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Well Lake County, a new year is upon us! And that means another year of

giving, another year of sharing and another year of doing for the women of

Zeta Phi Beta – Sigma Phi Zeta chapter! For as long as I’ve been a member of

Zeta (27 years and counting), we have used the tagline “community conscious,

action oriented”.

Community-conscious means that we have a keen knowledge and awareness

of the issues affecting our communities. Whether it’s local issues such as

homelessness, women’s health, gun and domestic violence, and women’s

empowerment or those on a national level such as health care reform; support

of our military, prematurity and breast cancer awareness, Zetas stay informed

on those matters that are or can have a negative impact on our communities.

As our International President, Mary Breaux Wright, regularly reminds us, “A

good Zeta is a well-informed Zeta!” So it is important that we are informed on

the issues affecting us.

Action-oriented means that we don’t just talk about the issues but we actually

do something about them. Sigma Phi Zeta continues to be responsive to the

needs of our neighbors on the North Shore – especially in the communities of

Waukegan, Zion, and North Chicago. During the last sorority year, listed below

is a sample of the service we provided and where action-oriented came to life:

Habitat for Humanity

Stand Up for Something – DIVAS Giveback Program

A Safe Place Domestic Violence Shelter

PADS of Lake County, IL

Bernie’s Book Bank

Community Baby Shower for Prematurity Awareness

March of Dimes Walk for Babies

Holiday Giving Tree Project and Holiday Party with College of Lake County

Bingo Night at Kukla Towers Senior Center with the Zeta Amicae of

Waukegan

Women’s Empowerment Seminar with the College of Lake County and

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

There is still much work to do because the harvest is plenty but the laborers are

few. As we embark upon a new year in Zeta, we invite you to join us in being

“community-conscious, action-oriented”. Membership not required!

Summer/Fall 2013

By April Clincy, Sigma Phi Zeta Chapter President

Powerful Women of the North Shore Community-Conscious & Action-Oriented

Sigma Phi Zeta is comprised of an

array of talented, thoughtful, and

professional women ranging in age,

interests and

experiences.

We are the current home of 27

engaging and exciting women!

We are the advising chapter of the

Nu Sigma Chapter on the campus of

Northwestern University.

We serve a broad community

range in Lake County that includes

Waukegan, North Chicago, Zion,

and beyond!

Volume 2: Issue 1

THE SIGMA PHI ZETA Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Sigma Phi Zeta Chapter

Waukegan, IL

The Community-Conscious & Action Oriented

Issue

2

Awards & Celebrations of SPZ Sorors

Tune In!

Sigma Phi Zeta’s Chapter Retreat!

Building on the Principle of Sisterhood was the

theme of Sigma Phi Zeta’s 2013 Chapter

Retreat. To begin our new

sorority year, members were

invited to a full day experience

of bonding and planning.

Held at the University of Illinois

Extension in Grayslake, this fun

and enlightening day served

to set the tone for the year we

plan to execute.

Committees and Executive

Board members were able to

present highlights of proposed

programs and upcoming

events while allowing Sorors to

offer their feedback and

suggestions. This collaborative

brainstorming has already

served to create some of our

most exciting potential programs to date!

Beyond the business of service, our other

focus was bonding. In groups, we worked

together to create vision board collages of

our definition of Sisterhood. Using old

magazines and poster boards, and

listening to upbeat tunes, the

small groups took time to bond

and engage while learning that

each person’s contribution adds

to the greater goal.

Another inspirational sisterhood

activity was the White Board

"What I Love About You" project.

Our newest members stood with

their backs to the white board

as chapter members took turns

writing what we love about

each of them. After everyone

had a chance to write their

positive notes, there were

gracious and touched faces as

Sorors turned to see what their

sisters had said about them.

Lastly, we swore in new chapter officers,

had a great lunch, and chapter President

Soror April Clincy presented special

awards to chapter members.

President - April Clincy

1st Vice President - Karyn Quick

2nd Vice President - Valerie Harmon

3rd Vice President

Regina Townsend

Treasurer - Betty Peeples

Recording Treasurer

Juli Burrows-Jackson

Secretary - Latwinda Jackson

Chaplain - Lorraine McDowell

Public Relations - Kim Woods

Historian - Elouise Jones

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Congratulations to Soror Ashleigh Weathers

and her husband Walter Weathers on the

announcement of their new arrival due in

April. We wish you a joyful and peaceful

pregnancy! Prince or Princess, we’re wishing

you lots of ROYAL BLUE!!

Baby Love For Soror Ashleigh & Family!

This August, Soror Tiffany Woods celebrated

what would have been her mother’s 49th

birthday with a beautiful new celebration;

she got married!

Soror Woods became Soror Tiffany Liner when

she married Markus Liner in an intimate

ceremony on August 10th, 2013. The date

was a special choice for Soror Tiffany, as she

lost her mother to breast cancer in July of

2002.

Congratulations Soror!

Wedding Bells for Soror Liner

Soror Kimberly Starks began a new position as Career Placement Specialist /

Medical Assistant Instructor at State Career College.

Soror Tiffany Liner became a Fellow with the Chicago Federal Executive Board.

Soror April Clincy was appointed to the role of HR Business Leader for the RD&Q

(Research, Development and Quality) organization of Kraft Foods.

Soror Karyn Quick was promoted to the position of Senior IT Project Manager with

Abbott Laboratories.

Soror Kimbrella Warfield was accepted into Northeastern University’s College of

Professional Studies, where she will began work towards a doctorate in January.

Soror Ciera McNeal was named to the board of the Zion Exchange Club.

Soror Kim Woods was named District Director and State PR Chair for Exchange

Club.

Soror Valencia Samuel is now teaching in the School District of Gurnee.

Congratulations Sorors!!

Sorors On The Move!

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Cinco De Mayo was a great day for Sigma Phi Zeta Chapter as we welcomed our newest member into the sisterhood. Soror Kimberly Starks may be new to the membership, but she is no new face around Sigma Phi Zeta! For the past three years, Soror Starks has been a proud supporter of our youth groups and her daughter, Amicette Jocelyn has grown from a Pearlette to an Amicette under our care. Soror Starks, lovingly referred to as One Mic, for her outspokenness and beautiful singing voice, brings a wealth of knowledge and zeal to our chapter youth committee, and has jumped right into stride. We are so very proud to have her. Welcome and congratulations Soror!

New Sorors and New Faces

Sigma Phi Zeta’s Newest Member

Learning About Zeta

Informationals are open house events held by chapters

of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. All professional, service-driven

and community-minded women are invited to learn

more about our phenomenal sorority and this

outstanding chapter which serves Chicago's North

Shore. Sorors seeking a new chapter home are also

welcome!

Sigma Phi Zeta holds two informational a year, once in

the Spring and again in the Fall. This year’s Fall

Informational was held at Harbor Place in Waukegan.

We look forward to continuing to build our new

relationships with the wonderful women who attended.

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New Sorors and New Faces

The Nu Sigma Undergraduate Chapter

Congrats Grads! This June, we were proud and honored to witness the

graduation of Sorors Jessica Holden and Brittany Jones

from Northwestern University.

Under their immaculate care, Nu Sigma chapter flourished

and grew from two members to eleven in a few short years.

We would love to say that we know they will be successful,

but the truth of the matter is that they already are.

Soror Holden has since assimilated to Sigma Phi Zeta

chapter and is currently taking graduate courses at Loyola

University’s prestigious Quinlan School of Business. Soror

Jones is awaiting the start of her own graduate coursework

in the field of Library and Information Science.

Service to the Larger Sisterhood

Congratulations to Soror Angie Ross(3rd from right) of our

undergraduate chapter Nu Sigma on being appointed to

the first ever National Undergraduate Committee of Zeta

Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Check out this great photo of her and the other

appointees at the 2013 Zeta Organizational Leadership

Conference in Indianapolis, IN. We're so proud of you

Angie, but we've come to expect nothing less from those

Sweet Nu Sigma Zetas!

Go Nu Sigma! Northwestern University Zetas were present and accounted

for at the Wildcat Excellence Awards! The Nu Sigma Chapter

was presented with the 2013 Order of Omega Chapter of

the Year Award for NPHC. Soror Amanda Anumba is

pictured with winners from all councils.

In all, Nu Sigma were the winners of nine other Omega

Awards including, Highest Quarterly GPA Spring 2012,

Outstanding Chapter Management, Outstanding

Membership Development, Most Improved Quarterly GPA

Spring 2012, Outstanding Philanthropic Efforts and Initiatives,

Outstanding Recruitment & Intake, Community Spirit Award,

NPHC Outstanding Neophyte, and the Order of Omega

Senior Honor Roll.

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The 2013 Annual Old School Prom

On Saturday, April 20th, Sigma Phi Zeta chapter hosted its Annual Old School Prom at the

Midlane Golf Resort in Wadsworth, Illinois. Guests were treated to live music provided by vocalist

Tiki Hayes, an alluring masquerade theme, and the presentation of our Spring Initiates.

Tagged the “Old School Prom”, to replicate the anticipation and desire of that beloved high

school dance, Sigma Phi Zeta’s annual formal is one of the top fundraising events of the Spring.

Using Lake County vendors, venues, and performers, the event is also an opportunity for us to

purpose even our social events to give back to the community we love so much.

Funds collected through the ticket sales of this event serve to fund our Royal Blue Dove

Foundation, the 501(c)3 charitable entity of our chapter. Annually, the Royal Blue Dove

Foundation provides scholarships and educational gifts to deserving young women in Lake

County. The 2013 prom allowed us to award three such scholarships.

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You can help send a deserving young woman to college!

and have a great time in the process...

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Sigma Phi Zeta travels to Indianapolis and Fairview Heights

Aside from our local activities, members of Zeta

Phi Beta enjoy numerous opportunities for

professional and member development. This

year, members of Sigma Phi Zeta chapter were

able to travel to the Zeta Organizational

Leadership Conference in Indianapolis, the

Great Lakes Regional

Conference also in

Indianapolis, and the 47th

Annual Illinois Leadership

Conference in Fairview

Heights, Illinois.

An exciting treat for those

attending this year’s state and

regional conferences, was the

presence of Zeta Phi Beta’s

International President, Soror

Mary Breaux Wright!

All three conferences

included activities and workshops for Zetas,

Zeta Amicae, and youth auxiliaries that focused

on enriching our skills and passion for service.

Attendees of the Zeta Organizational

Leadership Conference were also added to

national cohorts to continue their leadership

training well beyond the conference!

Soror Townsend presenting at State conference

SPZ and International President Mary Breaux Wright! Sisters Rosalyn and Valencia at State Conference.

State Banner Designed by Nu Sigma Soror Amanda.

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Strengthening the Bonds of Our Sisterhood

Both Sigma Phi Zeta and our undergraduate chapter

Nu Sigma were well represented in both attendance

and participation at State Conference! Soror Regina

Townsend of Sigma Phi Zeta, and Soror Amanda

Anumba of Nu Sigma created the conference

banners and guide, while Sorors Betty Peeples,

Regina Townsend and Valerie

Harmon served as workshop

presenters. We were also the

recipients of numerous sorority

awards.

Aside from the great workshops

and talks, another benefit of

attending conferences on a larger

level is always the opportunity to

bond and relax in a new place.

Sigma Phi Zeta chapter members

spent time hanging out in one

another’s hotel rooms for slumber

party-like chats, and visiting local

establishments, such as the famous Sweetie Pie’s

Soul Food restaurants in St. Louis.

Sigma Phi Zeta congratulates the ZOL Steering

Committee, Regional Director Michelle Porter

Norman, and Illinois State Director Soror Connie V.

Pugh, on an outstanding conference summer.

SPZ’s Regional Conference Award Winning Chapter Scrapbook

Hotel Room Slumber Parties!

SPZ with “Sweetie Pie” herself, Miss Robbie

The City of Indianapolis welcomes Zeta Phi Beta!

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The Zeta Amicae of Waukegan are heating things up once again! Sigma Phi Zeta increased its Amicae Auxiliary Group with the induction of 2 new members (Friends). These new Friends are: Olivia Presley and Charrie Pierce. Sigma Phi Zeta was proud to continue our history of keeping things family-focused as we welcomed Friend Presley into the Amicae. Friend Presley is the mom of Sigma Phi Zeta Soror Yoshika Pough, and aunt to Soror Tiera Gray! As of 1940, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated was the first organization to recognize and celebrate the importance of the good will, prestige, and cooperation of professional women who for numerous reasons were not part of any-Greek Letter organization. The Zeta Amicae assist Zeta in our civic, service and social ventures, while also hosting events of their own. Under the leadership of President Olivia Presley and Zeta Advisors Elouise Jones and Kim Woods, the Zeta Amicae of Waukegan are known for their amazing energy, thoughtful programming, and dedication.

For more information on the Zeta Amicae of Waukegan, contact President Olivia Presley: waukeganamicae@gmail.com

The Zeta Amicae of Waukegan

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Every fourth Tuesday of the month, the Zeta Amicae of Waukegan visits with a group of vibrant and fun-loving Seniors at the Kukla Towers in North Chicago. Seniors are able to enjoy a fun game of Bingo and a chance to win great prizes. This summer, in celebration of the growing relationship between the Zeta Amicae and the residents, the Zeta Amicae also hosted a barbecue. Members of Sigma Phi Zeta were on hand to lend support and fellowship.

The Zeta Amicae of Waukegan

Zetas and Zeta Amicae attend Ceasefire Block Party

Bingo & BBQ!

The year of 2013 has had its fair share of trials and tragedies for both the ladies of Sigma Phi

Zeta chapter, as well as the Zeta Amicae of Waukegan. Acts of senseless violence claimed

the lives of close family and friends of both groups as the summer began. In spite of our grief,

the Sorors and Friends made a conscious decision to stand up against hopelessness and

despair by joining over 1,500 others at the 5th Annual Lake County Ceasefire Block Party.

The Lake County Ceasefire Block Party is held annually by the Ceasefire-North Chicago Anti-

Violence Program in partnership with other community activist groups in the Lake County

area such as Community Action, the Family First Center, and others.

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The Pearlette, Amicette and Archonette Clubs of Zeta Phi Beta, Sigma Phi Zeta chapter started their 2013-2014 year off with a bang. Hosting an Informational at Zion Public Library on October 26, 2013, returning Amicette Jasmine Brown greeted guests and explained why she loves being a part of the Blue and White family. Next, an ice breaker of Zeta “Zingo” was in order and the girls and parents got to know one another while looking for someone wearing earrings, someone whose mother was a Zeta, someone who was a cheerleader, and someone wearing blue and white. Returning Amicette, Kayla Stephens was the first person to find someone in the room to match the descriptions on her “Zingo” card securing her a prize. The informational was a success and secured six new members! The following week, the Youth participated in their first community service project of the year, at Bernie’s Book Bank. The Pearlettes placed stickers on all the books while the Amicettes, Archonettes, Amicae and Zetas bagged and boxed the books for delivery. Our Youth worked so efficiently, that they were asked to slow down so the next group would have some work to do! Bernie’s Book Bank donates books to low income schools and to the health department to distribute to kids who are sick or just received their shots. To date, they have delivered 1.8 million books. There are only seven employees that pick up and drop off books, so all sorting, stamping, bagging and boxing is done by volunteers such as Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Youth. The Youth will be volunteering at Kukla Towers Senior Building as well as the Food Pantry later this year. Next on their list is a visit to Northwestern for workshops with the Zetas of Nu Sigma chapter.

The Youth Auxiliaries of Sigma Phi Zeta Submitted by Soror Valerie Harmon - Youth Advisor

Sigma Phi Zeta Youth on the Move

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The Royal Blue Dove Scholarship promotes educational excellence by awarding scholarships to graduating seniors from local high schools in the Lake County area. We recognize those young women who have maintained an excellent scholastic record while demonstrating concern for others by participating in community service related activities. To earn the Elsye Williams Exchange Club of North Chicago Gift at the end of their senior year, they must maintain a 3.0 GPA; maintain residency in the city of North Chicago, and demonstrate outstanding community service in the city of North Chicago. This year, North Chicago Community High School student Shadezja Garrett, was the recipient of both! Shadezja, who finished her high school education with a 3.8 GPA, has settled in at Eastern Illinois University and is enjoying college life. She plans to major in Music with an emphasis on Teacher Certification. Miss Garrett plans to become a music teacher.

The 2013 Royal Blue Dove Scholarship Recipient

The Youth Auxiliaries of Sigma Phi Zeta

2013 Youth Awards The Youth of Sigma Phi Zeta ended their 2012-

2013 year with a Scholarship and Awards

Breakfast at InLaws Restaurant where youth

received awards for their outstanding

participation. Two members were also

recognized and awarded financial gifts.

Justice Moore, also a graduate of North Chicago

High School, received a partial scholarship to play

basketball at Kankakee Community

College. Standing at 6’1”, Justice plays the

center position with the Kankakee Cavaliers. She

is grateful for her financial gift as it has helped

with her living expenses.

Amira Williams was also awarded a financial gift. Amira is a graduate of Zion Township High

School and is currently attending Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. Having two other

siblings in college, Amira was especially happy to receive her scholarship. Her mother, Leslie

Williams, said, “having three children in college is a challenge but she is glad they are seeking

higher education”. She is also thankful for the support given by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Both

her daughters have been recipients of scholarships from The Royal Blue Dove Foundation.

If you would like to help Sigma Phi Zeta continue to award local youth with our Royal Blue Dove scholarship, please contact us!

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The National Pan-Hellenic Council of Lake County

The 2013 Lake County Pan-Hel Picnic

The Van Patten Woods in Wadsworth, Illinois was the location of the 2013 Lake County Pan-

Hellenic Council Picnic. This annual celebration of the bonds between the lake county

chapters of the nine historically black Greek-letter organizations is held to mark the end of

the fraternal service calendar for the year, and enjoy one another. Members of all nine

organizations, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Kappa

Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Phi

Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and

Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., bring their families and have a great time playing games and

engaging in friendly competitions.

Sigma Phi Zeta chapter is proud to serve the residents of Lake County alongside these

amazing organizations.

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Zetas attend Phi Beta Sigma’s 2nd Annual Summer Madness Fundraiser

Scholarship is deep in the hearts of the ladies of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority,

and it is equally as important to our brothers of Phi Beta Sigma

Fraternity. Locally, the men of Nu Lambda Sigma chapter work hard

to create scholarship opportunities for deserving Lake County youth by

hosting their annual all-white

party; Sigma Summer Madness.

This year’s Summer Madness

party was held at the Round

Lake Beach Civic and Cultural

Center in Round Lake Beach,

Illinois. Guests were invited to

try their hand, no pun intended,

at winning great prizes, while

enjoying the music of Aniba

Hotep and the Sol Collective.

Soror Ciera McNeal, standing next to her 9-year-old daughter Chaiya,

speaks to a crowd of more than 200 people in Zion, Illinois. Soror

McNeal organized this prayer vigil Saturday, Aug. 24, in honor of 5-

month-old Joshua Summeries who was missing in August. Soror

McNeal’s vigil helped to soothe some of the hurt community members

were feeling in the wake of the heartbreaking tragedy.

In a statement to the press, Soror McNeal remarked, “We may not be a

big city like Chicago, and in the news all the time, but we will show

America that we as Zion stand together”.

Mobilizing for Change

Visible Partners Speaking to our commitment to show ourselves as visible partners with

our communities in a social as well as a service setting, the National Pan-

Hellenic Council of Lake County

has begun to host social

gatherings in local Lake County

businesses.

The first of this season’s social

events was a trip to Sharky’s in

Round Lake Beach for a Game

Night! Members of the “Divine 9”

were present to watch the rivalry

game between the Chicago

Bears and the Green Bay

Packers.

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The 2013 March of Dimes March For Babies

The 2013 Walk To End Lupus

The 2013 Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

SPZ In Your Community

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The Lake County Fair in Partnership with Vista Health Center

The Foss Park Halloween Party for Children

Habitat For Humanity

Want to see more photos of

Sigma Phi Zeta in action?

Check out our Facebook

page!

Facebook.com/

LakeCountyZetas

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thoughts... final

Sigma Phi Zeta ExpoZé Editor– In-Chief

There is a longstanding joke among members of our sorority that I

don't think they'll mind me sharing with you.

Are you listening?

Here it is:

"We go on vacation in the summer."

Taking a look back at the pages of this edition of the ExpoZé, it's

very clear to see that the ladies of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority don't seem

to ever take a vacation. We couldn’t even list everything!

You see, when you are conscious of the community around you,

and its needs, and have the passion and drive to be action-

oriented and accountable about it, you will always have something

to do. There will always be a cause to fight for and a banner to hold.

Both nationally and locally, the women of Zeta Phi Beta use every month as an opportunity to change

the world. We hope that this issue of our newsletter has shown you just that. We are proud to serve, and

will continue to do so every chance we get.

It is an absolute privilege and honor to serve my chapter and sisterhood by sharing our work with you.

We encourage you to also visit our website and social media outlets to keep abreast of our upcoming

events and programs. As always, we appreciate you, and the generous gift of your support.

In Sisterly Love & Blessings,

Top Choice salon is owned by Tony Johnson, a native of North

Chicago. The welcoming atmosphere in this full service, unisex salon

has been the vital component in his retention of clients such as myself

and my family. He has done wonders with my coif for years! Not only

is Tony one of the best stylists, (take it from me), but he employs some

of the best barbers and braiders in Lake County.

Top Choice also participates in Free Hair Cuts for Low Income Families,

which is a great community event. So stop by Top Choice salon for

your new hair style or book your appointment now for our 2014 Old

School Prom.

Top Choice is located at 2528 Sheridan Road in Zion or call 847-246-

3457 ask for Tony and tell him Ciera sent you !!

Do you have a local business you’d like me to cover?

Send us a message! zetapublicrelations@gmail.com

with Soror Ciera McNeal

P.O. Box 9028 Waukegan, IL 60079 224-698-ZETA (9382)

www.sigmaphizeta1920.org

@LakeCountyZetas

@LakeCountyZetas