Charter Members
Seated (left to right): *Betty Stephens, Barbara Campbell, Lois Foster, Mary Washington. Standing (left to right): *Gertrude Pierce, *Lorraine Stinson, Marion Parham, *Frances Rains, Jesterina Bailey, *Gloria Hughes, Artha Hooker and *Addie Vappie. *Ivy Beyond the Wall (deceased) | National & Charter Officers
National Officers Seated (left to right): Mary P. King, National Recording Secretary; Leadie Clark, Far Western Regional Director; Ivian Strange, Chairman of Standards Committee. Chapter Officers (standing left to right):*Mary F. Cash, Door Keeper; *Beryl O. Brookes, President; *Yvonne Robertson, Treasurer ; *Bernice N. Boyd, Recording Secretary; *Barbara Brown, Corresponding Secretary; *Ruby M. Terry, Ivy Leaf Reporter and Gloria P. Winsmore, Vice-President. *Ivy Beyond the Wall (deceased) |
The illustrious history of Theta Alpha Omega Chapter
...began on October 25, 1964, with a group of nineteen Alpha Kappa Alpha women in the Long Beach area. These illustrious ladies, under the leadership of Beryl Brooks and the direction of Leadie M. Clark, Far Western Regional Director, chartered a course that has led to an impressive list of accomplishments.
From the beginning, this group of Alpha Kappa Alpha women sought out and adopted projects, which enabled them to be “Supreme in Service to All Mankind.” The chapter program is planned annually and includes activities that incorporate the goals of the Sorority, meet the needs of the community.
Initial projects included: providing scholarships for deserving students, supporting the NAACP, working with the Long Beach Community Improvement League and conducting the Franklin Junior High School Study Hall Project. In the seventies, the chapter programs and activities were expanded to include reading workshops, contributions to the United Negro College fund and participation in the Pan-Hellenic Council.
Moreover, the chapter proudly laid the groundwork for the establishment of the undergraduate chapter at California State University, Long Beach, Lambda Alpha Chapter. This strong alliance continues today.
During the early eighties, the chapter adopted the Capitol Classroom Program, which provided opportunities for students to travel to Washington, D.C. and study the operations of the White House.
Theta Alpha Omega Chapter has made some noteworthy achievements over the years. We hold a life membership in the NAACP, sponsor career conferences for junior high school students, make contributions to service organizations, participate in Black Heritage, provide holiday food baskets for the underprivileged and provide a number of other services to the community.
Theta Alpha Omega has extended its service to the community to include participation in health fairs in collaboration with the American Red Cross, Greater Long Beach Chapter. In 1993, Theta Alpha Omega was awarded an African American Infant Mortality Health Grant by the City of Long Beach. Due to the overwhelming success of the program, the grant was expanded to include expectant mothers of all ethnicities.
Theta Alpha Omega is also proud to provide scholarships to local high school students for scholastic achievement as well as for community service.
Since its founding, the chapter has grown and the legacy of service continues today.