Ivy Gazette Nu Epsilon Omega

February is American Heart Month

Soror Spotlight Soror Stacy Johnson was promoted to Vice President of

Renasant Bank in February 2010. Previously, Soror Stacy served as Employment Representative for nine years. She is a

graduate of the Barrett School of Banking, Itawamba Community College and she holds a Bachelor of Science in

Banking Finance from The University of Mississippi. In addition to her active membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha,

she is also a member of the Society for Human Resources. She serves as the Workforce Readiness Director for the North Mississippi HR Association-Tupelo Chapter #196. Renasant Bank has locations throughout Mississippi, Alabama, and

Tennessee.

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Seven. Though small in sum the number seven is very important when it comes to heart health. According to the American Heart Association, there are 7 basic steps to a

healthy life style and healthier heart; these seven steps are known as Life’s Simple 7. Life’s Simple 7 challenges all Americans to do the following: Get Active, Eat Better,

Lose Weight, Stop Smoking, Check Cholesterol, Manage Blood Pressure, Reduce Blood Sugar.

The Facts

• 70% of Americans report being told to make lifestyle changes by a doctor or other

healthcare professional.

• One third report being told each to exercise more (35%) and that they are overweight

(33%).

• One in five adults report currently being a smoker (19%).

• Fewer than two in ten American adults (15%) achieve AHA’s recommended levels of

moderate aerobic exercise, which is 150+ total minutes per week.

• For more than four of ten adults, eating 9 servings of fruits and veggies (44%) or

eating fish at least 2 times per week (45%) is a rare activity.

My Life Check is a free service offered through the American Heart Association that allows individuals to see how they are managing their own Life’s Simple. In just a few

minutes an assessment will be made then it gives them tips on how to improve bad habits for a heart healthy life. To enroll in the My Life Check community and get your

free assessment please visit, http://mylifecheck.heart.org/ .

Since 1963, February has been proclaimed as American Heart Month. Nu Epsilon

Omega participated in Go Red Day on February 5, 2010.

News Bits

Soror Valerie Jackson and her family welcomed

Savannah Chloe Madison into the family on January

21, 2010. The beautiful, third generation legacy

weighed 8lbs 10 oz. Both Savannah and mom are

doing well.

Upcoming Events Sorors will donate items for victims of the Haiti

Earthquake and the American Red Cross.

Founders’ Day

Celebration will be held on Sunday, February 28,

2010. The celebration will begin in worship at

Southside Missionary Baptist Church at 10:00

and continue with a program and reception in the Cochran Ballroom on

the campus of MUW.

Nu Epsilon Omega will host a Pancake Breakfast at Applebees on Saturday,

March 27, 2010 from 8:00-10:00. All Sorors are asked to sell 10, $5 tickets.

“Sweet is the voice of a sister in the season of

sorrow.” -- Benjamin Disraeli

Heart Healthy Recipe

Grilled pineapple and fresh mint and strawberries combine with tangy lemon and a bit of hot pepper flakes to make an

interesting salsa for grilled chicken.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon canola or corn oil

Salsa

2 slices fresh pineapple, each 1/2 inch thick, patted dry

1 cup whole strawberries (about 5 ounces), diced

1/4 cup finely chopped red onion

3 to 4 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves

1 to 2 teaspoons sugar

1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 medium lemon

Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 4 ounces each), all visible fat discarded

2 teaspoons salt-free steak seasoning blend

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

Preheat the grill on medium high. Brush a grill pan or grill rack with the oil. Heat the grill pan or rack on the grill for about 2

minutes, or until hot. Grill the pineapple for 2 minutes on each side. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool slightly, about 2

minutes, before chopping.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir together the remaining salsa ingredients except the lemon. Grate 1 teaspoon lemon zest,

reserving the lemon. Stir the zest and chopped pineapple into the strawberry mixture. Set aside.

Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with the seasoning blend and salt. Grill for 5 minutes on each side, or until no longer pink in

the center. Transfer to plates. Squeeze the reserved lemon over the chicken. Serve with the salsa on the side.

Ivy Gazette Nu Epsilon Omega

If you would like to submit any articles to the next issue of the Ivy Gazette, please email Soror Serena at, serena.mccovery@gmail.com

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Little Know Black History Facts

Cathay Williams was the first

and only known female Buffalo Soldier. She was born into slavery and worked for the

Union army during the Civil War. She posed as a man and enlisted as Williams Cathay in the 38th infantry in 1866. She was given a medical discharge

in 1868.

Judy W. Reed was the first African-American woman to receive a patent in 1884 for a

hand-operated machine used to knead and roll dough.

*Maya Angelou's

autobiographical, "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" is the first non-fiction work by an African-American woman to

make the best-seller list.

*Diahann Carroll was the first African-American woman to

have her own television series, "Julia" in 1968. It was a

controversial, yet Nielsen top ten rated show about a single working mother raising her

child .

*Vonetta Flowers became the first woman to win a Gold

Medal at the Winter Olympics, in 2002 for bobsledding.

*Suzanne de Passe was the

first African-American woman to be nominated for

an Academy Award for screen writing.

*Yvone Brathwaite Burke was

the first woman to chair the Democratic National

Committee.

First Lady Michelle Obama was invited to become an honorary

member of Alpha Kappa Alpha in July 2008; she has not been initiated.

*Member of Alpha Kappa

Alpha

On December 19, 2009 Nu Epsilon Omega held its

December Meeting and Christmas

Party at the beautiful home of Soror Kathy Scott. Special Thanks to Soror Kathy for hosting the event

and Soror Marjorie for assisting with

the cooking.

Ivy Gazette Nu Epsilon Omega

If you would like to submit any articles to the next issue of the Ivy Gazette, please email Soror Serena at, serena.mccovery@gmail.com

Across the Sorority The 2010 Boulè will be in St. Louis, Missouri, July 9-16. Registration for Boulè is available on the nation website, www.aka1908.com. The Graduate regestration fee is $450 until April 15 and $550 between April 16 and May 15. The Post Boulè tour will be held in New Zealand and Australia, July 17-26, 2010. Across the globe, Sorors have responded to the the disaster in Haiti. Sorors have raised more than $50,000 for Hatian relief ($4,294.55 from the South Eastern Region). Alpha Kappa Alpha has partner with CARE and the UN World Food Program. The donations collected will be used to provide medical staff and food in Haiti. Alpha Kappa Alpha recently won the case of the Joy Elaine Daley, et al. v. Alpha Kappa Alpha. In an email to the sorority, National President Barbara McKinzie, “urge the membership to view this legal action --and its outcome - as a wakeup call. Let's use this victorious occasion to revisit our sacred vows and recommit ourselves to the sanctity of Alpha Kappa Alpha and the strength of the sisterhood.”

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The HEART of our Future! Pink Roses, Pink Diamonds, Pink Angels

Winter Birthdays Valerie Engret Bertha Kiane Denis Einna

Gennette Velma

News Bits

All Sorors are asked to donate $5.00 at the next meeting to assist with the Chapter Birthday

Celebration.

Local Entrepreneur, Ms. Helen of Helen’s

Kitchen will be the guest speaker at the February Meeting. She has a new cookbook and website

at, http://www.helenskitche

nonline.com/ .

Forever Like A Rose

Alpha Kappa Alpha forever like a rose,

Plant a seed of sisterhood, and patiently

watch it grow It is rooted in friendship,

trust, and honesty It's nurtured by love, respect, and loyalty

A symbol of emotion, the endurance and beauty

fair Like this passionate and

lovely flower AKA is a treasure rare...

Lets keep all of our sisters lifted up in

prayer.