HistoryAKA, Iota Alpha Omega Chapter founded in 1969.
Charter
Members
Back row left to right - Marlene Watts, Annette Woodbury
Morgan, Lorraine Pettie Roberts, Linda Epps Browne, Linda Kittrell
Waldemar, Kaitie Griffin Gafford, Gwendolyn Stephens, Patricia Davis,
Loretta Jenkins. Seated - Jacqueline Blount Wilson, Vivian Love Jones,
Jeanne Buie Holmes, Celestine Mickens Campbell, Esther Pollard (North
Atlantic Regional Director), Laura Mimms, Jeanette Briscoe and Brenda
Burney Whitaker.
Chapter History
On a Sunday afternoon in May 1967, five Alpha Kappa Alpha women
(Barbara Battle, Patricia Davis, Helen Hudley, Laura Mimms and Lorraine Roberts)
met at the home of Soror Roberts to see if there were enough sorors in the Mid-Hudson
Valley interested in forming an alumnae chapter. In September 1967, Soror Barbara Battle
became the first chairperson of thirteen AKA women who joined hands in fellowship
under the unofficial name "Alpha Kappa Alpha Women of Mid-Hudson Valley."
From the beginning, the group felt the loss of sorors who left the area primarily
due to work-related transfers. By September 1968 only about half of the orginal group
were still actively involved in the formation of a chapter. During the early part of 1969,
Esther G. Pollard, North Atlantic Regional Director (1966-1970), officially presented the charter
to the newly created 375th Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Iota Alpha Omega.
The declaration on the charter lists the following sixteen sorors as charter members of the chapter:
Jacqueline Blount (Wilson), Jeanette Briscoe, Jeanne Buie (Holmes), Brenda Burney (Whitaker), Linda
Epps (Browne), Patricia Davis, Kaitie Griffin (Gafford), Loretta Jenkins*, Vivian Love Jones, Linda
Kittrell (Waldemar), Celestine Mickens (Campbell), Laura Mimms, Annette Morgan, Lorraine Roberts
Gwendolyn Glover Stephens and Marlene Watts. (*Ivy Beyond The Wall)
Feelings of gratitude go to these sorors who gave their commitment and enthusiasm to the
creation of this chapter. Over the years, the sorors of Iota Alpha Omega
Chapter have taken on multifaceted challenges. Their influence has reached
out to all corners of the community through programs which have
contemporary and enduring significance. For example, in Honolulu, Hawaii, Ocotber 11,1991, a ceremony
was held honoring the first African American hero of World War II at Pearl Harbor,
Matt 2C Doris (Dorie) Miller, USN. This international project was initiated by Sorors
Patricia White and Lorraine Roberts of Iota Alpha Omega Chapter. They helped with the implementation of
the project and participated in the ceremony.
As we move forward through the new
millennium, we will continue to be mindful of our past national and local leaders
and our programs of service. The true test by which we will be judged is the effectiveness of our sisterhood
to deliver human services. Service to all mankind is the commitment that binds our
sisterhood today, tomorrow and forever. We are committed to this purpose because we are sorors
of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
*1996 - Soror Betty White became an Ivy Beyond the Wall
*1999 - Soror Loretta Jenkins became an
Ivy Beyond the Wall
*2000 - Soror Lorraine Roberts became a Golden Soror
Sorority
History
Alpha Kappa Alpha is the oldest Greek-letter organization
established in America by Black college women. The record of its origin,
growth and development, activities, evolving goals, and accomplishments is
more than an interesting chronicle of a colorful bit of college-based
Americana. It is, rather, a significant and inspiring reflection of the
emergence of a dynamic group in a changing culture. The efforts of Alpha
Kappa Alpha women in the promotion of high scholarship, vocational and
career guidance, health services, the advancement of human and civil
rights, and in so many other areas constitute a priceless part of the
American experience in the twentieth century.
Nine Howard University students
were led by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle into a sisterhood in 1908. Four years
later, Nellie Quander and her gallant and visionary associates contributed
the added dimension of national organization and perpetual membership.
These women and those who have come after them, the never-ending stream of
eternally young, hopeful, enthusiastic women, need to be remembered. The
efforts of these Alpha Kappa Alpha women in scholarship promotion,
vocational guidance, encouragement of foreign study, health services, and
the promotion of human and civil rights constitute a priceless part of the
Black experience in America. For more information see www.aka1908.com |
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