on Friday released a composite sketch of a man they believe broke into the homes of four former members of the same sorority, then sexually assaulted them.

No name has been given for the suspect in the alleged break-ins and attacks, which took place between November 2010 and October 2011, according to a timeline from the Plano police.

Detectives, however, do have “a definite DNA profile on the suspect” after a crime lab report, the police statement noted.

Plano police in October released a video — dated in April — showing a man with a distinctive swagger who they believe is responsible. Snapshots from that video were distributed Friday.

The alleged assaults occurred in the cities of Plano, Coppell and Corinth, all suburbs of Dallas.

The alleged victims — all females in their mid-50s to mid-60s — were alumnae of the same predominantly African-American sorority: Delta Sigma Theta, according to police.

They offered similar descriptions of their assailant as being a black male in his late 30s to mid-40s, weighing from 275 to 300 pounds and standing between 5 feet 7 inches and 5 feet 9 inches tall.

“He made it obvious to our victims that he knew information … about them personally,” Plano police spokesman Andre Smith said this fall, adding that none of the women believe they knew their attacker in advance.

According to Corinth Police Capt. Greg Wilkerson, all the assaults occurred in “residential settings” between 9:15 p.m. and 4 a.m. when the victims were alone. The alleged attack in his city, 35 miles northwest of Dallas, took place on October 14.

The late-night setting, the fact the victims were often asleep and the alleged assailant’s “attempts to conceal his identity” make it challenging to definitively identify the attacker, said Wilkerson.

Wilkerson said that the nature of the assaults suggest the alleged assailant was “possibly suspecting surveillance, spending some time around the areas … prior to the attacks.”

The police captain said authorities do not know how the suspect learned details of the victims, speculating it may have been over the internet, by accessing an old directory or noticing would-be victims with Delta Sigma Theta jewelry, placards or other paraphernalia out in public.

Delta Sigma Theta’s President Cynthia M.A. Butler-McIntyre this fall issued a statement urging members in the Dallas area to take precautions.

“To think that our members are being targeted is disturbing and extremely disheartening,” she said.

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Zaldwaynaka “Z” Scott, a former federal prosecutor and head of the governor’s inspector general’s office, has been appointed chairwoman of the Chicago Housing Authority board, the mayor’s office said Tuesday.

Scott, most recently a private attorney specializing in white-collar criminal work, replaces James Reynolds, who last week was appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel to the board of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority.

Along with the CHA’s new CEO, Charles Woodyard, Scott will try to steer the agency amid a struggling economy that has undermined its $1.6 billion Plan for Transformation, an effort to create vibrant mixed-income housing developments where crime-ridden high-rises once stood.

“The Chicago Housing Authority’s board will play a crucial role in completing the Plan for Transformation and tackling the important challenges facing Chicagoans with affordable housing needs,” Emanuel said in a statement. “Z Scott has the track record of innovation as well as the experience needed to deftly lead this board.”

Scott brings to the CHA post years of public agency management experience, as well as a formidable record as an assistant U.S. attorney. That included prosecuting former Oakbrook Terrace Mayor Richard Sarallo in a bribery case that led to his guilty plea to income tax evasion in 1994.

She was head of the governor’s inspector general’s office from 2003 to 2005.

But Scott acknowledged in an interview Tuesday that her experience in dealing with often complex housing market issues is limited. Scott was first appointed to the CHA’s board in July.

“There is a learning curve,” she said. “It’s new. The issues are new, which is why I think it’s important to me to take the time to become familiar with the challenges and the issues and the concerns.”

“I think that given that all public entities are faced with a terrific amount of work to do with limited resources, we really have to take a hard look at what we have to do,” she said.

Robert Whitfield, an attorney who represents CHA tenants and who has been critical of the agency, said he was encouraged by Scott’s law enforcement background. There has been some upheaval in CHA leadership in recent years, including the resignation of former CEO Lewis Jordan last summer amid questions over his use of an agency credit card.

Those who deal with the agency look forward to moving on, Whitfield said.

“We’re all taking the attitude of let’s wait and see what the new regime will bring,” he said.

The National Pan-Hellenic Council of Marquette University Presents The 2012 Brew City Stomp Down Step Show Sponsored By City Year Milwaukee

On Saturday, February 4, 2012, the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Marquette University once again brings you Wisconsin’s largest step show- and this time it’s BETTER THAN EVER. Featuring the organizations of the Divine Nine: Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta, Phi Beta Sigma, Zeta Phi Beta, Sigma Gamma Rho, and Iota Phi Theta.

With a special guest host, music by Marquette’s very own DJ Poizon Ivy, and the most talented, most LIVE step crews from across the Midwest all on the Riverside Theater stage, the 2012 Brew City Stomp Down Step Show is sure to be one show you don’t want to miss.

Tickets will be available beginning Friday, December 9, 2011 at noon. General admission tickets are $20 (+ taxes and applicable fees). Tickets can be purchased online at www.pabsttheater.org/show/2012BrewCityStompDown, in person at either the Riverside Theater box office (116 West Wisconsin Avenue) or Pabst Theater Box Office (144 E. Wells Street) Monday through Friday from noon until 6:30pm, or through the box office by calling 414-286-3663.

Like in previous years, this event is guaranteed to sellout- plan to get your tickets early! For the latest updates on the show be sure to follow us on twitter: @brewcitystomp.

Please direct any questions or concerns to brewcitystompdown@gmail.com.

Bermuda’s annual reading book fair hosted by the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was held in Victoria Park on Saturday, November 5.

The book fair was about children getting books and having fun, and most importantly becoming better at reading and writing.

There were many activities for children such as musical chairs, red light, dance freeze and of course reading.

A member of the sorority read to little children seated around her in the bandstand.

Near the bandstand there was a book tent with tables full of books, free for the taking. In other tents there were arts and crafts, and if you wanted a snack, there were popcorn, cotton candy and drinks available.

Antonia Mills of the Delta Sigma Thetas said that the reading fair has been going on for 12 years.

She has worked at the fair for three to four years. During her time there, she said, it has been a very educational fair to help children with their writing and reading.

Later on, a parent, Lisa, who was doing arts and crafts with her son, said that the reading fair was very educational and that her son has improved in reading a lot for a two-year-old.

Françoise Wolff, who had just moved to Bermuda, said that it was her first time going to this book fair since she had moved here.

She had brought her son and said that she really enjoyed it and hoped to be back next year.

Nafiayah Rayner in Year 7 at the Bermuda High School for Girls (BHS) said in her opinion that the fair was more for little children and not for older children because she felt that they should have had books for over the grade six level.

She felt that it is what made the day for her a disappointment.

The Bermuda book fair was truly about the community. Kids from small to big could come and join the free, fun and educational fair which aimed to help people learn to read better.

Do you know any professional women whose stories are inspiring? Contact Cassandra Mickens at (601) 961-7280 orcmickens@clarionledger.com.

The North Arundel County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. hosted the Second Annual International Awareness Health & Wellness Expo on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at Arundel Middle School in Odenton, Maryland. The Principal of Arundel Middle School and a Delta member, Shawn Ashworth opened the doors of the school to the 2011 International Health & Wellness Expo.

The day was filled with activities for all ages. Free health screenings including blood pressure checks, vision testing, HIV/AIDS testing and dental services were offered.

Wellness services including chiropractic, massage therapy and Reiki therapy, which is a a healing technique based on the principle that the therapist can channel energy into the patient by means of touch to activate the natural healing processes of the patient’s body, were available free of charge.

Exercise classes including self-defense, mini boot camp, yoga, Pilates, Zumba, belly dancing and body sculpting were offered at the event. CPR classes were available also.

Alexandria Chambers, chair, of the Physical & Mental Health Committee and Delta member said, “I am glad to be a part of such an amazing event and I am glad to see so many people taking advantage of all the free services available at the event.”

Shawone Moore-Goldring, chair, of the International Awareness & Involvement Committee said that the day is a community service project for the Deltas and the theme of the event was physical and mental health.

Health and wellness exhibits were set up throughout the building. International Cuisine was introduced by Michael Goldring the owner of Social Butterflies Event and Catering.  Healthy food cooking demonstrations were conducted and health fair participants were able to taste test the food prepared.

The North Arundel County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority provided a kid zone at the event. Performances by local high school dancers and youth performances were held throughout the day. Members of North Arundel County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority performed a step show during the event.

“This is the second year [that] NACAC has sponsored the International Awareness Health and Wellness Expo. We are delighted to have this event, which brings all facets of our community together for an informative, fun-filled day. The Expo provides a venue for sharing information to increase our knowledge and raise our consciousness about other cultures and receive great health related information too. We also highlight our youth by having groups from around the county and beyond share their talent and creativity. By all measure, [it appears that] the community really had a great time. We truly appreciate all of the businesses, community organizations and individuals who supported this event.

The North Arundel County Chapter collected approximately 250 pairs of gently used shoes at the event that will be donated to over 127 countries through the charitable organization, “Soles4Souls.”

The Gamma Nu chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority is sponsoring a series of events this week, ranging from an etiquette dinner to a talk about women’s sexual health and pleasure.

“It is called iDelta,” said Paige Thomas, senior and hospitality chair for the chapter. “Like iPhone. ‘iDelta — There’s a program for that.’”

The sorority is a part of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, an association of multicultural fraternities and sororities.

Because of this, it is required to put on at least one week of events every year as a chapter.

“Every semester, we have a week of events,” said Jatika Exposé, senior and second vice president of the chapter.

The sorority is the first African-American public service sorority, Exposé said. This means the sorority takes a more political and active role in the community than a typical greek house might.

With each event, the sorority strives to meet five programmatic thrusts: educational, political, international, economic awareness and development and mental and physical health.

The events of iDelta are all aimed to meet those tenants and to push the limits of acceptability.

“We’re talking about really taboo topics like women’s sexual health and intra-racial stereotyping,” said Brit’ney McTush, senior and publicity chair for
the chapter.

These events are open to men or women of any background, demographic or denomination, Exposé said.

“Delta’s always involved with what the community needs at the time,”
McTush said.

Through iDelta, the sisters said they hope to spread word about what Delta stands for in the greek community and even further, into greater Bloomington.

“It’s not about us,” Thomas said. “It’s always been about community and continuing the legacy.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Headquarters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has been notified of a series of four sexual assaults in the Dallas area that appear to involve members of the Sorority. The victims areall black females in their mid-50s to mid-60s. Certain information suggests that members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority are potential targets of the suspect. According to police, the women were all home alone when the attacks took place and the suspect indicated that he knew personal information about them. Police believe that all four assaults may have been committed by the same suspect.

The suspect is described as a black male, in his late 30s to mid-40s, 5-foot-7 to 6 feet tall and weighing 250-300 lbs. He may have a thin, well-trimmed beard with a short haircut, possibly with a receding hairline or balding. The attacks took place in Plano, Coppell and Corinth between the hours of 9 p.m. and 4 a.m. “Since receiving news of these incidents, our primary concern has been the safety of our members,” said Cynthia M. A. Butler-McIntyre, National President of the public service organization. “While it is not yet confirmed that these victims were targeted because of their affiliation with the Sorority, we are erring on the side of caution and are advising our members in the Dallas area to take the necessary precautionary measures.We encourage members to be alert, remain aware of their surroundings and to call the police if they see anything suspicious or feel threatened.”

The Sorority is encouraging its members in the Dallas area to follow the safety precautions issued by the respective law enforcement agencies in the area until the suspect has been captured. Members in the Dallas area are advised to remove Sorority paraphernalia from their vehicles, key chains, homes and offices. They are encouraged to refrain from wearing clothing or accessories that identify them as members. Members are also reminded to be aware of their surroundings, ensure that their homes are locked and secure at all times, andavoid going out or staying home alone if possible.

Additional safety precautions include removing personal information, including day-to-day whereabouts, from Facebook, Twitter and other social media outlets.  The Sorority is cooperating with the local police departments investigating the assaults. Members of the Sorority have been in constant prayer for the victims and their families; for the safety of members in the Dallas area; and for the speedy capture and conviction of any and all persons involved in these heinous crimes.  “Delta Sigma Theta has a strong presence and long history of service in the Dallas area and worldwide,” said Butler-McIntyre. “To think that our members are being targeted is disturbing and extremely disheartening.

Until the individual responsible for these crimes is brought to justice, we will continue to remain in close communication with one another and law enforcement officials in the respective jurisdictions.”Anyone with information regarding these incidences or the location of the suspect is advised to call the Plano Police Department Tip Line at 972-941-2148, the Corinth Police Department at 940-498-2017 or the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 877-373-8477.