Administrative Information

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Preferred Citation

The Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Accession #1976-79 , Special Collections and Archives, Johnston Memorial Library, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA.

Biographical/Historical Information

The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority was formed at Howard University in 1908. The original nine members were Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, Marjorie Hill, Peselah Lillie Burke, Margaret Flagg Holmes, Lavinia Norman, Marie Woolfolk Taylor, Lucy Slowe and Anna E. Brown. From this group Ms. Lucy Slowe was selected as the first Basileus.

The Delta Omega Chapter was the first to be formed in the South Atlantic Region, and also the fourth graduate chapter established on the campus of Virginia State College. Soror Nellie Quander, the deputy Organizer for the East, set up this chapter. This Chapter was organized February 6, 1921. The chapter members were Louise Stokes (Hunter), Pauline Simms (Puryear), Mae Hatchett (Seabrooks), Ester Tate, and Edna Colson. All of these Sorors except Sorors Tate and Colson had been members of the Alpha Chapter at Howard University. (The History of The South Atlantic Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha written by committee of history of the Southern Atlantic Region, chairman Clarissa K. Dillard appointed 1948)

Scope and Content Information

The records of the Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha span the year 1921 through 1988. This includes correspondence and reports as well as issues of the Ivy Leaf.

These papers reflect how this chapter was organized and how they sought to carry out the mission of the Sorority. Issues such as sisterhood, empowerment and service not only to the campus but to the community as well.

Additional materials about Delta Omega may be found in the Colson/ Hill Family Papers, accession number 1965-13, boxes 57, 57a, 57b, in addition, the Alice and Henry Colson Jackson Papers Accession # 195-13a and in the records of the Petersburg Epicureans, unarranged.

Series Description

Series I. Chapter Records Some idea of how the chapter operated and how it was structured. The minute book for 1939-1941 also contains information regarding committees and chapter projects. Included in this series are membership roster, transfer and initiation. It also contains minutes and reports about issues and projects at the Regional and National level.

Series II. Chapter Projects Because Alpha Kappa Alpha is a service oriented organization they are committed to trying to improved not only the leadership skills of other women who are members, but also to the community. This series documents of some of those activities.

Series III. Printed Programs, Handbooks, minutes of some of the A. K. A. Boule, Songs and Ivy Leaf magazines.

Series IV. Photographs Several photo's of members of Delta Omega and debutantes for the year 1951.