Page 15 - New Bern Alumnae History-63 Years 8-1-16

The History of New Bern Alumnae Chapter

Soror Esther M. Hardin
South Atlantic Region 2016 Alumnae Soror of the Year

At the 27th South Atlantic Regional Conference in Virginia Beach, Virginia,
Soror Esther Hardin was selected as the Alumnae Soror of the Year for the
region, the culmination of her long and service-filled contributions to the
community and the sorority.

Soror Hardin is a 1966 graduate of NC Central University in Durham, NC,
with a Bachelor's Degree in Library Science. She obtained a MLS in
Library Media from the University of Maryland College Park. Soror Hardin
was initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in 1981 through the Prince
George’s County Alumnae Chapter in Maryland. While there, she served as
an advisor to the Kappa Phi Chapter at the University of Maryland. Among
her professional honors, she was named Bowie Teacher of the Year in 1989,
and Prince George’s County Educator of the Year in 1995.

In 2000, Soror Hardin retired as Director of Staff Development from Prince George’s County Public
Schools, and relocated to New Bern where she became affiliated with New Bern Alumnae. Soror Hardin
served as Vice President (2003 to 2005), and has worked on numerous committees including Chair of
Membership Services (2009 to 2011) and Chair of Health and Wellness (2009 to 2011). Additionally,
she served as Area Founders Day East Chair in 2003, and NC Spring State Meeting Co-Chair in 2010.
For her dedicated service, Soror Hardin was selected as the New Bern Alumnae Delta of the Year in
2012.

At the regional level, from 2011 to 2016, Soror Hardin
was the NC Social Action Chair for the South Atlantic
Region, which involved coordinating and facilitating
Social Action activities, workshops, and initiatives for
North Carolina. Included in her responsibilities were
coordinating the annual Delta Day at the NC General
Assembly for the more than 60 chapters in North
Carolina; and organizing the NC caucus of sorors at
Delta Days in the Nation's Capital.

Her accomplishments in the community are equally

significant. Among many varied positions, she was June 10, 2016, Virginia Beach, VA - Soror Esther Hardin

Treasurer of the Neuse Pamlico Sound Women's receives Alumnae Soror of the Year Award from 22nd
Regional Representative Deandrea Newsome and 16th
Coalition (2002 to 2007); Chair of the Craven County Regional Director Andria M. Jeffries.

Board of Elections (2006 to 2009); President of the

Climbers Club of New Bern (2007 to 2012); Chair of the Craven Carteret Pamlico Regional Library

Board (2010 to 2015); was the Eastern NC Representative appointed by the Governor to the State

Library Commission (2008 to 2012); and, NC Federation of Negro Women Awards Chair (2008 to

2016). She is a member of St. Peter's AME Zion Church where she has served as a Deaconess, Class

Leader, Missionary, Conference Secretary, and soup kitchen volunteer.

Page 15 of 16