GAMMA GAZETTE a quarterly publication by Gamma Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Incorporated

Volume 2, Issue 4 Summer 2009

A WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Gamma Sorors, friends,
and associates, in just a few
weeks Iota Phi Lambda Soror-
ity’s 2009 National Conven-
tion - 80th Anniversary will
convene at the Houston Mar-
riott West Loop Hotel, Hous-
ton, Texas during the week of
July 16th- 20th, 2009. Hous-
ton has a lot to offer and
there are many exciting things
to see and do. Thanks to So-
rors Adrienne Birdine, Sonia
Harris and Jean East for repre-
senting Gamma Chapter at the
National Convention.
There are many Sorors, Pela-
tis, and Men of Iota who have
performed in an exceptional
manner, paving the way to
where Iota is today. It is just a
joy being a part of this prestig-
ious organization and I am
grateful for presiding over
Gamma Chapter for the past
2½ years.
Gamma's Board members
have been quite busy. Thanks
for all you have done and I
applaud your diligent efforts.
Our chapter will continue to
be the ”Pride of the East”
because of the commitment
and dedication of Sorors like
you.
Thanks again and I look for-
ward to seeing you in Septem-
ber.
Sisterly,
Melba Eldridge Lewis

IT’S OUR HEALTH: A SPOTLIGHT ON WOMEN’S HEALTH

August is National Immunization Awareness Month. Gamma’s focus this month is
PREGNANT WOMEN and IMMUNIZATIONS.
Why are immunizations important?
Immunization is one of the most significant public health achievements of the 20th century. Vaccines
have eradicated smallpox, eliminated wild poliovirus in the United States. and significantly reduced
the number of cases of measles, diphtheria, rubella, pertussis and
other diseases. But despite these efforts, people in the U.S. still die Inside this issue:
from these and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
Vaccines help keep a pregnant woman and her growing family Member Milestones 2
healthy. Community Involvement 2

Before pregnancy 2 Snaps for Black Facts™ 3

Before becoming pregnant, a woman should be up-to-date on rou- Regional Conference 2009 3
tine adult vaccines. This will help protect her and her child. Live vac-
cines should be given a month or more before pregnancy. Inacti- Business Month Activities 4-5
vated vaccines can be given before or during pregnancy, if needed. Founders Day 6
During pregnancy
♦ Flu Vaccine: It is safe, and very important, for a pregnant woman Scholarship Activities 6-7
to receive the inactivated flu vaccine. (Story continues on page 7, Upcoming Events back
see Immunize.)
GAMMA MILESTONES
BIRTHDAYS:
Ayauna Modlin, 8/19

IOTA ANNIVERSARIES:
Jessie Colson, Aug. 1976

GAMMA IN THE COMMUNITY

During the Spring semester, Soror Sonia Harris continued as a volunteer through
the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) at Bladensburg
High School (Bladensburg, MD) to help students prepare business plans. She asked
students questions to help guide them through the early stages of deciding to own a
business and its creation. Later in the Spring, Soror Adrienne Birdine served as a
judge during NFTE’s annual area business plan competition. Soror Birdine helped
other judges determine which students would qualify for and continue on to the
NFTE regional competition.

Soror Melba Eldridge Lewis, Trumpeter & founder of the God's Choice Ensemble,
played jazz music for Charles County Democratic Central Committee’s Truman/
Kennedy 2009 Dinner on Saturday May 16, 2009 6pm-10:30pm. Over 500 people
attended the dinner. The Harry S. Truman Award is the honor given to a Charles
County Democrat who has taken a stand for what is right, despite the popularity of
his or her stance on the specific issue. This award is presented to a Democrat who
took action that was/will be considered far ahead of its time. The John F. Kennedy
Award is presented annually to an individual who best embodies the spirit of JFK.
This award recognizes an individual who makes a difference in a way that disarms
even his or her staunchest opponents, but who never backs down. The keynote
speaker was Representative Steny Hoyer, Majority Leader of the United States
House of Representatives. A few weeks later, Soror Eldridge Lewis performed
with the Takoma Park Mobile Band during a community parade where they won
second place plus a cash gift!

PUBLICATION DEADLINES
October 1 for Fall edition [activities held during July through September]
January 1 for Winter edition [activities held during October through December]
April 1 for Spring edition [activities held during January through March]
July 1 for Summer edition [activities held during April through June]

Would you like to be featured? Do you have some advice or a yummy recipe to share? Send your typed
submission to chapter journalist, Soror Sonia Harris, via email at journalist@iota-gammadc.org.

Copyright © 2009 Gamma Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. • All Rights Reserved

Volume 2, Issue 4 Gamma Gazette, Page 2 Summer 2009

HARTFORD, CT WELCOMES IOTA PHI LAMBDA’s EASTERN REGION
1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12

1) Gamma Chapter sorors assemble the host chapter’s 2010 Call to Conference packets for the Region 2) Chapter delegate Sorors
Melba Eldridge Lewis, Adrienne Birdine, and Sonia D.R. Harris 3) Southwestern Region Assistant Director Charlotte Berry with Soror
Birdine 4) Four of the eight First Timers after their lively entrance: Soror Harris, Tangila Sanders [Kappa Chapter], Tiffany Payton [Kappa
Chapter], and Angela Berger-Batts [Beta Chapter] 5) Gamma’s delegates wait to enter session 6) Soror Eldridge Lewis performs a trum-
pet selection as Soror Anne Chester [Kappa Chapter] speaks during session 7) Soror Harris brings greetings as the new National Execu-
tive Director 8) White Rose Queen Dr. Evelyn Peevy and Eastern Regional Director Betty Wilson-Jones give special pins to the First Timers
9) Soror Harris with new White Rose Queen Charlotte Maull during Awards Banquet 10) National President Dr. Doris Browning Austin
congratulates Soror Birdine and other regional awardees 11) Sorors during the Prayer Breakfast 12) Soror Birdine with Central Region
Director Stephanie Dilworth and Southwestern Region Director Janie Samuels during Prayer Breakfast

2 SNAPS FOR BLACK FACTS ™ - Learning Black History

1. The first Black person to be awarded the Nobel Peace 3. The first Black female aviator was:
Prize (1950): a) Dr. Mae Carol Jemison
a) Dr. Ralph J. Bunche b) Ruth A. Lucas
b) Dr. Martin Luther King c) Bessie Coleman
c) Nelson Mandela d) Phyllis Mae Dailey
d) Dr. Benjamin Mays

2. The week-long celebration, "Negro History Week," which 4. The first Black mayor of a major American city was:
was expanded in 1976 and is now known as "Black History a) Tom Bradley (Los Angeles)
Month," was started in 1926 by: b) Maynard Jackson (Atlanta)
a) Ralph Bunche c) Harold Washington (Chicago)
b) Nat Turner d) Carl Stokes (Cleveland)
c) Carter G. Woodson
d) John M. Langston Answers: A, C, C, D

Volume 2, Issue 4 Gamma Gazette, Page 3 Summer 2009

2009 BUSINESS MONTH PROGRAMMING IN WASHINGTON, DC
Gamma Chapter accomplished the sorority’s signature
program and focused on bringing together subject mat-
ter experts to share their knowledge and train new and
developing business owners of the Nation’s Capital. For
this year’s Business Month programming, Gamma Chap-
ter conducted 3-part series of panel discussions aimed
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Art of the Start
Juva J. Hepburn
Acting Program Manager, Business License Division
Department of Consumer Regulatory Affairs (DCRA)
Samira Cook
Assistant Director, Training & Education
Department of Small & Local Business Development (DSLBD)
Natalie M. Cofield
Director of Industry and Economic Development
Washington, DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP)
Freddie G. Biddle
Business Development Specialist,
Small Business Administration (SBA)
to focus on “Shaping Lives through Business and Profes-
sional Development” as well as provide a scholarship. The
purpose for expanding our services in Washington, DC
and/or attending Gamma’s activities helped to build a
stronger community within a diverse group of business
educators, students, and practitioners.
The program brought together a total of 30 individuals
over a 3 week period and yielded a $100 donation from
Access Enterprise, LLC, a local DC business, towards
scholarship.
During the Art of the Start session, panelists initiated
an invigorating discussion based on DC resources that
individuals can use from the conceptual phase of an idea
to registering the business in the District, then building
on the business concept through formal and informal
means of research and partnering, leading to continued
business development. Panelists discussed everything
from registering a business in Washington, DC to doing
business in the District and finding technical and financial
assistance.

1 2 3 4

1) Soror Martin introduces panelists 2) display table with DSLBD

and SBA handouts 3) Soror Martin thanks Ms. Cofield for her par-
ticipation 4) Panelists Ms. Cook, Ms. Biddle, and Ms. Hepburn 5)
Soror Adrienne Birdine distributes certificates to panelists 6) audi-
12 ence participation 7) attendees network together 8) National Execu- 5
tive Director Soror Sonia Harris, Ms. Hepburn, and Chapter Presi-
dent Soror Melba Eldridge Lewis 9) Sorors Martin and Harris 10)
Sorors Birdine and Martin 11) Soror Birdine with Ms. Cook and her
certificate of participation 12) Ms. Hepburn explains difference be-
tween foreign and domestic business registration
11 6

10 9 8 7

Volume 2, Issue 4 Gamma Gazette, Page 4 Summer 2009

2009 BUSINESS MONTH (cont’d)
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 To coincide with
Workshop #3 of
Is ‘Green’ For You: A Look at Business Gamma’s Business
Ownership in Correlation to Being Month programming
Environmentally- Friendly in the and the upcoming
District of Columbia April 21st scholarship
deadline, Gamma
Mary Lynn Wilhere conducted a search
Program Analyst, Green Business Initiatives for a female student
District Department of the Environment (DDOE) in the District who
Rhon Hayes had a desire to attend
Green Business Owner, Partner college and study
Green DMV business administra-
tion for the Fall 2009-
Go Green! What does it really mean? At this session Spring 2010 year.
Gamma offered a panel of presenters who showed how Gamma is honored to Melanie West
to develop a Green Team within an organization or announce Ms.
company, along with best practices for small business Melanie West of the See Forever Foundation Maya
owners. Also, the panelists had a how-to discussion Angelou Public Charter School/DCPS Partnership High
regarding District government resources and some School as this year's 2009 Gamma Chapter Scholarship
small, impacting tips for conserving a businesses’ energy recipient of the Helen Newberry-McDowell Academic
and water costs. Scholarship for $5,000. She will be attending Bennett
College this fall.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Financing the Dream
Timothy A. Flanagan
Loan and Technical Assistance Manager
Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF)

Financing the Dream can come in many forms. During

this session, WACIF presented a step-by-step guide to
help attendees understand their financial position as a
business owner with the capability of receiving financing
from a bank. WACIF, a community bank of the District
of Columbia, offered genuine steps to accessing capital.
Discussion also focused on the requirements a business
owner needs in developing a loan package through a
local District of Columbia community based resource.
1 2
1-2) Mr. Flanagan gives an overview of his role with WACIF and
objectives for the workshop 3-4) Mr. Flanagan engages attendees
during question and answer period 5) Post-workshop networking
among attendees

3 4 5

Volume 2, Issue 4 Gamma Gazette, Page 5 Summer 2009

 FOUNDERS DAY 2009: CELEBRATING 80 YEARS OF SERVICE
1 2 3

4 Gamma Chapter commemorated 5

Iota’s 80th Anniversary with a dinner,
held on Monday, June 1, 2009 at the
Albright United Methodist Church in
Washington, DC. Sorors Nancy Scott
and Gloria Moser served as the Event
Chair and Co-Chair, respectively.
Gamma was blessed to have almost all
6 sorors of the chapter present at this 7
occasion, including long-time members
Sorors Jean East, Helen Newberry-
McDowell, and Jessie Colson. Chap-
ter President Soror Melba Eldridge
Lewis performed a trumpet solo for
the family, friends, and guests.
1) Soror Scott welcomes everyone to the event
8 2) Gamma sorors await dinner 3) Soror El- 9
dridge Lewis gives a sorority reading 4) Soror
Adrienne Birdine pauses for a “candid” 5)
Soror D. Lynn Gilbert enjoys reconnecting at
Founders Day after a brief hiatus 6) Sorors
Colson and East 7) Sorors East, Newberry-
McDowell, and Colson 8-9) Audience listens
to trumpet solos by Soror Eldridge Lewis 10)
Soror Vonetta Martin speaks with Sorors
Colson and East 12) Long-time friends of
Soror Newberry-McDowell
10 12

Volume 2, Issue 4 Gamma Gazette, Page 6 Summer 2009

HELEN NEWBERRY-McDOWELL SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED
During her year of serving as Scholarship Committee
Chair, Soror Vonetta Martin awaited the proud capstone
moment of awarding a deserving female student of the
District of Columbia with a check for $5,000. On Foun-
ders Day, Gamma Chapter gave a check for $5,000 to
Ms. Melanie West.
1
1) Melanie gives her acceptance speech to Gamma Chapter 2) 2
Financial Secretary & 2nd Vice President Soror Adrienne Birdine
[left] and President Soror Melba Eldridge Lewis [right] pose with
Melanie during award presentation 3) Melanie poses with the
scholarship’s namesake, Soror Newberry-McDowell 4) an up-close
view of the award check 5) Scholarship Committee Chairperson
Soror Martin with Melanie and her award check 6-7) Melanie with
her mother and brother 8) Soror Martin with Melanie
3 4

5 6 7 8

IMMUNIZE, continued from page 1

A pregnant woman who gets the flu is at risk for
serious complications and hospitalization. To learn
more about preventing the flu, visit the CDC web-
site www.cdc.gov/flu.
♦ Travel: Many vaccine-preventable diseases, rarely
seen in the United States, are still common in other
parts of the world. A pregnant woman planning in-
ternational travel should talk to her health profes-
sional about vaccines. Information about travel vac-
cines can be found at CDC’s traveler’s health web-
site at www.cdc.gov/travel.
♦ Childhood Vaccines: Pregnancy is a good time to
learn about childhood vaccines. Parents-to-be can
learn more about childhood vaccines from the CDC
parents guide at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/flyers-
brochures.htm. Also, the child and adolescent vacci-
nation schedule can be downloaded and printed at
www.cdc.gov/vaccines/spec-grps/default.htm.
After pregnancy
It is safe for a woman to receive vaccines right after
giving birth, even while she is breastfeeding. A woman
who has not received the new vaccine for the preven-
tion of tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) should
be vaccinated right after delivery. Vaccinating a new
mother against pertussis (whooping cough) reduces the
risk to her infant too. Guidelines can be found at
www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/provisional/downloads/tdap-
preg.pdf. Also, a woman who is not immune to measles,
mumps and rubella and/or varicella (chicken pox) should
be vaccinated before leaving the hospital. If inactivated
influenza vaccine was not given during pregnancy, a
woman should receive it now because
it will protect her infant. LAIV may be
an option.
For more extensive information on this
topic, please consult your physician.
RESOURCE CREDITS:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Volume 2, Issue 4 Gamma Gazette, Page 7 Summer 2009

Gamma Chapter
Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. Postage
P.O. Box 56293 Here
Washington, DC 20040
gamma@iota-gammadc.org

TRAVEL WITH GAMMA™

Need travel? Want to take a cruise?
Need hotel accommodations?
Travel with Gamma to make
your arrangements! Visit
http://www.travelwithgamma.com!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR; JOIN US FOR THESE EVENTS:

July 15-20, 2009: Iota Phi Lambda National Convention; Houston, TX
August 2009: Eastern Region Planning Meeting; Crystal City Hilton Hotel; Arlington, VA
November 2009: Gamma Chapter Small Business Expo; Washington, DC
November 15-21, 2009: American Education Week activities

Chapter Meeting dates: 2nd Saturdays, 11am-1pm.

Contact Soror Melba Eldridge-Lewis at president@iota-gammadc.org for attendance details.