The Links Quarterly Newsletter

H/ATHE LINKS QUARTERLY #TRULYETA 2017JAN-MARCH ISSUE 1 VOL. 2 MEMBERSHIP DRIVE 2017Our Sisterhood SUBTSOCDRAIYBEThe Eta Auxiliary ClubCELEBRATING OUR RAW CHEFFOUNDER MARILYN HARRIS THE NEWSLETTER THAT NEVER STOPS IMPRESSING!  ETA ALPHA

TABLE OFCONTENTS02 Our Sisterhood Matters06 Teen Abuse Awareness08 Eta Friendship Foundation10 Celebrating Our Founder12 What America Means To Me AIdrneilgclcmoiotrarepdldo,midraaeisetdetniradcibwl©ouistteehdoouristtrftaohnreseemnxtipter,reotsarsicnehmdaenangntedpawunrryiptotteesxnetsc, oponincsltyeu.nrYeto(ousf)m,EgatrayapAnholpitchcsaooSproyaroonrryity,

#TRULYETA is a 2017 marketing brand designed to illustrate our authenticity and class Eta Alpha is stepping up in 2017 to cultivate a culture of strong, empowered women who are motivated, committed, and who are confident in all things Eta. We are providing every member with a rewarding Sorority experience offering a plethora of personal and professional development opportunities, leadership training, and social engagements that create memories for a lifetime. To bring this to life, we invite you to our 2017 campaign, 'Truly Eta'. This year's campaign speaks to its associated theme, \"Boots On The Ground\", and bring continued transparency of who we are. We look forward to bringing 'Truly Eta' to life. Be on the look out for our 'Truly Eta' icon this year on all of our marketing materials.Page 1

BECAUSE OUR AHPLA ATESISTERHOOD MATTERSBY ETA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATEDSometimes we meet temporarypeople in our lives and they don'tstay for too long because they'reactually a lesson for us. They teachus how to become stronger, andmore independent asindividuals. Then one day, youbecome an Eta and realize thatsisters do not have to be relatives,they stick around, and they are ablessing instead.DOOHRETSIS In Eta, we have sisters that we can say anything and everything to. We keep one another lifted up in prayer and one another cracking our sides, laughing. We preserve our relationship, and we value our sacred rituals and traditions because we know that like our flower, the yellow tulip, it can blossom into a greater friendship that can withstand anything, and everything. Together, we are unstoppable. Page 2

CHANGING THE NARRATIVE EAT HEALTHYGROW YOUR OWN GREENSThe Beta Chapter invited Raw Chef, Marilyn Harris of Miami, Florida for a virtual event onFebruary 28, 2017. Chef Harris spoke on the merits of Eating Healthy and Growing Your OwnGreens.Chef Harris, a health educator, is known for her great tasting, nutritious plant-based recipes thatare quick and easy to make. When her husband experienced a health crisis in 2015, ChefHarris discovered that food can be the best medicine so she drastically changed her eating habitsin support of her loved one. She is now on a quest to empower others to become as healthy aspossible.Chef Harris demonstrated how we can grow our own sprouts and greens very easily and alsoinformed us of the benefits of doing so. Everyone present was very enthusiastic of the presentationand requested to have her again. Page 3

ETA ALPHA AUXILIARY CLUB MEMBERSHIP DRIVE COMING SOON

A PROM DRESS TO Remember BY SOROR TENEKA WHITFIELDSince giving back is among the mostimportant and valuable initiatives welove to do, this prom season, our EtaAlpha Friendship Foundation alongwith our Alpha Chapter, hosted ourfirst annual A Prom Dress toRemember project.This project was designed to sponsorone underserved high school seniorfor the purchase of her dream promdress. The Alpha Chapter Affiliatewas the visionary of this project whonever had the privilege to attendprom.We intend to continue this annually.If you would like to make a donation,or become a sponsor please send usan email [email protected]. N O M A D I C | 2 4 Page 5

FEBRUARY IS http://www.breakthecycle.org/)BY SOROR TENEKA WHITFIELD PARENTS THERE ISFebruary is Teen Dating Violence Awareness HOPE FORMonth. We want you to know that there is a lotyou can do as a parent to prevent teen dating YOUviolence and abuse. More than 1 in 10 teenswho have been on a date has also beenphysically abused by a boyfriend or girlfriend inthe last year. One of the most important thingsyou can do is keep the lines of communicationopen with your kids. Take steps to make adifference:Be a role model – treat your kids and otherswith respect.Start talking to your kids about healthyrelationships early – before they start dating.Get involved with efforts to prevent dating Page 6violence at your teen’s school If you are worriedabout your teen, call the National Dating AbuseHelpline at 1-866-331-9474 or text “loveis” to22522.

MARTIN LUTHER KING WEEK was a celebration week In honor of Martin Luther King. The MARATHON BAHAMAS Beta Chapter represented the sorority by participating in the SUSAN G. KOMEN’S Marathon Bahamas Susan G. Komen Run for the Cure® 5K RUN FOR THE CURE® 5K Breast Cancer event. Monetary support was also provided to BREAST CANCER EVENT the Sister Sister Cancer Survivors’ Organization. It was a JANUARY 26, 2017 very exhilarating and fun-filled day, yet also empowering. This was the first time participating in a 5K race and beingBY SORORJACQUELINE MAYNARD-CAMPBELL able to finish was quite an accomplishment. Seeing all the survivors of breast cancer, walking along beside some of them and embracing them was the highlight of the day. Page 7

THE ETA Is the giving arm of Eta Alpha. Its purpose is to advance the FRIENDSHIP Sorority's vision to be recognized as the premier multicultural FOUNDATION women's organization who through its gifting, support, services, and funding, will shift atmospheres and create progressive changeBY ETA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED in the world we live in. Our foundation holds each of our donors in the highest regard and it has established multiple opportunities to allow individuals to determine how they would like to give. We are launching our first annual Donation Drive beginning June 1. Our donation drive will reach donors and potential partners around the globe. The mission of the donation drive is to increase our funding by 130% for the 2017-18 fiscal year. This mission can be accomplished through donations we are seeking. Donors will see the benefits of their giving through our ongoing performing arts scholarship, our S.T.E.M. scholarship, Military Servicewomen initiatives just to name a few. Through our Donor Recognition Program, they are celebrated on a global scale by way of our international website, our quarterly newsletter, our internal circular, all along with personal donation gifts sent to them directly. Visit www.etaalphasorority.org to learn more. Page 8

GO RED WITH ETA ALPHAAMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATIONBY SOROR JACQUELINE MAYNARD-CAMPBELL Heart disease is the #1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths a year, that’s approximately one womanThe Beta Chapter celebrated Go Red Day for Women every minute.on February 3, 2017 in conjunction with the American The Beta Chapter also, actively joined the Go RedHeart Association’s Annual Event. Sponsored by Get Fit Facebook page, which includes women whoMacy’s, this event brings awareness to the risk of have survived heart failure and those who supportheart disease in women and avocation of more them.research and swifter action for women’s heart health. Page 9

CELEBRATING \"HERE'S TOOUR FOUNDER ALMOST TWOBY ETA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED YEARS AND COUNTING!\"On a warm sunny morning in June of 2015, aneducated, professional woman received divine Soror K. Meelah Lowery is so passionate aboutappointment to begin what we are all growing to love what God has given her and we are thankful sheso much, Eta Alpha Sorority. said yes to the cause. Her tireless efforts days in and days out have not gone unnoticed. God isHer goal is to see our membership reflect the surely smiling down on her and on us.diverse and multicultural communities in which weserve. She believes that culturally-identifiable When interviewed by our marketing department,servitude can further our mission as a sorority to be here's what she had to say, \"When I started my firstthe global conglomerate it is destined to be. organization back in 1998 in Tallahassee, FL, I thought I knew what sisterhood was. It was not untilOur Kingdom directive is \"One Sound, One Voice'. 2015, that I began to understand my purposeThis directive is what shapes our development through it. It became clear to me that sisterhood isthrough our Three-Point Axis, the philanthropic bigger then me, bigger than anything I can be. And\"guiding light\" of our sorority. since, I know it's never been about me. It's always about God. I am committed to our operation of excellence in providing events and content that is attainable, measurable, and relative to you and your family. Thank you for continuing to believe in us.\" \"...it's never been about me. It's always about God.\" Page 10

Visit https://www.endometriosis.com/ ENDOMETRIOSIS AWARENESSOver time endometriosis can cause scarring or adhesions inside the reproductive organs,pelvis, and intestines. Adhesions are like spider webs inside the abdomen. It has beenspeculated that when the scarring occurs on reproductive organs it can contribute tofertility issues and increased menstrual pain. Some 3 to 10 percent of all women haveendometriosis, while 9 to 50 percent of infertility is caused by this condition. A much newerunderstanding is that significant amounts of evidence associates endometriosis with highlevels of dioxins, a type of environmental toxin. Page 11

BLACK HISTORY MONTH WHAT AMERICA MEANS TO MEBY SOROR JACQUELINE MAYNARD-CAMPBELLIn honor of Black History Month, the means to them in this time and era.Beta Chapter hosted a virtual event Conclusion was that significantbased on Dr. Mary Mcleod Bethune’s progress has been made in freedomhistorical speech at America’s Town equality for Black Americans sinceMeeting of the Air, New York City on 1939, we even had a Black President;November 23, 1939 “What Does however, we are not there yet. BlackAmerican Democracy Mean to Me?” Americans, especially the averageThe speech was read and the Black Americans, having full equality ofparticipants of the event discussed and freedom is still a work in progress.gave their view points of what Event was very successful andAmerican Democracy enlightening.CHANGING THE NARRATIVE

SE toaroAriltpyh a SPECIAL THANKS TO All Eta Allies, Family, and Frinds who helped make this possible through their contributions.Eta Alpha Sorority, incorporated SPECIAL THANKS TOP.o. Box 13401 Tampa, Fl 33617813-586-4461 | 813-374-4461 The contributions of all photographers, videographers,[email protected] content writers, proof, and anyone who have made thiswww.etaalphasorority.org possible ALL RIGHTS RESERVED SPECIAL THANKS TO Eta Alpha Sorority, Incorporated The members of this illustrious sisterhood who came together to contribute their time and talent to this publication