WS Chronicle

It’s been 40 years since 18 local registered nurses banded together to start a local chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority Inc. in Winston-Salem.

The original idea was envisioned by Yetta Clark, CNA, who was the first president (Basilas). Others included: Dr. Virginia Adams, Bettie Harvey, Maybelle Hedgley, Myrna Hughes, Robbie Irvin, Mary Isom, Carolyn Jones, Elleton McCullough, Gloria Millner, Ann Moore, Clementine Shaw, Mildred Smith, Virginia Thombs, Mary Thompson, Helen Watkins, Ernestine Westbrook and Kanzenner Wilks.

Chi Chi Chapter was chartered on Sept. 23, 1978, at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Winston-Salem. Monthly meetings have been held at various places, but presently they are held on the campus of Winston-Salem State University. Our Beta Chapter (students) was chartered there in March 1991.

The membership has increased to over 100 nurses and nursing students (male and female) and continues to be active in the organization’s theme “Service For Humanity.”

Year after year, the organization has served in many health fairs, community events, workshops, donations to various organizations, and scholarships and participated in programs for various health disparities such as cancer, heart, kidney etc.

Some of the organization’s members attend regional and national meetings to keep updated on the latest health issues. So far it has been very busy over the years with the various skills the organization has in our membership. On Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, the organization celebrated its 40th anniversary, by attending a worship service at the church of some of the members, First Baptist Church on Highland Avenue in Winston-Salem, where the pastor is Rev. Paul Ford.

After the service, pictures were taken and the organization convened at the Bleu Resturant. Six of the charter members were present and celebrated with gift bags and goodies. The other members were given small tokens of love.

“We look forward to many more anniversaries to come. To God be the glory!” the organization said in a press release.