Page 38 - The Scepter - Fall 2016_Winter 2017

Area Conference Highlights

Area II April 6 - 9, 2017 Virginia Beach, Virginia

The last Area II Conference under the tenure of Nation- the ceremony.
al Area II Director Lady Helena L. Dodson was a record

-setting affair when it kicked off April 6-9, 2017 at the Early Friday morning, the conference was in full swing,
Wyndham Virginia Beach Oceanfront in Virginia Beach, starting with a clinic on breast cancer prevention by Dr.

Virginia. George Alexander, former deputy surgeon general for
the Army National Guard. Dr. Alexander walked Ladies

More than 250 Top Ladies, Top Teens, Lords and and Lords through risk factors for breast cancer and
guests turned out for a fun weekend that included the what women could do to reduce their risk of getting it.

debut of TLOD’s newest chapter. TLOD dignitaries
included Founder Lady Ozell Dean, National President After the Ladies’ first plenary session it was time for Ar-

Lady Drema Woldman, National 1st Vice President La- ea II to celebrate one its biggest achievements – the
dy Sharon Beard, National 2nd Vice President Lady chartering of a new TLOD chapter in Maryland. Twenty

Oteal Gilmore, National TTA Assistant Director Lady -one ladies were inducted into Top Ladies of Distinc-
Velda Hunter, TTA 1st Vice President Alexandria tion, Inc. as members of the new Patuxent River Chap-

Green, National Area I Director Lady Harnell Williams, ter. The new Ladies represent a myriad of fields, includ-
and the 11th National President Lady Jackie Pope. ing education, human resources and community organ-

Armed with the theme “Awesome Area II Continues to izing. The Patuxent River Chapter, based out of Laurel,
Lead and Serve Its Communities With Enthusiasm, En- Maryland, will be led by Chapter Organizer and Presi-

ergy and Excitement!” the 35th Annual Area II Leader- dent Wanda King. It is now Area II’s 12th chapter and
ship Conference was off to a historic start with record- its third in the state of Maryland.

breaking attendance. The Patuxent River Top Ladies weren’t the only new-

The conference started Thursday evening with a memo- bies at the area conference. Twenty-nine Top Ladies
rial service that was reverently performed by Area II were pretty in pink as they were presented during the

Chaplain Lady Tarra Taylor. Two Ladies, three Lords Acts of Kindness Luncheon. It was the most Ladies ev-
and one Teen were honored during the service. er presented at an Area II conference. The luncheon

was also an opportunity for the Ladies to celebrate kind-
The Joint Opening Session was held later that night with ness. Alana Simmons, granddaughter of the Rev. Daniel

a ceremony that had the Top Teens front and center. L. Simmons Sr., who was shot and killed in the Emman-
Lady Helena L. Dodson shared Area II’s history, and uel 9 church massacre in Charleston, S.C., offered a spe-

Area II chapters shared their accomplishments via a cial perspective on the need for kindness. In the wake of
slideshow presentation. Ladies, Teens and Lords stood the shooting, she and Rev. Simmons’ other grandchil-

as their chapters were recognized. Conference partici- dren founded the Hate Won’t Win Movement, Inc., to
pants also had the opportunity to see the fruits of an advocate for unity by demonstrating God’s love.

Area II TTA Literacy project that Lady Helena Dodson
instituted over the summer. Area II Teens wrote essays The Top Ladies and Lords ended their night with the

on the subject “What I expect from a candidate running grandest of events – the All White Bling Affair dessert
for office,” and several Teens read their essays during reception. National Area II Director Lady Helena Dod-