|
|
 |
Dr. Eunice S. Thomas
19th International Grand Basileus of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Dr. Eunice S. Thomas became the 19th International Grand Basileus of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. in July 1986 at the 66th Anniversary Boule'. Her service was one of Zeta’s finest administrations, new dimensions were added which brought the sorority to a new level of operation. Forging ahead with a vision to restructure segments of the organization, she built programs and policies around the theme, “Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.: Designing New Strategies, Providing Outreach Services to Meet Challenges of the 21st Century.” The objective was to make Zeta Phi Beta Sorority relevant to mainstream America by addressing social problems affecting communities. For her efforts, Ebony magazine named Grand Basileus Thomas one of the 100 Influential Black Americans each year from 1987 to 1992. In 1987, President George Bush selected Zeta as one of the "Thousand Points of Light." The programs during Dr. Eunice S. Thomas’ administration reflected strong and effective leadership with integrity, compassion, and a sense of social responsibility. Programs were developed to address social problems that beset communities throughout the nation. Chapters continued to benefit their communities through substance abuse prevention programs, tutorial programs, boarder babies, voter registration, childcare, programs for the aged, and AIDS awareness to name but a few.
Dr. Thomas' administration made a significant contribution toward the enhancement of Zeta's image. She used every opportunity to keep Zeta visible in cities around the country and to have the sorority actively involved in worthwhile activities on Capital Hill and in the nation. Her programmatic thrusts projected Zeta very positively as the "community conscious, action-oriented organization" it professes to be. Professionally, Dr. Thomas was a presidential appointee and worked under four cabinet level secretaries in the Department of Transportation, Department of Labor and the Department of Health and Human Services. As Director of Community Service, she administered numerous programs under the Family Support Services Administration with a budget in excess of 2.8 billion. Additionally, during her term as head of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Dr. Thomas served as acting Assistant Secretary for the Family Support Administration of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Director of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization in the Department of Transportation, and Special Assistant to the United States Secretary of Labor. She serves on the Board of Trustees as Chairman at Benedict College, Columbia, South Carolina.
Dr. Thomas is a leader of vision, fortitude, dignity, and love. She continues to serve the organization on a variety of levels and holds a position on the Executive Board of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. as a Past Grand Basileus. She was born in Florida and grew up in Georgia and Ohio. She currently resides in Columbus, Georgia. In her day-to-day life, Dr. Thomas finds direction in Galatians 5:22-23: "If the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." "If the Spirit lives in me," she says, "these fruits will impact my life and other people."
|
|
|
|
