Omega Phi Beta Inducts Honorary Members with Emotional Ceremony at National Convention
New York, NY – September 21, 2018
* For Immediate Release *
Contact:
Zahir Ynoa (formerly Diaz)
Director of Herstory and Rituals
Herstorian@OmegaPhiBeta.org
Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated (OPBSI) had the honor to induct two amazing and strong women that have dedicated their lives to their communities in an emotional and uplifting ceremony at this year’s National Convention in North Hollywood, CA. Ms. Ivelisse Pimentel-Tuttle and Ms. Nicole Madonna shared stories of the struggles they overcame and their hopes to continue to work to uplift their respective communities. They were welcomed into the Sorority by nearly 200 members attending Convention including our 2016 honorary inductee, Dr. Jessica Guzman-Rea.
Among several exciting Sorority achievements, the presence of our powerful 2018-2019 Ray of Hope Walk (ROHW) beneficiary, SisterSong, Inc., and the awarding of six new chapter charters made this Convention weekend a truly celebratory one where the theme “Sisterhood Knows No Distance” was ever present. Ms. Pimentel-Tuttle’s and Ms. Madonna’s induction into OPBSI’s Alpha Alpha Chapter, reserved for Honorary members, touched the hearts of all present. The work and life experiences of the inductees resonated with those present and echoed the mission and vision of OPBSI.
Ms. Pimentel-Tuttle is a Senior EOP Advisor at SUNY New Paltz and was nominated by our Beta Chapter whose members have had the pleasure of her dedication and friendship first hand for over 15 years. Ms. Pimentel-Tuttle has worked vigorously with young college students to assist them in their academic, social and emotional development. Continuing her development as a leader in innovative education efforts, Ms. Pimentel-Tuttle has exercised great deal of leadership in many different capacities over nearly 25 years.
In speaking on OPBSI she states, “I also noted that their mission aligned with my mission; to empower women through leadership and service. The mission of OPB aligns with what I value personally and professionally; serving to enrich the lives of other academically, culturally and professionally. It’s been a great honor to continue to work with such promising young ladies and I continue to enjoy the relationships that OPB has given me with so many wonderful young women.”
Ms. Madonna is the Director of Counseling Services at Johnson and Wales University in Charlotte, NC. She supervises students at who are studying in the mental health field to help provide resources for those related to identity, privilege, sexism, racism and oppression. She has a very extensive background in work surrounding awareness of violence against women. She was nominated by the Beta Chi Chapter at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) had gotten to know Ms. Madonna through her role as the Interpersonal Violence Prevention Specialist within the Center of Wellness Promotion at UNCC.
Ms. Madonna talks about her work with survivors: “I have continued to dedicate my life to helping survivors who live in the margins and who have more of a struggle to access services that will actually help them to heal. It is very important to me to train other therapists to be able to help survivors and I do many (free) community trainings with other professionals because it is critical to saving lives.”
The Alpha Alpha Chapter Class of Summer 2018
* * * * *
In addition to welcoming these two Honorary members, OPBSI held its annual Sorority and Operational Awards and celebrated the chartering of six chapters and addition of two new collectives.
Our newly chartered and established entities are:
- Alpha Lambda Chapter, North Carolina Alumnae – established in 2016
- Alpha Mu Chapter, Los Angeles Alumnae – established in 2011 and reactivated in 2017
- Beta Chi Chapter at University of North Carolina at Charlotte – established in 2014
- Beta Psi Chapter at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA – established in 2015
- Beta Omega Chapter at Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA – established in 2016
- Gamma Alpha Chapter at Illinois State University in Normal, IL – established in 2016
- Collective at Rutgers University – Newark Campus – established spring 2018
- Collective at Fairleigh Dickinson University – Florham Campus – established spring 2018
This year’s Sorority and Operational Award winners are:
Undergraduate of the Year
Margaret Rocha, Psi Chapter
Alumna/Member-at-Large of the Year
Jennifer Reyes, Pi Chapter
Sister of the Year
Kimberly Casillas, Gamma Chapter
Philanthropist of the Year
Beta Psi Chapter, Old Dominion University
Professional of the Year
Ariana Curtis, Omicron Chapter
Outstanding National Service
Angelica Gumucio, Beta Chi Chapter
Leadership Award
LeAna Flores, Beta Beta / Alpha Iota Chapters
Monica L. Miranda Image Award
Marketing Committee, 2017
- Adriana Mata, Beta Iota Chapter
- Amber Recio, Tau Chapter
- Anareliz Colon, Alpha Zeta Chapter
- Gabriela Mata, Beta Iota/Alpha Iota Chapters & Director of Marketing
- Glen Anna Abellana, Beta Upsilon Chapter
- Jessica Mendez, Beta Alpha Chapter
- Julissa Castillo, Beta Kappa Chapter
- Kimberly Casillas, Gamma Chapter
- Maria Zepeda, Beta Pi Chapter
- Mariana Gomez, Beta Alpha Chapter
- Michelina Ferrara, Psi Chapter & Vice President of Community Relations
- Sandra Gaona, Delta Chapter
- Yvette Ramirez, Alpha Theta Chapter
Jessica P. Roman Dedication Award
Milena Rosas, Alpha Zeta Chapter
Chapter of the Year
Beta Upsilon Chapter, Stevens Institute of Technology
Most-Improved Chapter of the Year
Pi Chapter, Northeastern University
Trailblazer of the Year
Alpha Mu Chapter, Los Angeles Alumnae
Region of the Year
Region 5: Southeast
- Beta Zeta Chapter, Florida State University
- Beta Eta Chapter, University of South Florida
- Beta Lambda Chapter, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Beta Sigma Chapter, Florida International University
- Beta Chi Chapter, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- Beta Psi Chapter, Old Dominion University
- Beta Omega Chapter, Georgia State University
- Alpha Theta Chapter, Orlando/Tampa FL Alumnae
- Alpha Lambda Chapter, North Carolina Alumnae
- Atlanta Alumnae Collective
- Dormant entities: Iota Chapter, Omicron Chapter, Collective at CSU, South Florida Alumnae Collective
For more information or photographs of the winners please visit our Instagram or Facebook pages using the handle: @OmegaPhiBeta.
Omega Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated is a Greek-lettered organization committed to spreading the Awareness of Violence Against Women. The mission of OPBSI is to serve and educate people of diverse backgrounds through sisterhood, leadership and guidance. As positive role models, we promote unity of all cultures, focus on the empowerment of our gender and raise the standards of excellence in our academic, social, and personal endeavors. OPBSI envisions a world without oppression, where empowered women celebrate the essence of womanhood and act as resources in the advancement of their communities. For more information visit: www.OmegaPhiBeta.org