The Sigma Vibe A Publication of Iota Epsilon Sigma Chapter From the Desk of Our Basileus Greetings Sorors, WELCOME to the 2021-2022 sorority year! Our Centennial Year!!! During this year, the goal for our Chapter is to honor our Legacy and celebrate our Sisterhood. We look forward to continuing to support our Sorority’s mission and vision by planning and implementing our National Essential Programs whether it is in-person or virtual. As, we continue to navigate our way through this global pandemic we are committed to ensure that we are intentional and impactful as we service our communities keeping the SAFETY and WELL-BEING of everyone as our TOP PRIORITY!!! As we move into our Centennial celebration, I challenge my Chapter Sorors to service in the spirit of excellence as we have done in previous years and always remembering and focusing on your “Why”. As your sister and Soror, I encourage each of you to lead with love and bring your best self in all that you do in your personal and professional lives. As always, continue to honor your commitment to Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc, motto of “Greater Service, Greater Progress!!!” Sisterly, Jackquline May Centennial Basileus Follow Us... #IESigma1922 Fall 2021 Issue Save The Date... Highway Clean-Up 10/2/2021 8AM Chapter Photo Shoot - 10:30 AM October Chapter Meeting 10/9/2021 - 11:30 AM McCoart Building Women’s Wellness: IES Breast Cancer Awareness Program Wed. 10/27/2021; 7:30 PM Virtual Founder’s Day 2021 11/12/2021 November Chapter Meeting 11/13/2021 - 10 AM - 12 PM McCoart Building & Virtual December Chapter Meeting & IES Chapter Holiday Gathering 12/11/2021 McCoart Building & Virtual IESigma1922.org Iota Epsilon Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. P.O. Box 6901 Woodbridge, Virginia 22195-6901
The Sigma Vibe | Fall 2021 Self Care is Not Selfish: Invest in You Taking care of our emotional and mental health needs is important no matter what the state of the world and even moreso during a pandemic. As black woman, we wear many hats and often prioritize our needs above others. It is important to our well-being and that of those who rely on us, to practice self-care and take time for ourselves, regularly. While a spa day would be nice, there are lots of options...we just need to take the time. “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” - Maya Angelou We asked a few Sorors on how they practice self-care, and here is what they shared... Meditation is a way I practiced self-care during quarantine. It helped me stay centered and relaxed. - Soror Shareem Annan My self-care during the pandemic has consisted of making time to get outside, away from the TV and electronics and really making an intentional effort to 3 exhale and enjoy the simple beauty of nature. During the pandemic I discovered that I enjoy making things like soaps, candles, and crafts with my cricut. I also found it important to give myself grace and pass on days when I don’t feel my best. - Soror Andrea Marshall Crafting has been one way that I have been able to take care of myself over the last several months. I find that being creative and using my hands is a great outlet for me. I have also been very deliberate about articulating my intentions...which helps me stay accountable. I have been listening to sleep stories to help me sleep better and calm my thoughts at night - Soror Joy Taylor Looking for some ideas, try some of these... • Keep a journal • Set priorities and goals • Focus on positivity • Stay connected • Practice gratitude • Make sleep a priority • Eat healthy, regular meals and stay hydrated No matter how you do it, take the time, you deserve it! Congratulations 2021 IES Book Scholarship Recipients Steffanie Abbey Ciara Bess Nia Brooks Leslie Campbell Jessica Eschete Tasja Grant Moriah Groff Jacqueline Mitchell Skeylar Montgomery Solenne Montgomery Logan Russell Sydney Thaxton 2 ...to our Iota Epsilon Sigma Chapter Rhoer Tyonna Gibson who graduated from Potomac High School in Oxon Hill, MD on May 25th, 2021. Ms.Gibson will be attending Bowie State University where she will double major in Art and Psychology. Tyonna’s goal is to help the world by becoming an Art Therapist. We are so proud of you and cannot wait to see what your future holds!
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Minding Your Business: Area Meeting Wrap The Sigma Vibe | Fall 2021 The Notable Northeastern Region Area 1-3 meeting was held virtually on Saturday September 18th! This meeting was filled with exciting news and announcements. As we embark into our Centennial year, there are still many opportunities to get involved in Sigma including sitting on a Northeastern Region Committee, volunteering to help with Centennial execution, being active on the local level, or even planning to run for the upcoming Officer Election for the 2022-2024 SY. There were many amazing presentations, but the presentation that stood out most was Membership Presentation. Sorors, with Centennial Year right around the corner, it is vital that we bring as many inactive Sorors home to Sigma. We want to celebrate 100 years with all of our Sorors, and the only way we can do that is to get the Regional Not only can we uphold these hallmarks in Sigma, but we should be encouraged to use them across our life. The virtual conference was great and I am even more excited now to see what is in store for our beautiful sorority and the Northeastern Region. IES SupportS VotEr rEgIStratIon at nVCC Voting Rights is one of the 5 focus areas for the National Legislative Agenda. As a committee we choose to have annual programming around voter registration in efforts to help ensure our community is aware of the power of our vote. This year for the Social Action Committee’s Voter Registration Initiative we decided to focus on the local community colleges. We chose community colleges as a way to not only interact with the community, but also help encourage young people to become civically engaged. To accomplish this goal, we planned two voter registration events at the NOVA Loudoun and NOVA Woodbridge campuses. We also made sure all volunteers went through the VA Department of Elections Voter Registration training. During our tabling we had voter registration forms to sign up unregistered students, and created a specialized QR code for students who were unable to sign up during the duration of the events. Through these events we were able to table and meet students at both campuses. Many of the students we met were registered and so we used our presence on campus as an opportunity to remind them to exercise their right and vote in the upcoming general election. 4 them active again. The presentation left us with a strong sentiment to go out and encourage Sorors to reactive. Additionally, the presentation ended with 7 guiding principles: 1. Go After Dreams Not People 2. Love yourself and the rest will follow 3. Never lose your sense of wonder 4. You are capable of more than you know 5. No regrets in life. Just learned lessons. 6. Your only limit is YOU 7. Life goes by in a blink of an eye, so live YOUR life!
Soror Spotlight Soror Ashanti Day Hometown: Brooklyn, NY Year & Induction Chapter: Fall 2015 - Beta Nu Sigma Chapter Occupation: Operations Manager Interesting Fact: “I love learning and speaking different languages and I love traveling and trying new and different cuisine. ” Hometown: Roxbury, MA Year & Induction Chapter: Spring 2021- Iota Epsilon Sigma Chapter Occupation: Contracting Officer Interesting Fact: “I’m a big foodie.” Soror Anitra Hammett Soror Mallory Person Membership has its privileges... Reactivating with IES offers many benefits including: Σ Leadership and personal development sessions throughout the Sorority Year Σ Sisterhood of like-minded, talented and professional ladies who honor the meaning of My Sister’s Keeper Σ Various opportunities to make a difference in the community IES understands that it is challenging balancing life so we offer multiple ways to make it easier: Σ By utilizing our online web conferencing solution, you don’t have to physically be at the chapter meeting in order to actively participate Σ As a chapter, we are very flexible with schedules and various levels of commitment Σ We offer flexible payments plans including easy online payment options Interested in reactivating? Would you like to speak with a member of our Membership Committee? Contact Soror Jasmine Robinson-Cooper at: jasmine.robinson22@gmail.com or membership@iesigma1922.org. Sorors, we would love to have you active with IES. We want to help as many people in our communities as possible, and your involvement with IES will help us do just that! We’re waiting with open arms! 5
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