grand worthy matron State of Illinois
Sis. Lolita Godbold, Grand Worthy Matron
“I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.” Romans 16:2
Greetings Queen Beatrice Grand Chapter,
With the greatest sincerity I thank you for allowing me the honor to serve as Grand Worthy Matron for a third term for the grandest Grand Chapter, Queen Beatrice. Thank you for always owning the work and being ever ready to do more or pivot for the greater good of each subordinate chapter and the Grand Chapter. We have established many collective goals and we have shared the vision and as result we have achieved many remarkable things together. This year the focus will be on building on and drawing on our strengths and doing things we do well better. The theme for this year is “Just like the brightest star we will rise each day taking every opportunity to be better.”
It is a pleasure to collaborate with great women who seek to be greater in all aspects of their lives including their work and contributions made to the Grand Chapter. In 2023 we ended the year having had outstanding schools of instructions with great attendance orchestrated by the Grand Lecturer and the School of Instruction Committee, thoughtfully planned fellowship outings by our Sisterhood Committee and a memorable Worthy Matron Retreat, planned by a committee that was most intentional about the details. Our December session was a culminating event with much with much ado about SOMETHING! We had the first December Session Charity event with our visiting sisters and brothers and the first queen contest which resulted in funding of a new scholarship that honors Sis Esther Johnson. Lastly, but not least, we celebrated the end of Grand Master, Bro Renard Bates 33◦/96 successful tenure as Grand Master as we thanked him for the contributions he made as Grand Master and the support given to Queen Beatrice Grand Chapter.
In 2024 we welcome our newly elected Grand Master, Bro Thomas Barksdale 33◦ and Queen Beatrice Grand Chapter will support his vision and efforts to work in peace and harmony. I encourage you to “Just keep moving.” Take advantage of the many activities to gain knowledge, engage in acts of charity and strengthen our ever-increasing bond of sisterhood and friendship. In the spirit of building upon things we have established many of our committees have already begun to work and are adjusting, intending to strengthen what exists. In 2024, we will travel to the State of Florida for our 102 nd Biennial supreme session, where the goal is travel strong in numbers and support of our great state.
In 2024 let us be reminded that we will always be successful if we continue to try. We will not stand still because to win you cannot quit. We will try even when we are afraid to make mistakes, because we accept that only those who never make mistakes are those who do not take risks. The more you do, the more you try, the more mistakes you make, however the greater are your odds of success. Queen Beatrice Grand Chapter may we never give up and again, “Just like the brightest star we will rise each day taking every opportunity to be better.” May God bless all your efforts and each one of you.
In Sisterly Love,
Sister Lolita Godbold
Grand Worthy Matron
State of Illinois