Page 12 - Gamma Zeta Chapter New Member Reception Souvenir Journal
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Chapter History The Gamma Zeta Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. was chartered on April 29,1956 in Newport News, Virginia. Seven strong, courageous women known as Georgia Bingham, Lillie Jones, Gladys Ford, Estelle Chapman, Francis Johns, Martha Thomas and Sophronia West felt a need to become a member of such a distinct organization. The goal was to establish a local chapter of professional businesswomen in the area to carry out the objectives of Lola M. Parker, Founder of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. The last two Charter Members, Sorors Gladys Ford and Lillie Jones, were members of the Gamma Zeta Chapter until their passing in 2015. All charter members have been committed to the Omega Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. In October 2008, the Gamma Zeta Chapter implemented our Future Iota Leaders (FIL) Club for youth in the Hampton/Newport News area to instill the importance of business, professionalism and leadership. The chapter offered tutoring through the FIL Club for all courses required for a standard diploma in the state of Virginia grades K-12 each Tuesday evening at New Found Joy Ministries, Hampton, VA. Currently, the chapter’s tutorial project is held every Tuesday at Hampton High School for students needing additional help to recover credits for on time graduation. During the 2015-16 sorority year, the chapter started the Georgia R. Bingham Iota Mothers Assistance Program scholarship for a high school teenage mother pursuing a degree at an accredited college or university as apart of the sorority’s IOTA Mother’s Assistance Program. The chapter hosted its first Toys “U” Can’t Return Workshop on Saturday, February 18, 2016 at Hampton High School. Our members are not only active in their chapter, but on the regional and national levels as well. Soror KaShauna Spratley currently serves as the Eastern Region Financial Secretary since 2016, and holds the title of Eastern Region Soror of the Year for 2017-2019. Soror KaShauna Spratley was the winner of the sorority’s first National Convention T-Shirt contest, and her design was used at the official convention T- shirt for the 2013 National Convention. Soror Catherine Winston holds the appointed position of Eastern Region Parliamentarian, and has served on the National Executive Board as the Eastern Regional Director from 2009-2013, the Assistant ER Director from 2006-2009, the Financial Secretary from 2004-2006, and the Recording Secretary from 1995-1998. Soror Montrose Cones served as the National Executive Director from 2008-2016. Soror Elsie Reaves served as the Eastern Region Financial Secretary from 2007-2011. Soror Gertrude Powell served as the National Treasurer from 2005-2009, and as the Eastern Region Treasurer from 2003-2005 and 1995-1999. Former member Soror Karen Cherry served as the Eastern Region Treasurer from 2010- 2014. Soror KaShauna Spratley was the Eastern Region Outstanding Soror of the Year from 2017-2019. Since our courageous beginning, the Gamma Zeta Chapter has co- hosted several successful Eastern Regional Conferences to include the 79th held in Hampton, Virginia, April 2016 and the 69th held in Hampton, Virginia April 2006, and the first hosted on the campus of Hampton Institute. Sorors have attended Regional Planning Meetings, Regional Conferences and National Conventions sponsored by the sorority for over 60 years.