INTERVIEW WITH MRS. JIZLY DOHOU, PENNSYLVANIA CHAPTER CHAIRWOMAN
Chairwoman Jizly Dohou and her three children
If you ever have the lovely opportunity to speak with Mrs. Jizly Dohou you will find that she is extremely soft-spoken and that her manners are impeccable. When I first inquired about how she came to be chairwoman in Pennsylvania, she chuckled and said, "I was surprised! I was happy as a Sunday school teacher. I thought they just wanted me as a treasurer or a secretary, but then I found myself nominated as chairwoman." Which was surprising to hear her admit, considering she is running one of the most active and powerful chapters in the nation.
This year, Mrs. Dohou initiated the "Ms. Love IQ" beauty contest, an idea she conceived while enrolled at Michigan University. The Ms. Love IQ beauty pageant promotes inner beauty as well as exterior good looks, and candidates must demonstrate a drug-free and chaste lifestyle. Mrs. Dohou feels that it is extremely important for young women to feel empowered and beautiful within themselves, not just because of the way they look on the outside. Mrs. Dohou states that the Ms. Love IQ contest is a way to "encourage young women to uphold healthy values."
She has collaborated on the beauty contest with her local YMCA and the Girl Scouts. The Ms. Love IQ has been so successful that the chapter has decided to hold it every six months. Mrs. Dohou hopes that this pageant will inspire other chapters to hold similar contests for young women that exemplify the values of abstinence and good character traits.
Jizly and team with the Honorable Margo Davidson
On August 30, a Bridge of Peace ceremony was held in Philadelphia, the purpose of which was to overcome racial, political, and religious barriers and to create a bond of sisterhood among the participants. Fifty-one people participated that day, including dignitaries, teachers, prominent religious leaders, business owners, students, artists, professional performers, and community leaders.
Mrs. Dohou will continue to produce this event every four months, because she feels it is essential for developing social harmony. Not only that, it solidifies WFWP's connections in businesses, schools, and politics. Mrs. Dohou says, "I want the Bridge of Peace ceremony to be a powerful event where business owners, politicians, and activists all come to feel that this ceremony is essential for bringing actual peace."
When I asked Mrs. Dohou what her experience has been as a chairwoman thus far, she said, "It's a thrill to be a part of a sisterhood and a community." She seems to have an unstoppable force within her. She dreams big and is working with consistency. Pennsylvania truly has a wonderful gem leading the chapter there.