Covington Area Alumnae Chapter HistoryThe Beginning
In 2005, three visionary members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated saw the need for and potential of a new chapter to focus exclusively on the service of those counties on the eastern perimeter of Metropolitan Atlanta. Stephanie Moore, Sarah Lundy and Jenell Clark began the journey that would eventually culminate in the chartering of the Covington Area Alumnae Chapter. These sorors, with the help of several others, began and continued the discussion for several years bringing awareness to the continued demographic changes and population growth of this area.
In February of 2012, Southern Regional Director Cheryl Turner recognized the growing need for the establishment of a new chapter to focus exclusively on servicing the eastern Metropolitan Atlanta counties of Newton, Walton and Barrow. A steering committee, chaired by Lisa McWilliams, was established to make this long-awaited goal a reality. Additional members included Terri Belle, Stacy Brundage, Kenya Burroughs, LaQuanda Carpenter, Jenell Clark, Wanda Dunham, Cynthia Durden, Willie Mae Durden, Emma Forte, Kathleen Henderson, Beatrice Jackson, Charlene Jones, Monique Jones, Terrie Lockhart, Celeste Jordan, Sarah Lundy, Boncille Mattox, Stacey Miller, Melissa Teemer-Mims, Stephanie Moore, Deena Sams, Derrica Stevenson, Charlayne Turner, Carol Westbrook, and Isha Western.
For the next two years, the steering committee worked closely with the North Georgia State Coordinator, Patsy Pattman, to satisfy all established standards necessary to create a new chapter. This included an extensive evaluation of the service area which resulted in the development of several proposed programs to be implemented. This process also resulted in the reclamation of over 30 inactive sorority members.
Chartering
On April 12, 2014, the Covington Area Alumnae Chapter was established as the 1034th chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. with 75 charter members.
Ericka Anderson
Terri Belle
Katrina Bilal
Mari Pearl Brooks
Kenya Burroughs
LaTanji Burroughs-Hayes
Sherri Carithers-Boney
Carolita Chester-McGuire
Patricia Clack
Suzanne Favors Clay
Lakisha Clements
Winifred Clements
Annie Copeland
Deborah Cowan-Steele
Linda Curtis
Derrica Davis
Lanita Davis
Lisa Dixon
Cynthia Durden
Willie Mae Durden
Wanda Dunham
Emma Forte
Wanda Foster
Lydia Grevious-Levell
Brenda Stewar Harrel
Vallerie Harmon
Kathleen Henderson
Veronia Huggins
Beatrice Jackson
Tanahia Burkett Jackson
Ijeoma Johnson
Michelle Bryant Johnson
Mary Elaine Jordan-Drake
Angelynn Kennedy
Tammy Kimbrough
Barbara Lattimore
Alison Lee
Tanya Ligons
Reea Little
Terrie Lockhart
Beatrice Logan
Wendy Lowe
Alethea Mack
Dionne Maddox
Bianca Mason
Anissa Mathis
Lisa McWilliams
Stacey Miller
Melissa Teemer Mims
Gina Morton
Jamillah Muhammad
Sara Clements Norwood
Leslie Perry
Shirley Perry
Deunza Pitt-Malone
Gail Reid
Nicole Ross
Katina Sales
Deena Jones Sams
Kecia Seabrooks
Chanci Shy
Persephanie Sims
Charika Smith
Donesha Smith
Kathy Starr
Derrica Stevenson
Jonnah Thomas
Velma Thomas
Charlayne LeShae Turner
Juenesse Walton
Carol Westbrook
Isha Western
Bridgett Williams
Ebony Williams
Che Wyatt
The chartering ceremony took place at the Newton College and Career Academy in Covington, Georgia and was presided over by Southern Regional Director Cheryl Turner and National Scholarship and Standards Committee member Sandra Horton. After chartering, the chapter held its first official meeting. In the meeting, the following inaugural officers were elected: President – Soror Lisa McWilliams, 1st Vice President – Soror Terri Belle, 2nd Vice President – Soror Melissa Teemer Mims, Corresponding Secretary – Soror Terrie Lockhart, Recording Secretary – Soror Deena Jones Sams, Treasurer – Soror Kenya Burroughs and Financial Secretary – Soror Kathleen Henderson.
The members of Covington Area Alumnae Chapter are extremely grateful to Regional Director Cheryl Turner for her instrumental role in helping to fulfill a ten year vision. We are also thankful for all of those sorority members throughout the years who helped and encouraged us along the way. The knowledge gained from our journey will further enhance the service, sisterhood and scholarship we bring to our community and the world.