The Tribune

FIFTY years ago, three young women joined the illustrious sorority of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc while enrolled at college and university abroad. Joycelyn Gilbert-Pinder, Theresa Brooks-Bastian, and Leona Penn have reached their 50th milestone as members of this illustrious sorority.

These Alpha Kappa Alpha women will be honoured by the ladies of Pi Upsilon Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority on Sunday, at 2pm at the Pelican Bay Hotel.

Joycelyn Gilbert Pinder joined the Pi chapter of AKA in November 1972, while matriculating at Fisk University, in Nashville, Tennessee.

She became a charter member of Pi Upsilon Omega chapter, which was officially chartered on May 23rd of 1987, in Freeport, Grand Bahama. She has served in various capacities within the chapter, including president and vice president. She also served as the chair of several committees, including the Twenty Pearls Salute to Excellence, a mentoring programme for high school girls. She is also a life member.

Mrs Pinder worked on committees for the International Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, namely the membership, fundraising, programme, protocol, and Sisterly Relations committees. In 1989, she was the chairperson of the first Non-legislative International Regional Conference held in Freeport.

She was recognised as ‘President of the Year’ in 1989 and was the recipient of the ‘Unsung Hero’ award, in 2010.

She has also served on AKA’s International Committees: Membership (1988-1990); and the Education Advancement Foundation (1990-1994).

Over the past 50 years, Mrs Pinder has attended numerous AKA events throughout the United States, including 17 regional conferences, six leadership conferences, and 12 Boules.

She cherishes the lifelong friendships and relationships she has developed with members of the AKA Sorority.

She is the wife of Reverend Peter Pinder, and the mother of two daughters who are also members of AKA, Kerel Pinder, and Katheldra Alexander. She attends Zion Baptist Community Church, Freeport.

Theresa Brooks-Bastian joined the Delta Eta chapter in 1972, while matriculating at Florida Memorial University, in Miami, Florida.

On returning home to The Bahamas, she became a charter member of Pi Upsilon Omega, where she served in various capacities within the chapter, including secretary, corresponding secretary, Sergeant-At-Arms, and chaplain.

She also worked on committees, namely the Pink Goes Red committee, History/Archives, and Empower Our Families committees. Sge was awarded a Certificate of Merit at the Silver Star Luncheon, which she highlights as one of her most memorable experiences as a member of AKA.

Mrs Brooks-Bastian was employed at the Bahamas Oil Refinery Company (BORCO) between 1974 and 1984. She was appointed business administrator and counselor at Operation Hope from 1994-1996. She obtained the position as human resources executive officer at the Bahamas Customs Department, where she remained until her retirement in 2016.

She has made valuable contributions to the community through her involvement in other organisations, including the Cancer Association and the Modern Free Eastern Star Lodge. She attends Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church.

She is the wife of Paul Bastian and the mother to Vonetta Johnson. She is also the proud grandmother of two, Devon and Denae Johnson.

Leona Adlaide Penn also joined Delta Eta chapter in 1972 while attending Florida Memorial University. Among her memorable experiences was being pinned by US Congresswoman Fredericka Wilson, who is also an Alpha Kappa Alpha member. Another highlight was attending her first and only Boule, in 1973.

Her areas of interests are collaborating with the committees, such as Pink Goes Red and Empowering Our Families.

Ms Penn is a retired payroll assistant. She attends the Church of God of Prophecy and is a lodge member with Kaiku Zeki Court. She is mother to Chandra Bowe. She has one grandson, Channondor.