Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc.
Original Pearls and Honorary Members-In-Memoriam
"Original Pearl"
Soror Jean Audrey McGruder Myers
November 20, 1923 - July 10, 2011
Soror Myers was a member of Delta Kappa Chapter Las Vegas, Nevada
"A Pearl’s Farewell"
Gamma Phi Delta’s vision was established by our Pearl’s
Who always held our Banner high and unfurled.
Another original Pearl has answered God’s call,
Soror Jean Myers will be missed by us all.
For more than sixty-four years she helped move us along.
Although sometimes she had to make us atone.
For the things we did were sometimes wrong,
Always insisting that we keep Gamma Phi Delta strong.
Soror Myers was truly a Gamma Phi Delta champ,
She shone so brightly through our symbol, the lamp.
Where-ever she went she held our banner high,
She taught us not to quit but always try.
Clad in our colors of pink and blue,
She pledged that she would be forever true,
Which she did to the very end,
A Soror, a sister and a devoted friend.
Soror Myers taught us to achieve the goals we set,
That through trusting God our goals would be met,
And to everything that Gamma Phi Delta set out to do,
We must complete the task always seeing it through.
As we memorialize our sister so dear,
We’ll remember how she brought us so much cheer.
Her kind, sweet and gentile touch,
Will be missed by us all who loved her so much.
Her work on earth is complete it’s done,
She’s finished her fight and her battle’s won.
Her legacy will live on through her years of love,
As she rests in God’s home above.
Composed by: Dr. Willie B. Kennedy
Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc.
Gamma Phi Delta named "Thirteen Original Pearls". These were women who made outstanding contributions to the Organization in the formation period and in the expansion process. These women shall always remain as the "Thirteen Original Pearls". Nine of the thirteen are "Pearls-In-Memoriam".
Dr. Dorothy Irene Height
President National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), Washington D.C. passed away of natural causes
at 3:41AM Tuesday, April 20 2010 at Howard University Hospital, 27 days after her 98th Birthday.
She will be truly missed by all.
In the spirit of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune
Dr. Evelyn Bethune
November 7, 1935 was the turning point in the life of Dorothy Height who called it "the day that changed my life." Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, founder and president of the National Council of Negro Women, noticed the assistant director of the Harlem YWCA who was escorting Eleanor Roosevelt into an NCNW meeting. Dr. Height answered Dr. Bethune's call for help and joined in her quest for women's rights to full and equal employment, pay and education. Dr. Dorothy I. Height began the journey of a life time by accepting the challenge of a great visionary to step out on faith and help women find their voices and know their value. Dr. Height stated, "As I reflect on the hope and challenges facing women in the 21st century, I am also reminded of the protracted struggles of African-American women who joined together as SISTERS in 1935 in response to Mrs. Bethune's call. It was an opportunity to deal creatively with the fact that Black women stood outside of America's mainstream of opportunity, influence and power."
Following the death of Dr. Bethune, Dorothy Irene Height, in 1957, was elected President of the National Council of Negro Women and served her fellow women, her country and the world by not only advancing the vision of Dr. Bethune but expanding that vision and enabling NCNW to grow in stature and remain relevant into the 21st Century. Her drive, willingness to serve and personal sacrifices were examples to all servant leaders. Her successes were proof that persistence and proper planning pay off. She was a strategist unequaled in the realm of social activism with a work ethic that even into her 90's left those much younger amazed and often lagging behind. I remember hearing the news some time ago that Dr. Height had received a pace maker and my first question was what were they going to give the staff to enable them to keep up with her now.
On Height's 92nd birthday March 24, 2004, President George W. Bush presented her the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian and most distinguished award presented by the United States Congress.
Like her mentor, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, Dr. Dorothy Irene Height will be hard to replace. The beauty however is that she left a path, lit with the light of the many lives she touched and the knowledge she so willingly shared through the great organization of women known as The National Council of Negro Women. Now is the time for the women of NCNW to come together in love to honor the memory of Dr. Height and the legacy of Dr. Mary Mcleod Bethune for it is in times like these that our strength is anchored in our unity.
To the Women of NCNW...
You have kept your wicks on your lamps trimmed and your lamps filled. Do not be afraid and never doubt for it is your faith that will guide you and protect NCNW as it transitions to reach even higher levels of excellence in the years in come.
"If we have the courage and tenacity of our forebears, who stood firmly like a rock against the lash of slavery, we shall find a way to do for our day what they did for theirs."
Dr. Mary Mcleod Bethune
"I want to be remembered as someone who used herself and anything she could touch to work for justice and freedom.... I want to be remembered as one who tried."
Dr. Dorothy I. Height
Dr. Dorothy I. Height will surely be remembered as a soldier for freedom and justice and without a doubt, "one who tried".
In the spirit of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune
Dr. Evelyn Bethune
Esther Gordy Edwards
The legacy of a beloved woman
Beloved 'Mother of Motown' and founder of the Motown Museum
to be remembered as Detroit icon, passed away, August 24, 2011 at the age of 91.
She will be truly missed by all.
DETROIT, Aug. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --
Esther Gordy Edwards, sister of Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr., best known for preserving the original headquarters of Motown Records by creating the Motown Museum on the site of the former "Hitsville USA," and as a former Motown Record Corporation executive, died last night surrounded by family and friends in Detroit on August 24, 2011 at the Age of 91.
She is best known for her roles as the founder of Motown Museum and former Motown Record Corporation executive for nearly three decades. She held a number of leadership positions within Motown, eventually serving as Senior Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Director of Motown International Operations, where she was vital in exposing cultures internationally to the Motown Sound. It was her spirit and fierce protectiveness of young and up-and-coming artists that earned her the unconditional love and respect of the artists of Motown. Whether it was helping Stevie Wonder enroll in the Michigan School for the Blind or managing and guiding the careers of other legendary recording artists like Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross & The Supremes, the Marvelettes, the Temptations and others, her steady hand in shaping the personal and professional fortunes of Motown Records' young stars was a significant part of the company's long-term business and artistic success. Her career in the music industry was followed by an illustrious second career as an entrepreneur, business leader and influential member of several Detroit and nationally recognized institutions.
Her passion for giving others a chance to succeed inspired her to become involved with and create a number of prominent community and nonprofit organizations. Upon her sister's death in 1965, the Loucye Gordy Wakefield Scholarship Fund was established to contribute thousands of dollars annually to underprivileged students. This scholarship fund led Mrs. Edwards to initiate The Gordy Foundation, which today continues to fund scholarships to help give inner city Detroit youth access to education.
A mentor and staunch advocate for women in business, Mrs. Edwards was also a confidant and friend to many nationally well-known leaders. Her political and social influences were profound, and her personal network far-reaching.
National Theme: 2010 - 2012
"Ambassadors for a Better Tomorrow"