ACTIVE CHARTER MEMBERS
ELENA BOUIE AND GLORIA JOHNSON
ELENA BOUIE AND GLORIA JOHNSON
Our Chapter's Beginnings
(At our 40th Anniversary Celebration in September 2011, Alpha Lambda's first president, Gloria Johnson, shared her memories. The following excerpt is from her presentation.)
"Forty years ago there was a group of energetic ladies who shared a common interest. That interest was a desire to work together in an effort to make a more significant impact on their community. Meanwhile, Iota’s Central Regional Director felt the need to organize a chapter in the South Suburbs. As fate would have it, the Regional Director, the late Belle S. Butler and I were brought together by way of a small catering business operated by Mrs. Adline Esters who was a long time acquaintance of mine from my hometown, McComb, MS. Now, Belle Butler was charismatic, persuasive and persistent. All she needed was to get the dialog started. Personally, I felt that this was an opportunity to generate scholarship funds by combining resources. After a few conversations I called Elena Bouie and Helen Randall and we agreed to meet in order to get more information.
Within a few meetings: Elena Bouie, Gloria Douglas, Jessie Edmond, Veronica Grayer, Helen Randall, Velma Webb, and yours truly, Gloria Johnson realized that Iota’s goals were of our desires and we also met Iota’s need. This was the beginning of a new dimension for us. For the next there months, we were carefully schooled and prepared for the sorority under the guidance of Soror Belle Butler and her assistant Soror Doris General. On October 16, 1971, at the Ramada Inn in Dolton, IL, we received a charter for Alpha Lambda Chapter and I served as its first president."
Our membership began to increase as early as 1972. That was the year we brought in Soror Marcella Morrison who became the seventeenth National President of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority. Later, Soror Zellner Barry served as Central Region Financial Secretary. Soror Gina Blanks Barry is the Central Region Asst Regional Director and also National FILS chair. Soror Lisa Jackson is the Central Region Recording Secretary and National Bylaws Committee Chair. Soror Deborah Harris is the Central Region Nominations Chair.
Other boastful distinctions include: In 1981 Soror Velma Webb was “Outstanding Soror of the Central Region, the same year, our honorary member, the late Dr. Violet Malone received the “Lola M. Parker Achievement Award.” Soror Elena Bouie received the “Chapter President Award and “The Central Region Director’s Award’. In 2007, Soror Gloria Johnson received Chapter and Regional “Soror of the Year ”. On the local level we have given scholarships annually since our chapter was chartered. Many of those young ladies went on to receive Regional and National scholarships. Our chapter has received many accolades and awards for our projects and activities in the community.
Alpha Lambda continues to unite in sisterhood qualified business and professional women to promote increased interest in business education. OUR HERstory CONTINUES..............
.
Within a few meetings: Elena Bouie, Gloria Douglas, Jessie Edmond, Veronica Grayer, Helen Randall, Velma Webb, and yours truly, Gloria Johnson realized that Iota’s goals were of our desires and we also met Iota’s need. This was the beginning of a new dimension for us. For the next there months, we were carefully schooled and prepared for the sorority under the guidance of Soror Belle Butler and her assistant Soror Doris General. On October 16, 1971, at the Ramada Inn in Dolton, IL, we received a charter for Alpha Lambda Chapter and I served as its first president."
Our membership began to increase as early as 1972. That was the year we brought in Soror Marcella Morrison who became the seventeenth National President of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority. Later, Soror Zellner Barry served as Central Region Financial Secretary. Soror Gina Blanks Barry is the Central Region Asst Regional Director and also National FILS chair. Soror Lisa Jackson is the Central Region Recording Secretary and National Bylaws Committee Chair. Soror Deborah Harris is the Central Region Nominations Chair.
Other boastful distinctions include: In 1981 Soror Velma Webb was “Outstanding Soror of the Central Region, the same year, our honorary member, the late Dr. Violet Malone received the “Lola M. Parker Achievement Award.” Soror Elena Bouie received the “Chapter President Award and “The Central Region Director’s Award’. In 2007, Soror Gloria Johnson received Chapter and Regional “Soror of the Year ”. On the local level we have given scholarships annually since our chapter was chartered. Many of those young ladies went on to receive Regional and National scholarships. Our chapter has received many accolades and awards for our projects and activities in the community.
Alpha Lambda continues to unite in sisterhood qualified business and professional women to promote increased interest in business education. OUR HERstory CONTINUES..............
.
A VISUAL HISTORY OF ALPHA LAMBDA CHAPTER