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Community Jul 26, 2018
Lena Kennedy was presented the Social Action Champion Award for her work. – Courtesy photo / Nyema Jackson
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Lena Kennedy was presented the Social Action Champion Award for her work. – Courtesy photo / Nyema Jackson
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. hosted their 51st Farwest Regional Conference
By Staff
From July 5 through July 8, over 1,100 Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. delegates from Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Okinawa, Tokyo and the Republic of Korea in Seoul descended upon the Crown City of Roses for its 51st Farwest Regional Conference whose theme was “One Sisterhood, One Bond, United for Service and Impact.” Also in attendance were guests, speakers, exhibitors, sorority national officers, elected officials, dignitaries, honorees, and family members. Across the city, everywhere you looked, the sorority’s crimson and cream colors were in sight as conference attendees enjoyed the culture and treasures of Pasadena.
To open the conference, at its public meeting on July 5, the sorority presented the Community Activist Champion Award to Gerald Freeney, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and the first African-American President of the Tournament of Roses in its 130-year history. Freeney also worked closely with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in 2013 to celebrate the sorority’s centennial anniversary as the first African-American women’s organization to have a float entry in the Rose Parade.
Civil rights leader Rev. Dr. James M. Lawson received the Civil Rights Champion Award and commended the sorority for its work in the field of civic engagement. Members of the Divine Nine presented gifts and acknowledgements to Delta and certificates of commendation were presented by Congresswoman Judy Chu and State Senator Anthony Portantino. Other certificates of recognition were received from elected officials including Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Assemblyman Chris Holden, Mayor Terry Tornek, Vice Mayor John Kennedy, and Councilman Tyron Hampton.
The Social Action Luncheon, held on Saturday, July 7, was a call to action with a focus on homelessness. Keynote speaker Dr. Thelma T. Daley, 16th National President of Delta, delivered a moving speech regarding the significant unmet needs of the homeless population and encouraged all to remember that all people are human, regardless of their plight in life and should be treated as such.
Pursuant to the launch of the Focus on 22 Families initiative, the chapters of the Farwest Region collected and donated needed items and funds to assist homeless families. Some chapters adopted a family and will proceed with continued assistance. Keana, one of the recipients of this assistance, gave testimony about how life-changing her experience had been and thanked the region for its generosity.
Lena Kennedy, community activist and executive director of the Southern California Women’s Health Conference, was presented the Social Action Champion Award for her work. Kennedy graciously accepted the award and thanked the members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for the service provided to communities across the nation and beyond. She said that while much has been done, there remains much to do and suggested that everyone strive together for the benefit of those in need.
