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Local Iota Phi Lambda Sorority chapter co-hosts regional conference

Posted On May 14, 2025
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Gloucester’s Epsilon Eta Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority co-hosted the sorority’s annual conference in Williamsburg last month. Those in attendance included: at podium, president Donna Osborne; front row from left, Marilyn Morris, Sharon Washington, Yvonne Ray, and Marion Randall; back row, Pamela Griffin-Armstead, Nancy Keenan, Paula Washington, Roberta Ray, Brenda Dixon, Maxine Trower, Cathryn Radford and LaVerne Forrest. Below, Osborne addresses the gathering.

The Epsilon Eta Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., co-hosted the 88th Eastern Regional Conference last month in Williamsburg. Nearly 200 people attended the conference, welcomed to the area during the opening session by Gloucester County Supervisor Kevin Smith and Gloucester County Administrator Carol Steele.

The opening session also featured a Gloucester High School NJROTC Color Guard presentation and a rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner by Gloucester High School choir member Tristan Butler. Gloucester’s Mildred Byrd captivated the audience with her performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Donna Osborne, president of the Epsilon Eta Chapter, extended greetings to those attending.

On the first day, the Educational and Business Luncheon was highlighted by greetings and best wishes from Dr. Diron Ford, director of secondary education for Gloucester County Public Schools, who addressed the group as well as the family and friends of the sorority’s local Evelyn D. Wilkey Essay Contest participants.

The 2024-2025 essay theme was “Why is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Important in Education?” Local high school essay winner Joelle Forrest, a senior at Gloucester High School, and Veronica Childs, a sixth grader at Peasley Middle School, read their essays. Also in attendance were local middle school winners Monica Childs, a sixth grader, and David Washington, an eighth grader, from Peasley.

The two-day conference concluded with a Memorial/Prayer Breakfast. The guest speaker was Dr. Rose Jarvis of Rose Jarvis Ministries in Gloucester Point, who challenged the conference goers to “Keep Moving Forward, Stay in Position, Stay in Purpose, Stay Connected, Walk with the Creator.”

Founded in Chicago in 1929, Iota Phi Lambda is the first African American business and professional Greek lettered sorority.

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