September 2011
NewYork:
Just One Battle in the War for Equality
the spirit of
N’awlins a look back at
Convention 2011
pages 4-5
Image courtesy of Google Images.
By Xiomara Lara Guest Writer In the Summer of 2005, I remember walking across the Brooklyn bridge with other fellow supporters of gay marriage. We marched across to show our opposition to President Bush’s proposed Constitutional amendment defining marriage. This event was spearheaded by the Marriage Equality of New York and was my 3rd march with the organization. Walkers chanted, yelled and walked with their banners held high,
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What’s In This Edition? Survival 101: Life After College... Easy One Pot Recipes... Livin’ on a Prayer and a Budget...
2 FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Sisters,
Staff Editor-In-Chief
Rashida Rawls
Senior Editors
Elizabeth Edwards Dara Monasch Senior Designer
Jamie Dawson Copy Editors
Caitlin Bassett Sarah Hein
Staff Writers
Arianna Smith Nicole Zavodny
Contributing Writers
Tanya Arditi Rubi Morgan
Table of Contents
Cover Feature......................................1 “New York: Just One Battle in the War for Equality” From the President.............................2 Sisterhood Spotlight............................3 Convention 2011..................................4 Featured Articles “Keep Your Health Up This Fall”.......... 6 “Survival 101: Life After College”........... 8 “Building Bridges Between GAP and Undergrad Chapters”...................... 9 “Livin’ on a Prayer and a Budget”......10 “You Can’t Eat That”...................................12 “Easy Healthy One Pot Recipes”........16 “Chapter Highlights”......................................18 “Paganism: Not All Hocus Pocus and Devil Worshipping”............................. 21
Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. held our third annual national convention September 7-9, 2001 in Washington D.C. This event was my first convention and initial experience with our amazing sisterhood. We began the weekend breaking off into groups and completing an exercise called Johari’s Window, which allowed us to share information about ourselves as individuals and also get sisters’ thoughts about how we came across to them. This was an activity that was so beneficial for those that participated, a lot of groups continued their conversations into the night. To this day, I reminisce about this activity with those that were in my group as we formed a special bond that night. The weekend continued to be fruitful for me as I met the majority of our Founders and experienced the diversity and sincerity of our sisterhood. On Sunday afternoon, a group of us took some time to sight see in Washington D.C., and for me this was my first time seeing the city and monuments in the area. It was an emotional good-bye for my line sisters and I, and we rode that emotional high all the way home and into the next day. I believe this experience made the events of September 11, 2001 much different for me than if I hadn’t just spent a weekend with an amazing group of women from all over the country specifically in the area where one of the attacks took place. My world became significantly smaller that weekend and I had sisters to be concerned about. I was grateful to have my line sisters for support during this confusing and tragic time and even more grateful to get word that all of our sisters were okay by the end of that day. As we gained knowledge of what happened that day and the motivation behind the attacks, it became even clearer to me that an organization like Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. was a significant and unique group to be a part of. While it was a scary time, I knew it was more important than ever to promote our mission to our campuses and communities. This is not an easy feat, but one we all uphold as members of Theta Nu Xi. While we reflect on the events of ten years ago and stay tuned to the aftermath we are still dealing with today, I encourage all of you to continue promoting our ideals and thinking of new and innovative ways to spread our mission. Take time to educate others on different races, cultures, religions, backgrounds and lifestyles. Remember that we have sisters who have dealt directly with this tragedy, whether it be in the military having been deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq, or an experience of racism or a hate crime. Continue to be the ultimate example of a woman of Theta Nu Xi so that when we reflect on this event in ten more years, we will be able to see the fruits of our labor in a more peaceful and open minded world. ONE Love,
Amanda Tomchak
National President, Interim
thank you to sisters who participated in our 72 Hour Donation Drive for the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City As an organization, we raised $700 in three days, and are now the proud sponsors of a cobblestone brick at the memorial site. Visit www.911memorial.org for more information.
SISTERHOOD SPOTLIGHT 3 By: Rubi Morgan Contributing Writer
How were you introduced to Theta Nu Xi and why did you join?
I was first introduced to Theta Nu Xi in the spring of my junior year. I was in a Women’s Studies class and Kai Toshumba was in the course with me. At one point, Kai spoke to the class about her effort to bring Crystal Mangum, the alleged victim in the Duke Lacrosse Case, to campus. Crystal had never had the chance to speak publicly about her case. I asked Kai what organization was she working with to make this change and she told me about Theta Nu Xi. After hearing this information I began to research the organization and the rest began to fall into place.
Who influenced you in your journey to become a sister?
My mother is the strongest woman I know. When I first told her about my interest in Theta Nu Xi she encouraged me to set my goals high and to challenge myself. Although my mother is not familiar with sororities she has always supported me in the choices that I have made throughout my life. After my emergence, she welcomed my line sisters as her own daughters and encouraged me to spread my wings and become the strong woman that she had always known. She is my mentor, best friend, role model and I couldn’t ask for a better support system throughout my journey to become a successful woman and sister.
What has been your favorite memory so far as a sister?
I think my favorite memory so far as a sister of Theta Nu Xi was our event “Pie A Butterfly” during our Founder’s Week. The students would buy a whip cream pie and throw it at me or my sisters. It was incredibly messy but completely worth it. All of the money that we raised went towards providing a scholarship for a young woman in Tanzania to go to secondary school. It was a successful event but also the most fun I have had raising money. It also helped informed other students around campus about how privileged we are to have the ability to receive an education.
What are your current educational plans?
I am currently a Women’s Studies and Pre-Nursing double major with a Medical Anthropology minor. In the future I am trying to become a Nurse Practitioner that specializes in Hematology disorders, specifically Sickle Cell disease. I started an internship at the UNC Women’s Health Research Center and was lucky enough to shadow a practitioner and saw that a lot of children with Sickle Cell disease do not receive the right care or medicine. Because Sickle Cell is more common in minorities, stereotypes and prejudice become an obstacle when giving patients pain medication because they may be assumed to be drug addicts. I want to be able to help people get the right kind of care they need or are denied by hospitals. My first step will first be getting into nursing school this December.
If you hadn’t joined Theta Nu Xi, how do you feel your life would be different?
I’m not quite sure how to answer this question because after learning about the organization and meeting the sisters of Theta Nu Xi I knew this was an organization that I wanted to be a part of and would do anything for. I guess if I had not joined Theta Nu Xi, I would not have as strong of a self being as I have now. Through this organization I have come to learn about myself in so many ways and have a passion that cannot be described.
Devin Russell
#5 Coup de Grâce Fall 2010 Alpha Chapter
4 CONVENTION 2011
the spirit of
N’awlins a look back at
Convention 2011
CONVENTION 2011 5
6 FEATURED ARTICLE
UP
s i h
T
l l Fa
By Tanya S. Arditi Contributing Writer
According to some studies, we tend to “fall” into unhealthy habits in the Autumn due to the days getting shorter and darker and our lives resuming hectic calendars following the lazy vacation-filled, outdoors-heavy Summer months. It also means a return to comfort foods (especially carbohydrates and grains) as opposed to light fruits and vegetables, and more beverages (like apple cider and hot chocolate) as opposed to the trusty and heat-quenching H2O. And as if all this weren’t enough, it’s also the season to get back to school; and if you’re a teacher or have kids, it’s when germs declare open season and start hunting Human! Oh, and did I forget to mention nasty Flu season and sugary Halloween? For this reason, ONE Vision would like to help all Sisters out with a few health tips to avoid falling in the Fall and staying as healthy as possible!
Health Fall = Flu prevention season! It’s time to find out from your doctor (or Pharmacist) when the annual shot will become available. And if your doctor does in-office shots, take advantage and combine your flu shot with a check-up!
Even if you’re feeling healthy, a check-up at least once a year is a great idea. Remember that the flu shot is recommended for all adults, especially those with health conditions such as diabetes or heart disease, which puts them at higher risk for complications. Dust off your hats and gloves. Most of your body’s heat escapes through your head, so in order to stay warm, keep your head covered! And wearing gloves will help you not only stay warm, but also prevent your skin from cracking due to dryness and all the central heat that it will be exposed to.
Exercise If you’re big on exercising outdoors, it’s now time to figure out where you’ll be exercising once the colder months begin. Don’t let the cold months put a damper on the hard work you’ve done to get and stay in shape during the Spring and Summer – keep the goodness
going! While the weather still allows it, Fall is the perfect season to get in those scenic bike rides, walks, hikes, and jogs! If money is tight and you won’t be joining a gym, these can be some great options: • Walk at indoor shopping malls. Some even have walkers’ clubs, just call and find out.
• Go up and down stairs at your house or before or after work in your office. I used to have a doorman who every other day would change into work-out clothes at the end of his shift and go up the stairs to the 50th floor, take the elevator down, and do it again. This was his exercise routine, and he was fit as could be! • Find out if any of your friends have a gym in their apartment buildings/housing complex, and if they are allowed to bring guests. Offer to do something in exchange for these “services.”
Images courtesy of Google Images.
Keep Your Health
FEATURED ARTICLE 7 • Offer to rake leaves for your neighbors and friends. It’s a great exercise, it’s free, you can count it as volunteering hours, AND you’ll be helping people in these hard financial times!
Diet
Your diet should be balanced and geared toward giving you the most amount of energy and nutrition while helping to prevent diseases, keeping you all-around healthy and making you say “yum.” Please note that we’re not discussing “diet” in the “weight-loss” sense, but in the nom-nom-nom sense.
Image courtesy of Google Images.
• Eat your veggies. Experts all agree that the healthiest way to live is to incorporate the season’s fruits and vegetables into your diet, because nature doesn’t do anything in vain. For example, root vegetables are in season during the Fall, and they are the type of vegetables comfort food is made out of! Mashed potatoes, soups, sweet potato/yams, pumpkin pie – all made from Fall vegetables. Best part of it all is that root vegetables tend to be relatively inexpensive, and they’re extremely nutritious. Pumpkins in particular are extremely versatile: You can carve them up and make your Jack-o-Lanterns, roast the seeds, and after a few days, cook the entire pumpkin for soup or in a stew, or in so many other ways. According to sources, individuals with a diet rich in lutein, beta-carotene and zeaxanthin have been shown to have a lower risk of a number of different cancers, and many Fall vegetables – such as carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, collards and kale – are good sources of those compounds.
• Get your drink on. In the Spring and Summer we tend to stay hydrated because it’s so hot that we get thirsty all the time, but with the drop in temperature, our thirst level drops as well, which puts us at risk for dehydration. Not only is this bad for you internally, but with the cold hitting your skin, you need H2O to moisturize and nourish from within. Water also helps your mucous membranes remain stimulated, and these will be helping to filter disease-causing organisms that start to spread during the Fall and Winter.
• Make lots of soups. Use seasonal vegetables, and stay full while maintaining your light summer-time food intake. Soups are also easy to freeze, so go ahead and make a big batch to thaw and use on a busy or lazy day.
• Avoid eating too much and too often. According to some studies, since the days are getting colder, we tend to spend more time indoors (especially in front of the TV with sports and new shows), which leads to eating more frequently. Also, since it’s getting colder, we tend to eat bigger portions (our brains are sort of wired to load up in preparation for the winter and the “months of famine”). A professor of psychology at the University of Texas, El Paso, Doctor John de Castro, found that we eat about 200 calories more per day in the Fall, and this is unrelated to the Thanksgiving holiday!
Fun
Fall is all about Harvest, and picking delicious things from the ground, apple-picking and pumpkin-picking especially. You even get two benefits for the price of one: Not only is an activity like apple-picking fun, apples have been shown to reduce the risk of some cancers as well as cardiovascular disease, asthma, and diabetes since they’re loaded with flavonoids like quercetin, important for keeping blood vessels healthy and reducing inflammation throughout the body. Also, if you’re into that sort of thing, you should check out corn mazes, hayrides, and spooky tours. It’s also the season of the beautiful foliage, so taking a drive and then hike or ride through areas where you can admire beauty’s masterpiece can be a most wonderful option – you could even take up photography, painting, or even writing about the emotions the beauty of nature evokes in you! The Fall season includes Halloween, Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Sukkot, Thanksgiving Day, the Chinese Moon Festival and at least some portion of Hanukkah, and there are always fun, interesting or meaningful events you can enjoy surrounding them. Also, football season starts! Hopefully, you’ve learned at least ONE new thing you can incorporate into your Fall routine to have a healthier, more fulfilling season. If you try any of these out and notice an improvement, please let us know! And if you’ve got some more tips, contact us and we’ll add them to our next edition! Have a ONEderful Fall! Online Sources: Wiki Answers Holistic Health Tools Gary A. Scott Times Union Republican Herald
8 FEATURED ARTICLE
Survival 101: LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
By Arianna Smith Staff Writer After all of the late, long nights of studying; the crazy parties, program planning and chapter meetings; and the random outings with chapter Sisters, college eventually ends and you are face-to-face with the real world. And while this can be a very exciting time, the looming uncertainty about what the future holds can also be very daunting. Luckily, as sisters of Theta Nu Xi, we have a built-in network to support us through the good and bad times on the horizon. But, there are always some extra tips that will help you to navigate your way through what lies ahead.
>> BE OPTIMISTIC
Imagine a long road. At the end of it is your dream career, the job you’ve wanted since you were a child. It is easy to look at the economy, with an unemployment rate of approximately nine percent, and be discouraged about the possibility of finding this job. In truth, for most of us, the possibility of finding our dream job directly following graduation in today’s economy is unlikely. You may have to work to live and volunteer in your dream field to gain necessary experience and connections. However, it is important to be optimistic that the right opportunities will come with hard work, time, and patience. Moreover, it is important to remember that on the long road to your dream job, there will be stops along the way. Some will be longer than others. Some stops will challenge you more than others. Nonetheless, each job will provide new life and professional lessons that will aid you in the future. With the right attitude, a little perseverance, and lots of hard work, things will fall into place.
>> LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS
After working so hard to obtain your Bachelor’s degree, you deserve to splurge. You deserve the best of the best! However, your financial situation may not allow for the luxuries you so desire. Living within your means is a simple way to reduce your stress during a time that may prove to be very stressful. Living within your means will also ensure that you get to do the fun things you want to do when the time is right. Lastly, cutting costs by doing simple things, such as eating in more often, living with a roommate, and avoiding the mall, will reduce the amount of financial dependence you have on the people around you. Financial freedom and stability is one of the first steps in surviving after college.
No matter where you go or what you do after graduation, one thing is certain: you will always need someone in your corner. As Sisters of Theta Nu Xi, we have the opportunity to form unique bonds with women from different backgrounds. Keeping Sisters, as well as other friends and families, close to your heart can be a tremendous help and an essential survival tool. Not only can they provide great networking connections, but they will be the ears you vent to when things don’t go your way and the party buddies you need to celebrate the accomplishments. Having people in your corner through the good and bad makes navigating an unknown much more bearable. There was a time when earning an undergraduate degree resulted in a good job fresh out of graduation. It is safe to say that times have changed. While the future may look darker than in past days, nothing is impossible. Surviving these hard times requires a positive attitude, living and spending wisely, and keeping those that love you close-by.
Image courtesy of Google Images.
>> KEEP FAMILY, FRIENDS & SISTERS CLOSE
FEATURED ARTICLE 9
Building Bridges Between
GAP and Undergrad Chapters
By Arianna Smith Staff Writer It was just weeks before my first National Convention for Theta Nu Xi, where I would serve as my Chapter’s delegate, when a GAP sister, Desiree Downs Bolibaugh, held a “parli-pro” workshop for sisters in surrounding undergraduate chapters who were unfamiliar with the procedures used in the delegate’s session. It was there that I learned the very language that would get me through my first legislation session. It was there that I also learned the importance of building relationships between GAP and undergrad chapters. As members of Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. we are lucky to have a wellestablished post-graduate program. The Graduate, Alumni and Professional chapters of Theta Nu Xi allow Sisters, as well as women interested in the Sorority, to be active members well beyond their undergraduate years. Essentially, GAP is composed of a fleet of dedicated Sisters and is the foundation of a hierarchical network of support and guidance for undergraduate chapters. However, at this critical time in our Sorority’s history, it seems that relations between GAP and undergraduate sisters are not always as strong as they should be. GAP women have the advantage of experience! As many of them joined Theta Nu Xi at the undergraduate level, they are familiar with what is required to keep an undergrad chapter sailing in the right direction. They have completed standards reports. They have planned and executed educational programs. They have dealt with Greek Life and all of the challenges that come along with it. However, while most GAP women are willing to share their advice on maneuvering through rough waters, that may not be the way they are most needed by undergraduate Sisters. For Meredith Booker, a member of the Alpha Beta Chapter, increased GAP support comes in the physical form. Meredith and her Chapter Sisters would like to see more active, local GAP sisters at events hosted by Alpha Beta. This is a sentiment shared by many undergraduates. It is important that undergrads be vocal about how best GAP chapters in their areas can be supportive. But the
onus is not solely on undergrads to ensure that they are building relationships with GAP chapters. Xi Theta annually hosts ‘eXIle,’ a weekend long event where GAP and undergraduate sisters spend time getting to know one another and engaging in activities dedicated to exploring current issues, in and outside of the Sorority. Events such as ‘eXIle’ reach out to the undergraduate community, training Theta Women to enter the world of GAP and underscore the importance of strong GAP/ undergrad relations. Although the possible contributions from GAP chapters
GAP and Undergrad sisters at Alpha Chapter event
to the success of undergraduate chapters cannot easily go unnoticed, it is important to remember that undergraduate chapters also have a lot to offer to GAP. Sisters of Theta Nu Xi will spend most of their time in the Sorority as GAP women. “The current undergraduates are the Sisters we hope to see transition into the ‘GAP world.’ It is important that we as GAP women recognize and utilize their talents.” says Britany Gatewood, a member of the Xi Iota Chapter and the Regional Officer of Undergraduate Programming for the Central Region. To do so, GAP and undergraduate Chapters could collaborate on planning and hosting a social or diversity event on the University’s campus or in the surrounding community. Establishing a strong relationship between GAP and undergraduate chapters is a two-way street. But if successful, the established network of support works in favor of both GAP and undergraduate chapters. Undergraduates benefit from the experience that GAP women have and GAP chapters build both personal and professional relationships with the women that may soon be members of their chapter. But, building strong GAP/ undergrad relations is not always easy. Many undergrad chapters are in cities where there are no active GAP chapters, and vice versa! In such cases, GAP/ undergrad relations can be achieved through active GAL sisters in the area. Nonetheless, building the strong network between undergrad and GAP chapters is critical for the survival of both GAP and undergraduate chapters.
10 FEATURED ARTICLE
AND A my own money and security. But that all changed when my living situation, academic status, and the economy all changed as well. I’ve had to
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By Tanya S. Arditi Contributing Writer It’s fascinating that no matter who you speak to these days, they understand what it’s like to be going through hard financial times, they are most likely budgeting and cutting their own personal costs, and even though they never thought this would be their situation wherever they are in life, they have no idea when the economy will become good enough to relax again. Above all, this is a depressing reality. However, it doesn’t mean we can’t rise triumphantly and be betterequipped to enjoy life and become stable in the long-run. It also doesn’t mean that we have to shut down completely, stop enjoying life, and dread the future. This means it’s time to get inventive, to save wherever possible, and to look forward to a time when you can think back with pride that you were able to survive tough financial times AND have a good time! I’ve certainly had my share of battles with dollars. In fact, ever since I started graduate school and moved to DC, I’ve had to deal with a drastic reduction in income (which has never caught up with the kind of money I was making BEFORE I even started my Master’s Degree!), and a completely uncertain future. Though I don’t come from a wealthy family, I’ve always had financial stability – while still in High School I got my first summer/winter job, and had part-time campus jobs in college, so I always had
adapt my life – a LOT, and I’ve had to be very inventive to continue living a life that at least resembles normalcy. These are tips and advice that I’ve personally incorporated into my life after talking with other people, reading countless articles over the years, listening to people
like Suzy Orman, and after having a few general “Eureka!” moments.
Stop shopping. The single biggest change I’ve made is that I have stopped shopping. Unless it’s because I have a wedding coming up and I need something new to wear, or I need something in a specific color/fit, I do not shop. At first, this was the hardest thing to do – and I know it sounds completely unfathomable to some people. The way I did it is that eventually, I just stopped going into stores! It sounds silly, but with credit cards making it so easy to forget that you really don’t have the money for something, it was easier to simply remove the temptation. “But then how do you stay clothed!?” you might be asking yourself. This is where the inventiveness comes in. At first, I kept trying to simply reuse and recycle and wear my own clothes to the point where they fell apart. And then, someone brought up a clothing swap, and though the clothing swap itself never happened, I thought “Well, I could ask my friends if I could shop between the clothes they’re going to be giving away to charity!” So that’s what I do. Whenever a friend says she’s going to be giving clothes away to charity, I ask her if I can first go through it and pick
FEATURED ARTICLE 11
Tell people about your situation. Tell people you’re not doing well financially. I know that this sounds extremely painful to your pride and to everything that we’re taught to do (keep up appearances, keep your financial issues to yourself, etc), but the truth is, if your friends know that you’re struggling financially, they won’t make you feel bad when you decline a dinner invitation because you can’t afford it, and you won’t feel compelled to just put it on a credit card because you don’t want them to know that you just simply don’t have the money. Additionally, if your friends know that you’re struggling financially, they’ll likely open up about their own current struggles, and you might be able to find ways to help each other out. For example, I have a few friends who threw some freelance work in my direction the moment they heard I was struggling financially, because, as they said: “I rather pay you and help you out than pay a stranger.”
As you can imagine, there were a lot more secondary changes than enormous major changes. That’s because I’m a firm believer in small substitutions, manageable changes, things you can deal with that don’t overwhelm you and that you’ll stick with. I know for a fact that otherwise, I’m not likely to stick to anything. So here are some secondary changes I’ve made:
Cut Cable. There are SO many ways to watch TV shows and movies for free (or super cheap) these days that paying for Cable is just completely unnecessary. Practically EVERY TV channel makes at least a few episodes of their shows available for a certain amount of time on their websites
these days. Additionally, streaming shows and movies (from Netflix or Hulu) is a cheaper and better alternative than paying for cable, because you know that basic cable isn’t even worth it, so you’ll have to get premium cable anyway. If you’re going to pay for premium cable plus a way to record your shows and stuff, you might as well pay for a Netflix or Hulu account. And if you do some simple Google searches or ask friends, they’ll always be able to refer you to websites they use to watch shows and movies.
Stop going to the movies. Okay so maybe it’s impossible to just stop going to the movies (though I have gone to an average of 1 movie a year in the past 3 years!). You should at least severely limit your movie theater experiences. For example, when the price of movie tickets kept increasing, I made a deal with myself that I would only pay movie ticket prices to go see movies that required a big screen to be enjoyed. This means that romantic comedies, dramas, animated films, and comedies in general were automatically cut out (unless there’s an epically good reason to break the rule), and I only went to see movies with lots of special effects, or 3D movies that I just couldn’t find a good way to say no to myself. “But Tanya, I LOVE going to the movies!” No problem! Sign up to websites that give out free screenings! Or find a $1 movie theater in your area. Every city has a movie theater that shows the same movies that are out there, but later. They are a great alternative. In addition, websites like GoFobo.com makes free screenings available all the time, and that’s another great way to get your
movie theater fix.
Always make grocery shopping lists. This was very hard for me because I’ve always felt I was a smart shopper. However, it became harder and harder for me to justify going to the grocery store without a list when everyone’s first advice when I told them I was budgeting was to make one. So these days, before going to the store, I always look at my freezer, my refrigerator and my pantry, and make a list that reflects exactly what I need and nothing else. If there’s something I want to buy “for fun,” I make sure to choose only one or two things but nothing else. Also, to help me keep track of what I have and what I don’t have, I keep a little post-it note of everything in my freezer, and strike through it when I take it out to cook/eat. Lastly, to aide in the purchasing process, I try to think ahead to what kind of meals I’ll make, and what I will need to make them. Lastly, if I go to the grocery shop every week (I find it easier to keep to my budget if I go to the supermarket often), I only buy meat every other time I go to the supermarket, since meats tend to be the most expensive thing to buy. Another tip I can give you is that to keep things easier to Continued on Page 15
Images courtesy of Google Images.
some stuff out for myself. As a payment, I offer to take the rest of the stuff to charity for them. By the time your friends have made up their mind to give clothes away to charity, they’re already detached from those clothes, and though it might make you feel weird at first, remember, they’re your friends! They will be happy to be helping you out through hard times.
12 FEATURED ARTICLE
You Can’t Eat That
Images courtesy of Google Images.
By Tanya S. Arditi Contributing Writer FOOD. The first thought I have when I find out I’m going to be traveling somewhere. When I found out that Convention would be in New Orleans, my first thoughts SHOULD have been “GUMBO! JAMBALAYA! SHRIMP! CRAWFISH! EVERYTHING WRAPPED IN BACON!” Instead, I thought, “Well, I guess I will have some incredible BBQ Chicken.” The reason for this is that as a Jew, I have gradually incorporated several rules of the dietary laws of Kashrut into my lifestyle. I started with the elimination of Pork from my diet in college, thinking it would be the only rule I’d actually ever adhere to. A few years later, however, I stopped mixing dairy with beef, and just last year, made the decision to give up shellfish (how involved this rule is caught me by utter surprise – it’s not just shellfish, but all fish without scales, so I had to re-work my entire Sushi “usual” of eel too!). A conversation with a sister about my decision prompted us to think about all the different types of dietary restrictions, their meanings, the decisions that lead up to them, their consequences and effects on the individual’s lives, and the similarities in the experiences of those who observe any type of dietary restriction, whether it’s religious, moral, or health-related/mandated. One of the most easily identifiable religious food restrictions is the abstention from eating pork, which is observed by Muslims, Jews, and several Christian denominations. Another most ‘typical’ food restriction, usually associated with a moral decision, is Vegetarianism. Lastly, Lactoseintolerance makes the cut for one of the most well known health-related food restrictions. Something important to note is that MOST human beings are lactose intolerant to some degree! Most mammals become lactose intolerant when they are young, once their period for breast-feeding ends, but some human populations have developed what is called “lactase persistence,” where lactase (the chemical which allows humans to consume lactose) production continues into adulthood. However, it is estimated that 75% of adults worldwide experience a decrease in lactase activity during adulthood. This doesn’t mean that 75% of us become lactose intolerant; it simply means that whereas you
may have been able to drink a gallon of milk in one sitting with no consequences when you were younger, by the time you’re in your 30s, this may change and you may find yourself feeling the effects.
The tales of a Pescatarian and a Vegetarian
When we think of vegetarians, there are a few different stereotypes that may pop into one’s head: The religious Vegetarian, the Hippie Vegetarian, the Moral Vegetarian, or the Yogi Vegetarian. Vegetarianism is mandatory for practitioners of Hatha Yoga, who follow the advice of scriptures to eat only high-quality food, since food shapes the personality, mood and mind, and meat is said to promote sloth and ignorance, while a Vegetarian diet promotes desirable qualities essential for spiritual progress. A common variation for individuals who choose to be Vegetarian tends to be a Pescatarian lifestyle. As the name implies, the only “meat” product these individuals will consume is fish. Most of the time, this decision has to do with health concerns, while others it has to do with the difference in the farming and growing of fish as opposed to other animals that are grown for their meat. Soror Hara Wang became a Vegetarian after attending a Vegan/Vegetarian workshop at an event. Upon reviewing the pamphlets beckoning attendees to pursue a Vegan/Vegetarian lifestyle, Soror Wang, who was already aware of the harms of eating animals on the environment and animal welfare, was shocked to read about what happens on the farms. At the time she was taking a course on the political economy of agriculture, nature and the environment, and she began to realize that eating animal meat in America means supporting those factory farms that so often have practices where the torture of animals is commonplace. Furthermore, an individual’s decision to eat meat from such farms also affects the economic independence of agricultural developing countries, and the working conditions of low-income farm workers, often immigrant or foreign. This is when she decided to pursue a Vegetarian lifestyle. Due to health issues, several months later she became a Pescatarian. Soror
FEATURED ARTICLE 13
Images courtesy of Google Images.
Wang maintains certain standards to lead a responsible social Pescatarian life. If she knows the source of the raw meat product, she may at times still consume meat in her home country China, and while traveling abroad if she knows the farmers. Vegetarianism is also strongly associated with numerous religions originating in ancient India, such as Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. Because of this, India is home to more Vegetarians than any other country, with about 30% of India’s 1.2 billion population practicing lacto-Vegetarianism. Soror Ruchi Shah, who was raised following the principles of Jainism, was raised in a Vegetarian household and has always been Vegetarian, as her religion makes Vegetarianism mandatory for everyone and bans the consumption of meat. The principle at play is Ahimsa, non-violence, which applied to animals is connected with the intention to avoid the negative karmic influences, which result from violence. This principle purports that the suffering of all beings is believed to arise from craving and desire, and the violence of slaughtering animals for food, and its source of craving, reveal flesh-eating as one more in which humans enslave themselves to suffering. Though Soror Shah’s parents never forced her and her brother NOT to eat meat, neither of them ever had a desire to try it. She feels that she never rebelled because it wasn’t forced on her, and since Vegetarianism for her is a lifestyle, she doesn’t see meat as something she’s missing. When asked about how being a Vegetarian affects her social life, Soror Shah says that when she was growing up, she got teased a lot because people didn’t understand why she didn’t eat meat, and would try to get her to eat meat to see what she was missing. At the end of the day, she feels it was character-building. Nowadays she meets Vegetarians all the time, and the way she deals with her food restrictions socially is by always letting friends know ahead of time if she’s going to their house. She’s constantly amazed at the thoughtfulness she encounters these days, with her friends calling restaurants ahead of time without her even asking, or even stopping her from eating things she may not have realized had meat. She also points out that she doesn’t have a problem with people who do eat animals: “I grew up in the U.S. so I’m used to people eating meat in front of me. It’s really important to me that people I spend time with are able to be themselves. I would hate for a friend to feel like they couldn’t eat meat in front of me if they wanted to.”
A Muslim and a Jew go to a Barbeque...
Muslims and Jews are known for their main food restriction – Pork. Muslims use the word Halal to describe something permissible to use or engage in according to Islamic Law, the same way that Jews use the word Kosher. Halal, however, refers to actions, objects, and foods, whereas Kosher only refers to the latter. According to the Qu’ran, explicitly
forbidden foods aside from pork and any porcine products (of which gelatin and marshmallows are examples) are: meat from animals that die of themselves and blood. The consumption of alcohol is also restricted. On top of those (minus alcohol, which is allowed), Judaism most prominently forbids the consumption of shellfish and rodents. For a mammal to be designated Kosher, it must have two qualities: 1. Chew its cud (ruminate), and 2. Have cloven (split) hooves. Mammals that have only one of the two qualities are considered impure and therefore forbidden. Water animals must have fish scales, which is why eel is not Kosher (it has scales, but they are skin scales, like a snake). For the accepted animals to be considered Halal or Kosher, a specific individual must slaughter them in a prescribed ritualistic method. Both religions discourage excessive indulgence, and a healthy diet is considered very important in Islam. To find out a little bit more about keeping Kosher from someone who has had a very similar experience to mine, I reached out to my dear friend Gulienne Rollins, editor and creator of Swirl-Magazine.com, which is a community for members of mixed-race families in America, and aims to “convey the message that choosing to acknowledge both or all of a person’s races, ethnicities, and cultures is not only okay, but wonderful.” She told me about how she only started exploring the existence of Kosher law in high school, while working at the Jewish Community Center-Youth of Rockland, to the surprise of her peers, who wondered if she kept Kosher, because she doesn’t “look Jewish.” It was only once she was in college at Boston College that she got involved with Jewish Studies courses and Hillel that she began to forge a relationship with Judaism, and subsequently, keeping Kosher became a way to solidify this relationship to Judaism and G-d. She has begun to keep Kosher gradually, and doesn’t feel that it’s right to judge Jews who
14 FEATURED ARTICLE don’t keep Kosher out of an informed decision, but feels Jews should at least have a basic understanding of the reasons behind keeping Kosher in order to decide. She says she has definitely been told that her decision to keep Kosher is antiquated, and she understands this perspective because the person she herself was in college would’ve said the same thing to her current self when she didn’t know as much as she does now. Though her family is supportive, she says they are also aggravated, especially as she becomes more and more observant: whereas before she simply would eat whatever was vegetarian at the house, she is now moving closer to a point where she won’t be able to eat from her mother’s stove, oven, or with her dishes because her kitchen is not a Kosher one. At the end of the day, regardless of any practical reasoning, it is her way of getting closer to G-d.
Celiac Disease
Images courtesy of Google Images.
As you grow older, your diet is bound to change – you might become more health-conscious, you might develop an intolerance or allergy to certain foods, or your palate might become more refined. But imagine having to change your ENTIRE diet, ALL of your food consumption. This is what happened to Soror Antonya Jordan, who late into her 20s was diagnosed with Celiac disease, commonly known as gluten intolerance. Celiac
disease is a genetic disorder that manifests itself through an individual’s inability to process gluten (specific food-grain antigens that are found in wheat, rye, and barley). When the individual ingests gluten, s/he suffers damage in their intestines. Because the symptoms are broad and sometimes common and linked to so many other health issues (like diarrhea, weight loss/abdominal bloating, malnutrition on both ends of the spectrum), Celiac disease can be difficult to diagnose. This is especially dangerous because if an individual with Celiac disease is not diagnosed and continues to eat gluten, some studies have shown that s/he “will increase their chances of gastrointestinal cancer by
a factor of 40 to 100 times that of the normal population.” And that’s not all: “gastrointestinal carcinoma or lymphoma develops in up to 15 percent of patients with untreated or refractory Celiac disease.” So what does this mean in practicality? “It’s annoying!” says Soror Jordan. She stresses that though it certainly has the potential to be socially limiting, it really just means that there is a lot more planning involved in her life. She must always call restaurants ahead of time, and because people tend to not know what it is, she tends to get asked a lot of questions. The biggest hurdle in dealing with Celiac disease, says Soror Jordan, is knowledge – she finds more things practically every day, and the amount of information can become difficult to balance. Since managing her disease is all about planning, she shared with me that it’s harder for her son, since she always has to make sure there are substitutions available to him, and she has to educate him, even from a very young age, on how to read ingredients lists and refrain from eating foods that will make him sick – like cupcakes or cookies or cakes or every other thing you can think about that exists in elementary school around kids! This genetic disorder affects at least 1 in 133 Americans, and though it affects mostly individuals of European descent (especially Northern Europe), recent studies show that its effects have been rising amongst individuals of Hispanic, Black, and Asian descent. But as if the symptoms weren’t hard enough to recognize as is, doctors don’t have a standard test that is administered to the entire population, and they are actually reluctant to test anyone who doesn’t “look” the part. Soror Jordan points to this as one of the main factors that got in the way of the diagnosis for her, her family, and her son. It can be difficult, she says, but it’s manageable.
The Meaning of it All
Why do we have food restrictions? Whether they are religious, moral, or health-related, food restrictions are a way to connect deeper – whether it is with a higher power, with the Universe and all the beings in it, or with our own bodies and their balance. Whether you have innumerable restrictions or none, learning more about them and those around you with any restrictions will allow you to catch a glimpse into someone’s convictions, reasoning, logic, determination, and discipline. Has all this reading got you feeling hungry? Check out Page 16 for “Easy Healthy One Pot Recipes.”
NewYork:
Image courtesy of Google Images.
Just One Battle in the War for Equality
COVER FEATURE 15 AND A
Livin’ on a Prayer Continued From Page 1
and after years of walking that same bridge year after year, the LGBTQ community was finally heard. On July 24, 2011, our fight resulted in a victory under the Marriage Equality Act. On this day Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the bill that would legalize Same Sex Marriage in the State of New York. Within minutes of the bill being signed, I received numerous texts, phone calls and emails from happy supporters who thought of me on this monumental moment; a moment that will change not only my life, but the lives of many other gay and lesbian people who plan to marry. At that moment I felt proud, relieved, and sad. This was the event I had been waiting for. I had supported this cause for years and thought I would be the happiest when it finally arrived. However, the time for celebration was short lived when I remembered that this is was only just the beginning. Only a few hours later, the Governor for the State of New Jersey stated that such a law would never be signed in New Jersey while he holds office. New Jersey, the state that I reside in, would not support the union between me and my partner. I quickly realized we have a lot more fighting to do. At this moment, gay marriage is legal in New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, Washington, D.C and New Hampshire. Therefore, we still have a long and treacherous battle. We must remember that we still have twenty-nine states that have constitutional bans on same-sex marriage, while 12 others have laws against it. We cannot forget that we have gay men and women all over the country that are not afforded the same equal rights. Forget the states; we need to see this fight won on the federal level. The recent emergence of supporters for same sex marriage is a hopeful turning point for the LGBTQ community. But OUR fight isn’t over. The Marriage for Equality march will continue as scheduled every year until every state accepts us as equal. To join the cause please support your local Marriage Equality chapter at: www.marriageequality.org
BUDGET
Continued From Page 11
handle, if I buy large family-packs of chicken, I separate them into smaller Ziploc bags in portions that I would actually cook (usually no more than three pieces of chicken in each Ziploc bag).
Make a budget for your LivingSocial/ Groupon deals. I think it’s not fair to ask anybody to stop doing social things and buying deals you find on sites like LivingSocial and Groupon. What I do is I’ve made a deal with myself that if I’m going to buy anything to have fun, it has to be under $10. So if there’s a coupon for a walking tour of the DC monuments, I’ll only allow myself to buy it if it’s for $10 or less. Since I’m a huge fan of dancing classes, I will only buy packages if the dance classes equal out to less than $10 per class. Needless to say, I don’t allow myself to make more than one of these purchases a week. Browse the Free category on Craigslist. If you’ve been thinking of getting new furniture, you might find some awesome stuff in the free classifieds, and you might even be able to give yourself a little present even when you don’t have the money to buy it. Sometimes it’s books, sometimes it’s some gym equipment (we all know it’s hard to pay for a gym membership!), and sometimes it might be art or a fan/heater. You never know. Alternatively, please post free stuff when you’re getting ready to throw it away. People like you and me will be grateful! Actively seek out free events. One of the first things I did when I got to DC was “Like” a gazillion and one “DC Free Events” type pages on Facebook. One page about free events tends to lead to three others, and I’ve faithfully “Liked” them all and signed up for different mailing lists about free events happening all over the area. It’s really easy to become a recluse when you’re trying to save money because you think that the only way you’ll make sure you don’t spend any money is if you don’t do anything. The only flaw in this reasoning is that it will lead to severe depression, and that’s just not worth it. So seek out free events (the summer is great for free outdoor concerts, dance lessons, drum circles, theater shows, galleries), check out free networking opportunities, and find out which clubs/lounges have free open bars on which nights of the week so that you can go dancing and even get some drinks like regular people with money do! There’s so much out there to do if you just look for it. The bottom line is that the economy is quite awful right now and it’s not really looking like it’s going to brighten up any time soon. I’d love to deliver different news, but while I can’t really do that, I can at least share with you the ways that I’ve made my life a little bit better during these tough times. If you have more suggestions, or if you’d like to ask me more about the stuff you’ve read in this article, please feel free to contact me directly at Tanya.Arditi@gmail.com. Good luck and have fun!
16 FEATURED ARTICLE
EASY HEALTHY
ONE POT
RECIPES
Images courtesy of Google Images.
By Nicole Zavodny Staff Writer For all of our sisters out there who love to eat, but hate to cook I bring to you… something easy to make. Actually, about an entire day’s worth of somethings. For our sisters with dietary restrictions and those who are health conscious, don’t worry! I’ve got you covered, too! I’m a big fan of a cookbook writer named Lisa Lillien. I have almost all of her “Hungry Girl” cookbooks because she finds a way to incorporate a variety of tasty, easy, and healthy recipes for around $20 per book. These books, in my opinion, are great for sisters who want all of the above, and who have little time to spare. A lot of the ingredients are easy to find. For those in a financial crunch, if you don’t want to pay $20-ish for a cookbook or don’t have the room for yet another book, Ms. Lillien has a website: http://www.hungry-girl. com. In accordance with Soror Arditi’s article on dietary restrictions I braced myself for the task to find tasty, easy, healthy, kosher, and vegetarian meals. The first result, I found on page 119 of Lisa Lillien’s “Hungry Girl: 1-2-3” Cookbook” which is an easy breakfast:
BREAKFAST
DOUBLE-O
CINNAMON APPLE BREAKFAST BOWL You’ll Need: Bowl Prep Time: 5 minutes Makes: 1 Serving
Ingredients:
½ cup fat-free cottage cheese 1 no-calorie sweetener packet 1 drop vanilla extract ½ teaspoon cinnamon, divided 1 Fuji apple, cored and cubed
Directions:
Place cottage cheese in a bowl with sweetener, vanilla extract, and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon. Mix well. Top with apple cubes, then sprinkle with remaining ¼ teaspoon cinnamon. Enjoy!
Per Serving (entire bowl):
182 calories, 0.5g fat, 429g sodium, 32.5g carbs, 5g fiber, 24g sugar, 13.5g protein
FEATURED ARTICLE 17 For a light meal during the day, I found the perfect and tasty soup called Perfect Plum Tomato and Cabbage Soup (From page 49 of Lisa Lillien’s book “Hungry Girl: Recipes and Survival Strategies for Guilt-Free Eating in the Real World”). Consider kicking up the basic recipe with the optional variations (listed below) to customize this soup to satisfy your taste buds! .
LUNCH
PERFECT PLUM TOMATO &
CABBAGE SOUP
You’ll Need: Large pot and nonstick cooking spray Makes: 5 Servings Optional Variations: Hot & Sweet (Splenda and Frank’s RedHot), Garlicky (Tabasco Garlic and/or garlic salt), Sweet & Mild (Splenda)
Ingredients:
4 cups fat-free vegetable broth 6 plum tomatoes, chopped 2 cups chopped green cabbage Optional: salt, black pepper, garlic salt, Splenda no calorie sweetener, Frank’s Red Hot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce, Tabasco Pepper Sauce (Garlic or Original)
Directions:
Place chopped tomatoes (along with any juice and seeds) in a large pot sprayed with nonstick spray. Cook over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add broth and cabbage and raise heat to high. Once soup reaches a boil, reduce heat to low and cover. Allow soup to simmer for 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt, black pepper, and/or any of the other optional ingredients, if desired.
Per Serving (1 generous cup):
35 calories, <0.5g fat, 410 mg sodium, 8g carbs, 1.5g fiber, 5g sugar, 1g protein
Last, but not least, my favorite meal of the day -- dessert! I love dessert, which is initially why I got these cookbooks! In Lisa Lillien’s cookbook titled, “Hungry Girl 200 under 200: 200 Recipes Under 200 Calories,” I found the following recipe on page 240: “Mini Microwave Triple Chocolate Cake”
MINI MICROWAVE
TRIPLE
CHOCOLATE CAKE
You’ll Need: 2 small bowls (1 should be microwave safe) Prep Time: 5 minutes Makes: 1 Serving
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons devil’s food cake mix 2 tablespoons Cool Whip Free, thawed 1 tablespoon fat free vanilla yogurt 1 tablespoon Hershey’s Lite Chocolate syrup, divided
Directions:
In a small bowl, stir together Cool Whip and half of the chocolate syrup. Place chocolate whipped topping in the freezer to firm up while you prep the rest of your dessert. In a very small, microwave safe bowl, combine cake mix and yogurt. Stir until smooth and blended. Don’t worry if it seems like a small amount. Your cake will puff up as it cooks. Microwave for 1 minute. Allow to cool for 5 minutes. Remove chocolate whipped topping from the freezer and spoon it over your cake. Drizzle the remaining chocolate syrup on top.
Per Serving (entire dessert):
130 calories, 1.5g fat, 202mg sodium, 27g carbs, 0.5g fiber, 16.5g sugar, 1.5g protein
Ms. Lillien has a variety of recipes in her cookbooks, but I kept my criteria to a few key elements: 30 minutes or less, Kosher, vegetarian, 6 ingredients or less, and a maximum of 1 pot and 1 bowl. I really tried to consider Sorors in all aspects of life from the busy mom to the really busy undergraduate sister to the GAP sister who may just be starting to learn how to cook. The number one rule I personally follow when I cook is you can always subtract ingredients and more often than not it will still taste wonderful. I hope you all enjoy these recipes! Happy eating!
Images courtesy of Google Images.
DESSERT
18 CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS In order to keep all sisters up-to-date on what our various chapters are doing, each issue of ΘΝΞVision will chronicle quarterly highlights from each contributing chapter.
Omicron
The Omicron chapter is very proud of two of its sisters for their new leadership positions within the Sorority: Amariee Collins is Central Regional Director and Lauren Spriggs is Undergraduate Student Advocate (pictured at left). The chapter congratulates Savannah Williams (pictured below at left), who just became Miss Black Texas and wishes luck to Christine Nwabeke (pictured below at right), who will be competing in the Miss Texas USA Pageant on September 4, 2011.
its Spring and Summer graduates: Mai Le, Virlany Taboada, Jaimee Castillo, and Denny Fe Agana.
Alpha Iota
The Alpha Iota chapter won the Scholarship Cup this year and celebrates its recent graduates: Carina Diaz, Nadera Bhuyan, and Dana Sporbert (pictured below).
Xi Alpha
Alpha Alpha
The Alpha Alpha chapter (pictured below) was the recipient of the Highest GPA in the Multicultural Greek Council at The University of Florida and was also awarded the Most Study Hours completed for the year out of their council. The chapter is also proud of its summer chapter and Fourth Annual Scavenger Hunt. The chapter is especially proud of
The Xi Alpha chapter enjoyed their annual sisterhood retreat on July 29-31 in Nanuet, NY followed by their annual summer BBQ on July 30th at Rockland State Park, NJ (pictured below). The chapter welcomes Siria Serrano (Lambda) and celebrates Stefany Diaz becoming a licensed Master Social Worker and Carina Diaz’s new position at Love A Lot Preschool Center in NYC. Now that New York has legalized gay marriage, Xi Alpha is thrilled that chapter sisters Ivettlis and Xiomara are planning their NYC ceremony, the date to be announced later.
Xi Beta
CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS 19
Several Xi Beta sisters had personal or professional achievements recently. This spring, Ashley Devon Smith (pictured below at left) was honored by the Scholars Recognition Program of the Office of Multicultural Affairs at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and Ashley has also received a scholarship from UNCG’s School of Human Environmental Sciences. Jerri Kallam (pictured below at center) recently received Wells Fargo’s Golden Spoke award, which is one of the company’s highest honors. Jerri is Director of Commercial Operating Asset Finance of Wells Fargo Securities. Kelly Weston (pictured below at right) was appointed Kid Zone Coordinator for the Rock the Block Festival held annually in downtown Winston-Salem, NC. In chapter news, Xi Beta was proud to award its Hope for Tomorrow Scholarship to the Alpha Chapter’s Devin Russell. The scholarship was established to assist one undergraduate member of Theta Nu Xi attending a North Carolina college or university with the cost of tuition for the fall semester.
Xi Gamma
On July 16th, Xi Gamma held its 10th Annual Summer in D.C.ity BBQ (pictured at right)! As a fundraiser for the Mosaic Scholarship, sisters in the area along with a diverse group of young professionals once again came together in support of a good cause. The chapter would like to congratulate Bahareh Moradi, who is entering law school at American University this fall. While the chapter is sad to see her go, we’re so proud of her continuing dedication to academic excellence.
Xi Eta
Xi Eta sisters had several individual achievements recently. Ashley Patrice-Rose Sherman started her first job out of college this week as a Student Service Assistant at Arizona State University. She is currently studying for the GRE and hopes to apply to grad school next winter. Katie Curiel recently started a new job as the International Records Coordinator, Sr. at Arizona State University in the Study Abroad Office. Ayumi Kunihiro obtained her M.Ed. in Higher and Postsecondary Education with Distinction in May 2011 from Arizona State University, where she currently works. Ayumi will also begin to become a volunteer coach in a few weeks for our national philanthropy, Girls for a Change. Heather Truschel became engaged to her longtime boyfriend, Girard Kelly. In chapter news, Xi Eta produced its first ever GAP outreach newsletter and successfully coordinated its first-ever GAP party, The Grown & Sexy Party (pictured above), for the emergence of their Summer 2011 line!
20 CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS Xi Mu
In personal news, the chapter celebrates Gina Bethel becoming Gina Alemán after her wedding to Roberto on March 19, 2011 in Miami Beach (pictured below). The chapter is also proud of the following scholarly and professional achievements: Annette Kalloo started her doctorate program this summer at the University of Phoenix; Anjeli Singh started her job at Tupperware as an international internal auditor; Elena Saldamando’s began her new role as a registered clinical social work intern; Arlene Solano was promoted to Senior Operations Resource for Frito Lay; Christaly Albarracin began her Master’s degree program at the University of Chicago; Nichole O’Neill was promoted to the position as a buyer at HSN; and Gina Alemán was promoted to the position of school district staff, working specifically with ESL students, advising teachers seeking ESOL certification, and overseeing the dual language program. Juanita Carbajal also has a new job title of Medical Case Manager, she is on the University of Florida Young Alumni Board, and she mentors children in central Florida through Behavioral Support Service.
GAL
Kennetha Frye (pictured below at left), the Theta Nu Xi Graduate Scholarship recipient for the second year in a row, traveled to India this summer to present her poster (with R. Schifano), Using a Self-Monitoring Intervention to Increase Following Directions and Accepting Directions with a student who has ADHD, at the 33rd Annual International School Psychology Association Conference in Chennai. Kennetha was also accepted to start an advanced practicum rotation at the University of Texas Harris County Psychiatric Center in the child unit. In April she reached a major milestone in her program by proposing her candidacy project, which she hopes to defend before her committee by November. Amaris Whitaker (pictured far right) will be attending Carnegie Mellon University, Heinz graduate school in the fall where she will be working to receive her Master’s of Science in Public Policy and Management.
Apply Today for the 2011-2012 cycle of
The Official Newsletter of
Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc
Do you have writing or editing experience? Do you know your way around Adobe InDesign? Do you love staying connected to your sorors around the nation? Then you may be perfect for the Staff of ONEVision! We are currently accepting applications for the 2011-2012 publication cycle and are looking to fill the following positions: Copy Editors Staff Writers Contributing Writers Graphic Designers Photographers Illustrators For more information and to fill out an application, please visit the following OrgSync link: https://orgsync.com/36890/forms/ show/38102 Applications are due October 14th, 2011!
We want to hear from you!
Do you have an idea that you’d like to see on the pages of the next issue of ONE Vision? Contact director.communications@thetanuxi. org with your idea or to inquire about being a Guest Writer for an upcoming issue! You can also post ideas or share feedback on this issue by visiting the following OrgSync link: https://orgsync.com/36890/ forums/8211/show
FEATURED ARTICLE 21
Paganism:
Not All Hocus Pocus and Devil Worshipping By Nicole Zavodny Staff Writer
When people first hear the word ‘Pagan,’ a few negative stereotypes may come to mind: witch, Devil worshipper, tree hugging hippie, Wiccan, cute girls on TV who save the day, and anti-Christ. None of those terms apply. Our diverse organization is made up of Sisters from all walks of life and all faiths. In this article, I strive to reveal what it means to believe in the Pagan faith and dispel any controversial associations with the religion.
MYTH #3
Paganism
MYTH #1
Wiccan Circles to the simplest of MYTH #4 ‘do-it-yourself’ Pagans believe in meditations, blood rituals, which Paganism harm animals and encompasses a young women. wide array of Any violent actions ritual practices.” FACT: would go against the principles of
Pagans are just Wiccans with a fancy name.
FACT: Similar to other polytheistic religions, Pagans believe in more than one God. Wiccans are not the only Pagans and Pagans are not the only Wiccans. It can be argued that any religion that is polytheistic and at its very core is a Pagan religion, though it may not specifically be Paganism. Going with this assumption, Pagan religions span the world from China to India to Africa.
Paganism! To harm any living creature would go against those beliefs. People who follow this religion believe that all things in this world have value and thus would never intentionally harm anything.
FACT: As the idea of polytheism was previously discussed, Pagan religions started during the Greco-Roman times. During that time Greeks and Romans both believed in multiple Gods. In the
Images courtesy of Google Images.
MYTH #2
Paganism is a made up religion.
with Judeo-Christian beliefs, but similar to more commonplace religions those who believe in the Pagan faith have a basic set of ‘ground rules’ for what is considered to be a positive lifestyle based off of basic moral principles. Deities are worshipped has no morals. in what is considered to be a respectful FACT: Like all manner in accordance with the belief. religions, Pagans Sound familiar? It is. Just as many have a belief Christian based-religions have a pattern system. It might they follow when worshipping their God, not follow in line so does Paganism. Those who believe in the Pagan religion often believe “From elaborate in the value of all things.
20th century, Neopaganism came about and with it Wicca did as well.
Online Sources: Zimbio Patheos Wikipedia