Several members of the Grambling Alumnae Chapter (GAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. traveled to Baton Rouge for a conference held for Louisiana chapters.
The 2014 Louisiana Statewide Red and White Day at the State Capitol and the Louisiana Statewide Meeting were combined. This year marked the 30th anniversary of Red and White Day. Members met at the state’s capitol for legislative sessions and presentations.
Mae Frances Rowlett, Southwest Regional Director, said the Louisiana chapters were the first in the sorority to host Red and White Day.
Delores Smith, Louisiana State Coordinator and member of GAC, was responsible for planning the events. It was her job to decide when and where the conference was held as well as decide what workshops would be held.
Smith said, “I thought that it was well attended, informative, and sorors that came and participated left with a wealth of knowledge about Delta.”
She said it is a good idea for members of the sorority to attend such events.
“It is important to attend statewide because of the workshops, training, and fellowship. It is an intensive weekend of sisterhood and learning and a way to meet new sorors,” said Smith.
Two GAC members, Hazel Hunter and Grace Tatem, were recognized during the 50+ Years as a Delta portion of the Red and White Dinner Gala Awards and Recognition program.
Hunter, who was initiated in Grambling State University’s Delta Iota Chapter during Spring 1962, thought it was wonderful.
She said, “Being honored was one of the important events that stood out in my life. It reminds me of all the services that I try to give back to my community.”
In addition, Hunter said the statewide conference and Red and White Day were events to be remembered.
“The workshops were rea lly good and you can use them in your everyday life, not just in DST,” said the president of the chapter’s foundation.
Other GAC members who attended the statewide meeting and Red and White Day were Janis Bluford, Terri Coates, Beverly Crawford, Mary Davis, Gwen Giles, Kathy Holmes, Patricia Hutcherson, Gloria Moore, Linda Stringfellow, Donna Todd, Verdell Ventroy and Liz White.
Dr. Paulette C. Walker, the sorority’s 25 National President; Cheryl A. Hickmon, National Secretary; Tiffany Kidd, Southwest Regional Representative; and Ariel Johnson, Louisiana State Facilitator. also attended the events and addressed the audience.
Dr. Walker talked about being a good Delta and said she is looking for some good Deltas to join her in “uncompromising committment to communities: service, leadership, empowerment.”
GAC received numberous awards at the statewide meeting. The awards the chapter brought home include the Seed Grant for Read me a Story, GAC’s summer reading program. For its political awareness and inolvement, the chapter received the State Program Signature Award, and the Flagship award for being in compliance.