GRAND POLEMARCH’S MESSAGE
Kappa Silhouettes, the Wind Beneath our Wings
they began their journey in 1945 at the 35th Conclave in Columbus, Ohio. At this formative stage, the found- ing wives of Kappa men took steps to create an organization to serve their communities and support the programs of the Fraternity. This initial group met again in August 1947 in California to create an organizational structure and elected its first officers. At that meeting the members official adopted the name “Kappa Alpha Psi Silhouettes.” Dr. Evelyn Payne of Brooklyn, New York was elected the first President and served until 1961. The founding group operated for many years without a formal affili- ation with the Fraternity. It wasn’t until 1980 under the leadership of Past Grand Polemarch, Dr. Oliver S. Gumbs, that the Fraternity officially recognized the Kappa Silhouettes as an auxiliary organization and granted the Silhouette President a seat on the Kappa Foundation Board of Directors. Grand Board Policy Statement Num- ber 87-12 was entered into the record recognizing the Silhouettes as “an affiliate whose purpose is to provide support and assistance for the activi- ties of the Fraternity at Grand Chap- ter, Province and Local levels.” Today, the Kappa Silhouettes serve with all the verve, vim, vigor and enthusiasm of the founding mem- bers. Throughout the years, they have wholeheartedly adopted the Frater- nity’s initiatives and programs to work toward our established goals. Their dedication and commitment were es- pecially demonstrated during the last couple of years as we worked through the COVID pandemic. The Silhouettes partnered with the Fraternity, the Kappa Foundation, the Senior Kappa Endowment Fund and individual con- tributing brothers to financially help
our collegiate members cope with loss of income and university housing expenses. It was an amazing show of support, and I am forever indebted to the Silhouettes for their generosity. The Silhouettes have also adopted other community service programs to help us in our mission. They are working with the Fraternity in our partnerships with the March of Dimes, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospi- tal, the National Alliance on Mental Health and organizations that fight domestic violence. The Silhouettes also worked with the National Insti- tutes of Health to prevent sudden infant death, an initiative that likely has saved hundreds of young chil- dren’s’ lives. Under the able leadership of Silhou- ette President Teresa Foster and her able predecessors, including Janice Hall Dean, the Kappa Silhouettes have been a beacon of light and strong ally in our efforts to serve our members and help our communities, politically and socially. Their motto is “We Rise Above All” as they Encourage, Uplift, Promote and Serve. They have cer- tainly done that. The Kappa Silhouettes are truly the wind beneath our wings and I look forward to another 75 years of their invaluable support and partnership. So, to all Kappa Silhouettes, con- gratulations on 75 wonderful years. I just don’t know what we would do without you.
Reuben A. Shelton III, Esq. Grand Polemarch S ince the Fraternity’s founding, brothers have spent countless hours as officers, committee chairs and serving the com- munities in which we live. We deal with numerous issues and make thousands of decisions that would test the patience and wisdom of Solomon. Unfortunately, we sometimes take our work home with us to family members who are unaware of our foibles of the day, but they usually catch the brunt of our resulting wrath. The ones who regularly experience our seasons of discontent, more than anyone else, are our lovely silhouettes and this year they are celebrating 75 years of doing so. The Kappa Silhouettes were first known as the National Silhouettes and
God Bless you all.
Yours in the Bond, Reuben A. Shelton, III, Esq. Grand Polemarch
10 | SUMMER 2022 ♦ THE JOURNAL
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