Chi Eta Phi Education Foundation, Inc. is an IRS 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit public charity EIN 51-0666056. The Foundation was incorporated in 2008 in concert with the Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Incorporated.
Our Origin
It was during the tenure of National President Mary Helen Morris that the dream and discussions about a foundation began. Morris was a trailblazer having served as the first African American female nurse administrator at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. The dream of a Chi Eta Phi Education Foundation finally came to fruition under the able leadership of yet another trailblazer, former President Dr. Carolyn Mosley. Dr. Mosley is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) and an Academy of Nursing Education Fellow (ANEF). She is also an inductee in the Hall of Fame of the Louisiana State Nurses Association.
Each subsequent President, Dr. Lillian Stokes (deceased), and Dr. Mildred Fennal, provided support to the fledging Foundation. The Foundation had its debut for the membership under the leadership of Dr. Lillian S. Stokes. Dr. Elcedo Bradley encouraged the Foundation to persevere, to proceed slowly and steadily, invoking the sorority’s mascot – the Turtle. Special recognition must be given to Priscilla Murphy, whose vigorous support and commitment helped catapult the Foundation into the 21st century and to higher heights. The general charge from the Sorority has been to identify and explore issues related to health and health equity as they affect and are affected by nurses and nursing.
Subsequently, the hard work of making the idea of a Foundation a reality was led by Pearl Holland in 2008, a local and National sorority official. A committed and longtime member of the Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc., Holland became the first official President of the Foundation’s Board of Directors and was responsible for making the Foundation the viable entity it is today. For example, under her leadership, the Articles of Incorporation were approved by the District of Columbia on May 12, 2008 constituting the Foundation as a nonprofit corporation qualified as a section 501(c)3 corporation. Charter Board members include: Barbara J. Hatcher, Velma Henderson, Charlene Jones, Ruby C. Laster (deceased), Rose M. Mays, Priscilla Murphy, and Ann B. Robinson (deceased). The current Board President is Barbara J. Hatcher. Dr. Hatcher‘s vision is to build on past efforts to make the Foundation a trusted place for nurses and nursing students concerned about health equity. Dr. Hatcher is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing and an inductee in both the Waterbury and District of Columbia’s Halls of Fame.
Our People
Passionate, collaborative, confident nurses engaging across disciplines and communities to create a healthier world
We are nurses who serve and work in marginalized and racialized communities across the globe. In partnership with communities, many that are underserved, we work to improve access to care and self-care. The work nurses do daily and the work that must be done in the future in our many global communities is reminiscent of the words of the song “We Are the World.” This song speaks to the need for equity and health equity across our entire world. Our Education Foundation will promote and help nurses and communities create and sustain better and healthier days.
About Chi Eta Phi Sorority
Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Incorporated is a professional organization of more than 8,000 registered professional nurses and student nurses (male and female) representing many cultures and diverse ethnic backgrounds. There are over 101 graduate chapters and 41 undergraduate chapters located in 33 states, the District of Columbia, and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.