I first want to thank you for electing me as your 40th Illustrious Commandress. I am humbled that you would place your faith and trust in me. This is a responsibility that I do not take lightly, and I will endeavor to represent you with the utmost transparency and boldness. I am the last of the Sabaa Mothabreen (Seven who Preserved) Class of 2K1 to serve in this position, and I pray I make them proud as well as you. I am genuinely pleased to be here and serve as your 39th Illustrious Commandress of MISR Court 193.

 

The number 40happens to be significant. Not only am I the 39th Illustrious Commandress, but I was #39 of my sorority line called the Masterpiece affiliated with the Alpha Lambda Psi Military Spouses sorority Inc. and my line name is Harmony. This is so significant because when you think of Harmony, you think of components coming together to produce something pleasing or complete a whole. Harmony is what I think of when I think of MISR Court 193. An organization of beautiful, intelligent, strong-willed, multitalented, powerful, innovative, and classy black women that come together for a special purpose, doing God's work, spreading love in our communities, our family's and with each other. This, ladies, is my vision for MISR Court No. 193.

 

Harmony will be a new component to the equation that equals True Sisterhood. The equation for Sisterhood was first introduced to the court in 2020 by PC Natasha Avery during her year as Illustrious Commandress. Unfortunately, Covid-19 transpired, and she didn't get an opportunity to implement all of activities she planned. I believed wholeheartedly in what PC Avery was striving to accomplish in 2020, and I believe our court would have been more substantial, and much closer to the end product called Sisterhood. My goal is to carry PC Avery's vision into 2022 and beyond. With that said, my theme for 2022 is Moving in Strength Renewed towards Unity + Love + Respect + Harmony= True Sisterhood.

 

Getting to true Sisterhood is not something that happens overnight. It takes years to form and time to heal from the hurt that has transpired. I believe working together as a team, we can do so much more to make a meaningful impact in our community, take our programs to the next level and form some of the best relationships amongst women. My motto "Together We are Stogner" and "We Are One" reflects Harmony.

 

We all have to do our part to make this work, and we will work through all of these components in 2022. One of the events planned by the Divan is a Sisterhood Retreat that will take place in April. This retreat will allow us not only to get to know each other better but it will allow us opportunities to be open and honest about our feelings and will help us to support each other as women. There will be workshops, definitely fitness activities and most of all fun. I've also established a team of Activity Consultants that will organize events to help promote our growth and development into True Sisterhood, along with our wardrobe consultants that will make sure we look super cute in the colors of Black, Red, and White. They are already preparing a list of must-haves for the year.

 

We are a charitable organization, and that must always be our number one priority. The word charity means to give to others that which belongs to you. My special charities for the year are both very personal to me. I have chosen the Alzheimer's Association, which my mother suffered from Dementia and Alzheimer's for many years and passed away on May 28, 2018, and the American Heart Disease Association, which my father passed away from a heart attack on August 2, 2020. Both diseases strongly impact Americans across our country, and I am deeply committed to doing whatever I can to support the fight against these diseases. To facilitate donations for these organizations, I am requesting 10% of the proceeds from our fundraising events be earmarked for the Commandresses Special Charities. I also ask that the court support fundraiser for these charities throughout the year.

 

We will continue implementing the Information Technology Program, and I ask that 5% of all court fundraisers be earmarked as IT Fund. We will also develop a MISR skills bank that will identify the incredible talents within our court, along with standard operating procedures of our committee's business processes' PC Larolyn Young has graciously accepted to lead these efforts.

 

To the Past Commandress Council, our pillars of MISR Ct. 193. There is an extreme wealth of experience and knowledge among you. My charge to you is to implement a standard Big Sister mentoring program for Divan Officers that includes activities to be completed quarterly. Also incorporate a quarterly roundtable with the Divan in-person or virtually to discuss Imperial policies and procedures, as well as process improvements for the court. I also ask that you develop a standardized checklist of activities or guides to support the incoming Illustrious Commandress throughout her year.

 

At this time, I'd like to say a special thank you to my mother-in-law, PC Bobbie Jean Henry, for being my sounding board and always offering words of encouragement throughout the years. I also want to thank my classmates of 2K1, PC Larolyn Young, PC Deblen Edge, and PC Angela Plummer. You ladies have been some of my role models, and I appreciate your guidance and advice. To PC Carol Williams, PC Sheri Walker and PC Venus Jones, you ladies have always been there for me, and you and always seem to call at the right time. Your love and support means the world to me.

 

To the Divan, I am looking forward to our journey together. I couldn't have asked for a better group of women to work alongside me to help execute the goals and objectives for this year. We will be a strong leadership team for this court, and I will make sure each of you has the tools needed to succeed in your journey as you move forward.

 

To MISR Court 193, your support has been unwavering since I took the seat in August 2021, and I am genuinely appreciative. You are indeed a fantastic group of women, and I cherish every one of you. I want you to know that I am here for you and committed to moving our court in a new direction. Thank you again for the opportunity to serve you.

 

Yours in the Faith,

39th Illustrious Commandress

MISR Ct. 193