2012 Emerald Extravaganza Scholarship Luncheon and Fashion Show

 

The Ivy Community Foundation, Incorporated, will present its 2012 Emerald Extravaganza Scholarship Luncheon and Fashion Show on Saturday, December 8, 2012 at the Ivy Community Foundation Center, 3850 Stone Road, Atlanta, Ga. from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This year’s luncheon theme is “Pumps and Pioneers: Our Elected Officials” where elected government officials who are Alpha Kappa Alpha , Inc. sorors will be honored for their commitment to public service. Tickets can be purchased with a donation of $60.00 each.

Contact: Ms. Kandace Carty at kfboyd@yahoo.com.

Parking will be available at the Greenbriar Shopping Mall adjacent to the old Magic Johnson Theatre. Shuttle service will be provided to and from the Parking Area and the Ivy Community Center and Security Staff will be on-site during the event.

The Ivy Community Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides programs and activities to serve the greater Atlanta community through scholarship programs, Black family outreach, charitable giving, as well as, participation in voter registrations, political forums and senior citizen programs.

The Emerald Extravaganza is one of the Foundation’s signature fund-raising events in which funds raised provide scholarships to college-bound women. The Ivy Community Foundation, Inc. greatly appreciates your support of this important endeavor. 

Happy Founder's Day Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. : Celebrating 104 Years of Sisterhood!

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the first sorority founded by African-American women. Clark Atlanta University, "Sweet" Alpha Pi Chapter, 1999 - 2001 (Photos).






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Good Times in undergrad! Happy Founder's Day Sorors!

Loving and Taking Care of an Elderly Parent

Have you ever sat at the computer and googled your family and friends?  Recently, I googled my Grandma, Rev. Dr. June Morehead Marable.  Her honors and accolades highlighted on the screen, as I scrolled down the page and marveled at her dissertation description.  Her stories of growing up as a minister's child filled my head, and I imagined her white gloves, sharp tailored suits, and of course matching hats.  We called her “Groovy Grandmother” growing up, because she wore the title "woman" well and was classy, intelligent,beautiful and sophisticated.  She also jumped on the trampoline, roller-skated, and played ball with us. 

Several years ago, I started noticing my grandma's memory was fading.  She began calling me my sister's name, Malaika, and reiterating the same stories about the pledging days and hymns of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.  I soon knew those stories so well, that I could finish them for her.  I miss those stories now.  Today, Alzheimer's is trying to control her thought process.  There are times when she will surprise you and remember important aspects of your life, or lecture to you as if you were a pupil in her classroom.  The sparkles in her eyes are still bright, but have become a bit more distant through the years, and are fading slowly.

Throughout my grandma's journey, my Aunt Madonna has been there every step of the way.  She has been the researcher, guide, and parent for her mom.  Observing this transition of parent and child interaction has been an eye-opening experience and one shown with grace and unconditional love. 

There are some people in the world that are just remarkable.  My grandma and aunt are two of those people.  Madonna’s journey of assisting her mom needed to be shared.  I asked her to provide helpful tips for those of you facing the same situation of taking care of an elderly parent.

Madonna began, “My personal journey with my mom’s condition was at first viewed as unbelief, rationalizations, and excuses.  I dismissed her often times irrational behaviors, negative attitudes, paranoia, and forgetfulness.  I attributed the changes in mom as a reaction to a series of external challenges and changes which she had no control of.”

In reflection she continued, "My mother's diseases progressed when she turned 70 years old.  I noticed she would often lose her keys, call the locksmith to install locks, and take them off all the doors in her house.  Every door.” 

These activities were unusual for my grandma.  Being an educator, she was always very sharp and aware of her surroundings.  Her background was quite extensive for an older African American woman, having earned four degrees including a Ph.D. in Education, and a Masters in Divinity.  Who knew a deadly brain disorder would slowly consume a once vital, brilliant woman?

"She couldn’t remember how to get back home and forgot to pay her bills.  She didn’t want to let go of control, however over a period of time, one by one, I convinced her to allow me to assist her with managing her household and responsibilities," explained my aunt.

Aunt Madonna felt alone as her mom’s primary care giver and experienced insurmountable grief.  “I felt alone, like no one understood."  She decided to change the way she was feeling and started researching ways to assist her mom. My grandma is doing much better now, because my aunt stepped in to assist her when she needed it most. 

Tips for Caregivers:

• Take time to care for yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually
•  Join support groups, if needed
• Don't try to do everything yourself - ask for help
• Exercise
• Eat healthy
• Reduce stress
• Rest and meditate
• Forgive 

Published in Elephant Journal.