• Delta Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.Neighbor

  • Cascade, GA

Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. is a national business and professional sorority.

Mission:

To unite in a sisterhood qualified business and professional women who will stimulate, inspire, foster, and assist persons engaged in business vocations.Company OverviewA Brief History of Delta Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.:<br> <br> June 1930, in Atlanta, Georgia, Delta Chapter had its humble beginning. Mrs. Odessa Parada Williams organized the chapter and became its first President. In 1926, she moved to Atlanta and opened Williams Business College; one of the first private business schools in Atlanta. <br><br> Chartered as a business sorority, the Delta Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. has groomed many women to be entrepreneurs. Through business training, women have made a huge impact upon our society. Over the years, local programs were devised to assist women in their quest to succeed in a world dominated by men. Mrs. Williams believed the organization could solve some of the problems facing African American women, many of whom were new to the business world.  Members began to actively participate in National Programs and Projects as well as local projects. The goals of Iota were further carried out through our work with the youth programs. <br> <br> Over the years, Delta Chapter has been a pioneer in teaching young women how to become independent and enter the field of business. As one of the earliest chapters to be organized our contributions to the growth and development of the sorority has been duly noted. <br> <br> Delta Chapter’s most renowned public program – The Bronze Woman Program began in 1945 to emphasize the sorority’s National Program, Business Month, by highlighting the annual theme and honoring women who have made outstanding contributions in their various fields of endeavor. With the help of community to nominate worthy candidates and businessmen to serve as judges, nominees were selected in the fields of Art, Business, Community Service, Education, Professions and Religion from which the Bronze Woman was named.  Nominees submitted applications along with a portfolio which were reviewed by a panel of judges. The winner was announced at the Bronze Woman Program/Banquet. The first winner (1945) was Representative Grace Towns Hamilton. Other notables were Sadie G. Mayes, 1947; Annie L. McPheeters, 1953; Coretta Scott King, 1966; and Judge Glenda Hatchett (Johnson), 1989. Former Atlanta Mayor, Shirley Franklin was a 1978 nominee in the field of Arts. A complete list of Bronze Woman nominees and winners can be found in our archives located in the Auburn Avenue Research Library.<br> <br> For the first 38 years, the program was held in churches. Beginning in 1984, the program was held in banquet format at various hotels with the proceeds benefiting our scholarship fund. The Bronze Woman Program culminated in 1995 with Julia V. Hunter named 50th Bronze Woman. In 1996, The Emerald Award debuted; the premise was the same as The Bronze Woman Program. Sadly, the final banquet was held in 1999; from 2000-2002, the event was held as a luncheon. Nonetheless, we continued to assisted young women continue their education beyond high school.  <br> <br> Delta Chapter strives diligently to remain a presence in our community by volunteering where needed. Our community service outreach program includes mentoring, volunteering in the school system, tutorial assistance, hosting multigenerational programs, providing support for the less fortunate and various other activities. Our roster continues to boasts members who joined the sorority via undergraduate chapters. <br> <br> While we highlight the notable contributions of a few, the work of Delta Chapter pays homage to all the women who have paved the way. Today Delta Chapter stands ready for continued committed service in the 21st century.  We remain a diverse group of women from various professions who aim to keep the vision of our illustrious founder alive.  See MoreDescriptionIota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. is a national business and professional sorority which seeks to:<br> <br> Unite in sisterhood qualified business and professional women in order to enhance and improve the status of women in our highly complex, competitive business and professional world; <br> <br> Promote increased interest in the broad field of business education among high school and college young women through p...lanned programs and scholarships; <br> <br> Encourage the development of personal goals and leadership potential; and <br> <br> Establish and promote civic and social service activities for youth and adults. <br> <br> The Sorority&#39;s most recent and national youth projects place emphasis on the social, economic and psychological needs of youth by offering programs of remediation through tutoring, career exploration and teen pregnancy prevention.See MoreGeneral InformationA Brief History of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.:<br> From a Small Acorn - 1929 to Today<br> <br> The turn of the 20th century was a tumultuous time for the United States. Within a few years of the start of World War I, there was the Great Migration of Blacks from the South to the Northern cities seeking greater opportunities and a more tolerant society.<br> <br>... These changes underscored the need for Blacks to learn new skills. These skills, in turn, would hopefully ensure a better way of life for tens of thousands of Blacks that had migrated northward.<br> <br> Lola M. Parker, a graduate of Chicago Business College, was one of the great visionaries of this time. She realized that Black women who were discriminated against on the basis of both race and gender needed to not only improve their existing skills but also motivate and inspire other women to achieve the highest level of proficiency in their chosen professions.<br> <br> Joining together with Ethel T. Edwards, Mildred G. Hardin, Harriet M. Robinson, Ophelia Harrison, Burdette Trigg and Marjorie Tyndall, Lola M. Parker founded Iota Phi Lambda Sorority on June 1, 1929 to carry out these objectives.<br> <br> As the organization grew, Ms. Parker soon began to realize her dream of an organization that would encourage, nurture and promote the ideals of higher education, increased business acumen and a standard of professionalism for Black Women.<br> <br> Since its inception, Iota has embraced other professions; however, the main focus remains on the field of business. There are now more than 100 chapters with membership numbering more than 9,000 in 85 cities, Washington DC and the US Virgin Islands.<br> <br> The Sorority&#39;s aims are to:<br> <br> * Make worthwhile contributions to the changing socio-economic patterns of our time; <br> <br> * Project the philosophy of the pursuit of excellence in all worthy endeavors among youth and adults; <br> <br> *Develop leadership expertise among business and professional women.

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