Virginia Bryant (1982-1984)
Establishment of the chapter Sponsored the Regional Director's Luncheon and
Banquet at the 1984 Regional Conference First Membership Intake.
Martha P. Chamblee (1984-1986)
Initiated a summer tutorial program. Awarded first chapter scholarships.
Implemented first annual food and toy drive. Sponsored 1985 Virginia State
Cluster along with the collegiate chapter at Old Dominion University.
Sherin Shearin
(1986-1988)
The chapter hosted Founder's Day on January 24, 1987 "Projections of the
future-In the Footsteps of the Founders!" was the theme for the event.
Willie Simmons-Canty (1988-1990)
The chapter sponsored the first Jabberwock pageant in 1989.
Yvonne Lewis (1990-1992, 1992-1994)
First president to be elected for two consecutive terms; The chapter joined the
South Hampton Roads Pan-Hellenic Council in 1993; Two international projects
were implemented - The United Nations Children's Educational Fund and Operation
Smile; The chapter donated thirty Operation smile kits in memory of Dr. Francine
Peterson, who was a local member and physician who died in Kenya in 1992, while
working with Operation smile project; the chapter became a pledge life member of
the NAACP; The chapter became involved with the Habitat for Humanity project
(sold Habitat "The House that Jill Built" T-shirts and served lunch to the
volunteers who were building the house.)
Eleanor Butts (1994-1996, 1996-1998)
The chapter made history by becoming the first African American organization to
receive a grant from the city's Arts and Humanities commission; The chapter was
recognized at the 42nd Nation Convention in St. Louis for receiving it first
Chapter Innovative Scholarship and Financial Aid Program plan (chapter seed
grant) from the National Scholarship and Standards Committee; The chapter
implemented the "Adopt-A-Highway" project as a continuous community service
project. The chapter's sign is located on South Plaza Trail in Virginia Beach;
In October 1997, the Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy began with seventeen area
youth participating.
Myra Barnes (1998-2000, 2000-2002)
Soror Barnes holds the distinguished honor of being the chapter's first
Millennium President; The chapter's first leadership training was conducted; The
chapter was honored with a national award from Delta Sigma Theta's national
Program and Planning and Development committee for its work with the Delta
Academy. The award was presented at the 1999 South Atlantic Regional Conference
before the twenty-first national president, Soror Marcia Fudge.; The chapter was
awarded its second Chapter Innovative Scholarship and Financial Aid Program
Award by the National Scholarship and Standards Committee for establishing a
Stands of Leaning (SOL) mentorship program for area middle and high school
students; The chapter hosted the Founder's Day celebration on January 15, 2000
"Violets, Virtues and Visions: Year 2000 and Beyond was the theme. National
First Vice President, Soror Gwendolyn E. Boyd was the honored speaker; The
chapter received its first regional award for Sincere Sisterhood, Significant
Scholarship and Stellar service. Regional Director, Mary B. Sutton presented the
award during the South Atlantic Sisterhood Brunch at the 2000 National
Convention in Chicago, IL; The chapter became the "Millennium Chapter" in 2000
after donation $2,000 to the Delta Research and Educational Foundation (DREF);
The chapter received its life membership plaque from the NAACP after completing
its financial pledge; The chapter sponsored the fist HIV/AIDS awareness project
in October 2001 along with the local branch of the NAACP; The second Jabberwock
Pageant was held in April 2002.
Brenda Herron (2002-2004, 2006-2008, 2008-2010)
Sponsored first HIV/AIDS Awareness Project - October 2001. International Day of
Service - HIV/AIDS Awareness. Hosted Virginia State Cluster - Fall 2003. Third
Jabberwock - March 2004. Member Intake - Spring 2007. Chapter celebrated it's
25th Anniversary - April 2007. Hosted Green Run Elementary Book Drive - March
2008. Fourth Jabberwock - April 2008. Implemented first Delta Academy and Delta
Gems "Food for the Heart" Fatherhood Luncheon - February 2009. Arts and Letters
Chapter Theater Night. International Day of Service - Clean Water Project -
March 2010. Fifth Jabberwock - April 2010.
Linda Meeks (2004-2006)
The chapter hosted its second Regional Conference in June 2005 at the Virginia
Beach Convention Center; The third Jabberwock Pageant was hosted in April 2006;
The chapter worked along with "Full Circle of Aids" group b donating toiletries,
food, and volunteering to work as hostesses during parties at BINGO nights;
Recognized any charter members and past presidents. These Sorors have shaped
the Virginia Beach Alumnae Chapter's history.
Angela Burrus-Lee
(2010-2012, 2012-2014)
Soror Lee led the Chapter in their first-time public service initiative to
participate in the 2010 March of Dimes Walkathon. Under Soror Lee's leadership,
2011 and 2012 were a year of first-times: first time Chapter sponsored Delta
Academy/GEMS HBCU College Fest Tour, first time initiative to participate in the
St. Jude Give Thanks Walk/Run, first time the Chapter sponsored EMBODI Program
"Raising the Bar" in a forum styled Impact Day of Service, and the Chapter's
brochure and the Helen P. Shropshire Scholarship were initiated. Other
accomplishments in 2012 also included: adopted Brandon Middle School (Virginia
Beach) for Back-to-School supplies and Box Top for Education donations,
Reflections of our Five-Point Programmatic Thrust International Awareness and
Involvement: Chapter adopted an Elementary School in Jamaica donating school
supplies for primary school in Jamaica 9 Mile District Barrels of Blessings.
Chapter activities in 2013 proved to be very fruitful: Chapter implemented first
time Sports Annual Arts Award; Chapter celebrated its 30th Anniversary with the
theme "30 Years of Pearls and Elegance"; Chapter received Proclamation from
Virginia Beach Mayor, Will Sessoms, the Virginia Beach City Council recognized
the Chapter for outstanding community service; the Chapter participated in the
WAVY TV10 Annual Coat Drive for the first time; Chapter was recognized in the
Hampton Roads Gazetti for its Annual Scholarship/Awards Program; and the Chapter
received recognition at the 2013 National Convention for participation in the
Project 13 Program Planning and Development Yearly Kick-off (2,013) miles by
2013) in start of the Sorority's 100th Anniversary. Soror Lee closed out her
tenure in 2014 with the first time International Day of Service Project - The
Chapter planned and performed a complete clean-up for one of the Samaritan House
Emergency Shelter for victims of domestic violence and homelessness; Membership
Intake, and Political Awareness and Involvement participation in the 50th
Anniversary on the March on Washington.
Eleanor H. Washington (2014-2016, 2016-2018)
During Soror Washington's tenure, the Chapter
received an award for Heritage and Archives at the 52nd National Convention in
Houston, Texas. Also, during this time, the Chapter hosted the 27th South
Atlantic Regional Conference in June 2016, where over 1,600 Sorors and their
families attended. The Virginia Beach Alumnae Chapter also hosted the 105th
Founders Day for the State of Virginia on January 13, 2018. The Chapter hosted a luncheon in
honor of the Honorable Marcia Fudge, Past National President, and the Regional
Director attended this luncheon. Various programs were established from
2014-2018 that reflected the Sorority's Five-Point Programmatic Thrust. The
first May Week STEM event was held at Bayside Middle School in Virginia Beach.
The Chapter adopted the Vet's House as a Public Service Project in conjunction
with the 105th Founders Day celebration. The Chapter participated in the Beach
Bag project, and also collected medical supplies and hygiene supplies for the
people of Haiti in collaboration with Christians United for Haiti. In February
2018, the Chapter hosted Carnival, a well-attended event that garnered an
abundant profit for Scholarship and other Chapter programs. In May 2018, the
Chapter hosted the inaugural Dorothy Height Hats Off Scholarship Luncheon.
Lastly, in
April 2018, the Virginia Beach Alumnae Chapter exceeded the 100-member mark by
welcoming 29 new members into the Sorority's fold.