Pearla Hodo – Soror of the Year 2023-2024

History with AKA Sorority, Inc. & Xi Beta Omega Chapter

I was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Xi Beta Omega Chapter, Griffin, Georgia on June 30, 2013. I have served as program chairman for Educational Enrichment, Building Your Economic Legacy, and Build Our Economic Wealth initiatives.

Why did you join Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority?

As a young girl, I encountered teachers, church members, and other role models in my community who led with style and grace, demonstrated concern for others, and were members of the illustrious Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. As an Education major at Mercer University, I was placed under the supervision of Soror Charlotte K. Eady for student teaching. During my student teaching experience, I realized Soror Charlotte’s genuine care and concern for me, not only as a student teacher but also as a young woman. What I came to understand is that her excellence in her craft, and her genuine care and concern exemplify the essence of what it means to be an Alpha Kappa Alpha woman. Some of the characteristics of Alpha Kappa Alpha women that resonated with me and with which I identify are sincerity in love, integrity, grace, excellence, and commitment to service to all mankind. God’s word says in Matthew 25:40 AMP, The King will answer and say to them, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it for Me.’ My devotion to and faith in Jesus Christ is shown through service and helping to meet the needs of others. I joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. because I genuinely identified with the mission of the Sorority and the qualities of Alpha Kappa Alpha women. As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Xi Beta Omega Chapter, I belong to a sisterhood committed to selfless service to the whole of mankind in a manner that uplifts communities and meets the needs of others across the globe. For this, I am honored and grateful.

What does being selected as “Soror of the Year” mean to you?

I am truly humbled to be selected as Soror of the Year. I know there is nothing that I have successfully implemented within the chapter that was done independently of the support of the sorors of Xi Beta Omega. This year has been very difficult for our community. Even so, we have been able to implement and support recovery efforts, support and promote black-owned and black female-owned businesses and provide financial literacy training to the community. We are continuing to build on the profound legacy of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Xi Beta Omega Chapter. I am ecstatic to be a small part of this rich legacy. I want to keep working, keep growing, keep supporting other sorors, and serving the greater community. To me, being named “Soror of the Year” means that there is still much work to be done, and I am entrusted and equipped to continue the work. I recognize and understand that “from everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.” Luke 12:48 AMP

What do you feel has been your greatest contribution to the Xi Beta Omega Chapter?

The greatest contribution that I have made to the Xi Beta Omega Chapter is simply my willingness to serve in various capacities. I understand that there is a time to lead and a time to follow. To effectively contribute to an organization, it is essential to be humble enough and courageous enough to do both.

Which committees have you worked with and what was your best committee experience?

I have served as a member of the Program, Fundraiser, and Standards Committees. The best experience on the Fundraiser Committee was the opportunity to learn the various aspects of implementing a successful event. I have also served on the Standards Committee for several years. As one who has always worked to improve programs, through the Standards Committee, I am actively involved in the collection and use of evaluation data to improve programs. I have found it rewarding to work with the Standards Committee to help the Chapter implement and improve its programs.

What was your best leadership experience with Xi Beta Omega?

I served as Co-Chairman of the Disaster Relief Ad Hoc Committee and Chairman of the Educational Enrichment, Building Your Economic Legacy, and Build our Economic Wealth program committees. Recently, the Xi Beta Omega Chapter collaborated with the Gamma Pi Omega Chapter and Alpha Alpha Phi Omega Chapter to implement a financial literacy workshop. I enjoyed this experience because it was my first collaborative effort with sorors from other chapters to implement a program for the community. Another very rewarding leadership experience was the response and recovery efforts following the January 12, 2023 tornado disaster in Griffin. The outpouring of support from sorors of Xi Beta Omega and neighboring chapters, as well as various individuals, churches, and organizations, was overwhelming. I am so grateful to have been allowed to collaboratively lead the efforts to provide much-needed resources to families in the community.

What is your motto/scripture that you live by?

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 NIV

Lyneil Charity – Soror of the Year 2022-2023

History with AKA Sorority, Inc. & Xi Beta Omega Chapter

Why did you join Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority?

M y desire to join Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated was truly out of commitment to help others and serve my community along with making long lasting friendship and sisterhood. I was the first family member in my immediate family to receive a college degree and join a Greek organization. When I attended Virginia Union University, there were several Women Greek organizations on the campus, but the Ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority were well known, respected, intelligent, classy and committed to the community and campus.  I wanted to become a part and work alongside these women who worn the pink and green and represented our campus so well. After observing these ladies, I also learned that their character and integrity demonstrated the behavior that exemplify Alpha Kappa Alpha women and I wanted to be a part of that legacy.  It also was very interesting to know that Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. was the first Sorority and to me being the first is always the best. The decision to join this great Sorority was one of the best decisions that I have ever made in life and truly believe that this is one of the reasons I am and will continue to be the woman that I am today.   

What does being selected as “Soror of the Year” mean to you?

Soror of The Year is a very special honor to me and considered one of the highest honors a member will achieve in our chapter. This achievement exemplifies what it means to be apart of an organization that provides “Being of Service to all Mankind”, helping people and embodying my personal morals and values. It also makes it that more exciting to have sisters whenever and wherever I may go in life that are kind, funny, caring, intelligent, role models and committed to their community. To be selected by the members of Xi Beta Omega Chapter is even more exciting and I take it very serious and with great pride to represent the chapter. 

When were you initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.? 

I was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated through the Alpha Eta Chapter of Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia on November 18, 1978. 

What Committees’ have you worked with and what was your best Committee experience? 

I was a previous member of the Mid-Atlantic area and remained a General Boule Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated until I relocated to Georgia and transferred my membership to Xi Beta Omega Chapter in Griffin, Georgia in 2018. I have worked outside of the Sorority in several stressful and demanding Leadership and Management positions as Administrator of several organizations including Federal, State and Private Organizations and recently retired one year ago as an Administrator for the (Department of Transportation) State of Georgia.  After transferring to Xi Beta Omega chapter, I have served as a member of the Sisterly Relations Committee/ Courtesy and Membership Committee. Being a part of the Sisterly Relations/Courtesy committee was one of the best committees to start because it gave me the opportunity to put names and faces together and to learn the Sorors in the chapter. 

I was presently elected to hold the Anti-Basileus position for the next 2 years and love every minute of it. 

What do you feel has been your greatest contribution to the Xi Beta Omega Chapter? 

I feel that my greatest contribution to the Chapter has been my commitment, being a woman of my word, being accountable, my organization skills and ability to be dependable. 

Best Leadership Experience with Xi Beta Omega Chapter 

I can say that my best leadership experience has been in my past experience as Basileus at my undergraduate level at Virginia Union University and in my present position as Anti-Basileus/Program Chair with Xi Beta Omega Chapter. In this elected position, I have learned a lot about my Sorority sisters in the chapter as well as what each program and/or initiative represents and means to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. I have grown so much not only personally but professionally as the Program Chair. Accepting and loving your sisters for who they are and where they are is so very important and expecting and believing the best provides direction, talent and attention.  

What is your motto/scripture that you live by? 

I live by the motto “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. I also cite Psalm 23:1-6: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; they rod and they staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Sure goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Amen! 

In my spare time, I love spending time with my family to include my husband, son and grandchildren, relaxation and traveling every chance I get. 

Brenda Flemister Mathis – Soror of the Year 2021-2022

History with AKA Sorority, Inc. & Xi Beta Omega Chapter

Why did you join Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority?

I was initiated into the Xi Beta Omega Chapter (Griffin, Georgia) of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated on October 9, 1983. During her 38 years of uninterrupted service as a member of Xi Beta Omega, I have held the office of Basileus, Anti-Basileus, Grammateus, Anti-Grammateus, Tamiouchos, Pecunius Grammateus, Philacter and Parliamentarian.  I am a Silver Star (25 plus years of service) and a Life Member.  Her interest in becoming a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated began in 1979 at the Fort Valley State University when I encountered two very professional and poised women who epitomized the role of virtuous women. These two women were Dr. Earnestine Green McNealy and Dr. Ritchie D. White, two of my instructors. They made quite an impression as me when I would hear them speak about Alpha Kappa Alpha. I also befriended members of the Alpha Beta Chapter and I noticed that they were doing an extraordinary amount of community service and were helping others in Peach County. I was impressed with their service endeavors, and at that moment, I knew that I wanted to be a member of this great sisterhood.

What does being selected as “Soror of the Year” mean to you?

Being selected by my Sorors as Soror of the year is truly an honor. All the glory belongs to God. 

Which committees have you worked with and what was your best committee experience?

What do you feel has been your greatest contribution to the Xi Beta Omega Chapter?

My greatest contribution to Xi Beta Omega is my willingness to be a team player and to be available to help any Soror accomplish her task. I have served on and chaired various committees and targets in the past. These committees and targets include Target 1,  Program, Fundraiser, Scholarship, Budget and Finance, Membership, and Bylaws. Presently, I am a member of the Finance Committee, Target 1-#CAPS, Scholarship Committee and the Membership Committee.

What was your best leadership experience with XBO?

The best leadership experience occurred in 2005, when I served as Basileus. Xi Beta Omega participated in a Young Scholars’ Program. Each of the ten regions in the sorority had the opportunity to choose a child’s story to be published in a two-volume anthology entitled the Spirit Within: Voices of Young Authors. Xi Beta invited students from our partner school, Atkinson Elementary, to enter the story-writing contest. Our winners were from 2^nd/3^rd grade, Zakiria Mays (Sally and the Giant) and 4^th/5^th grade, Simeon Taylor (An Adventure with my Robot). These entries were submitted to the South Atlantic Regional level and Zakira’s story was selected as the first-place winner for the Region. She traveled with members to the South Atlantic Regional Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina and won gifts and a monetary prize for being one of the regional winners. Zakira’s story was published in the national anthology.

What is your motto/scripture that you live by?

My favorite quote comes from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, - “Everyone can be great…because everyone can serve.  You don’t have to have a college degree to serve.  You don’t have to make your subjects and verbs agree to serve.  You only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love.”

My favorite Bible scripture comes from Romans 8:28

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose."

My inspiration to serve comes from my mother, Shirley Flemister, who has a heart generated by love for people and from her grandparents, the late Rev. Woodrow Pierce and Mrs. Sweetie Mae Pierce. They had hearts and souls filled with so much love for mankind.

March 1, 2021

To the Committee:

I am extremely proud and honored to write this letter in support of Xi Beta Omega’s Soror of the Year, Joyce Beaufort. She has served Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and this chapter as an exemplary member and outstanding Program Chairman. As a member, she has been committed dedicated, dutiful, innovative and a leader in many ways.

She has demonstrated her commitment to Alpha Kappa Alpha through her participation in every activity. She immerses herself in all the program and community activities of the chapter. She has made her presence and willing spirit is known to each of the Target chairmen and they know that she will be supportive in making the Excellence program successful. Without complaint, she is willing to work with the committees to make sure each task is executed with excellence. 

Soror Joyce is innovative. As our chapter retreat was approaching, we were brainstorming ways to be more interactive and engaging. It was Soror Joyce Beaufort who suggested our format for the retreat. Our very first Retreat virtual luncheon was Soror Beaufort’s idea. Each soror received a gift card from Chick-Fil-A or Subway and we had lunch together via Zoom. She has also suggested that we have a uniform day for committees to meet via Zoom-in break-out rooms. Soror Joyce is always thinking about and always looking for ways for our chapter operations to be more effective and efficient.

One cannot lead where they are not going. Soror Joyce always leads by example. Our chapter programs have been most successful because she is willing to do the work. She understands that it takes all of us to serve significantly. To that end, not only has she attended all the meetings and activities, but she has always participated in all the meetings and activities. When she shows up, she is willing to do the work to get a job done.

I was overjoyed that Soror Joyce Beaufort was selected as Xi Beta Omega’s Soror of the Year. She has done the work and the honor shows that the chapter recognizes her commitment and dedication. 

On behalf of the 105 members of Xi Beta Omega, we whole-heartedly and unanimously nominate Soror Joyce Beaufort to be the Soror of the Year for the South Atlantic Region.

Sisterly,

Cheryl R. Walker

Chapter Basileus