The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) was approved as an associated nongovernmental organization (NGO) by the Department of Public Information of the United Nations (U.N.) in December 2010. This U.N. association demonstrates STTI’s commitment to the United Nations charter which, in addition to declaring that world body’s commitment to maintaining peace and security among nations, affirms its intent to solve humanitarian and health issues through international cooperation. Through this affiliation, STTI commits to disseminate information and raise public awareness about the purposes and activities of the United Nations and issues of global concern.
The honor society provides the strongest nursing presence at the United Nations and continues to conduct outreach around the world to help its nurse members better understand the work and aims of the United Nations, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), set to be achieved by 2015. These goals, which include reducing child deaths, improving maternal health and combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other major diseases, lay the foundation for improving world health. View "The Millennium Development Goals and Me" and see what you can do to help meet the goals by 2015.
You can’t spell FRIENDLY without INDY!
I have been quite impressed with the friendliness of the folks from Indianapolis. Even if I don’t look totally lost, people ask if I need anything. I decided to do a little homework on Indiana, as I honestly didn’t know too much about this part of the country. I found some interesting facts. (I assume they’re not factoids.)
- It is illegal to sell or buy a vehicle on Sunday, thanks to Indiana’s Blue Laws.
- Elvis Presley’s last concert was at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis in 1977. (He died three months later.)
- The Raggedy Ann doll was created in 1914 by Marcella Gruelle of Indianapolis.
- Of all U.S. state capitals, Indianapolis comes closest to being placed in the exact center of its state.
- The Indiana World War Memorial is modeled after the Mausoleum of Maussollos in Turkey.
- Indianapolis is second only to Washington, D.C., for the number of war monuments inside city limits.
- Indiana University's greatest swimmer was Mark Spitz, who won seven gold medals at the 1972 Olympic Games.
- Indiana is the top popcorn-producing state in the nation. Orville Redenbacher is from Brazil, Indiana. Ninety percent of the world’s popcorn is grown in Indiana.
- Indianapolis is the twelfth largest city in the United States.
- Singer-songwriter John Mellancamp was born in Seymour, Indiana and resides in Bloomington, Indiana.
- Steve McQueen, Shelley Long, Carole Lombard, Carl Malden, Sydney Pollack and Florence Henderson—all actors—are from Indiana.
Back to the forum
I had a chance to speak to Rebekha Perkins, an almost new graduate from Utah Valley University, located in Orem, Utah, USA, and Safiya George Dalmida, assistant professor at Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, and chair of STTI’s International Service Task Force. They were meeting as part of a free service—the Career Guidance Center—that is being provided during the forum.
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| Safiya George Dalmida and Rebekha Perkins |
The Career Guidance Center offers several valuable resources to nurses. Whether they are just starting their career, looking to further their education or searching for new nursing positions. STTI offers career guidance to help them navigate these challenges. It provides the opportunity to speak one-on-one with an expert career facilitator about 1) resume/CV development and job interview skills, 2) pursuing a new nursing career, 3) advancing your education and 4) networking.
Afterward, I spoke again to Rebekha, and she felt the experience was extremely worthwhile. Many thanks to those nurse leaders who provided their time and expertise to this endeavor!
I also had the opportunity to spend some time with an amazing husband-and-wife couple, Brian and Sheree Harvey (below). They met when Sheree became a merchant marine mate aboard the ship on which Brian served as captain. Several years later and after many miles at sea, they married and graduated together this past June with BSNs from South University, Tampa, Florida, USA.
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| Sheree and Brian Harvey |
They have a dream of building a ship that will be able to navigate the difficult waters surrounding The Cook Islands, and other islands in the South Pacific, to provide health education and care to the inhabitants. They both aspire to continue on in their education and complete their DNPs, one in administration and the other as an FNP. (A leadership education grant made it possible for Brian to attend the forum). Both found the event a great learning experience. Expect to see more of these two in the future!
Minding your Ps
A great lunch was made all the more enjoyable by plenary session speaker Loretta Sweet Jemmott, PhD, RN, FAAN. (It was sponsored by Eta Chi Chapter, Indiana Wesleyan University.) I have had the pleasure of hearing her speak in the past and am always impressed with her passion for nursing.
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| Loretta Sweet Jemmott |
Jemmott shared with us the personal journey that brought her to where she is today. She also shared her 6Ps concept, ways to strengthen your voice to help lead the change in nursing: 1) Passion, 2) Power, 3) Persistence, 4) Patience, 5) Partnership and 6) Prayer.
Great Ps to live by. She also asked us to live our lives by memorizing and declaring, “If it’s gonna be, it’s up to me!!”
Meet Tiffany Montgomery
After the lunchtime plenary by Loretta Sweet Jemmott, I spoke to an aspiring nurse leader, Tiffany Montgomery, who was thrilled to meet Jemmott, one of her nurse heroes. Tiffany is a second-year PhD student at the University of Los Angeles, California, USA, where her focus of study is teen pregnancy. She has read all of Jemmott’s work and felt so honored to meet her in person. By the way, Tiffany writes a blog for RNL titled “Taking hold of my dreams.” Click here to read the latest post. Tiffany is one of those people who, when you meet her, you know great things will happen to nursing!
Let’s see, STTI headquarters or Simulation Center?
After the last session of the day, many took the opportunity to visit either the Center for Nursing Scholarship, also known as STTI headquarters, or the Simulation Center at Fairbanks Hall. I chose to headquarters, because I always get inspired and rejuvenated when I visit the people in that that beautiful building, located on the edge of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis. (That’s why they call it IUPUI).
If you ever have the chance to visit headquarters, take the self-guided tour. Below is a picture of new banners on display above the front desk in the building’s lobby.
Thanks to Kathy Ricossa, some folks from Region 1 banded together several years ago and purchased plaque to benefit the foundation, where it complements the headquarters’ rose garden. I found a beautiful rose and was able to take a picture, just before the skies opened up!
After returning to the Hyatt, many regions held get-togethers tonight. As part of Region 1, I attended a family-style dinner with a dozen or so fellow Region 1 members at Buca di Beppo. Many thanks to Abby Heydman, PhD, RN, for getting us all together.
Another full day at Leadership Forum. What a great way to spend a day with old and new friends!
For Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL), published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International.
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