Omicron Chi Omega – Herstory
In the beginning…
On August 26, 1984, following the 51st International Convention held in Washington, DC, five Prince William County women met at the home of Alice Taylor with an interest in starting a local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Attending this meeting was Rosyln Dunn, Venus Miller, Jannette Smithson, Alice Taylor and Mary Williams. The five women discussed the potential impact such a chapter would have on the community and the necessary procedures for organizing a new chapter.
As an official interest group of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the group named themselves the Princesses of Pearls. Alice Taylor was elected President; Venus Miller was elected Secretary, and Jannette Smithson was elected Treasurer.
On May 19, 1985, under the leadership of Barbara W. Davis, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, the Princesses of Pearls Interest Group officially was chartered Omicron Chi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
The following chapter officers were installed: Alice Taylor – President, Vivian Oliver – Vice-President, Ervinia “Venus” Venus Miller-Secretary, Mary Porter – Assistant Secretary, Glorine Gholson – Correspondence Secretary, Jannette Smithson-Treasurer, Winifred Gilmore – Financial Secretary, Mary Williams–Parliamentarian, Earline Spillers – Doorkeeper, Patsy Smith – Hostess, Elma Clancy – Ivy Leaf Reporter, and Roslyn Dunn – Historian.
Throughout the 30 plus year history of Omicron Chi Omega, the chapter has received many local community awards as well as recognition from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated regionally and on the national level. The chapter has received recognition in the Greater Prince William county as well as by the state of Virginia for its involvement in the Back to School/Stay in School Program, its support of SAVAS (Sexual Assault Victim’s Advocacy Services), its support of ACTS (Action in the Community Through Service), and its support of the American Heart Association.
Transfers and General Members
Omicron Chi Omega welcomes Alpha Kappa Alpha members looking for a chapter to call home! For information on transferring or reactivating, please contact our Membership Chair at membership@ocoaka.com.
Also, check out our Reclamation video and see how active our chapter is!
Charter Members | |
---|---|
Joy Ballentine | Ervinia Miller* |
Elma Clancy | Vivian Oliver |
Roslyn Dunn* | Mary Porter* |
Glorine Gholson | Patsy Smith |
Winifred Gilmore | Jannette Smithson* |
Dorthy Harrington | Earlene Spillers |
Joyce Holmes | Alice Taylor |
Debbie Hopkins | Addie Whitaker |
Karen Hundley | Mary Williams* |
*Deceased
Former Presidents | |
---|---|
Alice Taylor | 1984* |
Alice Taylor | 1985-1987 |
Vivian Oliver | 1988-1991 |
Ervinia Miller | 1992-1995 |
Gwynne McCathorine | 1996-1999 |
Leona Johnson | 2000-2003 |
Winifred Gilmore | 2004-2007 |
Cynthia Ragland | 2008-2011 |
Addie Whitaker | 2012-2013 |
Marguerite Taylor
Anika Harris |
2014-2017
2018-2021 |
*1984 – Princesses of Pearls Interest Group
Current Officers | |
---|---|
President | Christina Henry Roberson |
Vice President | Connie Glaze |
Secretary | Sonya Long |
Assistant Secretary | Bridgette Love |
Treasurer | Deborah Sykes |
Financial Secretary | Cheryl Lamar |
Assistant Financial Secretary | Gloria Curry |
Parliamentarian | Anika Harris |
Ivy Leaf Reporter | Nicole Kegler |
Hostess | Valerie Butler |
Custodian | Arleen McCallum-Graham |
Historian | Tatana Todd |
Sergeant of Arms | Wanda Richards |
Current Committees | ||
---|---|---|
Initiative 1 – Strengthen Our Sisterhood/Sisterly Relations | Archives | Nominating |
Initiative 2 – Empower Our Families | Membership | Courtesy |
Initiative 3 – Build Our Economic Wealth | Standards | Fundraising |
Initiative 4 – Enhance the Environment | Protocol | African American Heritage Festival |
Initiative 5 – Advocate for Social Justice/Connection | Leadership Development | Scholarship |
Initiative 6 – Uplift Our Local Community | Awards | Risk Management |
Audit | Bylaws |