Eta Zeta Press

Texas State Organization

Five Star Award Newsletter

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International

Volume 51, Issue 4
Eta Zeta,Chapter 174, Dallas, Dallas County
Area 9,Texas State Organization, Texas

DKG Vision Statement: Leading Women Educators Impacting Education Worldwide

January 2015

Delta Kappa Gamma promotes professional and personal growth of women

educators and excellence in education.

Aundrea Wright Young, Editor

aundrea_wright@sbcglobal.net

Stand Up and Speak!

Do You Dare?

Sandys Stylus
Happy New Year, Eta Zeta!
I trust that you enjoyed a long
winters nap or two. Lets ring in
2015 with reflection, enthusiasm,
and excitement as we resume our
efforts to make Eta Zeta the best chapter.

Presenter:

Bonne Stroman

TSO Leadership Seminar Committee

Date: January 26, 2015

Time: 5:00 p.m. Eat & Socialize
6:00 p.m. Meeting

Convention is fast approaching. Plan now

to enjoy the fun and engage in learning activities at
Texas State Organization Convention in San
Antonio, June 25-27, 2015. We have an
additional opportunity for fun and learning at the
Southwest Regional Conference in Wichita,
Kansas, July 22-25, 2015. Please shar e your past
convention experiences with new members and
members who did not attend. Lets spread the joy
and excitement throughout our chapter!

Location:

Highland Park Cafeteria

1200 N. Buckner Blvd.
Dallas, Texas 75218

Inspiration/Meditation: Heather Hawthorne

Hostesses: Lisa Bagley, Arlene Delgado,
Debbie Duke, Kendra Perkins
Facilitators: Mary Claire Welch, Marca Lee
Bircher, Elizabeth Taheri, Ona Calvo, Sharon

Remember to frequent the DKG website for

more information and exciting opportunities. We
have a promise that we will find new enhancements and updated technology this year.

Kraus

Eta Zeta Press wants to know.We are looking forward to hearing from you!

Eta Zeta members, you have an opportunity

to submit creative works for display in the DKG
Fine Arts Gallery. The cur r ent submission
period for the next Gallery is this month, January.
You will want to visit the DKG website for an
application and submission details.

Contact: Aundrea Wright Young,

Communications Chair
By Mail: 4625 Hazelhurst Lane
Dallas, Texas 75227
By Email: aundrea_wright@sbcglobal.net
By Phone: 214-577-3179
Please submit information for publication by 2/9/15
for the upcoming issue.

Membership is every members business. If you have

ideas about how to better support chapter membership
and early career educators please share them with
committee members and officers. The Membership
Chairman is Ida Durham and the Co-Chairman is Evelyn
Hamilton. Utilize your prospect cards to garner
contact information of an educator you may want to
nominate for chapter membership. Now is a good time to
revisit our membership plan.
Our November meeting was a blast! We
welcomed four Eta Zeta Fresh Roses, Olga Math,
Susan Odeski, LaDelle Rose Smith, and Barbara
Uskovich. Special thanks to Seretha Merchant,
Ceremonies Chairman. Also, we were mesmerized by the
eloquence of our speaker, Betty Vines, Executive
Secretary/Treasurer, TSO.
Thanks to all program participants, committees,
hostesses, facilitators, members and guests for making
our last meeting of 2014 outstanding and memorable.

Eta Zeta Chapter Programs for

2014-2015
Expand the Vision: Educate,
Inspire, Encourage

Monday
August 18

Monday
September 22

Monday
October 27
Monday
November 24

We have more excitement planned for our

upcoming meeting on January 26, 2015. You will not
want to miss it!

Monday
January 26

Monday
February 23

A sister by heart,
Sandy
Eta Zeta Chapter President

Monday
March 23

Saturday
March 28

Program: Welcome to a New Year of Eta Zeta in DKG!

Time: 6:00 PM Eat, Socialize, Meeting
Location: St. Luke United Methodist Church
5710 R.L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas, Texas 75223
Hostesses: Executive Board & Beverly Leonard, Seretha
Merchant, Jean Stoner, Carol Lipton
Program: Shelter from the Storm: A Human Rights
Initiative
Time: 5:00 PM Eat and Socialize 6:00 PM -Meeting
Location: Highland Park Cafeteria
1200 N. Buckner Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75218
Hostesses: Diana Gonzalez, Sandra Woodruff, Mary Bixler,
Maria Viera Williams

Program: Education: The Good, the Bad & the Confusing

Time: 5:00 PM Eat and Socialize 6:00 PM- Meeting
Location: Highland Park Cafeteria
1200 N. Buckner Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75218
Hostesses: Elia Pardo, Marca Lee Bircher, Yvonne Manuel, Bradley Sue Howell
Program: Honor and Welcome Eta Zeta Members!
Time: 5:00 PM Eat and Socialize 6:00- Meeting
Location: On The Border
3130 Knox Street, Dallas, Texas 75205
Hostesses: Cynthia DeVies, Heather Hawthorne, Melanie
Moseley, Aundrea Young
Program: Stand Up and Speak! Do You Dare?
Time: 5:00 PM Socialize 6:00 PM -Meeting
Location: Highland Park Cafeteria
1200 N. Buckner Blvd. , Dallas, Texas 75218
Hostesses: Lisa Bagley, Arlene Delgado, Debbie Duke,
Kendra Perkins
Program: Whats in Your Bag? Got DKG?
Time: 5:00 PM Eat and Socialize 6:00- Meeting
Location: Highland Park Cafeteria
1200 N. Buckner Blvd. Dallas, Texas 75218
Hostesses: Johnnie Cunningham, Charlenta Govan,
Kathryn Hons, La Tonya Hadnot
Program: Young Artists Making a Kinder World
Time: 5:00 PM Eat and Socialize 6:00- Meeting
Location: Highland Park Cafeteria
1200 N. Buckner Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75218
Hostesses: Elizabeth Johnson, Kalva Scott, Jane Walker,
Tobizena Williams, Mary Claire Welch

Dallas County Coordinating

Council Luncheon
Lakewood Country Club
1912 Abrams Road, Dallas, Texas 75214

Money, Money, Money,

Monday

Money

May 18

Please bring your monetary donations to the

June 24-27
2015

January 26th chapter meeting in support of

Program: Happy Birthday and Founders Day!

Time: 5:00 PM Eat,and Socialize 6:00- Meeting
Location: On the Border
3130 Knox Street, Dallas, Texas 75205
Hostesses: Patricia Webb, Chelsea McNair, Norma Matthews, Barbara Stoddard

86th Texas State Organization

Convention
Grand Hyatt, San Antonio, Texas

Good teachers know how to bring out the best in students. Charles
Kuralt (Quote found at http://www.brainyquote.com/
quotes/topics/topic_teacher.html)

Eta Zeta Birthday

Wishes

TSO News

January Birthday Wishes

You Can Use

Liz Taheri
January 2

Check out our new website which is

DKG approved and ready to roll.

Sandra McMillen

Go to http:/www.dkgtexas.org
and save in your bookmarks.

January 7

Congratulations to our state nominees

for the next biennium.
President-nominee:
Marilyn Gregory (Area 7)
1st Vice President-nominee:
Patti Belknap (Area 9)

Come join the Fiesta!

2nd Vice President-nominee:

Cookee Johnston (Area 12)
Corresponding Secretary-nominee:
Sandi Causey (Area 7)
Recording Secretary-nominee:
Shalan Inmon (Area 12)
Finance Committee:
Laura Packard (Area 7)
Nelle Gentry (Area 10)
Susan Harmon (Area 14)
Nomination Committee:
Emma Jovan, Chair (Area 1)
Janet Mayo (Area 12)
Andi Kirby (Area 17)
Diane Moose (Area 3)
Ann Howard (Area 13)
Karolyn Caldwell (Area 5)
Deborah Payne (Area 12)
Dr. Barbara Derrick (Area 3)

All clipart used from Microsoft Office.com found within

Microsoft Word, Publisher, and Excel for Office 2013.

Note from the Author:

Its not love, my sister, but one sick and demented lie

It is time to speak out against domestic violence.

Silence hides violence.

No matter what he tells you, my sister

Its Not Love

Wake up, my sister, from this nightmarish hell that
youre in

Its Not Love

And reclaim your once-strong self-esteem, dignity, and

pride

By Beverly Leonard, Author of Come Inside

For no longer from reality can you continue to run and

hide

Its not love when he beats you and abuses you

You must free yourself from this ticking time-bomb

lout

Its not love when he falsely blames and accuses you

Its not love when he disrespects and curses you out

For its only a matter of time before your time runs out

Its not love when he rants, raves, and shouts

Remember, no matter what he tells you, my sister

Its not love when he pushes, pulls, and shoves

Its Not Love

No matter what he tells you, my sister

Its Not Love

Its Not Love

Its not love when he belittles you in front of his
friends

I, Beverly Leonard, give permission for

DKG to use my poem, Its Not Love,
in any capacity as the organization sees
fit.

Its not love when he wont let you visit

Or talk to your family, friends, and kin

Its not love when you must jump every time he calls
Its not love when he knocks you into the walls

Beverly Leonard,

No matter what he tells you, my sister

Eta Zeta Chapter

Its Not Love

January 15, 2015

Its not love when he controls and dominates your life

Its not love when he causes you
Lots of heartache, pain, suffering, and strife
Its not love when he threatens to beat you black and
blue

Its not love when he turns it all around

Then blames his destructive behaviors on you
No matter what he tells you, my sister

Its Not Love

Its not love when he begs you to forgive him
Then promises never to do it again
Its not love and it doesnt make him a real man

Free Domestic Violence image found within

Google Images located at

Its not love just because he sends you flowers

http://www.google.com.

U Mary Bixler was selected to

participate in the Texas State Organization

By Evelyn Hamilton

D 2015 Leadership Seminar which will be held

O February 20-22, 2015 at the Hyatt Regency

As part of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

weekend, I participated in a community service
project at a womens shelter. Several thoughts
crossed my mind while I was there. First of all, I
thought about the incredible number of domestic
violence cases. I thought about the lecture that I
heard on domestic violence when I attended an
Eta Eta Chapter program.

North Dallas in Richardson, Texas. The

S participants will use Sheryl Sandbergs book,

T
O

I kept thinking about two types of

domestic abuse, physical and verbal. I dont
know which one is worse. In physical violence,
one may end up with cuts, bruises, and even
death. Verbal violence can lower ones selfesteem. A person may think that she is not worthy
enough for a good life. Verbal abuse may even
lead to mental illness.

Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to

Lead in the seminar activities to build
leadership skills.

Mary Claire Welchs son,

O Benjamin B. Wright, will debut his original

U songs in a concert entitled, Feel The
R

Whiplash: Songs For Throwing Popcorn &

Chasing Whales at the Laurie Beechman
Theatre on 42nd Street in New York City
on January 24, 2015. Feel The Whiplash is
a part of the Texas Music, New York Stages
series in which songs of new Texas musical
theater writers are put on stage.

I wondered why people stay in such

relationships so long. Some never come out. They
live a lifetime of domestic abuse. I believe some
women stay because they believe they are
staying for the good of their children. Others stay
because they believe that they cannot take care
of themselves. Many do not have credentials for
a good job. Some stay because they believe that
their abusers really love them.

I kept asking myself what I could do to

help. I made up my mind that I would continue to
volunteer at a womens shelter if, and when, I am
allowed to do so. I will make monetary donations.
I can speak a word of encouragement. All of us
can teach our daughters and sons to be kind to
others. We can tell them if, by chance, they end
up in an abusive relationship to get out quickly.

50 years of membership within Alpha

T Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. on January 31,
A 2015. 50 years of service means that both
ladies will be considered Golden Sisters.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is the first
M Greek-lettered sorority established and
incorporated by African-American college
E women.

A
Z
E

These are my thoughts. What are yours?

Let me challenge all Delta Kappa Gamma
women to do whatever you can to help.
Start today.

M
B
E
R
S
5

Evelyn Hamilton and

Seretha Merchant will celebrate

Eta Zeta Initiates Four New Members

Society. They were presented with long

stem red roses as they accepted membership. Those members standing in support of
their nominees for membership were
Bradley Sue Howell, Evelyn Hamilton, and
Jane Walker. Following the ceremony,
members were led in a Recommitment
Ceremony and a song, Enter Our
Company by Cynthia DeVies. Eta Zeta
members greeted and welcomed the new
members personally. All members joined
hands to sing the Delta Kappa Gamma
Song. It was an evening to remember.

By Seretha Merchant
Eta Zeta Chapter met at On the Border on Knox Street on November 24, 2014
to have a time of fellowship, to hear words
of encouragement, and to initiate four new
members into Eta Zeta Chapter of Delta
Kappa Gamma. The restaurant, On the
Border, set the mood for the evening by
offering gracious service and a delicious
dinner of each members choice. Cake was
served to members in honor of the occasion
of initiation. Mary Florence, one of our
charter members and one of the first women
principals in the Dallas Independent School
District, was in attendance for the evening.
It was an honor to have her present for the
initiation of four new members into Eta
Zeta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma
Society International.
Following a short business meeting,
Betty Vines, Texas State Organization
Executive Secretary and Treasurer, brought
words of encouragement and information to
the Eta Zeta members. She spoke about the
opportunities offered by Delta Kappa
Gamma at the local area, state, and international levels. She encouraged members to
participate in the Society as much as possible so that they may reap the numerous
benefits of membership.

Thanks to our TSO Executive Secretary

and Treasurer , Betty Vines, for your
outstanding words of encouragement.
We love you!

Seretha Merchant, Ceremonies

Committee Chair, organized the Initiation
Ceremony. She lead the membership
through the ceremony to welcome Susan
Odeski, Olga Math, Barbara Uskovich, and
LaDelle Rose Smith as new members to the

Photography by
Aundrea Wright Young
6

1st Vice President Mary Bixler, TSO Executive

Secreatry & Treasurer Betty Vines, and
President Sandra Foster Brown smile for the
camera.

Eta Zeta members Patricia Webb,

Cynthia DeVies, Mary Bixler, and
Mary Claire Welch speak to chapter
members during the November meeting.

Our new roses, Barbara Uskovich, Olga

Math, Susan Odeski, and LaDelle Rose
Smith enjoy fresh flowers, fellowship with
the President, and new tea sets.

Photography by
Aundrea Wright Young
7

Eta Zeta Spotlight

Her commitment to leadership and her generosity

to share her professional experience to make a
difference is inspirational to all of us. What a blessing to have Elaine as a member of Delta Kappa
Gamma! We have much to learn from her.

Dr. Elaine Thomas

By Mary Claire Welch

With love and respect,

Eta Zeta Chapter

Eta Zeta Chapter would like to congratulate

Elaine Thomas. Elaine has been honored with the
Bayard H. Friedman Hero Award for Outstanding
Fine Arts Administrator. Elaine is currently serving
Dallas Independent School District as the Director
of Elementary Art and Music in the Department of
Visual and Performing Arts. She has worked for
the school district for forty-three years. For the first
thirty-six years Elaine taught elementary music.
Elaine was well-loved by her elementary school
students and when she left her position of music
teacher she was asked, Have we done something
wrong to make you want to leave? Her response
was, No, not at all students in our district get to do
what we do in our music class, and I have the
opportunity to help make that happen.
Elaines vision for the future of music
education for the elementary children in the district
has been born of her experiences in the classroom.
She attributes her success to a colleagues mentorship as she was first seeking to make her vision
become a reality. It was Craig Welles, Executive
Director of Fine Arts, who taught her to plan and
time the steps toward realizing her vision.
Elaine expresses that her commitment to her
vision of providing the gift of music or art to
elementary students is motivated by faces of
teachers and students as they experience music or
art together. She calls the experiences the memory
making business. It is the memory making business that has motivated many students to remain
in school to graduate. Her position has afforded her
the opportunity to impact all of the elementary
students in Dallas ISD. She states, I strive every
day to give them memories to last a lifetime!
Elaine has been a member of Eta Zeta Chapter since 2007. During that time, she has helped the
chapter to deliver programs focusing on the arts.
We are very proud of Elaine and her
accomplishments to impact the lives of so many.

********************************************

Deadlines Are Approaching

Are You Ready?
February 1

TSO Bylaws and Rules Amendment

Proposal

Chapter Presidents Annual Report

Chapter Necrology Annual Report

TSO Achievement Award Nomination

Golden Rose Award Nomination

March 1

TSO Scholarship Applications

Mini-Grant Application

How are SMART phones and

chapter programs connected?
Times up.
Have you ever attended a meeting
(not DKG), watched a TV program,
read an article, or just sat
contemplating a topic and thought to
yourself, That would make a great
program? Then, when you get to the
chapter survey for future program
ideas, you cant remember? Well,
whip out that SMART phone, and
record that idea. When you get to the
planning meeting, you will be SMART!

Dear Area 9,
As I read your newsletters, I am
grateful that I was somehow guided to
surround myself with individuals who
are about the business of improving the
world by helping others and modeling
admirable generosity and understanding.
Having access to your newsletters has
deepened my perspective on the depth
and breadth of our Society, which the
collective work of its members has
achieved.

And speaking of programs, have

you made reservations for the TSO
convention in San Antonio?

It would be

So my wish for each of you is very

simple: May your 2015 be resplendent
with good health, rest, prosperity, and
abundant joy and fun. May it be the
best year ever!

sweet to see you

in San
Antonio!

Happy New Year, Area 9!

Texas State
Organization
Convention
June 25-27,2015

Delta Kappa Gamma Society International

Eta Zeta Chapter Meeting

November 24, 2014
Minutes

The welcome was given and the meeting called to order at 6:10p.m. by President Sandra Foster Brown. Our President
welcomed Mary Florence, a Charter Member for 52 years. The Agenda was approved by consensus.
Patricia Webb gave our Inspiration. It was entitled The Kings of Thanksgiving. Cynthia DeVies inspired us with her
Musical Moment, Enter our Company.
The following Reports of Officers were presented. The Minutes were approved as printed. Aundrea Wright Young gave
the Communications and Publicity Report. The Chapter received a Thank You from our Area IX Coordinator, Michelle
Grandinetti. We received a note of thanks from Community Partners of Dallas for the donation of the two boxes of
School Supplies.
Mary Claire Welch gave a report on our Chapter Brochure. She enclosed two copies in each Yearbook Packet. Leigh
Taylor gave the Treasurers Report. The Educational Excellence Report was given by Mary Bixler. Our January Program
will be Stand Up and Speak, which will be presented by Bonnie Stroman who is the Governor of the Toastmaster.
Joanne Szalay gave the Amenities Report. She introduced a former member, Rocio Jenkins. Norma Matthews is being
honored by the Dallas Peace Center. Mary Bixler has been selected to attend the 2015 Leadership Seminar, Evelyn
Hamilton and Seretha Merchant have been honored by Alpha Kappa Alpha. Barbara Stoddard will celebrate her 40th
Anniversary December 20th. Diane Gonzalez was named Teacher of the Month by the B.H. Macon P.T.A.
Reports of Standing Committees were given. Mary Claire thanked Kendra Perkins for serving as Co-Chair of the
Yearbook Committee. She also thanked Evelyn and Mary for their assistance in producing our Yearbook.
The Reports of Special Committees were presented. Seretha announced that we still had 5 umbrellas left to sell for our
Fundraising Project. Cynthia announced that Missy ASTEF was here and ready to be filled up before we left the
meeting.
Sandra Foster Brown introduced our Guest Speaker Betty Vines, Executive Secretary/Treasurer of the Texas State
Organization. She spoke on the importance of Thanksgiving as we cherish our family and friends. She spoke about DKG
International and the many opportunities that are available to us. She also spoke about the opportunities we have to
help others in this service organization.

Following Ms. Vines, we held our Initiation Ceremony. Seretha and the Installation Team presented a moving and
inspiring ceremony as we welcomed our newest Sisters, Olga Math, Susan Odeski, LaDelle Rose Smith, and Barbara
Uskovich. At the end of our ceremony we sang Enter our Company. We then sang The Delta Kappa Gamma Song.
The meeting was adjourned by our President Sandra Foster Brown.

Respectfully Submitted,
Ona Calvo
Recording Secretary

10