Throughout the years the Kappa Chapter, Inc. Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. has given more than $72,000 in scholarship money to nursing students throughout the Pittsburgh area. This year that total grew as Duquesne University nursing students Octavia Anderson and Autumn Ficklin were awarded scholarships during the groups’ annual Mamie Garland Scholarship event themed Building Community Partnerships for Health Equity. The husband of the late Kappa member Mamie Garland established the scholarship.
“We are proud of the accomplishments of all our student members,” said Jessica Wimbush, scholarship chairperson. She noted that Ficklin and a male student Francis Ogbonna attending the University of Pittsburgh have been accepted into the Pittsburgh Veteran Administrations’ Valor Program. They both will work in critical care as VA employees. Wimbush also mentioned that the local organization has chapters on three area college campuses. The University of Pittsburgh-Kappa Beta Chapter established in 1984, the Duquesne University-Kappa Alpha Beta Chapter established in 1996 and the Carlow University- Kappa Beta Beta Chapter, which was established in 2004.
Since May of 1949 the Pittsburgh chapter of the national professional nurses’ organization has been striving to develop a corps of nursing leaders and encouraging continuing education. “There is always going to be a need for nurses,” said Elsie Murray, CRNA Emeritus, MPM Basileus of the Kappa Chapter. Through the scholarship program she says their organization is assisting in developing a new generation of nurses.
Kappa Chapter, Inc. is an affiliate of the Washington, DC based Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. a professional association for registered professional nurses and student nurses male and female that represents many cultures and diverse ethnic backgrounds. There are 81 graduate chapters and 39 undergraduate chapters located in 26 states, the District of Columbia, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, and Monrovia Liberia, West Africa.
The vision of the national organization is to serve as an internationally recognized leader in the provision of health education, leadership development, and service to the community.
More than 200 people attended the scholarship event where Allegheny County’s first African American Chief Public Defender Elliot Howsie served as guest speaker. Focusing his presentation towards the student nurses he addressed the significance of being prepared to enter the professional world. Howsie admits that while growing up there were many people like his parents, sisters, friends and people he met throughout his life that looked after him and steered him down the right road. The Wilkinsburg native said he knows his path was led by God. “There are many people I grew up with that didn’t make it or are in jail,” he said pointing out that even some of them looked out for him.
Howsie graduated from Central Catholic High School and obtained both his undergraduate and master’s degree in criminal justice from Indiana University and earned his law degree from Duquesne University. Education he stressed is one key step in preparing for the future. Being on top of your game, being honest, maintaining a good reputation and believing in yourself are also attributes he says he lives by. After working as a janitor, a law clerk on the state Superior Court and Assistant District Attorney he later started his own law firm and worked as a sole practitioner where he specialized in criminal law matters and personal injury cases.
Three years ago at the age of 42 he was appointed as Allegheny County’s chief public defender, a position he pledged to bring “a passion for criminal defense” and believes that during his tenure he has changed the office for the betterment. His responsibilities entail managing the office and providing effective legal representation to any indigent person that is in need of an attorney.
Pointing out to the nursing students that he was once in their position of trying to find his way, he reminded them to remember to embrace challenges. “Life is about lessons, so expect to make mistakes. You have to show up and seize the moment. Always look and be your best, work hard, have integrity and believe in yourself.”
Always remembering where he came from and that no one gets where they are alone, Howsie stressed that it is a must to give back and to pour into others. Showing by example he serves on the Allegheny County Jail Oversight Board and the Manchester FACE Board. He teaches law as an adjunct professor at Duquesne University where he teaches and mentors first year minority law students.
Organized with 11 chapter members, the Kappa Chapter will celebrate its 66th anniversary May 1. The Kappa Chapter continually rededicates itself to the purposes and goals established by Chi Eta Phi, Sorority, Inc. through active participation in the Sorority’s programs and projects on the national, regional and local levels.