History
Chi Eta Phi Sorority Incorporated is an organization of registered professional nurses founded under the leadership of Ailene C. Ewell, BSN, RN in 1932 at Freedman's Hospital School of Nursing in Washington D.C.
Kappa Chapter, Inc. was organized with eleven charter members under the guidance of Hortense Johnson, National Organizer on May 1, 1949 in Pittsburgh, PA. "Jewel" Bessie Cephas, a charter member of both the national sorority and Kappa Chapter, was an inspiration to all members until her death on September 25, 2000. The original charter members include: Evelyn Johnson, Ruby Hadley, Frances Patterson Chatman, Marie Cowans, Evelyn Crampton, Eunice Cook, Gladys Harris Manzo, Anna King Nobel.
OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS
The Mamie Garland Scholarship Program was generously underwritten by Anna & Edward Dunlap, Le Mont Restaurant.
Chapter Officers
2024-2025 Officers
Joan Mitchell CRNA, BSN, MSHA, RN
Basileus
Cynthia Coates, MSN, RN
Anti-Basileus
Luann Gordon, RN, MSN, OCN
Grammateus
Jerri Robinson, DNP, RN, MPA
Epistoleus
Debra Hocket, MSN, RN
Tamiochus
Dameta Williams-Dow, BSN, RN, MPA, M.Ed Historian
Alicia Scott MSN, RN
Dean of Membership
Yvette Parks, AD, RN
Beta Sponsor/Kappa Beta
University of Pittsburgh
Betty Braxter, PhD, RN
Beta Sponsor/Kappa Beta
Angela Simmons, DNP, MSN-NCEL, RN
Beta Sponsor-Kappa Beta Beta
Carlow University
Jessica L. Wimbush, MSN, RN, FNP-BC Parliamentarian
Lore Wright, MSN, RN
Immediate Past Basileus
Mamie Garland Scholarship Fund
As part of our mission, "to promote a higher educational background for the nursing profession and stimulate greater intellectual attainment" each year Kappa Chapter awards local nursing students with scholarships to help offset the rising cost of tuition and fees. In memory of one of our charter members Mamie Garland, Kappa Chapter has awarded over $50,000 in scholarship dollars.
Support Nursing Education
Membership
Membership is open to male and female professional nurses and is by invitation.
Kappa Chapter is the the mentoring graduate chapter to three undergraduate chapters, Kappa Beta (University of Pittsburgh), Kappa Alpha Beta (Duquesne University), and Kappa Beta Beta (Carlow University).
Undergraduate membership: If you are matriculating as a full-time student attending an accredited college or university, membership is obtained through an undergraduate chapter. Look for authorized and printed rush flyers on your college campus or visit your campus’ Office of Greek Life.
Graduate membership: If you have a degree from an accredited college or university membership is obtained through the graduate chapter. You can contact our Dean of Membership, Kiya Ficklin at kficklin06@yahoo.com.