FULL SISTUHS Rites of Passage Exam Study Guide

When was SISTUHS founded?

December 3, 1992

Who founded SISTUHS Incorporated?

SISTUH Akiba Jackson & SISTUH Germaine Smith-Baugh

Acronyms of SISTUHS

Strength (2,5)

Initiative (6,9)

Spirituality (1)

Tenacity (4,7)

Unity (8,10)

Health (3)

Substance

CREED

SISTUHS, Incorporated is an organization for women that was established to foster the personal growth and development of African-American women. We aim to encourage Strength, Initiative, Spirituality, Tenacity, Unity, Health and Substance through community service, education, political activism, and the association of people. We aim to promote an environment amongst ourselves that is conducive to learning our history and the role that we have played in it. Thereby providing a higher standard of dignity and pride amongst our Nubian Queens, Kings, and our entire community.

Who wrote the CREED?

Elizabeth Moore

What is Strength?

Enduring a series of trials and tests from which you learn; Bc of your knowledge, your life becomes a living testimony

What color is Strength?

Green (Prominent color in kente cloth, Seasons of new life, Growth)

What number is Strength?

12 (Stars in the Nubia, Children of Israel split into 12 tribes, Divine gov)

Objectives of Strength

2. Promote personal growth and develop knowledge of thyself

5. Foster an environment amongst ourselves that is conducive to learning about the history and the role African American women have played and continue to play in developing this and other nations

Who is the woman of Strength?

Araminta Ross

Araminta Ross

- Freed herself from slavery

- Helped free over 300 slaves from slavery through the Underground Railroad

- Made 19 trips total and never lost a passenger

What is Initiative?

Taking the first step, The ability to assess and initiate things independently

What color is Initiative?

Purple (Royalty, nobility, luxury, wealth)

What number is Initiative?

1 (President per chapter, Circle of Affirmation, undivided unity)

Circle of Affirmation

As a circle is never ending, our love for our SISTUHS is never ending

Objectives of Initiative

6. Develop local leadership to respond to community needs, particularly those of African American women

9. Provide opportunities to educate ourselves, as well as the community, on political issues that affect the well-being of African American women

Who is the woman of Initiative?

Sarah Breedlove

Sarah Breedlove

- Became the first black woman millionaire

- Pioneer for the black haircare industry

- Born on December 23, 1867 in Delta, Louisiana

What is Spirituality?

Focusing on the spirit or the soul, evangelizing spiritual practice, or celebrating God, god(s), or any divine power, and being connected to the essence of self, others, and life

What is the color of Spirituality?

Gold (color of the sun, stability, wisdom & intellect)

What is the number of Spirituality?

7 (Acronyms in SISTUHS, Letters in Advisor, Rays of Sun)

Objective of Spirituality

1. Promote spiritual growth

Who is the woman of Spirituality?

Deborah

Deborah

- held several roles of religious integrity (prophet, judge, military leader, musician)

- her story is found the Book of Judges chapters 4 and 5

- she was the only female judge in Israel in the Old Testament

Chapters (IN ORDER)

Florida State University, Fall 1992

University of Florida, Spring 1998

Florida A&M University, Spring 1999

University of South Florida, Fall 1999

Tampa, Florida Professional, Fall 2003

St. Leo University, Fall 2006

Florida Atlantic University, Spring 2012

Nova Southeastern University, Spring 2012

Miami Dade Professional, Spring 2012

North Florida Professional, Fall 2013

University of Central Florida, Spring 2014

Bethune Cookman University, Fall 2014

Broward County Professional, Fall 2014

Central Florida Professional, Spring 2015

Metro-Atlanta Professional, Spring 2015

Florida Gulf Coast University, Spring 2017

Howard University, Spring 2017

Greater Augusta Professional, Summer 2017

Florida International University, Spring 2018

Valdosta State University, Spring 2019

Kennesaw State University, Fall 2020

Jacksonville Professional, Fall 2020

Florida Memorial University, Fall 2024

Miami Professional, Spring 2025

What are the national events?

National Conference and National Leadership Retreat

National Conference

- to conduct the national business of SISTUHS Inc.

- help bi-annually

- 35% of each chapter is required to attend

National Leadership Retreat

- held annually in May

- to prepare, educate, and train the Executive Board and respective officers for the upcoming positions

- all appointed Executive Board members, Membership Coordinators, and Elders must attend

5 Pillars of the National Program

- Economic Prosperity

- Equality & Human Rights

- Health Equity

- Environmental Well-Being

- Strengthen our SISTUH-hood

What is Rites of Passage?

Spiritual, mental, and social transformation from one standpoint to the next. Requires motivation, commitment, and discipline.

What is Tenacity?

Holding firmly, persistently in maintaining, adhering to, or seeking something valued or desired

What color is Tenacity?

Indigo (The process of extracting indigo dye is quite complicated and involves a lot of labor. The plants are soaked in a vat or a sloping tank. Two or three people actually get in the tank and paddle the water continuously for 2 or 3 days.)

What number is Tenacity?

3 (first geometric figure (a triangle), the first figure to fit in a circle (triangle), the trinity (members, executive board officers, and national board of directors))

What are the objectives of Tenacity?

4. Seek guidance from elder African American women

7. Provide moral and educational guidance to other young African American women in the community

Who is the woman of Tenacity?

Mary Jane McLeod

Mary Jane McLeod

- Born July 19, 1875 in Mayesville, South Carolina

- Moved to Florida to teach matters of the head, hand, and heart

- Counselor to F.D. Roosevelt

What is Unity?

The state or quality of being in accord, harmony; undividable, indivisible

What number is Unity?

2 (2 Founders (SISTUH Akiba Jackson & SISTUH Germaine Smith-Baugh), 2 Primary Symbols (Ankh & Pyramid), unity or one plus another)

What color is Unity?

Black (power, elegance, mystery, sophistication, wealth, absorbs all colors and is warm although neutralized)

Who is the woman of Unity?

Isabella Baumfree

Isabella Baumfree

- one of the first most passionate abolitionist

- became famous for the speech "Ain't I A Woman?"

- worked her whole life for women's rights and anti-slavery movements

What are the objectives of Unity?

8. Provide unity among People of Color

10. Provide encouragement and support to African American men

What is Health?

Physical, spiritual, and mental well-being. Not just the freedom from disease, but the state of harmony within one's self and between one's environment.

What are the 6 Dimensions of Health?

- Physical

- Spiritual

- Environmental

- Social

- Intellectual

- Emotional

What number is Health?

5 (freedom, 5 elected officers, 5-pointed star)

What color is Health?

Red (energy, war, cleansing and revival from ancient Egypt determination, love, passion, desire)

Who is the woman of Health?

Dr. Hadiyah-Nicole Green

Dr. Hadiyah-Nicole Green

- One of the first African American women to earn a PHD in physics

- Developed a cancer treatment that uses lasers and nanotechnology to kill cancer in mice

- Intertwined her life's purpose into the mission of the organization

What is the objective of Health?

3. Promote a positive image of African American women and anything that positively enhances the survival and well-being of African American women

What are the objectives?

1. Promote spiritual growth

2. Promote personal growth and develop knowledge of thyself

3. Promote a positive image of African American women and anything that positively enhances the survival and well-being of African American women

4. Seek guidance from elder African American women

5. Foster an environment amongst ourselves that is conducive to learning about the history and the role that African American women have played and continue to play in developing this and other nations

6. Develop local leadership to respond to community needs, particularly those of African American women

7. Provide moral and educational guidance to other young African American women in the community

8. Provide unity among People of Color

9. Provide opportunities to educate ourselves, as well as the community, on political issues that affect the well-being of African American women

10. Provide encouragement and support to African American men

Objective 1

1. Promote spiritual growth

- Spirituality

Objective 2

2. Promote personal growth and develop knowledge of thyself

- Strength

Objective 3

3. Promote a positive image of African American women and anything that positively enhances the survival and well-being of African American women

- Health

Objective 4

4. Seek guidance from elder African American women

- Tenacity

Objective 5

5. Foster an environment amongst ourselves that is conducive to learning about the history and the role African American women have played and continue to play in developing this and other nations

- Strength

Objective 6

6. Develop local leadership to respond to community needs, particularly those of African American women

- Initiative

Objective 7

7. Provide moral and educational guidance to other young African American women in the community

- Tenacity

Objective 8

8. Provide unity among People of Color

- Unity

Objective 9

9. Provide opportunities to educate ourselves, as well as the community, on political issues that affect the well-being of African American women

- Initiative

Objective 10

10. Provide encouragement and support to African American men

- Unity

When and where was Progressive Black Men Inc. founded?

November 27, 1989 at Florida State University

What is the motto of Progressive Black Men Inc.?

Collective Knowledge, Collective Effort, Collective Strength

What are the colors of Progressive Black Men Inc.?

Emerald Green and Black

What is the purpose of Progressive Black Men Inc.?

To reconstruct and redefine the image of the Black male through volunteer work, humanitarianism, and community service

What are the Foundations of SISTUHS Inc.?

SISTUHS Poem, the Official Artwork, SISTUHS Song

What is the SISTUHS Poem?

Founding: Phenomenal Women by Maya Angelou

Amending: Ego Tripping by Nikki Giovanni

What is the Official Artwork of SISTUHS Inc.?

Sisters of the Sun by Carl Owens

Who wrote the SISTUHS Song?

by SISTUH Vanessa Harrington

SING IT! (if you can)

Phenomenal Women

by Maya Angelou

- Founding Poem

Ego Tripping

by Nikki Giovanni

- Amended Poem

What is my Elder's name?

Kenya Fletcher

What are the names of the Membership Chairs?

Tyra Wilkins and Mavis Peterson

What is Substance?

The real or essential part of anything essence, a solid, or substantial quality, wealth

- The combination of all of the acronyms: Strength, Initiative, Spirituality, Tenacity, Unity, & Substance

- Represents all the objectives

What is the color or Substance?

Orange (creativeness, energy, strength, power)

What is the number of Substance?

10 (10 traditions, 10 objectives, 10 appointed officers, 10 National Board of Directors)

Who is the woman of Substance?

Betty Shabazz

Betty Shabazz

- Was married to civil rights activist, Malcolm X

- Took a pilgrimage to Mecca where she would find her strength to care for her children

- Furthered her education by getting her Masters in Public Health Administration

What is the Emblem?

visual representation and reminder of the foundational principles of the organization

- Centers a woman in a gold dress and headdress, draped in a sash made of kente cloth as she holds her head upward and onward

- Behind her are the primary symbols of the organization: a set of pyramids and an ankh

- At the foundation of the pyramids lies our founding year, 1992

- Nubia is illuminated by the 12 stars and 7 rays of the sun

What is the Ankh?

- Symbolic representation of both Physical and Eternal life, Known as the original cross, Powerful symbol that was created by Africans in Ancient Egypt

- Related to SISTUHS Inc: Symbol of love and dedication to your heritage and to your SISTUHS

- Thing to Note: Alpha and Omega (beginning and end)

What is the Pyramid?

- The Great Pyramid in Giza is the oldest, yet only surviving of the Seven Ancient Wonders, Was built in the course of 20 years, Used approximately 2 million bricks

- Related to SISTUHS Inc: Represents Strength, Perseverance, Knowledge

#: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12

What is the SISTUHS Inc. Chain of Command?

- Chapter Members

- Chapter Officers

- Chapter Advisor

- Assistance Directress of Administration

- Directress

What are the 10 Traditions?

1) Founders

2) Members

3) HOTEP

4) Circle of Affirmation

5) SISTUHS Inc. Song

6) Progressive Black Men Inc.

7) Rites of Passage

8) Ceremonies

9) Symbols, Emblem, Traditional Attire, & Colors Ahead

10) Objectives

What are the 10 National Board of Directors?

1) National Directress

2) Assistant Directress of Administration

3) Director of Membership

4) Director of Programs

5) Assistant Directress of Policy

6) Director of Correspondence

7) Director of Finance and Budget

8) Director of Public Relations

9) Director of Legislation

10) Director of Expansion

What are the National Projects & Programs?

- HerStory & Judy G. Candis Breast Cancer Awareness Community Service Project

- Annual Women's Retreat

- Home Leadership Program

- Health Magazine & Male Appreciation