77.9 F
Cruz Bay
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesPernessa C. Seele, Founder of The Balm In Gilead, Inducted Into Alpha...

Pernessa C. Seele, Founder of The Balm In Gilead, Inducted Into Alpha Kappa Alpha

 (Left) AKA International President Carolyn House Stewart, (center) Pernessa Seele, (right) Barbara McKinzie, immediate past president of AKA.Pernessa C. Seele, founder and CEO of The Balm In Gilead Inc., was recently inducted into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. as an honorary member. According to the sorority, an honorary membership is the most prestigious designation the sorority presents. Those who are inducted represent the highest standards of character, courage and womanhood, and are committed to the organization’s mission to serve. Seele was inducted at the 62nd Boulé in St. Louis, Missouri, on July 14, with approximately 7,000 members attending. Barbara A. McKinzie, who at the time of the induction was international president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, officiated at the ceremony. Seele was "pinned" by the incoming International president, Carolyn House Stewart.

Seele joins a distinguished roster of 122 honorary members of the sorority, which include Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosa Parks, Marian Anderson, Maya Angelou, Jessye Norman, Mae C. Jemison and Coretta Scott King.
According to immediate past President Barbara A. McKinzie, "We are filled with pride to have outstanding women of such great stature join our great sorority. They represent the best in their fields, the most committed to Alpha Kappa Alpha’s noble service mission and the best in character."
Seele, who recently returned from the invitation-only Global Forum in South Africa, founded The Balm In Gilead in 1989. She is recognized as one of the world’s most influential people by her selection to the TIME 100. Most recently, she was honored by Ebony Magazine as one of their Power 150, a designation that recognizes the influence and reach of 150 of the nation’s most powerful African-American leaders.
The Balm In Gilead was born out of Seele’s vision that faith communities had a major role to play in addressing HIV/AIDS nationally as well as globally. Now in its 21st year, The Balm In Gilead has provided capacity development and technical support regarding the implementation and delivery of health education and service programs to thousands of faith institutions. In turn, its faith partners are providing life-sustaining services to millions of people in the United States and Africa.
Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.

Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.