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[[images - scenes from the convention]]]]

Malone, Chicago, Illinois. Outstanding Soror of the Year was Mrs. Edna C. Woodward, Los Angeles, CA. 

Among the additional highlights of the Convention was an address by Dr. Benjamin Hooks, Executive Director, NAACP. The Sorority was also given an NAACP plaque by Mrs. Ina Boon, coordinator of the NAACP's Sustainer Program, for being the first organization to fully pay $5,000 to this NAACP effort. An additional highlight was the induction of two honorary members eminent in their fields of endeavor; Dr. Dorothy Height, Executive Director, National Council of Negro Women, and Dr. Althea T. L. Simmons, Director of the NACP's Washington Bureau. 

Adding meaning and substance to the Convention was the period allowed in one of the business sessions for all Sorors to write and mail letters to President Reagan, their Congressmen and other government officials regarding the bedget cuts of social programs, and the need for the extension of the Voting Rights Act. 

A "first" was the appointment of an Executive Secretary for the Sorority, Mrs. Mariam Dansby Johnson, Jackson, Mississippi, where the national office will be located. Substantial donations were given by the Sorority to their affiliates: NAACP.United Negro College Fund, National Urban League, National Council of Negro Women, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, Black Leadership Roundtable, and the Black Women's Agenda. The Sorority also holds membership in the United Nations, the only Sorority to hold membership status therein. 

Time for merriment was found when the Pan Hellenic Greek Council assisted Beta Alpha, the host chapter, in sponsoring a delightful "Emerald Ball". The gala affair was held in the adjoining Winston-Salem auditorium. Another heart-warming event was the beautiful "President's Reception" given for outgoing President Witherspoon, when many community citizens, including the Winston-Salem Barrister' Wives, joined more than 500 visiting guests on the rolling estate of Rev. and Mrs. Moses Small. Mrs Thelma Small served as Convention Chairman. President Witherspoon received numerous plaques, gifts, and other mementos of esteem and gratitude for her most progressive and fruitful four-year administration. She, in turn, presented plaques in the sorority's colors and appropriately worded to each member of the Executive Board who had served during her tenure. 

The new President is Mrs. Clarice E. Brown, Chicago, Illinois; Dr. Evelyn Sears Peevy, Norfolk, VA., was elected President Elect, and Mrs. Billie Glover, Tuskegee, Alabama, was elected Vice-President. 

Delegates from other attendees from St. Louis' Alpha Zeta Chapter were: President Odessa and Amos Tandy, Sarah and Melton Lewis, Esq., Mazie and Clyde Orr, Virginia Cooper, Magdalene Moore, E. Inez Nicholas, Marguerite Best, Frances Thomas, Margaret Small and Ruth Robinson. 

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