Courtesy of Stillman College
Alumnae Divas gift $2,000 gift to Stillman, announce fundraising campaign
The Alumnae Divas of Stillman College hosted their “Diamond Celebration of Epsilon Eta: 60 Years of ‘Certified’ Sisterhood” on May 20-22, 2022 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
The ADSC consists of members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. who were duly initiated into the Epsilon Eta Chapter, the first chartered Greek-letter organization on the Stillman College campus, established on May 19, 1962.
The purpose of the weekend event was to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Epsilon Eta (EH) Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and for its past and current chapter members to reunite, reconnect, and, ultimately, reignite their the work in Delta Sigma Theta.
The weekend event was organized by the Alumnae Divas of Stillman College (ADSC) Steering Committee: Ms. Peggie Carpenter (‘73); Ms. Pat McCaa (‘78); Mrs. Schiquetta Jackson-Burrell (‘95); Dr. Ricquetta D. Carpenter (‘97); Mrs. Octavia Garrett Holt; Dr. Tamalyn L. Peterson (‘98); Ms. Greta Bridges (‘99); and Mrs. Ebony Webber (‘03). This intergenerational committee worked for over a year to plan and implement the event and welcomed over 75 members of the sorority back “home” to Stillman College.
Although the chapter typically celebrates the return of its initiates during homecomings, the “Diamond Celebration of Epsilon Eta” was the first anniversary of its type that did not take place during Stillman’s homecoming activities.
“This timing was truly intentional, as the Steering Committee wanted the 60th anniversary of Epsilon Eta weekend to coincide as closely as possible with our charter date, May 19th, ” said Dr. Tamalyn L. Peterson, associate professor of English and faculty development coordinator for QEP implementation at Stillman College. “We wanted the weekend’s focus to be on bonding more intimately with members of the sorority, including those wonderful women whom we had not seen in quite a while, and on meeting and greeting members we did not know as well. We wanted all generations of Epsilon Eta represented at this celebration because each is unique and each has something special to offer.”
And, perhaps one of the most rewarding and meaningful opportunities came as one of the EH charter members, Ms. Ethel Fairley (EH 1962), was present to participate in the weekend’s festivities, which ranged from: opening activities and a welcome reception on Friday; Zumba; a community service project titled “Fill the Stillman College Pantry;” “Raid the Kloset”; workshops/learning sessions; a Diamond Celebration Gala on Saturday; and a Diamond Celebration Brunch on Sunday.
The Alumnae Divas of Stillman College concluded their anniversary weekend with a $2,000 gift to Stillman College. Also, the ADSC presented “The 1913 Project,” an EH fundraising campaign to increase continuous alumni giving at Stillman College. The project aims to solicit Deltas to become “constant givers” by pledging a gift of at least $19.13 per month or $229.56 annually.
“This campaign was a project of Soror, Melissia N. Davis,” said Erma W. Roberts (‘79). “The ADSC Fundraising Committee wanted to keep Soror Davis’s dream alive by leveraging the weekend’s events to increase continuous alumni giving.”
