April 19, 1909 - February 27, 2006

Click here to read a tribute from Jewel Chisolm's chapter: Alpha

Nearly 75 years ago our founder, Ailene Carrington Ewell, established the crown of our beloved Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. Knowing that her vision would not be made reality without the persistence and support of others, she partnered with eleven co-laborers, our illustrious jewels, who shared her vision, purpose, mission, and goals. Each of these women served as a critical link in uniting us to our profession, to service, to humanity, and to one another. From the beginning a place was established on the founding crown as a setting for each of the jewels to rest. But the time had not yet come. For years, our jewels walked with us teaching us, encouraging us, supporting us, challenging us, and laboring with us. They graced us with their beauty and wisdom as they shined their light upon us.

Then, one by one, the time came for each jewel to take its rightful place on the crown. Today, we celebrate the fact that the crown has been made complete with the final jewel ascending to adorn it Jewel Henrietta Smith Chisholm.

Jewel Henrietta Smith Chisholm was born in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania . She graduated from Freedmen's Hospital School of Nursing, Washington, DC, in 1931. She received the Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, and worked in public health nursing.

Playing an active role in the life and development of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Jewel Chisholm's influence helped to grow the organization to its prominence of today. She held positions in the Sorority on both the national and local levels. She was the first National Treasurer and Headquarters Trustee, and Alpha Chapter president, vice-president, and treasurer. She retired from her job, but could never retire from the profession. She was always an active volunteer in the community and member of the sorority attending national meetings. She carried herself in a quiet unassuming manner, but yet we were always warmed and honored by her presence never taking her appearances for granted but cherishing them.

The brilliance of her life is only made that much brighter as she, united with our founding members, forms the glorious crown of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. Though she is no longer in our physical presence, we honor her by holding true to the principles of our sorority, picking up the lamp and lighting the way for others, and providing excellent service for humanity. As we reflect upon the life of our Jewel and gaze upon the legacy that she left, we realize that, in part, it is our own reflection that we see. How will we honor her legacy? We too, like our beloved Jewel Henrietta Smith Chisholm can press forward in quiet, unassuming greatness to blaze a path for change, for excellence, for service, and for humanity.

As we continue to remember the life of Jewel Henrietta Smith Chisholm, please join with me in the reading of the litany celebrating her life and legacy.

Litany for Jewel Henrietta Smith Chisholm

LEADER: Let us look upon the life of our beloved Jewel Henrietta Smith Chisholm with thanksgiving remembering the lessons that she taught us in the areas of educational excellence, professionalism, risk-taking, character, life balance, community service, and Sorority participation, and rededicate our lives to "Service for Humanity".

PEOPLE:In the spirit of thanksgiving, we remember the life of Jewel Henrietta Smith Chisholm.

LEADER: From the onset, Jewel Chisholm strove for educational excellence in her life. At every level, her thirst for knowledge pushed her to attain a high level of education. Inherently knowing that education was the key, she effectively used it as the platform for her future.

PEOPLE: In the spirit of educational excellence, we remember the life of Jewel Henrietta Smith Chisholm.

LEADER: In her nursing career, Jewel Chisholm worked to provide quality healthcare to the people of the District of Columbia . In her professional career spanning 34 years, she diligently worked to daily confront the issues of public health in her community.

PEOPLE: In the spirit of professionalism, we remember the life of Jewel Henrietta Smith Chisholm.

LEADER: Jewel Chisholm recognized that advancement could not be achieved without uniting with like minded individuals. A risk-taker, she stepped out with our Founder and Jewels to establish Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. As beneficiaries of their courage and foresight, we are reminded that even today we must take similar risks for the benefit of our community.

PEOPLE: In the spirit of risk-taking, we remember the life of Jewel Henrietta Smith Chisholm.

LEADER: In every area of her life, Jewel Chisholm maintained her sense of self. Her character attributes served as her calling card as she interacted with others. Though quiet and unassuming, she carried herself with independence and a strong will that caused all around her to take notice. But most of all, she drew people in with her warmth and smile.

PEOPLE: In the spirit of character, we remember the life of Jewel Henrietta Smith Chisholm.

LEADER: Jewel Chisholm recognized the importance of balance in her life. Her roles as dedicated wife and mother were as important to her as her chosen profession as a nurse. Her holistic view of life made her effective to her family, her patients, her community and to herself.

PEOPLE: In the spirit of life balance, we remember the life of Jewel Henrietta Smith Chisholm.

LEADER: Throughout her life, Jewel Chisholm was a strong believer in community donating countless hours to serving others around her. Even after she retired from her job, she could not retire from helping others. She continued to volunteer and maintained active membership in a number of community groups.

PEOPLE: In the spirit of community service, we remember the life of Jewel Henrietta Smith Chisholm.

LEADER: Jewel Chisholm is remembered in our history as the first Tamiochos. And she continued to be an active member of Chi Eta Phi Sorority for nearly 74 years, holding offices on both the national and local levels, serving as committee chair, and making it a point to regularly attend regional and national meetings. Through her active participation she helped to shape the face of the Sorority.

PEOPLE: In the spirit of Sorority participation, we remember the life of Jewel Henrietta Smith Chisholm.

LEADER: The life and legacy of Jewel Chisholm will live on in her family, through her impact on the community, and through the service that we, as members of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc., render to our communities. Let us never forget the path that she trod in order for us to be united in sisterhood and service.

PEOPLE: In the spirit of rededication, we remember the life of Jewel Henrietta Smith Chisholm.

ALL: We thank Thee, O God, for the life of Jewel Henrietta Smith Chisholm. Though You have called her home, let her light forever shine through our "Service for Humanity."