Page 39 - The Scepter - Spring-Summer 2018_ Area Conferences Edition

St. Petersburg Chapter sponsored their sec- prevention. We can make a difference in the lives of

ond annual health awareness event “Together We Can other by “sharing our experiences.”
Make a Difference” in honor of “Go Red for Women”.

This event was designed to implement and bring health
awareness to the community and share the importance
of “making it our mission” to fight heart disease in Area V
women, and to let our voices be heard through educa-

tion. Our goal was to reach out to women in the com- Greater Cleveland Chapter celebrated its
munity who are currently victims of this #1 killer and to 40th Anniversary with an Open House and Tea at the
bring together women who are “cardiac arrest survi- Maple Heights Library. The theme was “Reflecting on Our
vors” and have lived to tell their stories. Past, Recognizing Our Present, and Realizing Our Future”.

Lady Naomi Nesbitt, St. Petersburg Chapter President Area V Director and Special Guest, Lady Roxyanne
and Mrs. Daisy Lawson a retired educator in the com- Burrus, provided the keynote address, followed by Out-
munity are cardiac arrest survivors. In addition, we in- standing, Resourceful, Committed, Helpful, Impactful,
and Dedicated (O.R.C.H.I.D.) awards, presented to Lady
cluded women who were “stroke victims” and included Tillie Colter, National Music Director, Lady Shonda
a sickle cell presentation by Lady Teresa Norton. Lady Crowder, for her work with United Negro College Fund
Freddie Mae Robinson shared her experience and re- (UNCF) and National Association for the Advancement
covery as a stroke victim, Lady Lesa Fuller, a speech of Colored People (NAACP), and Lady Loretta Gray
therapist shared with the group how a stroke can impact for her work with Top Teens of America (TTA) and
our speech/inability to speak clearly. National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW).

“Heart Over Heels Network Mission”, an advocacy for Chapter President, Lady Jacquelyn Comeaux, presented
women with heart disease, was formed by a female in St. the 2018 Legendary Lady award to Lady Marcella Boyd
Petersburg who shared the pain of her personal experi- Cox, immediate Past President, for her leadership and
ence that her primary heart problem was misdiagnosed, tireless devotion to the Greater Cleveland Chapter, her
and later found through her persistence to get answers, work in the community and her appointment to the
that her shortness of breath was real. Several other tests State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors. Lady
were administered, and it was determined that her “real Marcella was most recently awarded Chapter President
diagnosis” was cardiomyopathy, a heart muscle failure. of the Year at the 2017 Syn-Lod in St. Louis.
She is currently wearing a “special life vest, a wearable

defibrillator, as a sudden cardiac protector. Ladies Greater Cleveland Chapter also saluted members
Lords and Teens worked together to help make this a achieving 10 years of service or more and honored 2
successful event. A healthy lunch was served to our charter members for bringing TLOD to Greater Cleve-
guest. Approximately 35-40 guest were in attendance. land. The event also included and recognized 6 pro-
This event allowed our guest to get a clear understand- spective new members. Lady Jacquelyn Comeaux is
ing of the importance of eating healthy and exercising Chapter President. She, along with 1st Vice President
regularly. Guest were encouraged to ask questions, pre- Lady Nicole Johnson, and 2nd Vice President Lady Aye-
senters were eager to make sure our guest left with a shah Douglas organized the 40th Anniversary celebra-
clear understanding of “Heart Disease” and steps to tion.