Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®
On January 15, 1908, a group of young women at Howard University, caught the inspiration of a fellow student. Ethel Hedgeman (Lyle) initiated the movement of Greek-letter sororities among Black women in America. She along with Lillie Burke, Beulah Burke, Margaret Flagg Holmes, Marie Woolfolk Taylor, Lavinia Norman, Anna “Easter” Brown, Lucy Slowe and Marjorie Hill derived Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. They were later joined by a group of sophomore girls (Joanna Berry Shields, Norma Boyd, Ethel Jones, Sarah Meriweather Nutter, Alice Murray, Carrie Snowden and Harriet Terry) who had been impressed by the new sorority.
From this small nucleus, Alpha Kappa Alpha has grown to a membership of more than 100,000 financial, college educated women in the United States, Canada, Japan, Bermuda, the Carribean, Europe and Africa. The International Headquarters is located in Chicago, Illinois with a modern, fully-equipped office operated by an Executive Director and many staff members.
Through the years, Alpha Kappa Alpha’s program has had as its chief aim “service to all mankind”. The point of focus has shifted from time to time and will continue to do so as a necessary part of growth and change. However, there has always remained the constant purpose to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, to promote unity and friendship among college women, to study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women in order to improve the social stature of the race, and keep alive within alumnae an interest in college life and progressive movement emanative therefrom.
Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha provide “service to all mankind” through the sorority’s program theme: Exemplifying Excellence Through Sustainable Service. This theme has a five target programs: HBCU for Life/ # College Application Process, Women’s Healthcare and Wellness, Building Your Economic Legacy, The Arts, and Global Impact.
Marvelous Mid-Atlantic Region
In Alpha Kappa Alpha regions have been formed according to geographical location and density of population. Alpha Kappa Alpha originally organized chapters into regions in 1924 and charged regional directors as the lead officer.
Prior to 1953, the states that now make up the Mid-Atlantic Region (North Carolina and Virginia) were part of the South Atlantic Region. At the 1953 Boule, due to realignment, the Mid-Atlantic Region was born.
Dr. Rose Butler Browne, the first Mid-Atlantic regional director, led the region with determination and commitment to “serving all mankind.” Focusing on the national theme of “Our Health, Our Strength”. The first Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference was held in Newport News, VA with Lambda Omega as the host chapter. Since 1953, there have been eighteen regional directors. There are currently 130 chapters in the region.
Dr. Norma S. White, 25th national president, coined the region the Marvelous Mid-Atlantic Region.
HERstory contains excerpts from:
The Mid-Atlantic Story: Continuing the Vision by Soror Barbara W. Davis
The Past is Prologue: Alpha Kappa Alpha 1908-1999 by Soror Marjorie Parker
Nu Chi Omega Chapter
May 23, 1981 Oxford, North Carolina (updated 2021)
CHARTER MEMBERS
Vivian Bullock |
Carolyn Green* |
Leah Kay Lightsey* |
Gloria Chandler* |
Yvonne Hanks |
Lillie Moss |
Juanita Cozart |
Eva Howell |
Faye Spence |
Geraldlyne Dunn* |
Rachel Jefferys* |
Dorothy Waddell |
Dianne Evans |
Priscilla Johnson |
Carolyn White |
Angela Garner |
Laureen Jones |
Pauletta Williams |
Iris Garner |
Norma Keck |
*Deceased
Former Presidents
Leah Kaye Lightsey |
Carolyn Green |
Gloria Chandler |
Loree Vaughn |
Shirley Holliday |
Vivian Bullock |
Jacquelin Heath |
Juanita Cozart |
Mary Thompson |
Teresa Gilreath |
Dianne Evans |
Toni Rankin-Green |
Nu Chi Omega Chapter was chartered on May 23, 1981 in Oxford, North Carolina at the former Holiday Inn Hotel. Evelyn Reid Syphax, the 16th Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, conducted the ceremony. The group consisted of twenty members from the surrounding counties of Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren.
The idea of starting a chapter in this area was fostered by those who saw a large number of inactive members living in the area who had expressed a desire to form a local chapter. Several were members of Alpha Zeta Omega Chapter in Durham, North Carolina. They were Lillie Moss, Geraldlyne Dunn, Catherine McGhee, Elizabeth Chavis, Juanita Cozart and Dianne Evans. The contributions and assistance of Alpha Zeta Omega Chapter and its caring and nurturing members were prominent in the establishment of Nu Chi Omega.
Members Gloria Chandler, Geraldlyne Dunn and Lillie Moss provided the inspirational drive needed to get the process started. Gloria Chandler worked diligently with Evelyn Reid Syphax. Her hard work, dedication, commitment and knowledge of sorority procedures inspired invaluable acts of love and service. Geraldlyne Dunn passed away in the spring of 2001 and Gloria Chandler became an Ivy Beyond The Wall in June of 2003. Members McGhee and Chavis did not join Nu Chi Omega because of illness and commitment to Alpha Zeta Omega. They were two beautiful and loving members who always helped wherever they could.
Nu Chi Omega has helped with the establishment of two sister chapters. They are Rho Tau Omega of Warrenton, North Carolina and Sigma Nu Omega of Roxboro, North Carolina.
Nu Chi Omega has two Pearl members with at least 65 years of service, Shirley Holliday* and Lillie Moss. There are two Golden Members with 50 years or more in the sorority: Carolyn White and Linda Robinson. We are very proud of each of them. The chapter currently has 18 Silver members with 25 years or more of service.
*Deceased
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
Proclamations- Mayor and City of Oxford, NC – Outstanding Community Service
Proclamation- Granville County Board of Commissioners-Outstanding Community Service
Certificate of Recognition and Appreciation- Granville Medical Center
Certificate of Appreciation – Successful Implementation, National Connection Program
Masters Degree-AKA Educational Advancement Foundation
Recognition-AKA International Standards Committee
Ivy Level Chapter-AKA National Membership Committee