Chapter History
Zealous Zeta Epsilon
Since 2021
Our Story
The Monmouth County Chapter’s foundation is deeply grounded within the purpose of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Incorporated; to encourage the development of the potential of our youth. The idea for chartering a chapter in Monmouth County was born out of collaboration between Dr. Lavetta Ross, member of Alpha Chapter and Dr. Sancha Gray, member of Epsilon Alpha Chapter, who sought to create opportunities to pour into the youth of Monmouth County.
Every idea has a genesis, some small event or situation that triggered its inception. Growing up, Dr. Ross was a member of the Xino organization sponsored by Alpha Chapter. As a Xino, she received an array of life skills support, cultural enrichment, socialization training, and a scholarship. As a living testament to the benefits of youth being connected to the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Dr. Ross desired to create the same opportunities for her daughters in their hometown of Neptune, New Jersey. To her dismay, there was no chapter in Monmouth County, where she lived.
In 2019, discussions began between Dr. Lavetta Ross and Dr. Sancha Gray after becoming acquainted at Monmouth University. The pair discussed the immense benefits of developing a Phi Delta Kappa presence in Monmouth County. Dr. Sancha Gray, a superintendent of a local school district in Monmouth County, felt passionate about the potential of sponsoring a variety of community activities to enable and inspire a certain demographic of youth to be leaders and attain high ethical, educational, moral, and social standards.
As the COVID-19 pandemic raged, progress stalled until the summer of 2020. On August 11, 2020, a virtual meeting was held on Zoom between Dr. Patsy Squire, Eastern Regional Director, Anona Huntley, Eastern Region Member-at-Large, Perry Jackson, President, Alpha Chapter, Dr. Lavetta Ross, and Dr. Sancha Gray to investigate the formation of a chapter sponsored by Alpha Chapter. Prior to the meeting, an assessment was conducted by Dr. Ross and Ms. Gray that outlined the geographical, cultural, and socioeconomic need for the charter. After this meeting, the general chapter body called a meeting to vote on proceeding with the Monmouth County Charter on August 24, 2020.
A few weeks later on September 2, 2020, an exciting email resolution from Dr. Etta F. Carter, National President, and Dr. Patsy Squire, Eastern Regional Director, appointed Alpha Chapter to begin the exploration of the Monmouth County Charter Chapter pending formal approval from the National Executive Council. The Council approved the exploration later that month.
With much anticipation to meet the women who would develop this presence in Monmouth County, three Zoom virtual interest meetings were held on November 17, 2020, December 19, 2020, and January 26, 2021. The pool of potential members was further narrowed with interviews for candidates conducted on February 16, 2021 and February 17, 2021.
On March 24, 2021, at a well-attended virtual Krinon Induction Ceremony, fourteen educators with an array of experience, donned in all black and pearls, pledged to begin the journey to maintain the mission of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa within Monmouth County. As an interest group, the Krinons met weekly under the leadership of Dr. Lavetta Ross, Dean of Pledges, Diana Ondande, Dean of Pledges, Ebony Lattimer, Krinon President, Shae-Brie Dow, Krinon Vice President, Tatum Stein, Krinon Secretary, and Valerie Echols-Gardner, Krinon Treasurer. Over the course of two months, the group planned initial fundraisers and a timely educational presentation entitled, Successful Re-entry to School: A Social Emotional Learning Approach for All Stakeholders- Preschool to Higher Education. The virtual presentation was held on May 10, 2021.
The chapter was installed on May 16, 2021 at Jumping Brook Country Club, Neptune, New Jersey in a historic ceremony and luncheon. The ceremony adhered to all of the guidelines outlined by the CDC for safe gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
At its inception, there were 14 members, now known as, the 14 E.P.I.C. Gems:
Elaine Buckley
Samantha Dow-Hankerson
Dr. Shae-Brie M. Dow
Valerie D. Echols-Gardner
Dr. Titania M. Hawkins
Dr. Kristie M. Howard Morris
Ophelia P. Hughley
Sonia I. Irizarry
Dr. Lauren E. Jackson
Kristina Jones-Wilson
Ebony Lattimer
Sajdah Muhammad
Dr. Shantel Marie Scott
Dr. Tatum Stein
2023-2024 Chapter Officers
2nd Vice President: Sonia Irizarry
Recording Secretary: Kristina Jones Wilson
Corresponding Secretary: Elaine Buckley
Financial Secretary: Claudia Soldiviero
Treasurer: Karma Davis
Parliamentarian: Ophelia Hughley
Custodian of Properties: Elaine Buckley
Technology Committee Chair: Dr. Shantel M. Scott