Senate Resolution 86

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING CHERYL W. TURNER AS NATIONAL FIRST VICE PRESIDENT OF DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY AND COMMENDING HER CONSIDERABLE CIVIC CONTRIBUTIONS.

WHEREAS, we join the membership of Lambda Sigma Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority at the University of Mississippi in honoring the contributions of Cheryl W. Turner; and

WHEREAS, professionally, Cheryl W. Turner has 30 years of senior-level administrative and management experience. Upon her retirement from the State of Mississippi, she assumed the role of Director of Personal and Professional Development with Jefferson Stevens Consultants, LLC, where she is responsible for client acquisition and development. Soror Turner deems this work extremely fulfilling, as she shares years of leadership experience through individual one-on-one empowerment sessions, as well as group trainings and assessments; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Turner holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forensic Chemistry and a Master of Public Administration Degree from the University of Mississippi. She is a Certified Public Manager, and holds a Continuous Readiness Certification from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. She is active in her community and church, serving as Local Gun Violence Prevention Lead for the Mississippi Chapter of MOMS Demand Action, Mentor for the Medgar Evers Academy for African-American Males, and President of Farish Street Baptist Church Missionary Society. She has been recognized as "Who's Who" among Mississippi Leaders (2016), and Class Leader for the Greater Metro-Jackson Chamber of Commerce Leadership Development Class of 2015; and

WHEREAS, initiated into the Lambda Sigma Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., at the University of Mississippi in 1975, Ms. Turner is currently a member of the Jackson, Mississippi, Alumnae Chapter, serving as immediate past Chair of the Social Action Committee. During 2017-2020, Soror Turner served as State DDAC Chairperson. Prior to membership in JMAC, Soror Turner served in elected and appointed leadership positions within three chapters; and

WHEREAS, regionally, Cheryl Turner served as Regional Chair of Nominations, 2007-2009, and was appointed trainer for the Culture of Giving Campaign under the Delta Research and Education Foundation, 2009-2011. Soror Turner served two terms as the Southern Regional Director of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., from 2011-2016. She was elected during the Sorority's 43rd Southern Regional Conference in Memphis, Tennessee, and was the first Mississippian to be elected to the position since the inception of Regional Conferences in 1926. As Southern Regional Director, she served on the Sorority's National Executive Board and was responsible for the oversight and management of 215 established chapters in the largest region of the organization; and

WHEREAS, in 2017, Soror Turner was appointed as Inaugural Chair of the Reclamation Project, a subcommittee of the National Membership Services Committee, serving through 2021. Her love for Delta Sigma Theta and all things service-oriented earned her an appointment as Co-Chair of the 2021-2023 National Program Planning and Development Committee. In July 2023, Soror Turner was elected as National First Vice President and Chair of the National Scholarship and Standards Committee of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Turner is the proud "ChiChi" to Kaylen and Ian Turner, children of her only son, Jared, who is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, and daughter-in-love, Sharonda, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, we commend the enormous civic energy of this citizen who serves as an example to all Mississippians:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize Cheryl W. Turner as National First Vice President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and commend her considerable civic contributions, and wish her continued success in all her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Cheryl W. Turner, forwarded to Lambda Sigma Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority at the University of Mississippi, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.