The Epsilon Zeta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. will honor 11 retired educators during their Finer Womanhood Observance Banquet. The event will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at the Pine Bluff Country Club, according to a news release.
A special feature of the banquet will be a program with a video presentation of each honoree. This year’s retired educators, years of service and school districts/higher educational institutions they retired from are as follows:
• Michael J. Bates, 44 years, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff;
• Beatrice Bell, 38 years, Watson Chapel School District;
• Cathy Clark, 36 years, Pine Bluff School District;
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• Thomas Gathen, 43 years, McGehee School District;
• Leslie Glover, 45.25 years, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff;
• Connie “Doc” Hathorn, 44 years, Watson Chapel School District;
• Mary Jones, 40 years, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff;
• Verma Kentle Jones, 48 years, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff;
• Rachel Shorter, 31 years, Dollarway School District;
• Wanda Williams, 32 years, Pine Bluff School District;
• Ruby Young, 34 years, Pine Bluff School District.
“The sorority whole-heartedly welcomes the Finer Womanhood Observance as an opportunity to commend educators for their initiative, loyalty, devotion, courage and endurance,” according to the release. “They are recognized for developing in their students a wealth of knowledge necessary for them to pursue their endeavors in life.”
“The sorority salutes these retirees for their commitment and dedication to the education. The theme, ‘Recognizing Dedicated Service to Education,’ inspires the acknowledgment of the honorees and their contributions to the field of education in the city of Pine Bluff and neighboring communities,” according to the release.
Honoring these educators has been a major project of Zeta Phi Beta for 30 years. The project was conceived by sorority members, Lula B. Gray, Sharon H. Fletcher and the late Vivian M. Kelley.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority was founded in 1920 at Howard University in Washington, D.C.Valerie Hollingsworth-Baker is the international president. Kathy Tatum is the South central regional director. Beverly Cook is the Arkansas State director and Anissa Evans Buckner is chapter president.
Banquet tickets may be purchased from members of the chapter or by calling Genevia Thomas at 870-489-1262.