All this "famous members" stuff.

[DSTRen13]

So, going off of the thread in the main forum - does OPhiA have any famous/notable sisters? We didn't learn about any when I pledged, but maybe it's something other chapters keep track of?

[raggann03]

I didn't learn of any either, may have to make that a project

[DSTRen13]

Originally Posted by raggann03

I didn't learn of any either, may have to make that a project

I know, I'm really curious now. It bugs me ... in 40 years, there's got to be someone, right??

[raggann03]

really though...

[Senusret I]

If you don't mind me chiming in.....

I think even with APO, we've only recently begun doing a pretty good job at tracking our notable members. Thanks to Brothers such as our very own naraht of GC, we now have a thorough list of "famous" members.

When doing this research (because I will bet my last nickel that one of you is going to do it ) it's important not really to look for who is "famous" but who is achieving in their careers and personal lives.

Your national org should have membership rosters, and they should allow chapter presidents at the very least the opportunity to have these alumnae rosters. In APO, we allowed one free print-out per chapter per year.

Get the roster....and google your behinds off! You may be surprised at which of your sisters is now a CEO, local politician, artist, or more.

So it's not so much about finding an already famous member.....celebrate the ones that are achieving and make them famous TO YOU!

By the way.....not to toot my own horn, but I did a similar project for my Alpha Phi Alpha chapter in 2003, because I was tired of people saying certain people were Alphas when they were not (Tim Reid), and keeping the same Brothers on a list (the guys from Shai) while not including people that are more famous (E. Lynn Harris) or more "prominent" (Todd Duncan, the original "Porgy").

The result of my research is here: http://alpha.mulambda.org/prominent.html

Here is my standard of proof for determining if the man was REALLY an Alpha:

1) Is their name on the National Website?
2) Is their name in the history book or other OFFICIAL publications? (I found out Jamaican Prime Minister Norman Manley was an Alpha just by reading my book!)
3) When I email the national office, do they have a record of initiation? (Just because they don't doesn't always mean they aren't a member, but it helps.)
4) When I email my regions, is there anyone who can vouch for the Brother, including saying they were at their initiation or they've gripped them in the past? (This is how and why I claim disco singer Hamilton Bohannon as a Brother)
5) Does this person's OFFICIAL biography mention Alpha? (That's how I learned Christopher Darden is an Alpha)

Good luck, Service Sisters!

[DSTRen13]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

If you don't mind me chiming in.....

I think even with APO, we've only recently begun doing a pretty good job at tracking our notable members. Thanks to Brothers such as our very own naraht of GC, we now have a thorough list of "famous" members.

When doing this research (because I will bet my last nickel that one of you is going to do it ) it's important not really to look for who is "famous" but who is achieving in their careers and personal lives.

Your national org should have membership rosters, and they should allow chapter presidents at the very least the opportunity to have these alumnae rosters. In APO, we allowed one free print-out per chapter per year.

Get the roster....and google your behinds off! You may be surprised at which of your sisters is now a CEO, local politician, artist, or more.

So it's not so much about finding an already famous member.....celebrate the ones that are achieving and make them famous TO YOU!

By the way.....not to toot my own horn, but I did a similar project for my Alpha Phi Alpha chapter in 2003, because I was tired of people saying certain people were Alphas when they were not (Tim Reid), and keeping the same Brothers on a list (the guys from Shai) while not including people that are more famous (E. Lynn Harris) or more "prominent" (Todd Duncan, the original "Porgy").

The result of my research is here: http://alpha.mulambda.org/prominent.html

Here is my standard of proof for determining if the man was REALLY an Alpha:

1) Is their name on the National Website?
2) Is their name in the history book or other OFFICIAL publications? (I found out Jamaican Prime Minister Norman Manley was an Alpha just by reading my book!)
3) When I email the national office, do they have a record of initiation? (Just because they don't doesn't always mean they aren't a member, but it helps.)
4) When I email my regions, is there anyone who can vouch for the Brother, including saying they were at their initiation or they've gripped them in the past? (This is how and why I claim disco singer Hamilton Bohannon as a Brother)
5) Does this person's OFFICIAL biography mention Alpha? (That's how I learned Christopher Darden is an Alpha)

Good luck, Service Sisters!

And this is why Rashid is awesome

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by DSTRen13

And this is why Rashid is awesome

Awww thank you! Just trying to help.

I mean if I used a system that works, there's no sense in keeping it to myself!

[raggann03]

I agree! Thanks for the info

[MTSUGURL]

So, did anyone ever do any reasearch on this?

[DSTRen13]

Well, unfortunately, we just don't have the greatest of records once you go back more than a few years. It's a project, but on the list of all the projects ...

I would consider Karin Coulter of Saving Little Hearts to be the the most famous OPhiA that I am aware of.

[DreamfulSpirit]

Wow this would be certainly interesting to find out if there are any others.... I've kind of wondered myself if there were any famous OphiA's out there.

[DSTRen13]

Definitely - it could be a side project of trying to sort out our membership records in general. I know a lot of progress has been made on that, particularly by some of the individual chapters, but it'd be great to see that as an even bigger effort.