Taking Service to the Next Level

By: Jacquinette D. Murphy, NDG Contributing Writer 

The women of the historic Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Incorporated, selected Charlotte Berry of DeSoto, as its national president-elect recently. The announcement was made during its 90th Anniversary Convention, it was a remarkable milestone for Berry. Her selection was a public testament to Berry’s passion for serving humanity and her many years of governmental, non-profit, and advocacy service in her community, state, and nation.

“Service is in my DNA, and Iota is my avenue to do it,” said Berry. She noted this selection is one of her full circle moments as she began recounting her journey to the Sorority’s national board. “I never imagined that I would be here.”

Berry joined the Iota Phi Lambda Sorority – Psi Chapter 35 years ago because she firmly believed in their purpose for educating women. On the local level, she served Iota as the Psi chapter’s Dean of Intake, First Vice President, and President. Regionally, she became the Assistant Regional Director and Regional Director for the Southwestern Region. Berry also served on the National Board under two national presidents, Dr. Doris Browning Austin, and Phyllis Shumate.

Another honor Berry earned was recognition by the Sorority as an Outstanding Chapter President on the Regional and National levels and an Outstanding Regional Director. Berry is also noted for chartering two new Iota chapters in the Southwestern Region, Epsilon Sigma in 2012 and Epsilon Tau in 2013, during her time as a Southwestern Regional Director.

Mrs. Dorothy White of Chicago is excited about the selection of Berry to serve as the organization’s 23rd president. White believes Berry is one who will propel the organization onward and upward through efficient service.

“Charlotte will make worthwhile contributions to our increasingly global society. To promote the pursuit of excellence in all Iota’s endeavors among youth and adults and develop leadership expertise among business and professional women across this nation,” Mrs. White said.

Berry’s term as the national president-elect is three years, under the leadership of President White. Together, Berry will support the implementation of the Iota programs and projects and the national theme, “Business and Professional Women Building the Foundation for Generational Financial Empowerment.”

The Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Incorporated, is the first Greek-lettered African American businesswoman sorority in the United States of America and the Virgin Islands. Founded in 1929 in Chicago, Illinois, by Mrs. Lola M. Parker, the mission of the Sorority is to unite in a sisterhood qualified business and professional women. These women are charged to stimulate, inspire, foster, and assist persons engaged in business vocations.

The Sorority to date has five regions, 50 chapters, and a membership of over 900 sorors.

Berry shared her appreciation of the Iota visionary. She considers the organization so forward-thinking to create an avenue for the professional education of women and the ability to have careers outside of the domestic and manufacturing industries. 

“I believe that we are sitting on the thrust of limitless possibilities for women, and it is my hope that the work that we will do with the current board will continue to move the needle forward and help women to continue to provide sustainability for their families,” Berry said.

Service to Iota is a family affair 

Iota has had a strong presence in her family, and Berry recalled some personal milestones during her many years of service to Iota. Her daughter, once a future Iota, became her Legacy Soror in 1999. During the same year, Berry received the highest honor a soror could obtain, the 1999 National Iota Soror of the Year.

Fulfilling her service commitment to others is not something that Berry did alone, she had the support of her husband, Monte Berry. As she moved up the ranks, he served as a Man of Iota, working behind the scenes to support the efforts of the Iota Phi Lambda Sorority.

“We did the heavy lifting for the ladies and helped with various projects and initiatives of the organization,” Mr. Berry said.

As a Man of Iota, he took the lead on a local community housing initiative and worked various conferences, setting up venues and hospitality suites. Most recently, he supported Iota’s participation in the H-E-B Feast of Sharing event held annually in Dallas County during the holiday season.

“I love being with my partner and making her look good. It brings us together and allows us to work together on another front,” he said. “I am so proud of her and all that she is doing. She is a go-getter, and whatever she sets her mind to, she does it.”

While the Iota provides a platform for Berry to help others, the seed of service planted in her extends beyond the boundaries of Iota.

Berry has also worked and volunteered with elected officials such as Texas State Senator Royce West and former and current Texas State Representatives Helen Giddings and Carl Sherman Sr., respectively. She was named DeSoto’s Civilian of the Year in 2016, following her service on many boards and working with many organizations both in Dallas and DeSoto. The list includes the City of DeSoto Parks and Recreation Board, DeSoto Chamber of Commerce, the DeSoto Food Pantry, DeSoto ISD Afterschool program, and the Brighter Tomorrows shelter. Berry sits on the board of the Genesis Women’s Shelter and has long served on the board of the African American Museum and worked with the DeSoto Police Department.

“I grew up in the time of the village, where everybody took care of everybody,” Berry shared. “I saw both of my grandmothers helping other people, my mother serving her friends and neighbors who had less,” about her internal desire to serve. “Helping other people is just a blessing.”

She has continually built her life around service and working with non-profit groups in her community, across the region and state. Now, she is poised to make an even more significant impact on the global level as a member of the National Board of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority.

A little time spent with Berry quickly unearths her profoundly personal mission to serve others and better humanity. 

When asked what she desired her legacy to be, Berry stated, “She left it better than she found it. She made it better.”