Life is Precious - Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

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Partnering for healthy generations Ladies of the Iota Zeta Sigma chapter in Atlanta are some of the many sorors nationwide that watched “Precious” and discussed the cultural impact of the film. Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. partnered with Lionsgate Studios to drive and sponsor forums for candid discussion on child abuse, low self-esteem, teen pregnancy and other challenges faced by many of today’s youth in conjunction with the studio’s release of the film Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire. Like the 1996 novel Push by renowned author Sapphire, the movie, directed by Lee Daniels, depicts the story of Clareece “Precious” Jones, a young teen who faces a multitude of challenges that threaten to break her body, heart and spirit. With focus on issues which impact young women on a daily basis, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. develops and maintains community alliances to drive strategies that promote smart decisions by young people. Coinciding with the limited screen release on November 6 and nationwide on November 13, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. hosted local community forums nationwide in at least 22 cities with the support of numerous community partners. “Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. is pleased to be able to join with Lionsgate Studios to address a very poignant crisis facing young women,” said 22nd International Grand Basileus Joann Loveless. “The candidness and explicit details have earned the movie an R rating, but we encourage everyone age 17 and up to go see this graphic tale about unimaginable teen and family struggles being suffered by millions every single day.” In addition to Lionsgate Studios, Sigma Gamma Rho worked nationally with the March of Dimes and the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy in this venture to sound a call to action and open discussion about the important issues raised in the film, including the importance of developing positive and sustaining relationships, encouraging mentoring, and avoiding too-early pregnancy and parenting, as well as to emphasize the support and care available if pregnancy occurs. Life shaping ideals are the hallmark of the sorority’s community service initiative, H 3 It’s All About ME!: Healthy Choices, Healthy Living and Healthy Generations, designed to support Sigma Gamma Rho’s Project Reassurance program which is geared specifically toward young teens. The release of the movie Precious also coincided with the sorority’s 87th Founders Celebration. 32
A Child’s Disease A Family’s Struggle Although they are siblings, Joseph and Taylor Woody are very different. Joseph has Asperger’s syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder. By Tia Carrouthers What does autism look like? The physical attributes of Down syndrome? Sad? Physical deformities? No. Autism looks like Joseph Woody. Like Jordan Goodwin. It could look like your son or daughter. Autism spectrum disorders, or ASD, are a group of complex developmental disabilities that typically appear before a child turns five-years old. These neurological disorders affect the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. The disorder affects children differently and at varying degrees. There are three types of ASD: autistic disorder (common autism), Asperger syndrome and pervasive development disorder (PPD-NOS). Autistic disorder is the more extreme form, whereas Asperger syndrome is milder and PPD-NOS is more so in the middle. These disorders affect boys more frequently than girls. Children with autistic disorder often times develop normally until around two-years old, then they stop developing skills and can lose the skills they have. Asperger syndrome is a little different. Those afflicted with Asperger’s are able to communicate well and often times have average to above average intelligence. Children with autism are not interested in socializing with others, whereas children with Asperger’s want to fit in with others but they don’t know how to. People with Asperger’s, more times than not, are able to grow into self-sufficient adults, unlike those with autistic disorder, who normally are dependent on others all of their life. It is very hard to diagnose autism. There are no medical tests so it takes observations and interactions with the child by psychiatrists and doctors. This process can be very stressful for parents. “When something is wrong with your child and you can’t get a handle on it, it becomes very hard to deal with,” said Soror Tezra Woody. There are no definite causes of autism. It could come from genetics, pregnancy complications or environmental factors. Jordan Goodwin, nephew of Soror Ullanda Tyler, is a six-year-old first-grader. On the exterior he’s a normal boy, but on the inside he is in constant battle with autistic disorder. When Jordan was born, he seemed to be a typical happy baby. When he was 18 months old, his parents started to worry. He hadn’t uttered one word. After spending some time with his great grandmother, who works with children with disabilities, she mentioned to his mother, Rayyanna Goodwin, that it appeared Jordan had autism. Jordan’s parents didn’t think their son was autistic because he was beginning to say words like “mama,” “da-da” and “bye-bye.” But a few months later, their son began to change. Jordan began to throw uncontrollable tantrums, biting and hitting himself. Winter 2010 • The Aurora 33
Page 1 and 2: Life is Precious An interview with
Page 3 and 4: Volume 77, No. 2 The official organ
Page 5 and 6: Upcoming Features It’s back! We h
Page 7 and 8: Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorpora
Page 9 and 10: It’s wrong It’s prohibited It
Page 11 and 12: Beacon of Light “Check Your Bulb
Page 13 and 14: priorities in the Obama administrat
Page 15 and 16: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW STEVE HARVEY CO
Page 17 and 18: TAKE NOTE! Soror Tiffany Flowers pe
Page 19 and 20: • Greetings Sorors, Philos, Rhoer
Page 21 and 22: Special Boule Guests Bertice Berry
Page 23 and 24: well as shorten life expectancy. As
Page 25 and 26: $1000 State Farm Scholarship Vivian
Page 27 and 28: 2009 Officer Essentials Training Le
Page 29 and 30: August my husband and I struggle wi
Page 31 and 32: Set in Harlem in 1987, Claireece
Page 33: Q You had a lot of trials and tribu
Page 37 and 38: Joseph to always feel protected and
Page 39 and 40: International Grand Basileus Lovele
Page 41 and 42: AURORA: What do you want others to
Page 43 and 44: There are many possible reasons for
Page 45 and 46: The Face of Teen Pregnancy By Cryst
Page 47 and 48: Beta Tau Morgan State University, B
Page 49 and 50: Alpha Eta Sigma Chapter Philadelphi
Page 51 and 52: The chapter displayed true dedicati
Page 53 and 54: of the community. The “Ten Pearls
Page 55 and 56: Affiliate News Beta Delta Sigma Tal
Page 57 and 58: Certified/Registered Vendors 3 Sist
Page 59 and 60: think Sisterhood think Greater Rale

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