Theta Epsilon Omega Chapter AKAlades

Connecticut NAACP Honors Two Members

TEO AKA — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:47:34 GMT

Dr. Dorsey Kendrick and Attorney Moy Ogilvie were each named on the 2011 list of the 100 Most Influential Blacks in Connecticut. The list from the Connecticut State Conference of NAACP Branches includes judges, commissioners, sports figures, lawyers and educators.

Dr. Kendrick is the President of Gateway Community College in New Haven, CT. Under Dr. Kendrick's leadership, the college has experienced a 90% increase in enrollment through enhanced program offerings and community partnerships. Dr. Kendrick recognizes that many students are often faced with challenges that prevent them from going to college. She says, "they need strong support systems" and she believes that "every human being should have the opportunity to realize their full potential."

Attorney Ogilvie is a litigation partner at McCarter & English in the firm's Hartford office. She handles product liability and toxic tort cases and business litigation matters. She also handles pro bono matters for Lawyers for Children America and other organizations. Attorney Ogilvie currently serves as the President of Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity, and in 2011, Governor Malloy appointed her to the distinguished Connecticut State Criminal Justice Commission.

Theta Epsilon Omega Chapter congratulates Dr. Kendrick and Atty. Ogilvie. Click here for a complete list and bios.

Diane Y. Turner Named Chairman of the Board of Directors

TEO AKA — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 19:38:20 GMT

Congratulations to Diane Y. Turner on being named Chairman of the Board of Directors of the United Way of Greater New Haven.

Read the announcement from the United Way of Greater New Haven...

United Way of Greater New Haven is proud to announce that Diane Young Turner has been named Chair of the Board of Directors. Turner, Yale University’s Associate University Librarian for Human Resources & Organizational Development, is no stranger to United Way. Turner served as the Campaign Chair in 2009 and has been on the United Way Board of Directors since 2009. She also served as a member of United Way’s Success By 6 Advisory Council from 2007 to 2009 and was a co-recipient of the 2007 Champion for Advancing the Common Good Award for her outstanding work in leading the Yale Book Drive for three years, collecting thousands of children’s books for New Haven Reads and Read to Grow. As part of United Way's Days of Caring, Diane helped expand the book drive to include Albertus Magnus College, Gateway Community College, Southern Connecticut State University, Quinnipiac University, and Yale, which collected over 4,000 books that were distributed throughout the Greater New Haven community.

Turner has long been active in the community and in addition to United Way, she serves on several other Boards and commiunity organizations. Diane is leader and philanthropist both here and abroad. Several years ago, as a member of the Sister Cities/Freetown Board, she visited Sierra Leone and has spearheaded several missionary projects in Togo, West Africa, Sierra Leone and Sudan.

Elicia Pegues Spearman Elected to James W. Cooper Fellows Program

TEO AKA — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:10:06 GMT

Congratulations to our Silver Star President, Attorney Elicia Pegues Spearman.

Press release issued by the Connecticut Bar Foundation on June 23, 2010:

ATTORNEY ELICIA PEGUES SPEARMAN ELECTED TO THE

CONNECTICUT BAR FOUNDATION

JAMES W. COOPER FELLOWS PROGRAM

Attorney Elicia Pegues Spearman of Cheshire was elected a 2011 Fellow of the Connecticut Bar Foundation James W. Cooper Fellows Program, according to Timothy S. Fisher, President of the Connecticut Bar Foundation.

The James W. Cooper Fellows Program was established to honor the leading members of the legal profession and the Judiciary in

Connecticut. Membership in the Fellows is by invitation only and is evidence of professional distinction. Sixty-Eight new Fellows were elected this year. “We are pleased to recognize our new Fellows for their distinguished services to our legal system, and for their commitment to the principles of equal justice and the rule of law,” said Attorney Fisher.

Attorney Spearman is a Human Resources Business Partner at Aetna Inc. in Hartford. She received a B.A. from Wellesley College in 1987 and a J.D. from Case Western Reserve School of Law in 1990. She was admitted to the Connecticut Bar in 1991. She is also admitted to the bars of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Washington D.C., and the United States Supreme Court.

Attorney Spearman is a member of the George Crawford Black Bar Association. She also served on the following organizations: Theta Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. as President; Children in Placement (CASA affiliate) as Board President; Lawyers For Children of America as a Board Member; and on the Executive Board for the Hartford Stage.

Attorney Spearman has received many honors and awards including: the Phenomenal Woman Award 2009, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; the Professional Award 2007, The New Haven Club of National Association of Negro Business Professional Women’s Club, Inc.; the CWRU Law Alumni Association's Distinguished Recent Graduate Award (11/2000); the FBI Dedicated Service Plaque (2/1998); and the Community Service Award, Legal Advisor to the Miss Black Connecticut Scholarship Pageant (4/1995). She was featured in the following publications: General Counsel, New England (1Q 2009) "Reacting to Violence in the Workplace”; Connecticut Law Tribune’s 12/22/08 edition “Dozen Who Made A Difference in 2008”; and on the cover of General Counsel, New England (Q2 2005) "Diversity by the Numbers”. She is a published author in Dear Sisters, Dear Daughters Words of Wisdom from Multicultural Women Attorneys Who’ve Been There and Done That (Copyright 2000 American Bar Association).

Attorney Spearman resides with her husband, Livie, in Cheshire. They have a daughter, Kaila. Attorney Spearman was honored at a reception at Bushnell Autorino Great Hall on May 10, 2011. The Fellows Program, now in its 17th year, has 831 members. In addition to lawyers in private practice, the group consists of U.S. Court of Appeals judges, U.S. District Court judges, Connecticut Supreme, Appellate, and Superior Court judges. It also includes corporate counsels and attorneys at corporations, heads of associations and corporations, directors and attorneys at legal services agencies, and lawyers in government. Finally, it includes the deans, former deans, and professors of law at Connecticut's law schools, past and current leadership of the Connecticut Bar Association, and numerous present and former government leaders.

The purpose of the Fellows Program is to promote better understanding of the legal profession and the judicial system and to explore ways to improve the profession and the administration of justice in Connecticut. The Fellows help advance the mission of the Connecticut Bar Foundation to further the rule of law in Connecticut. This mission is based on the fundamental premise that the rule of law is essential to an orderly and just society and must be available to all, regardless of power or resources. The Foundation serves this mission in part by working to secure and administer a reliable and sufficient flow of funds to support legal services and access to justice for persons of limited means.

Bill Cosby Visits Beecher Magnet School

TEO AKA — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:36:17 GMT

Bill Cosby, who is best known as a comedian, actor and activist, visited Beecher Magnet School where Theta Epsilon Omega member, Kathy Russell Beck, is the Principal. Cosby was in New Haven and met with the Beecher students to promote academic achievement. Mrs. Russell Beck had the distinct opportunity to meet Mr. Cosby and photograph with him. Read the article and view the photograph of Russell Beck with Cosby in The New Haven Independent.

Khalilah Brown-Dean Writes for Uptown Magazine

TEO AKA — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:22:57 GMT

UPTOWN Magazine publishes Dr. Khalilah Brown-Dean's article, "Are HBCUs Still Relevant?"

Moy Ogilvie Named President of the LCD

TEO AKA — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 13:45:04 GMT

Attorney Moy Ogilvie will serve as President of the Lawyer's Collaborative for Diversity (LCD) for 2011-2012. The organization was founded in 2003 by concerned lawyers to address issues of diversity within Connecticut's legal profession. Since then, the organization has made its mission to galvanize the legal community to make the state "a more attractive place for attorneys of color and women to practice law and find satisfying professional opportunities." In a press release issued by the LCD, the Executive Director said, "With Moy's professionalism and the respect that she has in Connecticut's legal community, I can only imagine the possibilities during her tenure."

For more information about the LCD, visit www.lawyerscollaborativefordiversity.org.

Evelyn Streater-Frizzle, Two-Time Awardee

TEO AKA — Sat, 07 May 2011 22:38:58 GMT

Congratulations to Theta Epsilon Omega Chapter member Evelyn Streater-Frizzle who was recognized twice in one month by two outstanding organizations.

On April 27th, Start Community Bank bestowed one of its first annual "Community Catalyst" awards to Ms. Streater-Frizzle for her involvement in the New Haven community, particularly for her contributions to the Whalley, Edgewood and Beaverdale neighborhoods. It was said that the recipients of these awards are members of the New Haven community who lead lives of powerful example, and who, with little fanfare or recognition, serve as positive role models and agents of change.

Then, on April 28th, Ms. Streater-Frizzle received a Special Recognition Award from Marrakech, Inc. for her advocacy in her neighborhood. Marrakech recognizes individuals for seeing a need in the community and for doing something to address it. Like Ms. Streater-Frizzle, the individuals they recognize take on the responsibility to improve the lives of those in need, reflecting the mission and vision of the founders of Marrakech.

Theta Epsilon Omega Chapter is proud to have Evelyn Streater-Frizzle as a member. Just as she gives of herself to her community, she does the same in the name of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Jade Gopie Featured in National TV Commercial

TEO AKA — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 18:19:24 GMT

Theta Epsilon Omega member Jade Gopie was featured in her own television commercial sponsored by ExxonMobil and The National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI). The NMSI was launched in 2007 by top leaders in business, education, and science to reverse the United States' troubling decline in math and science education. They find proven programs that are producing real results in the lives of students and teachers and expanding them across the nation. One of those remarkable teachers is Jade Gopie who is the Advanced Placement (AP) Biology teacher at Wilby High School in Waterbury, CT. Ms. Gopie's commercial televised nationally for the first time during the Masters Golf Tournament in April of 2011. Click here to watch what she has to say about her AP program and students.

Gov. Malloy Appoints Moy Ogilvie to Criminal Justice Commission

TEO AKA — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 22:08:41 GMT

GOV. MALLOY APPOINTS MEMBERSHIP OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMISSION

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that he has appointed six highly respected lawyers and jurists to the state’s Criminal Justice Commission. Governor Malloy named Justice Richard N. Palmer of Cromwell; Judge Juliett L. Crawford of New Haven; Mary M. Galvin of West Haven; Maura H. Horan of South Windsor; Moy N. Ogilvie of West Hartford; and Ann G. Taylor of Weatogue.

“These members will lead the effort to recruit a diverse group of highly qualified attorneys from around the state as candidates for appointment as prosecutors,” Governor Malloy said. “I have no doubt these nominees understand the needs of our criminal justice system, specifically when it comes to selecting prosecutors who will lead the fight against crime, focus on the public safety needs of our state and the enforcement of crime victims’ rights.”

Governor Malloy also announced he has re-appointed Justice Palmer to serve as Chair of the commission, a position he has held since 2006.

The Criminal Justice Commission is an autonomous body constitutionally charged with appointing all prosecutors of the Division of Criminal Justice, including the chief state’s attorney, deputy chief state’s attorney, and state’s attorneys for judicial districts, along with their deputies and assistants. It is composed of the Chief State’s Attorney and six attorneys nominated by the Governor, two of whom must be judges of the Superior Court.

The Honorable Richard N. Palmer was appointed as member and chair of the Criminal Justice Commission by Governor M. Jodi Rell in April 2006. He has served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court since 1993. From 1991 through 1993 he was the Chief State’s Attorney for Connecticut, and in 1991 he was appointed to the position of United States Attorney for Connecticut.

The Honorable Juliett L. Crawford has served as a judge of the Superior Court since 1998. In addition to her experience as an instructor in trial advocacy at the Yale University School of Law, Judge Crawford served as Assistant State’s Attorney and Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney from 1984 through 1998. Prior to that, she worked as a legislative assistant to Senator Lowell Weicker, worked at the U.S. Social Security Administration, and served in the United States Army.

Mary M. Galvin is senior counsel at the Travelers Indemnity Company in Hartford. Previously, she served as Dean of Education for the National District Attorneys Association in Columbia, South Carolina. She was State’s Attorney for the judicial district of Ansonia/Milford from 1988 through 2006, Chief Assistant State’s Attorney in New Haven from 1985 through 1987, Assistant State’s Attorney from 1977 through 1985, and was an Assistant Prosecutor from 1975 through 1977.

Maura H. Horan was appointed to the Criminal Justice Commission in 2007 by Governor M. Jodi Rell. She currently works as an attorney for Ruben, Johnson, Morgan & Horan, P.C., practicing in the areas of civil litigation, commercial leasing and real estate and mortgage transactions. Her experience includes loan transaction documentation, leasing, complex commercial litigation, pre-judgment remedy proceedings, mortgage foreclosures, contract disputes, landlord-tenant disputes, summary process actions and property tax appeals.

Moy N. Ogilvie is a partner at McCarter & English, practicing in the area of product liability, toxic tort matters and pharmaceutical matters. She has handled state and federal court matters involving exposure to various chemicals or products, and has served as national coordinating counsel for a chemical manufacturer’s benzene docket. She currently serves on the Federal Grievance Committee for the United States District Court for Connecticut, which handles attorney discipline in the Connecticut federal courts.

Ann G. Taylor has served as a member of the Criminal Justice Commission since 1999. She is General Counsel for the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford. She is a former Commissioner of the Connecticut State Ethics Commission and also has served as an Alternate Member of the State of Connecticut Judicial Review Council.

###

For Immediate Release: March 30, 2011

Contact: David Bednarz
David.Bednarz@ct.gov
860-524-7315 (office)
860-770-9792 (cell)

Click here to read press release at the Office of the Governor website.

Gateway Community College Helps People in Need

TEO AKA — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 20:46:31 GMT

Gateway Community College hosted its annual Holiday Dinner for the less fortunate. "Events like this one let people know that we really care," said Dorsey Kendrick, member of Theta Epsilon Omega Chapter and President of Gateway Community College. The event attracted over 700 people, including 280 children. The college donated the dinner, warm coats, hats and scarves, and toys for the children. Click here to read the news article reported by The New Haven Register.

Krissie Williams, Accomplished Author Does It Again

TEO AKA — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 13:23:08 GMT

Krissie Williams publishes her second novel, Breath. Purchase the e-book here to enjoy this spine-tingling must read. Print copy will be available Summer 2011.

Moy Ogilvie, Connecticut's High Achiever in Law

TEO AKA — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 16:52:10 GMT

Moy Ogilvie is featured in the Connecticut Law Tribune's 2010 Edition of Women in the Law. This special biennial section of the Tribune features a diverse group of high-achieving women in the field of law. Attorney Ogilvie is a Partner in the Product Liability Practice Group at McCarter & English LLP where she handles a wide array of business litigation, and has significant experience in product liability, toxic tort and pharmaceutical matters. She has tried state and federal court cases. Attorney Ogilvie is a past recipient of the Hartford Business Journal's 40 Under Forty award, a distinction given to members of the Greater Hartford community who are committed to business growth, personal excellence and deep community involvement.

United Way Says Thanks to Yale

TEO AKA — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:44:34 GMT

The New Haven Register, Wednesday, June 23, 2010

By Mark Zaretsky, Register Staff

NEW HAVEN — To say Diane Turner led the United Way of Greater New Haven’s 2009-10 Community Campaign during a challenging time is a bit of an understatement.

“In case you haven’t heard, it’s tough,” United Way board Chairman Al Smith told over 100 campaign supporters Tuesday night at a reception at the New Haven Country Club to honor Turner and her employer, Yale University, for their commitment to the community.

The reception also celebrated that in the midst of that tough environment, the campaign was able to raise $5.2 million.

When Turner, Yale’s associate university librarian for human resources, took the position as United Way campaign chairwoman after being recommended to Smith by Yale Vice President for New Haven and State Affairs Bruce Alexander, “She brought her incredible gifts to the campaign,” Smith said.

“She opened doors that had not been open before” and “introduced us to new donors,” said Smith, managing partner of the Murtha Cullina law firm. “She helped us raise $5.2 million in an extraordinary fundraising environment.”

Turner called it “interesting and extremely challenging” to lead the past year’s campaign, but said the end result shows the strength of the community. “We can achieve anything if we work united” and draw upon the community’s resources and knowledge, she said.

President Richard Levin accepted the United Way’s thanks on behalf of Yale after being introduced by United Way of Greater New Haven President and CEO Jack Healy.

Healy said that under Levin’s leadership of Yale, “We have seen amazing changes in the city” and its relationship with the university.

He talked about the many ways Yale helps the city, from the School of Management giving advice to nonprofits, to the School of Law working with groups to help keep homeowners out of foreclosure, to the Yale Home Buyers Program, which gives Yale employees assistance to buy homes in New Haven.

Levin said that every citizen is in the debt of those who work to make the city a better place. With regard to Yale, he said, “It does make me proud as the head of the university to know that the actual individuals at the university are in the mix” when it comes to making New Haven a better community.

“It has been a challenge,” said Smith. But “the great thing about the community ... is that those who are able to at all dig a little deeper” during challenging times “because they realize” that those in the most difficult situations have it even harder when times are bad, he said.

Heidi McIntosh Receives Casey Fellowship

TEO AKA — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:11:46 GMT

Heidi McIntosh has been chosen by the Annie E. Casey Foundation as a member of its prestigious 2010-2011 Children and Family Fellowship Class. The Casey Foundation, a nationally-renowned child welfar organization, established the fellowship "to increase the pool of leaders with the vision, drive, and ability to create and sustain major system reforms and community initiatives that benefit large numbers of children and families." Only 18 leaders across the nation were chosen for this honor. Ms. McIntosh, a Deputy Commissioner for the State of Connecticut Department of Children and Families, has assisted many states, including Connecticut, with improving the quality of child welfare practice. The 20-month fellowship offers the opportunity for professional development through executive seminars and site visits to learn about innovative agencies and organizations across the country. In addition, resources to apply effective service delivery models are also offered as part of the fellowship, which will allow Deputy Commissioner McIntosh to focus on specific program improvement initiatives here in Connecticut.

Theta Epsilon Omega Recognizes Member Graduates and Retirees

TEO AKA — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 18:07:31 GMT

Theta Epsilon Omega Chapter congratulates its members who have graduated or retired in 2010. All of the graduates and retirees will be officially recognized at the chapter's annual Dinner Dance on Saturday, June 5, 2010. The Dinner Dance is the chapter's largest fundraiser to support its scholarship and community service programs. For tickets, please e-mail fundraising@akanewhaven.org.

Kelly P. Brett, advanced graduate study at the Parsons School of Art and Design in Paris, France
Darcey Cobbs-Lomax, Walden University, Masters of Public Health
Stacy Risco, University of New Haven, Masters of Business Administration
Chereece Smith, Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy, Licensed Massage Therapist
Althea Norcott, James Hillhouse High School, 38 Years of Service
Evelyn Streater-Frizzle, Yale University, 38 Years of Service
Sheila Saunders, Yale University, 26 Years of Service

Dr. Khalilah Brown-Dean on C-SPAN, Discussion on Race

TEO AKA — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:06:29 GMT

In November of 2009, the Congressional Black Caucus held a forum to examine the critical role of race in our society. Dr. Khalilah L. Brown-Dean joined several esteemed members of a panel on Capitol Hill to participate in the "Discussion on Race" that was televised on C-SPAN. Click here to view a segment of the video.

United Way Celebrates 2009 Campaign Chair

TEO AKA — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:15:03 GMT

Diane Y. Turner is the 2009 United Way of Greater New Haven Campaign Chair. The United Way previously recognized Ms. Turner as a community champion. Under her leadership, the Days of Caring Book Drive held annually at Yale University was expanded to include other area colleges and universities, thereby doubling the number of books collected. Well over 4,000 books have been collected and donated to New Haven Reads and Read to Grow.

Katurah A. Bryant Joins National Board

TEO AKA — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:16:30 GMT

The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) welcomed Katurah A. Bryant, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, to its board. NADA conducts training and provides public education about the use of acupuncture as an adjunctive treatment for addictions and mental disorders. Ms. Bryant is a certified Acupuncture Detox Specialist and trainer of the NADA method derived from the Chinese medicine theory of detoxification.

Dr. Deborah D. Desir Featured on Panel, Women and Health

TEO AKA — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:11:45 GMT

Dr. Deborah D. Desir of the Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center, appeared on a televised panel entitled, “Women: Maintaining Health and Well-being” on Citizens Television’s 21^st Century Conversations. Click here to read more about what Dr. Desir says about women of color and osteoporosis.

Katurah A. Bryant, Featured Writer

TEO AKA — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:54:54 GMT

Katurah A. Bryant, LMFT shares her insight on relationships in her article As Is... written for The FLOW.