The Violet Voice| Vol. 2 Issue 4 | Winter-Spring 2022

VOL 2
Issue 4
THE VIOLET VOICE
South Broward Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
Quarterly Newsletter
MESSAGE FROM
THE PRESIDENT - 2
A SPIRITUALLY
DRIVEN CHAPTER- 3
2021 RECAP - 4
SBAC SPOTLIGHT -10
A POEM FOR THE
NEW YEAR - 13
LOOKING AHEAD- 15
NEW YEAR ISSUE

FROM
MESSAGE
PRESIDENT
Dr. Showanda Richardson
Welcome to the 2022 edition of The Violet Voice. As South Broward Alumnae
Chapter begins a new year, we would like to share with our readers some of the
outstanding programs we’ve provided to impact the lives in our communities.
One of the visions of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is for its members to give
power to our communities through our voices. As a public service organization, we
have a responsibility to tell the stories that won’t or can’t be told by the people
who live them.
The South Broward Alumnae Chapter gives a voice to our communities through
our careers, our connections, and our education. Doing so gives purpose to our
service. We realize as an organization of Black educated women, that not
everyone has the opportunity or resources to be able to tell their story. Through
human connection, uplifting programs, and supporting initiatives, we empower
those stories and the voices of those who have experienced them.
As we share the stories in The Violet Voice, it is our hope that one of these stories
will resonate with you and encourage you to partner with us to advance and
empower our community through service. Dr. Martin Luther King said, “Life’s most
persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?"
Reflecting on all the good memories we have made thus far, we give thanks for
being able to be a blessing in the lives of others. We pray that your life will be
enriched by these stories and the work we will continue to do in the coming year.
On behalf of the members of South Broward Alumnae Chapter, I thank you for
sharing in this edition of The Violet Voice.
“Your voice can change the world.” ~ Barack Obama
N e w Y e a r I s s u e | P a g e 2 I s s u e 0 4

DID YOU KNOW WE
HAVE A CHAPLAINS
COUNCIL?
Delta women are praying women and many
are Reverends and Ministers. Right here in
South Broward we are making sure Sorors
have the spiritual support they need. Meet
our SBAC First Chaplains Council: S. Bevill, D.
Delaine, V. Daniels, E. Baptiste, T. Jackson, M.
Robinson, and J. Hollis (not pictured).
The chaplains council was established to
provide a body of women to provide spiritual
support, inspiration and guidance to our
chapter members. The chapter is growing.
Therefore, the demands of our members
(during such a time as this) may benefit from
a team approach to spiritual support and
guidance.
This team meets monthly to plan and
implement select activities to impact the
spiritual growth of our members. To date, a
Bible study is being planned as well as a
church worship session for our members.
N e w Y e a r I s s u e | P a g e 3 I s s u e 0 4

2021

The vast majority of Americans say the
COVID-19 epidemic is a serious stressor, with
more than 40% saying they've gained
undesired weight since the start of the
pandemic, in March 2020.
Many Americans worked from home,
students attended classes virtually, gyms
were closed, and most businesses were
closed or had occupancy restrictions. The
pandemic caused a lot of changes in our
daily lives. Many slipped into unhealthy
eating habits during the stay at home
period.
The inaugural Dining with the Deltas event
was birthed out of a need to inspire Deltas
and the community at large to recommit to
a healthy lifestyle, in spite of the COVID-19
Pandemic.
Due to the overwhelming response from the
inaugural event, on Friday, November 12, 2021, the
Second Annual Dining with the Deltas event was
hosted featuring Chef Joya, a vegan celebrity
chef. The goal of the event was to raise funds to
offset the expenses for the 2022 Deltas on the
Run 5K event and to highlight and support an
African-American Celebrity Chef. The Chef
educated the community on healthy meal
alternatives for the upcoming holiday season, with
the goal of improving overall health in the African-
American community. 116 participants registered
for the event.
PHYSICAL & MENTAL
HEALTH COMMITTEE

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE
“Oh my God, I’m blown away” is how Marilyn Brummit of the
Broward Outreach Center (BOC) described how she felt
when she looked at more than 100 household goods filling
the table before her.
The Virtual Housewarming Party, sponsored by South
Broward Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,
Incorporated was an overwhelming success as Deltas
eagerly took to the Walmart Registry to purchase over 100
new essential items like bedding, dishes, grills, vacuum
cleaners, dishes, lamps and more!
N e w Y e a r I s s u e | P a g e 6 I s s u e 0 4

E i g h t y - f i v e p e r c e n t ( 8 5 % ) o f t h e w o m e n w h o l i v e a t t h e
B O C c o m e t h e r e a s a r e s u l t o f s o m e t y p e o f a b u s e t h a t
h a s e v e n t u a l l y c a u s e d t h e m t o b e h o m e l e s s . M a n y
c o m e w i t h c h i l d r e n a n d g r a n d c h i l d r e n i n t o w , s e e k i n g
r e f u g e a n d r e s o u r c e s t o p u l l t h e i r l i v e s b a c k t o g e t h e r .
T h e d o n a t e d i t e m s w i l l g o a l o n g w a y t o w a r d h e l p i n g
t h e s e w o m e n s e t t l e i n t o a p l a c e o f t h e i r o w n , o n c e
t h e y a r e a b l e t o l e a v e t h e B O C .
S B A C D e l t a s h a v e m a d e t h i s a n a n n u a l h o u s e w a r m i n g
p a r t y . H o w e v e r t h i s y e a r , t h e E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t
C o m m i t t e e w e n t a s t e p f u r t h e r a n d o f f e r e d a
w o r k s h o p , “ M o n e y M a t t e r s ” , t o s h a r e i n s t r u c t i o n o n
s u b j e c t s l i k e b u d g e t i n g a n d o v e r a l l f i n a n c i a l l i t e r a c y .
T h e w o r k s h o p w a s w e l l a t t e n d e d w i t h m o r e t h a n a
d o z e n r e s i d e n t s , a l o n g s i d e a n e q u a l n u m b e r o f
s o r o r i t y s i s t e r s w h o d e m o n s t r a t e d t h e i r i n t e n t t o
e n g a g e w i t h t h e m t h r o u g h o u t t h e y e a r .
E v e r y o n e i n v o l v e d w a s b l e s s e d b y t h i s e v e n t o f
g e n u i n e l o v e a n d g i v i n g . A s M s . B r u m m i t s o e l o q u e n t l y
s h a r e d , “ T h i s i s G o d ’ s w a y o f l o v i n g p e o p l e i n a
p r a c t i c a l w a y ” .
N e w Y e a r I s s u e | P a g e 7
I s s u e 0 4

INTERNATIONAL
AWARENESS & INVOLVEMENT
N e w Y e a r I s s u e | P a g e 8
I s s u e 0 4

The International Awareness and Involvement Committee held a total of
three Haiti Relief Drives in 2021. The drives were held on September 10th and
11th during the Reclamation Retreat and October 16th and December 4th. On
September 10th and 11th, baby wipes, disinfectant wipes and pampers were
collected.
On October 16th the drive was held at the Lowe’s Parking lot and toiletries
(soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, hand sanitizer,
sanitary napkins, etc.) were collected.
The last drive was held on December 4, 2021 for Shoes, Socks and Flip Flops. It
was held at the Lowe’s parking lot. 47 Deltas and 31 members of the
community donated and $230 was collected in donations. At this final drive,
we collected 324 flip flops, 131 pairs of shoes, 925 pairs of socks, and Christmas
decorations.
N e w Y e a r I s s u e | P a g e 9 I s s u e 0 4

SBAC
Spotlight
Celebrating appointments, promotions and recognition of
members of the South Broward Alumnae Chapter members
N e w Y e a r I s s u e | P a g e 1 0
I s s u e 0 4

Appointments
On September 14, 2021, Jeanne Charles was sworn in by
President Biden to serve on the Federal Labor Relations
Authority (FLRA) Federal Service Impasses Panel. The Panel is a
component of the FLRA that resolves impasses between federal
agencies and unions representing federal employees. If
bargaining between the parties, followed by mediation
assistance, does not result in a voluntary agreement, then
either party or the parties jointly may request the Panel’s
assistance.
Promotions
Before being promoted to Executive VP and COO of the
Memorial Healthcare System in June of 2021, Leah Carpenter had
already been CEO of three hospitals in the Memorial Healthcare
System network.
In her new role, Ms. Carpenter will oversee operations at all six
Memorial hospitals, including Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital,
and major service lines, such as oncology, neurosciences,
behavioral health, rehabilitation, global health, laboratory and
pharmacy services.
In all, she has spent nearly two decades in a variety of leadership
roles within Memorial and 34 years overall in the healthcare
industry.
N e w Y e a r I s s u e | P a g e 1 1
I s s u e 0 4

Robin Boclair was promoted to the role of Executive
Director with Miami Dade School Board, Office of Charter
School Compliance and Support.
Her primary responsibilities include leading a team that
will ensure Charter Schools are accountable and
compliant; providing quality a education for all students.
Alicia Hollinger was promoted on September 7, 2021 to
Market Operations Manager for the state of Florida at
PNC Bank. In this role, she will be leading the daily
operational functions of more than a few dozen branches
and will be required to travel often.
Quakish Williams Liner was promoted to Dean of
Academic Services, overseeing the Robert “Bob” Elmore
Honors College, Transfer Services, Articulation and Dual
Enrollment Programs at Broward College in October
2021.
N e w Y e a r I s s u e | P a g e 1 2

New Day's
Lyric
by Amanda Gorman
A Poem for the New Year
Image: Getty Images

M a y t h i s b e t h e d a y
W e c o m e t o g e t h e r .
M o u r n i n g , w e c o m e t o m e n d ,
W i t h e r e d , w e c o m e t o w e a t h e r ,
T o r n , w e c o m e t o t e n d ,
B a t t e r e d , w e c o m e t o b e t t e r .
T e t h e r e d b y t h i s y e a r o f y e a r n i n g ,
W e a r e l e a r n i n g
T h a t t h o u g h w e w e r e n ' t r e a d y f o r t h i s ,
W e h a v e b e e n r e a d i e d b y i t .
W e s t e a d i l y v o w t h a t n o m a t t e r
H o w w e a r e w e i g h e d d o w n ,
W e m u s t a l w a y s p a v e a w a y f o r w a r d .
*
T h i s h o p e i s o u r d o o r , o u r p o r t a l .
E v e n i f w e n e v e r g e t b a c k t o n o r m a l ,
S o m e d a y w e c a n v e n t u r e b e y o n d i t ,
T o l e a v e t h e k n o w n a n d t a k e t h e f i r s t
s t e p s .
S o l e t u s n o t r e t u r n t o w h a t w a s
n o r m a l ,
B u t r e a c h t o w a r d w h a t i s n e x t .
*
W h a t w a s c u r s e d , w e w i l l c u r e .
W h a t w a s p l a g u e d , w e w i l l p r o v e p u r e .
W h e r e w e t e n d t o a r g u e , w e w i l l t r y t o
a g r e e ,
T h o s e f o r t u n e s w e f o r s w o r e , n o w t h e
f u t u r e w e f o r e s e e ,
W h e r e w e w e r e n ' t a w a r e , w e ' r e n o w
a w a k e ;
T h o s e m o m e n t s w e m i s s e d
A r e n o w t h e s e m o m e n t s w e m a k e ,
T h e m o m e n t s w e m e e t ,
A n d o u r h e a r t s , o n c e a l t o g e t h e r
b e a t e n ,
N o w a l l t o g e t h e r b e a t .
*
C o m e , l o o k u p w i t h k i n d n e s s y e t ,
F o r e v e n s o l a c e c a n b e s o u r c e d
f r o m s o r r o w .
W e r e m e m b e r , n o t j u s t f o r t h e
s a k e o f y e s t e r d a y ,
B u t t o t a k e o n t o m o r r o w .
*
W e h e e d t h i s o l d s p i r i t ,
I n a n e w d a y ' s l y r i c ,
I n o u r h e a r t s , w e h e a r i t :
F o r a u l d l a n g s y n e , m y d e a r ,
F o r a u l d l a n g s y n e .
B e b o l d , s a n g T i m e t h i s y e a r ,
B e b o l d , s a n g T i m e ,
F o r w h e n y o u h o n o r y e s t e r d a y ,
T o m o r r o w y e w i l l f i n d .
K n o w w h a t w e ' v e f o u g h t
N e e d n o t b e f o r g o t n o r f o r n o n e .
I t d e f i n e s u s , b i n d s u s a s o n e ,
C o m e o v e r , j o i n t h i s d a y j u s t
b e g u n .
F o r w h e r e v e r w e c o m e t o g e t h e r ,
W e w i l l f o r e v e r o v e r c o m e .

N e w Y e a r I s s u e |
P a g e 1 1
I s s u e 0 4

Publication Dates
Next
The Violet Voice is a digital publication of the South Broward Alumnae Chapter of
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Our mission is to provide information to our membership and members of our
service community.
The Violet Voice is published four times a year.
April-June | Drops: April 11, 2022
September-November | Drops: September 12, 2022
Dec "Holiday Issue" | Drops: December 16, 2022
Contact Chapter Journalist:
Dr. Liz Rios
journalistsbac@gmail.com

In Memoriam
Cheryl A. Hickmon
Beloved 27th National President and
Chair of the National Board of Directors
Sunrise: 1962 Sunset: January 20, 2022