Laureate Beta Alpha chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, Stroud, joined thousands of members throughout the world to celebrate the 93rd anniversary of the founding of the organization on April 30, 1931. It was also the 45th anniversary of the chartering of the local chapter.
Beta Sigma Phi is a women’s organization with emphasis on friendships and learning by requiring members to present programs on any subject they choose, and to serve their communities with a variety of service projects and to promote women and give them an opportunity to serve, lean, and enjoy socials and events with other members.
The 2024 International theme, “Watch BSP grow and Bloom”, was used with tables decorated with bright colored cloths, potted flowering plants, and decorative garden rocks at each place as table favors along with a theme bracelet charm.
Chapter President, Sue Helms, led the Opening Ritual and gave the grace. A catered dinner was served followed by the welcome and introduction of guests. The Founder’s Day Pledge led by Pam Hunt.
Cindy Mason read a delightful recap of the year’s activities in her “Highlights of the Year.” Pam Hunt, Mary Jackson, Pam Clement, Sue Helms and Linda Waller were recognized with perfect attendance and outgoing officers were presented with Officer pins in appreciation of a job well done.
Two outstanding Programs of the Year were awarded with last year’s winners, Pam Hunt and Linda Waller, presenting Sue Helms and Andrea Thompson as cowinners. Helms program highlighted her tour of Avery Island, LA, home of the Tabasco Co., and Thompson presented a “fiery” program on Firefighting with members of the Stroud Fire Department as special guests. Each was presented with a Program of the Year pin and Certificate.
For the first time in several years, the Chapter had a Pledge of the Year, Andrea Thompson, who was given a pin recognizing her as a new member.
Highlight of the evening was naming of the 2024 Woman of the Year by previous winner, Darlene Lau. Sandy Jones, organizer of the Chapter in 1979, received the honor for years of service to the chapter as an Officer and chairman of all committees multiple times and for being a mentor to members. She was invited to join Beta Sigma Phi in 1966 in Farmington, NM, where she was active in her own chapter and also served as President of the area Council of Chapters, was New Mexico state Convention secretary, and served in every capacity until moving to Stroud in 1975. She applied for a charter to form a chapter in Stroud and recruited members. In 1979 the charter was granted and Kappa Phi chapter was created with ten members. As members achieved higher degrees, chapters ae renamed and Laureate Beta Alpha chapter is the current Greek name . She was the first President, chapter Advisor, and is the current Treasurer and Vice President elect. She served as the Oklahoma State convention secretary when Stroud hosted the state members.
She holds the highest degree, the Torchbearer, is a Life Member, has earned her 50 year pin and starting on her 56th year as a member, and has received the honor of the Order of the Rose. She has served as publicity chairman for years writing features about the chapter activities for local newspapers. She also had many years of Perfect Attendance. She was given a Woman of the Year trophy and pin.
Pam Hunt read the Message from the staff at head office of Beta Sigma Phi in Kansas City, MO, and Kim Johnson announced next sorority year’s theme, “BSP…The Place to Be.”
Members completing required years of membership were inducted into higher degrees in candlelight ceremonies with Andrea Thompson receiving the Ritual of the Jewels and given a yellow rose and pin for that degree. Three life members, Chris Hodge, Linda Stephens and Mary Jackson were inducted into the Torchbearer degree, the highest of the organization. Each of them have served the chapter in every capacity and are recipients of the Order of the Rose. The Ritual, read by 60 year member, Sue Helms, reminded the candidates of meaning of the attributes of Beta Sigma Phi membership, courage, vision, service, loyalty, humility and fellowship and to remember the pledge to do their best to live by the aims and ideals of BSP, Life, Learning and Friendship and were given Torchbearer degree pins and yellow roses.
Two long-time members who have passed away were remembered with a Memorial Ritual read by Linda Stephens. The ritual table was covered in a black cloth, with two black candles, 2 yellow roses and one tall taper candle and pictures of the deceased members.
The evening concluded with dessert, door prizes and Secret Sister gift exchange.
The Founder’s day committee included Pam Hunt, Chair, Sandy Jones, Sue Helms and Kim Johnson. Special guests were former Stroud members Michelle Doherty, Da-Vina McGee and Martha Hixon and Bristow chapter members, Kim Gilbert, Kim Dowdy, Elizabeth Monzingo, Amy Monzingo, Paige Wood, Lucinda Peeper and Sheila Davis and Pam Clement.