Xi Iota Phi, Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, wraps up year with Mother-Daughter Tea, Ladies Night Out, and “Camp Outback”

by Karen Sutton and Diana Boyce, Publicity Committee Xi Iota Phi
 

​     Our annual Mother-Daughter Tea was held on May 1, 2021 with a luncheon celebrating mothers, daughters, other family members and each other.  Linda Ebert presented a wonderful program on the “History of May Day”.
    Our annual “Ladies Night Out” was held at Hereford House Restaurant in Independence, MO where we celebrated our Woman of the Year, Debbie Reardon. Also, congratulations to Diana Boyce for “Program of the Year” and Karen Blau for “Perfect Attendance”.  Secret Sisters from the previous year were also revealed and new Secret Sisters were drawn for the upcoming year.
     Our final activity of the year was a weekend at the lake home of Jim and Linda Ebert.  It’s hard to believe this was our 15th annual trip there!  We always have a wonderful time, but this year was especially a welcome get-away we agreed we all needed!
     At our May meeting, Chris Smith presented the program “The History of Union Station”, the original depot in Kansas City’s west bottoms and the various railroads which converged in Kansas City. Chris’ grandfather was the Director of Union Station and was in charge of it for 48 years. 
     Xi Iota Phi’s new year started in June with Installation of officers. 
     Beta Sigma Phi is celebrating it’s 90th year in 2021 and to commemorate this, their theme is “90 Years to Shine”.  Xi Iota Phi decided to also celebrate this milestone through our monthly programs which will include any event or people that have made a difference these past 90 years.  Linda Ebert started us off in June talking about Tim Berners Lee who invented the World Wide Web (www) in 1989 which changed the world in which it communicates. 
     In July, Karen LaJaunie gave her program on Ruth Bader Ginsburg who served as Supreme Court Justice from 1993 until her death in 2020.  Known as the “Notorious RBG”, she upheld the rights of both women and men in the workplace and in the military.  Kim Meyers’ program in August was on Sarah Cannon, better known as “Minnie Pearl”.   
     She was a neighbor of Kim’s family when she lived in Nashville.  Not only was she a well-known entertainer, she was also a humanitarian and very active in the community.  After battling cancer, she became a spokesperson for cancer research.  Today several “Sarah Cannon Cancer Centers” across the country have been named in her honor. 
     A card shower was given at our June meeting to Diana Boyce and Karen Blau for their recent retirements. 
    One of our service projects this year is Hope House.  Members have been busy donating items for the residents and staff to use.