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Media Credit: Stephen Rickerl Zeta Phi Beta President Lolita Mack addresses the audience at the 'Finer Womanhood Banquet' Saturday in the Student Center. This year, on the 25th anniversary of the banquet, Dollean York-Anderson received the Finer Womanhood Award.

Women in the Carbondale community were honored for their dedication and service Saturday, all while raising funds for the next generation of minority women.

The Finer Womanhood Scholarship Banquet was held Saturday night in the Renaissance Room of the Student Center. Hosted by the Mu Eta Zeta graduate chapter of Zeta Phi Beta sorority, the banquet raised money for scholarships given to minority female students from Jackson County high schools who will be attending a four-year college.

The banquet also honored the chapter's winner of the 2008 Finer Womanhood award. Samantha Perry, first vice president of the Mu Eta Zeta chapter, said the award is given to a woman in the community who exemplifies "finer womanhood" through volunteer work and projects.

Marilyn James, chapter chaplain, said "finer womanhood" is about intelligence, strength, academics and service. Director of a skit on "finer womanhood", Anna Jackson, said being a "finer woman" is about lifting sisters up instead of pushing them down.

"It's how you act, it's what you think, it's what you believe," Jackson said.

Carbondale resident Dollean York-Anderson was presented the award for her program, Youth Empowerment Services Center at the Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church. Anderson said the program is for academic enrichment for fourth through seventh graders. The program began in January 2007, but in August was moved from the Boys and Girls Club to the Hopewell Church.

"It's been an eye-opener," Anderson said. "It's a handful of work."

Anderson retired in November 2006 from SIUC and has a clinical practice as a psychologist. She said she founded the after-school program to serve the Carbondale community.

"When I retired it was time for me to give something back," Anderson said.

The sorority chapter also presented a Zeta of the Year award to Marilyn James, chapter chaplain.

"We like to give special recognition to members of our chapter who provide endless service," said Lolita Mack, chapter president.

Mack said James has worked endlessly since coming into the chapter in September and symbolizes the epitome of a finer woman.

James said she was honored by the award and sees herself as a connector, helping people to find their mission in life.

Perry said the banquet also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the sorority in Carbondale.

"With it being 25 years, it just shows that we've been an asset to the community," Mack said.

Madeleine Leroux can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 268 or mleroux@siu.edu.

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