Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc.

The Mid–Western Region

Mid Western Regional Conference 2009

The first chapter established in the Midwestern Region was Gamma Chapter, November, 1946. Next was Iota Chapter, St. Louis, Mo., December, 1948, followed By XI, Chicago, IL, March 1953.

The first under grad chapter established in the Mid Western Region was the Beta Lambda Chapter on the campus of The State Community College , East St. Louis, IL., March 7, 1970.

The list of Regional Directors who led the Midwest to its greatness is: Marguerite O’Neil, Gamma, Indianapolis, Soror Verniece Gardner, Xi Chapter, Chicago, Soror Juanita McClure (served18 years), Gamma Chapter, Indianapolis, Soror Dorothy Mae Bennett, Iota, St. Louis, MO,. Schauneille Allen, Beta Nu, Milwaukee, Wis., Rbell Hendley, XI Chapter, Chicago. IL , Soror Alice JO Thomas, Iota Chapter , St. Louis, MO., Soror Linda Cofer, Gamma Chapter, Indianapolis, IN, Alice Jo Thomas, Iota, St. Louis , MO Soror Juliet Mathews Rent, Gamma, Indianapolis, IN.

From the beginning the Midwest region experience d tremendous growth under the guidance of organizers Sorors Mary Pendegraph and Ivalue Lennear.

1981 – The Midwest had ten active Chapters: Gamma – Indianapolis, Iota – St. Louis, Xi – Chicago, Zeta – Ft. Wayne, Beta Beta. Milwaukee, Phi Rho – Chicago, Gamma Nu – Milwaukee, Chi Chi – Chicago, Gamma Epsilon – East St. Louis, and Gamma Xi – St. Louis.

1983 – Soror McClure was our Regional Director. Our National Theme was Women : Aware, Involved, Caring and Giving. Iota Chapter, St. Louis, Mo, hosted the Regional Conference Dr. Catherine Bozeman and her aid, Willielee Jones, were guest. Soror Frances Jarrett, Gamma was the Woman of the Year. Verniece Gardner, Xi, was selected to be a Living Pearl and Soror Clara Bridgeforth was honored for 800 hours of volunteer service and Soror Rosa Fisher, Iota, received the Rose Pin Award.

1988 – Our National Theme “Gamma Phi Delta,” Building Bridges for the Future” Gamma Epsilon hosted the 87th Regional Conference. Supreme Basileus Dr. Willie B. Kennedy joined us for the Midwestern Conference. The Midwest Region had a very productive year. The sorors of the Mid–West attended the 1987 Boule in Little Rock, Arkansas in large numbers.

1991 – National Theme “Women Exploring New Horizons in the 90’s.” Gamma Chapter, Indianapolis, IN, hosted the Regional Conference. Soror Rbell Hendley was our Regional Director. We were honored to have Dr. Willie B. Kennedy, Supreme Basileus, Soror France Jarrett, 1st Anti–Supreme Basileus, and Dr. Gertrude C. Sanders, 2nd Anti–Supreme attended our conference.

1992 – Gamma Phi Delta Women Exploring New Horizons in the 90’s. Soror Rbell Hendley was our Regional Director. Gamma, Nu, of the Midwest was host to the 1992 Boule. We were welcomed to the Marc Plaza, one of the oldest classic hotels in the city. This is the year that Beta Beta and Gamma Nu merged, continuing with the name Gamma Nu. Both chapters unanimously agreed to the meager.

1996 – Soror Frances Jarrett of the Midwest Region was our Supreme Basileus. Our theme “Gamma Phi Delta Sorority Leading the Way for Youth in the 90’s. We Midwesterner’s went in great numbers to The Pointe Hilton Resort at Tepatio Cliffs in Arizona to support her.

1997 – National Theme “GPD– Leading the Way for Youth in the 90’s". Soror Schauneille Allen, Beta Nu, Milwaukee, WI, was our Regional Director. Regional Conference was held in St. Louis, MO. Six chapters attended this conference. Three chapters became inactive Zeta – Ft. Wayne, IN Gamma Beta – Kansas City, MO., and Phi Rho – Chicago, IL.

1999 – National Theme – “Gamma Phi Delta Sorority Women, Role Models of Courage and Change” The Midwest Conference was held at “Our Lady of the Snows” Shrine Hotel in Belleview, IL. Soror Schauneille Allen, Gamma Nu, was our Regional Director. Chapter Reports revealed that all chapters were participating in our National MEEP’s Program . This was a year of growth for the region. We had enrolled 13 new members. Supreme Basileus, Soror Patricia A. Daniels was our guest.

2000 – Gamma Phi Delta Women, Role Model of Courage and Change Iota Chapter, St. Louis, MO, celebrated their 50–Year Anniversary. Gamma Epsilon sorors celebrated Black History Month with their prospective Phi–Teens and Rosebuds. XI chapter reports that they are alive and well and are working with three prospective members. Sorors Hendley and Wright participated in Walk A Thon “Walking for Funds” to help with medical funds and burial expenses for families that had tragic deaths of their children.

2001 – Gamma Phi Delta Sorority Women, Sharing the “Spirit” of Excellence Through Service”. Soror Bessye D. Long of the Mighty Midwest is elected to her first term as Supreme Basileus. Soror Alice Jo Thomas was the Regional Director. The Midwestern Region remains visible in our communities through our members’ participation in community and government affairs, social affairs and youth activities.

2002 –“ Gamma Phi Delta Women Sharing the Spirit of Excellence through Service”. Midwest Region is very proud to have our own Bessye D. Long, Iota Chapter to serve as Supreme Basileus of the great Gamma Phi Delta Sorority. Soror Linda Cofer was our Regional Director. Soror Cofer noted that the region continues to move forward by setting the highest degree of standards while promoting the vision of excellence. The Midwestern Region also provides financial assistance through scholarships and educational opportunities to deserving high school graduates. We are honored to continue the legacy of our founders.

2004 – Reaching Back While Moving Forward” Linda Cofer was our Regional Director June 2004. We were blessed with Alpha Epsilon Chapter, Wichita Kansas. They immediately got busy in their communities They participated in the Susan Komen Race for the Cure – raise awareness and funds for breast cancer. They are consistently looking for opportunities in their communities. Gamma Chapter, Indianapolis, IN, hosted the Regional Conference at the Marten House.. Supreme Basileus, Bessye D. Long and 1at Anti Supreme Jo’Ester Bursie Joined us at our conference. Soror Juanita McClure was elected the Woman of the Year.

2005 – National Theme “Answering the Call – Accepting the Challenge” The mighty Midwest answered the call and accepted the challenge. Gamma Chapter celebrated the election of Soror Linda Cofer to the office of 1st Anti–Supreme Basileus. Gamma Epsilon, hosted our 2005 Regional Conference in East St. Louis, IL. at the Crown Hotel. Xi Chapter, Chicago IL. helped to start a new undergrad chapter, Zeta, on the campus of Malcolm X College. in Chicago. First Anti Supreme Basileus Linda Cofer, Gamma, announced a new Undergrad Chapter, Kappa Chapter, on the campus of Purdue University at West Lafayette, IN. Nine beautiful, sharp, dynamic young ladies were inducted into Gamma Phi Delta on April 30, 2005. Gamma Chapter was selected to mentor Kappa Chapter.

2007 – “Continue The Vision – With Collective Voices” Soror Juliet Mathews–Rent was our Regional Director. The Midwestern Region was busy carrying out the mandates of our National MEEPS Program. Gamma Epsilon has started a Phi–Teen Group. All of our Grad chapters are experiencing growth. We support education through scholarships, book stipends. Our sorors serve as tutors and mentors. We are committed and dedicated to supporting minority business. Midwest has Sorors who own their own businesses. We shop at their boutiques, relax at their day spa, utilize their travel service and eat in their restaurant.

2008 – Continue the Vision with Collective Voices– Soror Juliet Mathews–Rent starts her final term as Regional Director. Under the guidance of organizer, Rbell Hendley. The Mid–West , welcomed three new undergrad chapters. Tau, Chicago State, Upsilon Chapter, Kennedy King University and Alpha Eta Chapter, at large, Urbana, IL. Zeta Chapter, Malcolm X College, Chicago, and Kappa Chapter, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, both reported growth.

Gamma and Gamma Epsilon Chapters both sponsor Rosebuds and Phi Teen Auxiliaries. Gamma Chapter now sponsors Junior and Senior Cavalier under the guidance of Soror Virginia Mason, Basileus, and Soror Yvette Banks, Youth Director.

The Mid–West Region continues to supports our National MEEPS Program as our guideline to accomplish the goals set by our region. We sponsor many excellent programs and make many outstanding contributions to our communities. We participate in all mandatory programs i.e. Founders Day, Bozeman Kindness Day, Dr. Luthermae E. Adams Day, and Artist of Tomorrow Day.

In April 2009, at the Midwestern Regional Conference, Soror Virginia Mason, Gamma Chapter, was elected to lead us into the future. The Midwestern Region remain “United in Heart, Sisterhood and Service.”