Princess Anne Alumnae Lives Sisterhood All Year Around

Submitted by Sonya Whited

Princess Anne Alumnae Chapter (PAAC) does the work in the sorority’s Five Point Programmatic Thrust and Social Action each day while taking care of Delta Business. Although Delta officially celebrates Sisterhood Month in March, PAAC has epic celebrations year round, including Founders Day, Christmas or Chapter Charterversary. But additional get-togethers are organized by the Membership Services Committee, led by First Vice President Chalarra Sessoms, to ensure the chapter’s bond remains strong. A sampling of those activities appears below:

PAAC First Wednesday was the brainchild of two charter members. Five years ago, they developed this bi-monthly event as a time to focus on sisterhood rather than Delta business. Some of the fun times have included: bowling, making candles, bingo scavenger hunts and dining out at various local restaurants.

Get Lit Book Club is a collaboration with Membership Services and Arts and Letters Committees that has been in place for five years.  Members read three books per year, mostly chosen from the Delta Authors Directory. Sorors get together to discuss, laugh and bond over food that fits the book themes. Often, particularly during the last two years, the gatherings have been accompanied by virtual visits with the authors. This club is truly something special.

Then, there is the Annual visit to Fifer Orchards.   Though this is not a program, it is an example of pure fun! For the past seven years, except in 2020, sorors gather after the October chapter meeting and head to Fifer orchards where everyone gets to be a child again! Chapter members engage in riding go-karts, solving the corn maze, eating cider donuts, doing the slide and laughing, laughing, laughing! 

Two new programs that started this year focus on the Soul Care of chapter members — mid-week meditation and Cozy Conversations. Mid Week Meditation is a weekly prayer call on Wednesdays at 6 a.m. led by Melva Wright, the chapter’s chaplain. Sorors use the time to reconnect with their creator and each other as well as send love to those who are sick, those who request prayer and petition for blessings over the entire chapter.

Cozy conversations is hosted at various locations and fulfills the vision of Physical and Mental Health committee. It is a candid and impactful discussion in warm, cozy environments where sorors don loungewear and blankets.

This final highlighted program is so special because it infuses a special sisterhood moment into chapter meetings.  Last sorority year, the Membership Services committee introduced Crimson Spotlight, a time during announcements where the chapter focuses on a DEAR, Diva or Doll. Each receives flowers and extra doses of love.  This special time includes a two to three minute testimony about the soror by sorors and is a time to celebrate all that is them, often leading to laughs and tears from the recipient. This truly special moment is not recorded so one must be there to share in the experience.

The theme for this year is PAAC makes W.A.V.E.S. (Women Aligning Vision on the Eastern Shore).  The chapter strives to continue making waves throughout the community while fostering its special bond of sisterhood!