WASHINGTON, DC — Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. whose Greek letters stand for Character, Education, and Friendship, is a national sorority of registered professional nurses and nursing students that was founded on October 16, 1932 in Washington, DC.
Alpha, the charter chapter, was started at Freedman’s Hospital, now known as Howard University Hospital. The founders, organized by Aileen Carrington Ewell, RN, and eleven other registered nurses were known as “The Twelve Jewels.” They were concerned about issues at the time that impacted black nurses (many of which still exist) including restriction of the employment of black nurses to segregated facilities and hospitals, and limitation of their employment to menial positions where there was little to no chance of advancement in the profession. Therefore, the purpose of Chi Eta Phi, Sorority Inc., was to foster the elevation of black nurses in the profession of nursing, and to increase the interest of black people in the field. The national motto is “Service for Humanity.” The Sorority has more than 101 graduate chapters and 46 undergraduate chapters located throughout the US and St. Thomas, the US Virgin Islands.
Alpha Chi, the Nashville chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. was chartered on May 26, 1961. The mission of the local chapter focuses on the health needs of individuals and families in underserved communities and mirrors the national initiatives. The chapter has sponsored or assisted in initiatives including health fairs, and kidney and blood pressure screenings with education. Scholarships are awarded to nursing students attending Tennessee State University. The Sorority also participates in community outreach wellness programs and civic activities such as the Martin Luther King Day Celebration.
The members of Alpha Chi Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. will celebrate Nurses Week with a tea on May 11, 2019 at 11:00 AM at First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill, 625 Rosa L. Parks Blvd., Nashville, TN. The tea will be held in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Fellowship Hall. The Chapter will recognize and honor its life members and all registered nurses. Those who plan to attend are asked to RSVP by calling 615/876-3157 by May 4, 2019.
