Finer Womanhood is an official sorority observance which begins during the last week of February and continues through the month of March. The concept of choosing a Woman of the Year was introduced to the Kappa Zeta between the years of 1946 and 1948 Soror Marion Dillard, and then later, presented the idea to the Southern Region of the sorority. Today, Woman of the Year observances are included in most Finer Womanhood celebrations throughout all chapters of Zeta Phi Beta.
Kappa Zeta chapter is continuing its rich legacy and annually recognizes a woman who exemplifies the ideal of Finer Womanhood through her service in the community. Over the last 50 years, numerous women in the Dallas area have been honored as Kappa Zeta‛s Woman of the Year.
Kappa Zeta chapter is continuing its rich legacy and annually recognizes a woman who exemplifies the ideal of Finer Womanhood through her service in the community. Over the last 50 years, numerous women in the Dallas area have been honored as Kappa Zeta‛s Woman of the Year.
2022 Woman of the Year
2021 Woman of the Year
2017 Woman of the Year
|
Anita Odom for over the past twenty years has served faithfully within the urban community of Dallas to help develop as well as support minority programs to benefit intercity youth. She has been a fixture of the West Dallas community for the last sixteen years, as Area Director for Young Life, a national nonprofit organization that spreads the Word of Jesus Christ to troubled inner city youth.
Anita feels her work is no accident; she believes God called her back to West Dallas as a servant to help others through life’s dilemmas. Psalm 27:10 (Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me) depicts what God placed in her heart to live out here on earth. Anita, a relational and loving servant leader, seeks to supply the physical and spiritual needs of lost youth and their families, allowing them opportunity to grow in their faith. |
As the seventh of nine children and a dedicated mother of two sons, she understands the concept of family. She uses her experience growing up in West Dallas to help her mentor hundreds of inner city youth by building and shaping character, integrity, encouraging education, offering hope, and sharing the unconditional love of Jesus Christ to “Every kid, Everywhere for Eternity” is her life’s mission.
This passionate soul is responsible for overseeing area development, community outreach, fundraising, budget, plus serve on several ministries teams designed to help North Texas youth. She also ensures that all policies and procedures are implemented through spiritual leadership, good management, and outreach. Her tireless work has earned her several awards and distinctions.
After earning a degree in business management from Cedar Valley College, Anita Odom went on to earn advanced degrees from Dallas Baptist University and will soon earn a master’s in education. When Anita is not lending her time and effort to social functions, and chasing kids for Christ you can find her working at Odom’s Bar B Q with her family still serving the community of West Dallas and the city of Dallas.
This passionate soul is responsible for overseeing area development, community outreach, fundraising, budget, plus serve on several ministries teams designed to help North Texas youth. She also ensures that all policies and procedures are implemented through spiritual leadership, good management, and outreach. Her tireless work has earned her several awards and distinctions.
After earning a degree in business management from Cedar Valley College, Anita Odom went on to earn advanced degrees from Dallas Baptist University and will soon earn a master’s in education. When Anita is not lending her time and effort to social functions, and chasing kids for Christ you can find her working at Odom’s Bar B Q with her family still serving the community of West Dallas and the city of Dallas.
2016 Woman of the Year
Loletha Horton was born and raised in Dallas Texas and; is the proud mother of three young men. Ms. Horton is the Executive Director of the Lakewest YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. She has been with the organization for 26 years holding various positions throughout her career. She started out as a volunteer in 1990 and has taken the Christian values the YMCA embraced her and her three sons with during a tough time in her life. Ms. Horton now dedicates her time to “pay it forward” by serving needy families in the West Dallas community.
Ms. Horton gets excited whenever she and her staff have the opportunity to provide support to someone in need or just being the hub within the community that people know they can come to and feel connected.
Under her leadership, the Lakewest Y has been in a partnership with the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity for more than 25 years. This teamwork has allowed the Y to expand its reach to assist more families. Ms. Horton is the first female to sit on the Theta Alpha Foundation as well as served as the vice chair for this all-male organization. She sometimes asked herself if she could have handled this task if she had not raised three boys of her own. Her wish is to utilize her gifts and talents to help the foundation expand its vision and opportunities to grow their partnership throughout all communities.
Ms. Horton’s experience in working with volunteers and board development has proven that people do care and want to support a worthy cause. It has been her experience that volunteers are valuable to organizations such as the YMCA and many others. She believes we would not be able to reach as many families nor provide the much needed support within our communities if we did not have the support of the many volunteers that support our mission. Loletha would like to be remembered as being the type of person that values the needs of every individual, family and community.
Ms. Horton gets excited whenever she and her staff have the opportunity to provide support to someone in need or just being the hub within the community that people know they can come to and feel connected.
Under her leadership, the Lakewest Y has been in a partnership with the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity for more than 25 years. This teamwork has allowed the Y to expand its reach to assist more families. Ms. Horton is the first female to sit on the Theta Alpha Foundation as well as served as the vice chair for this all-male organization. She sometimes asked herself if she could have handled this task if she had not raised three boys of her own. Her wish is to utilize her gifts and talents to help the foundation expand its vision and opportunities to grow their partnership throughout all communities.
Ms. Horton’s experience in working with volunteers and board development has proven that people do care and want to support a worthy cause. It has been her experience that volunteers are valuable to organizations such as the YMCA and many others. She believes we would not be able to reach as many families nor provide the much needed support within our communities if we did not have the support of the many volunteers that support our mission. Loletha would like to be remembered as being the type of person that values the needs of every individual, family and community.
2015 Woman of the Year
Ms. LoveVell Higgs
2014 Woman of the Year
T.J. Johnson, Esq., T.J. Johnson is an Assistant United States Attorney with the Department of Justice. She has a Bachelor of Science from Grambling State University, a Master of Education in Counseling from Southern University, a Doctor of Education in Counseling from Southern University, a Doctor of Education in Counseling from University of Arkansas and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Southern Methodist University. Her distinguished legal career includes Attorney for the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Corporate Counsel for EDS (Electronic Data Systems) and currently an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District. She has served in her current position since September, 1999 litigating labor and employment, contracts, medical malpractice, torts and other issues.
In her personal life, Attorney Johnson is a tireless, dedicated leader and community volunteer. She attends First Baptist Church Hamilton Park, Dallas, Texas and also attends ONE Community Church in Plano where she serves on the administrative legal team for service and outreach. She is a member of Attorneys Serving the Community, The Links, Inc., Plano North Metroplex Chapter, the Plano Early Lions Club and the Plano Community Forum. She is a board member of the Plano African American Museum and the Plano International Festival Corporation.
Among Attorney Johnson's most significant community service accomplishments is her 18 year involvement with the Links chapter Caravan of Giving where she led her chapter in partnering and giving to local non-profit organizations including Hope's Door, Plano Christmas Cops, Douglass Community Seniors, Boys & Girls Club-Douglass Branch, Rigby Nursing home, Plano Children's Medical Clinic, Children's Advocacy Center and Medical Center of Plano's Clown Volunteers. Her charitable giving continues with her Link's chapter 3-year INSPIRE program where she led her chapter's purpose and focus on community support for 15-20 single moms, assisting moms' efforts to set and reach annual goals for themselves and their families, including educational, housing, financial and career goals.
Attorney Johnson is married to Dr. Don Johnson, and they have one son, D.J. Johnson who is married to Tina. Attorney Johnson and her husband have three beloved grandchildren, Isabelle Michelle, Elizabeth Terry and Daniel Bruce.
"I am on a daily journey where prayerfully I seek to know more about and fulfill His purpose for me through focused and dedicated service." - T.J. Johnson, Esq.
In her personal life, Attorney Johnson is a tireless, dedicated leader and community volunteer. She attends First Baptist Church Hamilton Park, Dallas, Texas and also attends ONE Community Church in Plano where she serves on the administrative legal team for service and outreach. She is a member of Attorneys Serving the Community, The Links, Inc., Plano North Metroplex Chapter, the Plano Early Lions Club and the Plano Community Forum. She is a board member of the Plano African American Museum and the Plano International Festival Corporation.
Among Attorney Johnson's most significant community service accomplishments is her 18 year involvement with the Links chapter Caravan of Giving where she led her chapter in partnering and giving to local non-profit organizations including Hope's Door, Plano Christmas Cops, Douglass Community Seniors, Boys & Girls Club-Douglass Branch, Rigby Nursing home, Plano Children's Medical Clinic, Children's Advocacy Center and Medical Center of Plano's Clown Volunteers. Her charitable giving continues with her Link's chapter 3-year INSPIRE program where she led her chapter's purpose and focus on community support for 15-20 single moms, assisting moms' efforts to set and reach annual goals for themselves and their families, including educational, housing, financial and career goals.
Attorney Johnson is married to Dr. Don Johnson, and they have one son, D.J. Johnson who is married to Tina. Attorney Johnson and her husband have three beloved grandchildren, Isabelle Michelle, Elizabeth Terry and Daniel Bruce.
"I am on a daily journey where prayerfully I seek to know more about and fulfill His purpose for me through focused and dedicated service." - T.J. Johnson, Esq.
2013 Woman of the Year
Ms. Rosalind Bryant
2012 Woman of the Year
Mrs. Carlette Johnson
2011 Woman of the Year
|
Marie L. Booker was born in Razor, Texas, reared in the small town of Arthur City, Texas, and attended high school and college in Paris, Texas. In 1965, she moved to Dallas, Texas and began a new life. She has been happily married to her husband of 38 years, Mr. James Booker, and has two grown adopted children, one grand-son, and a host of nieces and nephews. Mrs. Booker has been a member of Hamilton Park United Methodist Church since 1968 and has served on several committees and boards. She graduated with honors from East Texas State University in 1979 with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management. Every year since 1989, she has participated in the Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure, walked and/or sponsored walkers in the March of Dimes Walk-a-Thon, worked Special Olympics functions, participated with the Hearts & Hammers program to repair homes for the elderly, the Martin Luther King Jr. Parade Celebration, the State Farm Insurance Nay Bear and Bicycle Rodeo.
|
Additional activities include participating in various summer intern work programs with Madison & Lincoln High Schools, participating in the South Dallas Development meetings, tutor for Urban Academy Ministries, volunteering to assist with the crime prevention program at the Eban Village Apartments, and serving on various boards in the southern sector of Dallas.
In December 2001, along with several close friends, Mrs. Booker founded Dream Angels, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to mentoring and supporting young girls on an academic, personal, and cultural level. Working in conjunction with several schools in the Richardson Independent School District, members identified 3rd grade as an optimal age and grade level to begin the program. In January 2002, Dream Angels began formal academic and social activities with a small group of 3rd grade girls. Over the years, the program has expanded and in 2011, Dream Angels, will have two girls from the original group graduate high school and the organization will award the 1st Annual Marie L. Booker Scholarship to these graduates. “Life for me has not been a cakewalk, but I have enjoyed every step that I have taken, for I have always known that someone bigger than I held the future.”
In December 2001, along with several close friends, Mrs. Booker founded Dream Angels, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to mentoring and supporting young girls on an academic, personal, and cultural level. Working in conjunction with several schools in the Richardson Independent School District, members identified 3rd grade as an optimal age and grade level to begin the program. In January 2002, Dream Angels began formal academic and social activities with a small group of 3rd grade girls. Over the years, the program has expanded and in 2011, Dream Angels, will have two girls from the original group graduate high school and the organization will award the 1st Annual Marie L. Booker Scholarship to these graduates. “Life for me has not been a cakewalk, but I have enjoyed every step that I have taken, for I have always known that someone bigger than I held the future.”
Former Woman of the Year Honorees
|
Mrs. R. A. Wynn*
Mrs. A.H. Dyson* Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Mrs. Lela Estell* Mrs. L. G. Pinkston* Mrs. Curtis Richardson Mrs. T. D. Marshall* Mrs. Evelyn Hamilton* Mrs. Pearl C. Anderson* Mrs. Leola V. White* Mrs. C. W. Abington Ms. Callie Hicks* Mrs. R.J. Ervin* Mrs. Lee Flanagan* Representative Helen Giddings Mrs. Birdie Jackson* Mrs. Excella Dillard Mrs. Barbara Watkins Mrs. Nellie Lewis Mrs. Pauline Dixon Mrs. Opal Jones Mrs. Delores Beal Mrs. Mattie Nash Mrs. Ann Williams Mrs. Orvee Seward Mrs. Cynthia W. Felder Dr. Mollie Johnson Williams Dr. Shirley King Mrs. A. Jewel Banks Mrs. Mamie McKnight Mrs. Claudia Holmes Batts Mrs. Froswa’ Booker-Drew *Deceased |
Mrs. Eleanor Conrad
Mrs. J.B. Bullock Mrs. M. E. Edwards* Mrs. Lucy Patterson Mrs. Alvernon Tripp* Mrs. Patsy Jefferson The Honorable Joan Winn Mrs. Ada Williams Mrs. Kathryn Gilliam Mrs. Gladys Dunn Mrs. Georgia McGowan Mrs. Leola Hawkins Mrs. Elsie F. Heggins Mrs. Evelyn Hamilton Mrs. J. W. Rice* Mrs. Mabel Chandler* Mrs. Erie Burch* Mrs. H. C. Hynson* Mrs. Ophelia Love* Mrs. J.L. Tolliver Mrs. Alberta Blair* Mrs. JoAnna Williams Mrs. Dorothy Canady Mrs. Mabel White Mrs. Yvonne Ewell* Mrs. Julia Scott Reed Mrs. G. A. H. Shepard* Mrs. Edna Pemberton News Anchor Clarice Tinsley Mrs. Jessie Payne Barbee* Ms. Bernita Aldridge Mrs. Billie Wiseman-Burden |
Finer Womanhood……A Legacy of Extraordinary Women
“Anybody can be a lady, gender will grant you that, but it takes a lady extraordinaire to be a woman, and an extraordinary woman to exemplify Finer Womanhood.” - Debra Vincent Sloan
“Anybody can be a lady, gender will grant you that, but it takes a lady extraordinaire to be a woman, and an extraordinary woman to exemplify Finer Womanhood.” - Debra Vincent Sloan