S I S T E R S
Arizona's Premier Social Club
O F T H E V A L L E Y
We empower, enlighten, encourage, and support Black woman of African descent by providing opportunities for social interaction and spiritual development.
OUR CREED
We are Sisters of the Valley; we empower one another. We see who we are through the faces of our sisters. Although our shades may vary, and our backgrounds may differ, we come together to acknowledge one another’s existence. We participate to enlighten, support, encourage. We reach out our hand if one is sick or discouraged. We are Sisters of the Valley; we empower one another.
— Darcy Munford
OUR HISTORY
Sisters of the Valley (SOV) evolved from a conversation between Muriel Hiller and Jan Jones who were discussing a forum for Valley Black women to get together and enjoy one another.
With assistance from Shirley Wade, Yvonne McFadden and Monyette Greene, a list of women was compiled. Each invitee was encouraged to bring a friend. Jan offered her home for this one-time event [so we thought], which was held March 7, 1992. Approximately 60 women were in attendance!
We enjoyed letting our hair down, meeting our “homies”, networking, sharing names of places for shopping and getting our hair done, and doing lots of socializing. It was such a powerful afternoon. It was from this delightful gathering that Sisters of the Valley emerged.
OUR MISSION
SOV’s diverse membership is a conglomerate of women from various professional and social backgrounds. Our mission is to maintain a forum for networking, socializing and sharing information.
ABOUT US
On June 4, 1992, Sisters of the Valley was registered with the State of Arizona. A logo was designed by one of our sisters, Sheila Moore, and in 1993, a poem written by Darcy Munford became our creed.
The first slate of officers included Muriel Hiller, Executive Chair; Opal Evans, Vice Chair; Loreine Davis, Program Chair; Shirley Shaw, Secretary; Joan Williams, Treasurer; Shirley Wade, Historian and Wylene Bridgeman, Parliamentarian. Now in 2021 we are nearly 300 members.
OUR sisters
“I am a black woman tall as a cypress strong beyond all definition still defying place and time and circumstance assailed impervious indestructible Look on me and be renewed” ― Mari Evans
Deborah Watson
Alice Murphy
Sandra Henderson
Carol Gray
Brenda Early
Patricia Wilson
Martha Stewart
Angela Harris
Debbie Hendrix
Connie Montgomery
Muriel Hiller
Lillian Hameed
Carol Gray
Levada Moore
Wylene Bridgeman
Brenda Early
Anita Spears
Jerecia Patterson
Annual Funded Events
Annual Luncheon - Rico Burton
Derby Day - Chair TBD
Family Cookout - Trisha Moore
Kwanzaa Celebration - Chair Karen Alexander
Summer Fling - Priscilla Echols
Cabaret - Chair Debra Taylor
Standing Committees
Hospitality
Co-Chairs Roberta Gray, and Marie Ingram
Membership Chair
Jackie Fisher
Newsletter, Brochure, ID Cards and Roster
Anita Spears
Sunshine
Linda Clark and Geraldine Neal
Nominations Committee is
Carol Gray, Priscilla Echols, and Barbara Dunston
SOV Interest Group Chairs
Desert Diners: Deborah Watson
Drama Queens: Alice Murphy
Sandra Henderson
Facebook Page: Carol Gray
Health and Wellness: Brenda Early
Patricia Wilson
Ladies Who Take Tea: Martha Stewart
Married Couples: Angela Harris
Moonlighters: Debbie Hendrix
Movie Goers: Connie Montgomery
Muriel Hiller
Page Turners: Lillian Hameed
Secret Sisters: Carol Gray
Sensational Single Sisters: Levada Moore
Sisters of Faith: Wylene Bridgeman
Stepping for Fitness: Brenda Early
Theater Group: Anita Spears
Travelin' Sisters: Jerecia Patterson
SISTERS SNAPSHOT
WHAT IS
KWANZAA
Kwanzaa is a Swahili word that means "first" and signifies the first fruits of the harvest. From December 26 to January 1, many people of African descent in America-celebrate Kwanzaa.
In Africa, there are many customs that are common among the various ethnic groups found on the continent. One of these is the celebration of the harvest. At this time of the year, people of the community/village come together to celebrate and give thanks for their good fortune. Working towards a successful harvest is a communal effort, as is the celebration.