Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Mu Omega Zeta Chapter, and Basileus Josephine Winder participated in numerous programs and activities in April. On April 15 members, Amicae friends, and Amicettes participated in the Autism Awareness Walk and Fun Day at City Park. They played games with the children, walked around the track to help promote autism awareness, and gave a donation to Ms. Lela Harvey, program organizer.
On April 18 the sorority hosted its Legal Eagle Day of Service Event honoring the 8th Grand Basileus Violette N. Anderson with an informative talk by renowned legal scholar, Professor Angela Allen Bell from the Southern University Law Center. Professor Bell is well known for her advocacy in social and restorative justice in the State of Louisiana. Professor Bell entered the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., sisterhood through the Xi Epsilon Chapter at Northwestern State University. We relish the sisterhood opportunity to work with her.
A Financial Literacy seminar was held virtually on April 24 featuring the sorority’s own, Dr. Jamie Flanagan, 3 rd Vice President. Dr. Flanagan shared tips on budgeting, investing, life insurance, and saving by creating a “Rainy Day” fund. She stressed the
importance of paying yourself first.
Finally, on April 27 the sorority hosted an Autism Acceptance “Preparing for Adulthood” Seminar. The seminar was held virtually and was well attended by members, guests from other sororities, and community members. The program was very informative, and the speakers were phenomenal. Mu Omega Zeta member Linda Howard opened with the following poem about autism:
“Prayer for Individuals Affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders” Lord, you said, “I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. We pray for the gift of abundant life for all who are living with autism spectrum disorders. We pray for the children and adults on the spectrum who struggle to understand how the social world operates, and therefore have difficulties fitting in. Please allow them to experience dignity and the joy in life that their natural anxieties at times prohibit them from. We pray for their parents and other family members, whose challenge is to never lose hope as they work hard with love to guide and discipline.
Keep us mindful of the strength with which you grant to anyone who asks for it and help us to share our faith in you with individuals in all developmental stages.
We pray for catechists and teachers, especially when they don’t understand that the persistent talking out or unusual behaviors that a person on the spectrum may demonstrate are not meant to undermine their authority. Help them to see the gifts of these individuals through your eyes and those of the people who love them most. We pray for members of our faith communities, that they replace their stares and looks of disapproval with understanding and compassion for people on the spectrum, who daily face
great challenges, yet are trying to live the abundant life you have called them to. Give them the grace to include your most vulnerable people in the full life of the Church. We ask this in your name, Christ Jesus. Amen.
Lashanda Dowell, Mu Omega Zeta member, shared Autism Statistics, and Mu Omega Zeta member, Tracy Jackson, shared educational resources. Some resources shared were the April Dunn Act (formerly Act 833), Center for Autism and Related Disorders, and Bright Not Broken by Temple Grandin. The committee also thanks Mu Omega Zeta’s Tech Support Chair,
Cheryl Jackson, for her technical expertise.
Our mission statement is to foster the ideas of service, charity, scholarship, civil and cultural endeavors, sisterhood, and finer womanhood. These ideals are reflected in the sorority’s national program for which its members and auxiliary groups provide voluntary service to staff, community outreach programs, fund scholarships, support organized charities, and promote legislation for social and civic change.
