New Orleans, LA – September 3, 2019

Contact:
Brenda Lopez
Vice President of Community Relations
Community@omegaphibeta.org

With its rich history and deep-rooted diversity and soul, New Orleans was the perfect backdrop for an exciting weekend full of celebration for Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated (OPBSI). From August 8^th through 11^th sisters, family and friends gathered to commemorate the organizations 30^th Anniversary and rejoice in new additions to the organization including the announcement of three new Chapter charters, one new Collective entity, and the induction of two very special Honorary sisters.

Strength in Sisterhood was the theme for this year’s National Convention and 30^th Anniversary Gala which resonated throughout the entire weekend from beginning to end and was particularly poignant on Thursday August 8^th with the initiation of Ms. Carmen Lopez and Ms. Amanda Emery as the latest Honorary sisters to join OPBSI.

Ms. Carmen López is a retired stay at home mom and grandmother, born and raised in Puerto Rico. She migrated to the United States at the age of 15. She was pulled from school because she wasn’t learning English quickly enough and began working at a factory.  She was determined to succeed and went into survival mode because she had no option.  She soon had two daughters to raise. Ms. López’s addition to the Sorority is particularly special because she is a Legacy. Her oldest daughter, Amaris Ramos is from our Alpha Chapter, Spring 1993 and her late younger daughter, Marcy López-Gonzalez was from our Nu Chapter, Spring 1999. Ms. López has long been supportive of OPBSI and its members. She was nominated by Maria Hernandez (Epsilon Chapter, Spring 1994) with recommendations from over 10 respected and revered Sisters of OPBSI.

“Even through my language barrier I feel that I can be a huge support system to many.  I have a lot of love and strength to offer and the idea of becoming a part of such an amazing sisterhood is something I will not take for granted.” – Carmen “Valentia” López

Ms. López is passionate about community service. She regularly volunteers for the Kips Bay Moms in Motion as a Girl Scouts assistant leader.  She is also an avid activist for spreading awareness of ovarian cancer and regularly participates in the T.E.A.L. Walk/Run Race Event. In 2014 Ms. López and her friends and family were recognized for having organized the largest team, “Marcy’s Army”, at the 6th Annual T.E.A.L. Walk/Run for Ovarian Cancer in Brooklyn, NY. As a member of OPBSI, Ms. López wishes to continue fulfilling the work of her late daughter, and beloved sister Marcy, alongside her daughter Amaris, to serve and educate our community on the importance of women’s health.

Ms. Amanda Emery is a Project Director for the Perimeter Academy at Georgia State University, nominated by the Beta Omega Chapter who first got to know and love her as their very first Greek advisor on campus. She is of Lebanese descent. She has overcome personal struggles in her life to grow into the professional she is today. One of her primary requests of accepting Honorary membership was the ability to remain involved in the many community initiatives close to her heart and making a real difference.

“I walk in my purpose everyday thanking the strong, independent women who paved the path ahead of me.” – Amanda “Zahala” Emery

As a project director her job is to find solutions to eliminate the barriers for student’s academic success which could be anything from implementing a math boot camp, help them hone their skills before attempting to take the course for college credit, to initiating the establishment of a food pantry on campus. Ms. Emery is currently pursuing an Educational Doctorate degree in Higher Education Leadership at Clark Atlanta University. She is an avid supporter of Georgia State athletics including football and basketball and serve on the Panther Athletic Club Advisory Board which raises scholarships for student-athletes. Her philanthropic support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a long-standing tradition of her family. She volunteers in her community at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights as a docent and volunteer liaison, and with various non-profit organizations that address issues of hunger and homelessness in the city of Atlanta. 

CELEBRATING CHAPTER CHARTERS AND A NEW ENTITY

More information about OPBSI’s National Convention & 30th Anniversary Gala can be found on our Convention Website, or please visit our Instagram or Facebook pages using the handle: @OmegaPhiBeta.