KD Connect for Alumnae - December 2010
Welcome to the KD Connect for Alumnae, the place to get all the latest news on national Kappa Delta, local alumnae chapters and Kappa Delta members who are doing great things.
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Take Note
International Girls Day Sparks Celebrations Around the World
Christmas Seals: 85 Years of Helping Children in Need
All Our Triumphs
Live GREAT: A KD Relies on Faith, Service and Friendship
Shop the KD Boutique
Alumnae Today
Enter to Win a Vera Bradley Tote
Check it Out: Great News!
Connect with KD
Take Note
KD Posts National Council Applications
Applications for National Council offices are now available on the KD website. Each application consists of three parts that must be returned to the Transitional Nominating Committee chairman: the application form, the conflict of interest statement and the ethics statement. Also on the website are the policies and procedures for the Nominating Committee passed by the National Council, a general introduction to the new process and website area, a timeline for the Nominating Committee, and questions and answers about the new nominating process.
If you are interested in pursuing a position on the National Council, wish to nominate someone or are just curious about how the new process works, go to kappadelta.org/nationalcouncilnominatingprocess.
Kudos to KD!
The Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors gave a shout out to Kappa Delta in its recent newsletter to members with the following comment: “Sorority programming such as National Women’s Friendship Day and the new Confidence U grants are a GREAT example of HQs promoting programming that is innovative and gets the campus involved in the initiative.”
Calling All Girl Scouts!
Girl Scouts of the USA is trying to identify alumnae so that they can be included in the organization’s upcoming 100th anniversary celebration. To register, go to girlscoutshs.org/alumnae.
New Opportunities Open for Alumnae
Kappa Delta has chartered two new alumnae chapters, Alabama River Region in Montgomery, Ala., and Virginia Beach, Va., and reorganized the Northern New Jersey chapter, originally established in 1930. This brings the number of active alumnae chapters to 258 nationwide! For more information about alumnae opportunities in your area, visit kappadelta.org or contact alumnaeservices@kappadelta.org.
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Confidence Coalition
International Girls Day Sparks Celebrations Around the World
By Bria Bolton, Initiatives and Communications Manager
From Kentucky to Kenya, more than 10,000 girls celebrated the first International Girls Day on and around Nov. 14. With the theme, “She Can Do Anything,” International Girls Day, created by Kappa Delta Sorority on behalf of the Confidence Coalition, empowered girls to realize and achieve their dreams.
“What began as a simple idea to celebrate girls’ confidence grew into an exciting day with celebrations around the world,” said Melanie Schild, Kappa Delta Sorority’s executive director. “We’re proud to provide an opportunity for girls to be inspired and encouraged.”
Many prestigious organizations including Girl Scouts of the USA, Girl Talk, Girls on the Run, National Charity League and the global organization CARE celebrated International Girls Day. Allykatzz.com, Discovery Girls Magazine and Justine Magazine also promoted and encouraged celebrations.
Various events included community interest fairs, sporting events and community service projects. Many participants heard from inspirational speakers such as local athletes, politicians and educators.
Confidence Coalition member Vera Bradley hosted an International Girls Day event at its store in Germantown, Tenn. Special guests Pat Miller, Sigma Upsilon-Indiana and co-founder of Vera Bradley, and Allisyn Arm of Disney’s “Sonny With a Chance” spoke to the girls about following their dreams.
“I had a great time at the International Girls Day event in Memphis and hope to see everyone there next year, too,” said Allisyn. “In the meantime, go to confidencecoalition.org to get involved!"
Another celebrity, MTV personality and author Julie Marie Carrier, used material from her book “BeYOUtiful” to help hundreds of girls in Williamsburg, Va., understand the real beauty that lies within each of us.
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| This participant at the Girl Scout event in Memphis gets the message that girls can do anything – including changing the world! |
All Kappa Delta collegiate chapters celebrated International Girls Day with local Girl Scouts. In Memphis, 500 Girl Scouts gathered for a celebration at the botanical gardens with performances and presentations from local celebrities, musicians and dance groups, and some 1,000 Girl Scouts participated in a spectacular event in Tallahassee, Fla. Alpha Rho-Maryland hosted an event where girls traveled to various stations learning about self-confidence. At one station, girls used flip cameras to tape each other describing a confident, healthy lifestyle while another station allowed girls to design T-shirts with positive quotes.
International Girls Day participants nationwide learned about the Healthy Media for Youth Act (H.R. 4925) that seeks to support media literacy programs, promote research on the effects of media images and push for the adoption of voluntary guidelines for healthier media images. In Baton Rouge, La., Epsilon-LSU hosted an event for 119 Girl Scouts that included guest speaker Kelley Pagayoko, a legislative aide at the Louisiana House of Representatives and a former Girl Scout Gold Award recipient. Kelly works as a lobbyist to advocate for healthy media and assured the girls that they are beautiful on their own and that it isn’t right to judge their appearances based on photos of celebrities
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Epsilon-LSU member Ellie Boggs signs
a Girl
Scout’s “passport” showing
the
International
Girls Day event stations
that she visited.
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During their International Girls Day event, Girl Scouts
and
KDs from
the Nashville alumnae chapter, Beta
Tau-Vanderbilt
and Delta Pi-Middle
Tennessee
State pose for a TV camera
from NBC affiliate WSMV-TV.
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To read more about International Girls Day activities, go to celebrategirlsday.com or confidencecoaliton.org. Click here to view a short clip from CARE of girls celebrating the holiday in Nairobi, Kenya.
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From the Archives
KD Christmas Seals Help Children in Need for 85 Years
By Shirley McCann Gee, Archivist
In 1925, Kappa Delta introduced Christmas seals, a fundraiser for the sorority’s first national philanthropy, Crippled Children’s Hospital in Richmond, Va. Today members’ donations go to Kappa Delta’s Children in Need fund that supports the sorority’s work with Girl Scouts of the USA, Prevent Child Abuse America, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum Art and Leadership Program for Girls, KiDs Grants, Kappa Delta Orthopaedic Awards and other philanthropic efforts, including Children’s Hospital.
The first seals were created under the leadership of KD National President Gladys Pugh Redd and Christine Hopkins, chairman of the Hospital Committee, and designed by Service Press of Indianapolis. The seals cost one penny each, and the sale was limited that year to college chapters and alumnae who sent in requests for them. The seals were received with such enthusiasm that in 1926, they were sent to every member of the sorority, and since that time members have received the seals every November to use on their holiday correspondence. There is no charge for the seals, but it is the hope of the sorority that members will donate generously to the Children in Need fund.
In the March 1928 issue of The Angelos, the hospital chairman offered a $5 prize for the best design for the seal to be used the following Christmas. This design contest has been held annually since that time, with winners now receiving a $100 cash prize and national exposure in KD publications. The deadline to submit entries for the 2011 Christmas seal is April 1, 2011, and guidelines are posted at
kappadelta.org.
The 2010 design was created by Marlena Usher, a graphic design major from Alpha Xi-Louisville. Marlena has served KD as chapter secretary, Shamrock ‘n’ Run chairman and website chairman. She is the Student Government Association website coordinator, a three-year recipient of a trustees’ scholarship, Sigma Alpha Epsilon sweetheart and the 2010 U of L Best Personality in Greek Life.
The use of Christmas seals designed by members is unique among Greek-letter organizations and adds a cheery note to holiday mail. Many of the designs have expressed the Christmas spirit; others have been appropriate for general use. All, however, have been symbolic of Kappa Delta’s 85 years of service to children in need.
Click here for more KD history!
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All Our Triumphs
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Epsilon Phi-California/Santa Barbara alumna Carolyn Buck, second from right, is a member of the Southern California Women's team that captured the United States Tennis Association 5.0 Adult National
Championship. USTA is the largest tennis association in the world with more than 700,000 members. The national tournament was held in October in Indian Wells, Calif. |
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Monica Bianckino Myska, an independent financial advisor with Green Financial Group of Houston, an affiliate of Raymond James Financial Services Inc., completed the Institute of Investment Management Consulting Certification Series. Monica, a Gamma Rho-Sam Houston State alumna, has more than 30 years of investment experience. She will share tips for “Fiscal Fitness” during the January meeting of the Houston Day alumnae chapter. For more information about the upcoming presentation, contact Denise Knight, Houston Day AC president, at denisenite@gmail.com, and for more information about Monica, visit monicamyska.com. |
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In summer 2008, Kellybrooke Blackwell Brown created a 10-week theater
arts class for children at The Whole Backstage Theatre in Guntersville,
Ala. The Delta Delta-Troy State drama grad had five children sign up. A
winter 2009 session drew 30 students, and Kellybrooke was well on her
way to achieving her goal of 50 students in three years, a goal she
exceeded in only two years when nearly 100 kids showed up to audition
for the summer 2010 production of “Peter Pan.” In addition to directing
the play, Kellybrooke led a weeklong “Broadway” camp for 60 young
performers. While fun was the obvious reward, Kellybrooke believes her
students also gained an appreciation for the arts and the talents of
others and most importantly, self-confidence. For more information,
visit wholebackstage.com. |
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Melanie Vincent, Beta Epsilon-Tulsa, was named 2010 Teacher of the Year
at All Saints Catholic School in Norman, Okla. Melanie, who has taught
middle-school English for five years, was recognized during the Norman
Chamber of Commerce annual banquet. In addition to her work as a
teacher, Melanie is a student pursuing her doctorate in English
education from the University of Oklahoma. |
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Epsilon Epsilon alumna Jeannine Underwood Collins is chairman of the
Appalachian State University board of trustees. Jeannine has previously
served as board secretary and vice chairman and as a member of the
search committee for the director of athletics and the chancellor’s
installation committee. She is past president of the university’s
alumni council, a member of the Athletics Council and has been active
on the Yosef Club Advisory Board, including terms as secretary, vice
president and president. In 1996, she received the alumni council’s
Outstanding Service Award. Jeannine also maintains ties with Kappa
Delta, most recently speaking with Epsilon Epsilon collegians and local
Girl Scouts on International Girls Day. |
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With the release of her first extended play CD, Lauren Rainey is making
the transition from reporter to entertainer. The Epsilon Epsilon alumna
earned her degree in broadcasting from Appalachian State University and
went on to work as an entertainment reporter in Charlotte, N.C., and as
a host/reporter for Country Music Television. In 2010, she co-hosted
the pre-concert show for Rascal Flatts, including fan interviews, games
and more. Lauren performs as a musician with The Music Circle in venues
around Nashville, and to creatively promote her music, she recently
recorded a music video using the Sprint 4G cell phone HTC EVO, which is
running the ad campaign “What will you do first with EVO?” Lauren’s
video, “Crazy In Love,” can be viewed on YouTube. For more information
about Lauren and to read her blog, visit laurenrainey.com. |
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Live GREAT
A KD Relies on Faith, Service and Friendship
By Sherry Anderson, KD Connect Editor
“I never wanted to be the story; I wanted to report on the story” says Tamara Jolee Metcalfe. “One week I won a Texas Associated Press Award, and the next week a doctor told me I had five to seven years to live. My life literally changed in an instant – and so did my dreams.”
The Zeta Alpha-Texas Tech alumna’s dream from a young age was to be a journalist. Instead of reading books together, her family read the newspaper. They also shared a love of sports, with the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers the home team favorites. “I knew it was my destiny,” Tamara says about the career she went on to have covering news and sports for NBC- and FOX-TV affiliates in Dallas. “My sports show on Fox reached a dozen markets across the country, and it was empowering to know a female could carry a 30-minute sports show. Many didn't think it'd work, but it did.” And best of all, Tamara says, “I had a blast!”
Tamara received the news on Sept. 24, 2009, that at age 29 she had non-Hodgkins lymphoma, a terminal illness. She remembers it was a sunny day – a foreshadowing perhaps of the sunny attitude she’s chosen to adopt. Tamara says, “Some people ask my family if I'm in denial because there is no way I can be this joyful with what's happened in my life. For some reason, people can't or don't want to understand it. However, I was a survivor long before I had cancer because I understood that life's a gift, and heaven is eternal. When I was diagnosed with cancer, I never once asked ‘Why me?’ Instead, I asked ‘What's next?’”
What came next was a life that Tamara had never envisioned. After nearly dying in March 2010, Tamara left her job in journalism and is now a spokeswoman for I Am Second, a national movement founded by Texas-based e-3 Partners Ministry that inspires people to place God first in their lives. Tamara’s days are filled with speaking engagements and media interviews. Her face can be seen on printed materials, including billboards, but it’s video that portrays her spirit. Tamara shares her personal struggle and faith in a video message posted on www.iamsecond.com and on YouTube. “The spotlight is nice,” she says, “but my favorite part of the campaign is visiting with the people who come up to me and say 'God really spoke to me while hearing you talk ... or watching your video.’ That's what it's all about.”
Tamara first heard about I Am Second through her work as a sports reporter. A number of athletes have shared their stories on the website, which also features celebrities such as actor Stephen Baldwin, former Gov. Mike Huckabee, author Ann Rice and American Idol contestant Jason Castro. Sometime later, while visiting Rangers all-star Josh Hamilton and his wife, Katie, I Am Second came up in conversation. Tamara says, “I saw the passion in their eyes! I wanted to be a part of the movement.”
Part of the message that Tamara shares with others is this: “Life is simple; it really is. We all face battles; we all go through peaks and valleys and various seasons in life. If someone is facing a serious illness or hardship, I’d tell them that it's OK to be angry and mad, but it's even better to use that energy elsewhere. Surround yourself with people who are positive and will uplift you. Reach out and serve others in more desperate situations. Do not let your circumstance define you. Set a goal that you'll no longer be sad or mad or depressed. Instead, get up, keep moving and keep your eyes fixed on what's ahead.
“Doctors say I'm dying; I'm living more today than ever before because I'm full of joy,” Tamara says. “After I got sick, I quit living for others and society's expectations for me. Instead, everything I do must have a purpose. People always say 'you're so happy...' and really, I am. No, I don't like getting chemotherapy treatment. I don't like seeing my family suffer through my illness. I don't like doctors telling me that my body is failing. However, I do like knowing that I have a God who's already healed me of any anxiety or fear I'll ever meet. I'm at complete peace.”
In addition to her work with I Am Second, Tamara has joined forces with her sister, Tara, also Zeta Alpha-Texas Tech, to promote awareness of blood cancers and cancer in young adults. Tamara says, “Young adults have the lowest survival rate of any other group, and the reason is because oftentimes we don't have a voice. We're forgotten. Tara won't allow that to happen, and she's teamed up with Zeta Alpha chapter to help with my mission. It's a snowball effect. KD alumnae are coming out from everywhere asking how they can help; it's been amazing to watch. KD is still very much an integral part of my life, and it always will be.”
While at Texas Tech, Tamara served as chapter president and credits the experience for teaching her leadership, organizational and speaking skills that she uses every day. She says she also learned “at the core of it all, people just want to be loved and respected.”
Tamara enjoys sitting down with current chapter members and discussing their purpose and dreams. “I did not always think like that until I pledged KD. I had older women in the chapter who would encourage me to volunteer at philanthropy events and give with my heart. It's something I really grew to enjoy, and to this day, I know KD was a huge part of that desire and want to help others.”
Faith in God, service to others and friendship – three of Kappa Delta’s basic tenets – are helping Tamara cope with her illness. She says, “I move forward because I have a strong, loyal group of girlfriends. With us, it's never about me and my cancer; in fact, we never talk about it. Instead, we come together and do a lot of outreach work. And most importantly, my Kappa Delta sisters remind me daily that laughter truly is the best medicine.”
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Alumnae Today
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BALTIMORE
Girl Scouts join KDs from the Baltimore and Anne Arundel County alumnae chapters and Zeta Mu-Towson in celebrating Founders’ Day with a potluck supper at the home of Cydny Hofmann Holt. |
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CENTRAL ARKANSAS
AC President Rachel Davis Lipsey, right, recognizes Martha Robertson Carvill for her induction into KD’s Emerald Circle. The group hosted a dessert reception in honor of Founders’ Day and also delivered white roses and certificates to the homes of 11 members who are celebrating 50 years or more of membership. |
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EPSILON TAU-CLEMSON
KDs celebrate Founders’ Day before the Clemson-Georgia Tech football game on Oct. 23. |
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HOOVER
From left, Elizabeth Hicks Sharpe, Colette LeBlanc Tatum, Dana Carpenter Judy and Gayla Simpson Camp and Jennifer Hargett Cherry, who is not pictured, participate in the Susan G. Komen Race for a Cure. The team walked in honor of fellow AC member Kathy Mitchell Paiml.
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NASHVILLE
Alumnae, from left, Rachel Neiheisel Raker, Lily Belle Palmer and Donna Smith Thomas and Delta Pi-Middle Tennessee State collegians Laura Beth Uselton and Chelsey Elliott are part of the nine-member KD team who participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure to support breast cancer awareness and research. |
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NORTHERN NEW JERSEY
Celebrating Founders’ Day for the first time as an alumnae chapter are members of the Northern New Jersey AC that officially reorganized on Oct. 24. With a view of the New York City skyline, 13 members enjoyed brunch together at a Hoboken, N.J., restaurant. |
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RICHARDSON/PLANO
AC members gather at the home of Kappa Delta Foundation board member Neva Cochran for an Ever Loyal reception that included special guests National President Beth Martin Langford, KD Foundation Treasurer Tracey Wolfe, and Collegiate Membership Director 10 Alane Hall.
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SEATTLE
During a Founders’ Day brunch that included members of both Seattle alumnae chapters and Sigma Iota-Washington collegians, former National President Patricia Beecham Nieman, at right, welcomes, from left, Jean Schneider Stewart into the Emerald Circle and Barbara Burton Stone, Corinne Dignon Hill and Carol Stensland Falor into the White Rose Circle. |
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ST. LOUIS
– Fifty years of KD membership is recognized with the induction of White Rose Circle members, from left, Carolyn Boewer Cotta, June Hartig Smith, Marian Stewart Webb and Rosemary Cromer Boustany. The Founders’ Day dinner also honored members of the Nautilus (25 years) and Emerald (60 years) circles. |
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TULSA
Dinner at a local restaurant brings together Tulsa alums for a Founders’ Day celebration. |
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TWIN CITIES
Seated from left, guest speaker Meghan Brady from the University of Minnesota Panhellenic gets acquainted during the Twin Cities Founders’ Day luncheon with KD alumnae Darlene Juliar Riach, Sarah Sundberg Perry and, standing, Bev Bjork Spagnoletti and Cathy Winchell Gies. |
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Enter to Win a Vera Bradley Tote!
Still looking for the perfect holiday gift for your daughter, niece or other favorite tween girl? Then here’s your chance to purchase that gift, enter to win a Vera Bradley tote bag and support the Confidence Coalition and Kappa Delta Magazine Agency! Purchase a Discovery Girls magazine subscription for that special girl in your life between now and Dec. 31, 2010, and your name will be entered to win a Vera Bradley tote bag. One entry per subscription, so you can increase your chances of winning!
Discovery Girls, which is all about giving girls confidence, has joined the Confidence Coalition as a media sponsor. The only magazine created by girls for girls, it deals with the issues, feelings and fears that are really important in a girl's world, such as making friends, worrying about not fitting in, and experiencing the pressure to be perfect. Girls realize they're not alone, while learning ways to get through difficult times, develop resilience, grow and above all, believe in themselves.??
For the past 10 years, Discovery Girls has given girls ages 8 and up the advice, encouragement and inspiration they need to get through the difficult preteen years. The only tween magazine that allows its readers to write feature stories, model and appear on the cover, Discovery Girls gives girls a voice, addresses their fears and answers their toughest questions, all in an exciting format with quizzes, fashion, sports, embarrassing moments, crafts and more. Discovery Girls celebrates girls' uniqueness and encourages them to love all that they are.
To purchase Discovery Girls magazine:
1. Go to
kd.efundraising.com
2. Type the name of your collegiate or alumnae chapter where it asks for "
Chapter Name."
3. If you want to view a list of every collegiate or alumnae chapter, leave "Chapter Name" blank.
4. When "Search Results" are displayed, click on the name of the collegiate or alumnae chapter that you want to give credit for your purchase.
5. Click on "
Support Us" and then "
Browse the Store" to take you to the online store.
6. Enter Discovery Girls in the search field in the upper right corner and follow the prompts to purchase online easily and securely!
To receive a printed catalog of magazine offerings, please e-mail
magazineagency@kappadelta.org or phone 901-371-6357.
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Great News!
See what media around the country are saying about Kappa Delta:
MTSU Sidelines
“Members of the Kappa Delta Sorority of MTSU are teaming up with fellow members from Vanderbilt University to co-host International Girls Day ...”
OSU Daily O’Collegian
“The Kappa Delta Sorority and University Health Services joined together on Tuesday to present “Relationship U” ...”
Indiana Daily Student
“About 70 members of Kappa Delta spent hours working on 19 banners last week - one for each sorority on campus - to help kick off the first annual Kappa Delta Confidence Week ...”
WDAM-TV Hattiesburg
“The Southern Miss Kappa Delta Sorority Beta Sigma Chapter held their annual 5-k run Sunday afternoon to raise money for Prevent Child Abuse America ...”
Ball State Daily News
“When Kappa Delta member Lindsey Arnold died in 2004, the sorority learned the importance of brain cancer awareness. With the Twistin' the Night Away Twister ...”
Illinois Wesleyan University
“Kari Grace … has been selected as Illinois Wesleyan University's recipient of the 2010 Lincoln Academy of Illinois Student Laureate Award …”
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Connect to Kappa Delta!
The communications department has an e-mail address for members to submit news about themselves and their sisters. When you send your news to kdnews@kappadelta.org, it goes automatically to The Angelos, the online KD Connect, KD websites and Facebook pages. Let us hear from you today!
Join us on Facebook!
Follow us on Twitter!
Connect with us on LinkedIn!
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