Sigma Alpha Iota

PAN PIPES • FALL 2015 • sai-national.org 44 2015 Fraternity Awards REGION CHAPTER PROVINCE I Pasadena Delta A I Reno Delta B I Boulder Xi C I Tacoma Nu II Oklahoma City Zeta B II Topeka Theta A III Des Moines Xi B III St. Louis Pi B IV Clarksville Psi C REGION CHAPTER PROVINCE V Chicago Beta A V Grand Rapids Alpha B V Oak Park Oak Park VI Raleigh/Durham Tau D VI Statesboro Tau C VI Tampa Lambda D VII Louisville Sigma A VII Pontchartrain Alpha A VII Warren/Youngstown Sigma C VIII Central New Jersey Phi A Helen May National Alumnae Chapter Achievement Award Raleigh/Durham Alumnae Tau D, Region VI Alumnae Chapter Province Achievement Awards Regional finalists in red e Raleigh/Durham Alumnae Chapter had an outstanding year. Although they were just installed three years ago, the PO wrote the following about the chapter: "ey have really embraced all that SAI stands for and taken ownership of fulfilling the National Objectives, both personally and as a whole. e evidence of their commitment can be seen in the membership boom they have enjoyed this year. is chapter has affiliated 8 new members! ey attracted these members by reaching out to them personally as well as through the actions and activities hosted by the chapter. is group continues its commitment to bringing music education to the Raleigh/ Durham community through the instrument petting zoos they host at local public libraries and book fairs. ey have also reached out to our disabled veterans at the local VA hospital by performing music for them, instructing them about music and how to play instruments as well as by simply creating cards to thank them for their service and sacrifice. ey go beyond the realm of music to reach out to the homeless and food insecure in their area by serving food and collecting snacks for school children. e diversity of the chapter's activities and its fervent desire to grow in membership and purpose that makes this chapter worthy of this award." At the Winter 2014 National Executive Board meeting, the National Alumnae Chapter Achievement Award was renamed aer Helen Byrn May, to acknowledge her immense contribu- tions to Sigma Alpha Iota. Quoted from the August 9, 2013 letter Na- tional President Leslie Odom Miller wrote to the SAI membership: It is with deep sadness that I write to inform you of the passing of one of our long-standing Fraternity leaders and a recipient of the Dorothy Whinery Special Leadership Award. Helen Byrn May died on July 14, 2013 at the age 96. Many of our members will remember seeing Helen at the 100th anniversary National Convention in Michi- gan, and others will recognize her name from the SAI Membership recruitment video and fraternity promotional materials. Born in Lawrence, Michigan, Helen at- tended the University of Michigan School of Mu- sic where she was initiated into the Alpha Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota in 1936. Helen's service to SAI was lifelong and one of her proudest accomplish- ments. Helen served many years as the President of the Washington DC Alumnae Chapter, as well as Province President. At the national level she directed the Graduate Performance Awards Competitions for more than 20 years. As a result of her continued and exceptional service to SAI throughout her lifetime, Helen was a recipient of the fraternity's highest honors. As Province President of SAI she installed collegiate chapters of the organization. In this capacity Mrs. May met a young Howard Univer- sity undergraduate, Jessye Norman, whom she immediately recognized as a superior vocal talent. Mrs. May became a valued mentor to Ms. Nor- man during her Howard University undergradu- ate years and the years she spent earning her Master of Arts Degree in vocal music at the University of Michigan. A generous contributor to SAI Philanthropies' Century Drive, in 2003, Helen wrote, "Music has always been a most important part of my life. Perhaps that is why I like the words of the Sigma Alpha Iota Symphony so much—music DOES put my world in touch with the 'harmony from within.'…Over the years, friendships have kept me involved in many wonderful activities through my alumnae chapter and the National Fraternity. I have also had the privilege of supporting music programs and talented young musicians…rough music and Sigma Alpha Iota, my life has been filled with hope and warmth and beauty." Heley Byrn May

• Cover