The Beta Chi Chi Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Incorporated, had a rather humble beginning. Initial discussions began upon Soror Beatrice McCloud’s return from Delaware where she lived for three years. While living in Delaware Soror McCloud reports that one of the most important decisions she made while residing there was to complete induction and intake into Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc., Tau Eta Chapter. Soror McCloud praised the Sorority’s professionalism, leadership, research and its serious commitment to service. Upon her return to Rochester in 1993, she actively sought to start a local chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, an interest she discussed with three other colleagues, Erane Allen, Angeles Anderson, and Katherine Detherage. However, it wasn’t until late 2003 that interests grew to the level of seriousness needed to lay the foundation for chartering a Rochester chapter. Mrs. McCloud hosted an informational meeting in April 2004. The goal was to attract enough professional nurses to request forming a charter chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. The first formal meeting was held in May 2004 during which 14 interested RNs attended. Mrs. McCloud recruited Deborah Stamps to assist in organizing a chapter and strongly encouraged her to consider serving as the Chapter’s first Basileus (president), which she did. Under the leadership of Basileus Stamps, Beta Chi Chi, Incorporated developed a rich history reflected by a strong passion for service, caring, mentoring, leadership, and scholarship.
In May 2004, and for several months thereafter, a group of approximately 20 professional nurses met in the home of Mrs. McCloud and diligently began planning to realize her dream. Fueled by the energy of this group, their firm commitment and the focused, energetic leadership from recruit Deborah Stamps, Mrs. McCloud became more determined than ever and the group forged ahead. After several months of intensive planning meetings at the McCloud home which included careful review of national and regional bylaws, drafting roles and responsibilities, sorority operations, and chapter bylaws, the group was ready for chartering.
On January 8, 2005, Beta Chi Chi was chartered with 18 members, becoming the first Chi Eta Phi, Inc. chapter in upstate New York. The national officers present for the chartering were Madam Supreme Basileus Carolyn W. Mosley; National Organizer Soror Daisey Borel, BSN, RN; Northeast Regional Director, Soror Constance H. Sumner, MSN, RN; and Soror Bernice Bonds Riley. The actual Chartering and Installation Ceremony took place at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, 351 Joseph Avenue, Rochester, NY 14605 with the support of its pastor The Reverend Dr. Harmon Stockdale. The evening celebration, which included family, friends and guests, was held at Rochester Crowne Plaza Hotel, 70 State Street, Rochester, New York; with no money in the treasury requiring that everyone being chartered contribute out-of-pocket to pay for the banquet. Many more people attended the ceremony than expected resulting in the need for members to dig a little deeper into their personal funds in order to pay the hotel. Still short, Easter Tucker placed the balance of the bill on her credit card.
The official list of members chartered on January 8, 2005, listed alphabetically with office held where appropriate are Angeles Anderson, Parliamentarian. Willie Baldon, Donnis Quinn-Braswell, Anti-Basileus (Vice President), Marjie Bryant, Sergeant-at-Arms; Treva Campbell, Grammateus and Epistoleus, (Recording and Corresponding Secretary); Teshonda Craven, Tamiochus (Financial Secretary), Katherine Detherage, Lilla Loretta Goff, Tamias (Treasurer); Margie Lovett-Scott, Beatrice McCloud, Historian; Celia McIntosh, Jacquelin Nelson, Philacter, (Door-Keeper); Doris Poole, Regina Robinson, Dean of Membership (Membership Coordinator): Sheila Rogers, Hodogos, (Usher) Deborah Stamps, (President); Audrey Taylor, Easter Tucker, Chaplain.
On November 15, 2008, under the direction of Beta Sponsors Sorors Detherage and Lovett-Scott, the Chapter chartered its first undergraduate city-wide (student) chapter called Beta Chi Chi Beta. Members were from Nazareth College, Roberts Wesleyan, St. John Fisher College, and SUNY Brockport (rebranded in 2011 as, The College at Brockport). Chartering members and the office(s) held are as follows: Kiesha Fowlkes, Znovia Hill, Alinafe Mutuwarira, Epistoleus; Colby Schultz, Grammateus, Hodogos, and Sergeant-at-Arms. Magdalena Collazo, Grace Dengler, Basileus; Sheena Dixon, Anti-Basileus; and Shansanotta Duhart, Tamiochus
In 2009, Beta Chi Chi, Inc., hosted the 57th Northeast Region Conference and Workshops during which the Chapter introduced its Inaugural Step-Team coached and choreographed by Deacon Horace Allen from Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church. The step-team members Joanne Mitchell-McLaren, Cassandra Scott, Patricia Sutton, Margie Lovett-Scott, and Debbie Stamps entertained the membership with an original, well received step, chanted to the lyrics authored by Margie Lovett-Scott, coached by Deacon Horace Allen, and lead by Soror Mitchell-McLaren.
Beta Chi has partnered with more than 20 community organizations and churches in providing health -related screenings, educational forums and services reaching all age groups and has awarded more than 40 scholarships to student nurses, totaling more than $100,000; made possible by generous support of Dr. Betty Marian Anderson, Beta Chi Chi membership, Excellus, Jordan Health, and the community.
January 8, 2025, marked two decades of providing outstanding service to the Rochester Monroe County area, remaining faithful to our motto, “Service for Humanity.” What a phenomenal journey but, the best is yet to come!
