TABITHA CHAPTER No. 105

How and Where it all started

 

By Sister Helen Sutton

I had the opportunity to conduct a telephonic interview with the Regular Grand Chapter of Virginia’s Grand Worthy Matron (GWM) Teya Millender and we discussed how she played a role in the history of Tabitha Chapter #105. PWM Teya (also currently holds title of RGCVA GWM) served as Tabitha’s first Worthy Matron and if you ever get the opportunity to talk to her about how Ta-bitha #105 started, sit down and enjoy the ride! Her face lightens up and the pride shown is powerful! Being a member of Tabitha is an honor and I want to be able to share our history with all who wants to hear.

Sis Helen: Where and when was Tabitha Chapter #105 established?
PWM Teya: In Norfolk, Virginia. August 6th, 2005 was the day we were granted a dispensation to form a Chapter from MEGP Ellijah Imani. At that time Worthy Matron Sister Teya Millender, Associate Matron Sister Melissa Davis, Treasurer Sister Denise Dawson, Secretary Sister Tabby Brandon Motley, Conductress Sister Taquita Sykes, and Associate Conductress Sister Tonya Isom became the cornerstone sisters of Tabitha 105. On OCTOBER 15TH , 2005 we were char-tered under Harmony with the 6 cornerstone sisters and 3 New Members, Sister Diya Lucas Dyson, Sister Gena Wright and Sister Shon Mahaffey and on March 25, 2006 we were chartered under the great RGCVA with a total of 10 sisters, the tenth one being Sister Monica Wood. These awesome 10 sisters put the 1st blood and sweat into our chapter.

Sis Helen: Why was Tabitha Chapter #105 established?
PWM Teya: We wanted to bless the world with our charity, love and kindness. We chose the name Tabitha because Her Story itself explained the level of good works and deeds we wanted to emulate and in case we ever get side tracked we can reflect on why we decided to start this chapter.

Sis Helen: What were the initial goals of the Chapter and do you feel overall the Chapter has met those goals?

PWM Teya: To better ourselves as we continued to travel. Each year we wanted to support more, give more, love more and grow more in the Order, not positions but knowledge and virtues and strive to be the Best Eastern Stars we could be no matter what oth-ers do. We wanted to step outside of what was then ordinary and be extraordinary. We wanted to lead by example. We are still a very strong Chapter so the answer is yes but we still have work to do.

Sis Helen: What sets the Chapter apart from others?
PWM Teya: A hard question to answer because we don’t look at other chapters or what they do or don’t to determine How we are doing or how we are different. Even though our purpose is the same, Tabitha is just striving to become better Daughters, Widows, Wives, Sisters and Mothers than we were before by using the knowledge and foundation that was laid before us.

Sis Helen: As the first Worthy Matron of Tabitha where do you see the Chapter in 5 years?
PWM Teya: Still going strong with a new set of leaders who will continue to take Tabitha to the next level of excellence. Work hard and play hard while still staying family oriented and keeping God First.

Sis Helen: How has the Chapter improved over time?
PWM Teya: Each year we continue to grow in knowledge, quality of good work and deeds.

Sis Helen: If you knew of someone interested in being a part of the Order and of Tabitha, what would you want them to hear about Tabitha?
PWM Teya: The truth, we have a great time with each other, support everybody, but we work hard, study hard, and we do it to-gether. We are family!