MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2024 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Thompson, Sanders, Summers, Brown, Faulkner, Gibbs (36th), Karriem, Osborne, Taylor

House Resolution 25

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING THE LAUDABLE SERVICE AND ZEAL OF DR. PORTIA E. ELLIS AS THE VISIONARY AND INTREPID STATE DIRECTOR OF ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY, INC., FOR MISSISSIPPI.

     WHEREAS, Dr. Portia E. Ellis, a Zeta legacy and ZOL Certified Centennial Life Member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., understands the importance of excellence in all areas, having served her beloved Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., on the local, state, regional and national levels, which entails her ascent to the post as State Director of Mississippi; and

     WHEREAS, on July 1, 2020, International Centennial President, Valerie Hollingsworth-Baker, appointed Dr. Ellis to lead the "Mighty" Mississippi into the second half of the Zeta's Centennial Year; and

     WHEREAS, having previously held posts as former chapter president of the Zeta Upsilon Zeta Chapter of Holly Springs, Mississippi, State and Regional Undergraduate Coordinator, National Vendor Director, Executive Affairs Coordinator and State Assistant State Secretary, Madame State Director Ellis understands the need for servant leadership and Zeta excellence; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Ellis' stalwart capability as a zealous leader with the interests of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., at the forefront of her platform, was reaffirmed in her role as State Director on October 23, 2022, when her Sorors elected her to continue at the helm of the State, denoting a historical first in Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.'s chronology that a State Director had been elected; and

     WHEREAS, carrying the double honor of history as the last appointed and the first elected Mississippi State Director,
Dr. Ellis embodies the principle of scholarship; and

     WHEREAS, a proud graduate of Rust College, where she became a member of the sisterhood through the Iota Gamma Chapter, graduating at the very top of her class at the age of 19, Dr. Ellis would later matriculate through post-baccalaureate programs to receive two master's degrees in the concentrations of medical sciences and public health while studying in Ohio, before subsequently attaining a doctor of philosophy degree in Public Policy and Health Policy from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and

     WHEREAS, in addition to diligent advocacy for Zeta, Dr. Ellis has been blessed with a career as a public health program manager with the government, while simultaneously experiencing the joy of cultivating the next generation of academicians as a college adjunct professor, in addition to enjoying the leisure amenities of traveling and spending time with her immediate family and friends; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Ellis has modeled her life premised on her devout belief in one of her many favorite scriptures, Psalm 84:11:  "For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly"; and

     WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to acknowledge the remarkable works and dedication of one of Mississippi's crown jewels, embodied in the life and service of Dr. Portia E. Ellis:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize and commend the laudable service and zeal of Dr. Portia E. Ellis as the visionary and intrepid State Director of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., for Mississippi, and extend best wishes for continued success in her guidance of the sorority and in all her future endeavors.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. Portia E. Ellis and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.