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. Charter members were Ericka Anderson, Mary Elaine Jordan-Drake, Kathy Starr, Terri Belle, Angelynn, Kennedy, Derrica Stevenson, Katrina Bilal, Tammy Kimbrough, Velma Thomas, Mari Pearl Brooks, Barbara Lattimore, Jonnah Thomas, Kenya Burroughs, Alison Lee, Charlayne LeShae Turner, LaTanji Burroughs-Hayes, Tanya Ligons, Juenesse Walton, Sherri Carithers-Boney, Reea Little, Carol Westbrook, Carolita Chester-McGuire, Terrie Lockhart, Isha Western, Patricia Clack, Beatrice Logan, Bridgett Williams, Suzanne Favors Clay, Wendy Lowe, Ebony Williams, Lakisha Clements, Alethea Mack, Che Wyatt, Winifred Clements, Dionne Maddox, Annie Copeland, Anissa Mathis, Deborah Cowan-Steele, Bianca Mason, Linda Curtis, Melissa Teemer Mims, Derrica Davis, Lisa McWilliams, Lanita Davis, Stacey Miller, Lisa Dixon, Gina Morton, Wanda Dunham, Jamillah Muhammad, Cynthia Durden, Sara Clements Norwood, Willie Mae Durden, Leslie Perry, Wanda Foster, Shirley Perry, Emma Forte, Deunza Pitt-Malone, Lydia Grevious-Levell, Gail Reid, Vallerie Harmon, Nicole Ross, Brenda Stewar Harrel, Katina Sales, Kathleen Henderson, Deena Jones Sams, Veronia Huggins, Kecia Seabrooks, Beatrice Jackson, Chanci Shy, Tanahia Burkett Jackson, Persephanie Sims, Ijeoma Johnson, Charika Smith, Michelle Bryant Johnson and Donesha Smith.
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.