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About Theta Rho Omega |
In 1968, change and movement
in housing patterns to the south suburbs of Chicago inspired Sorors Emma
Bakeman and Josephine Franklin to join forces with other sorority members
to establish a chapter in their community. Joined by Soror Effie Roe and
Soror Winta Massey, the four sorors located other sorors who had moved to
the surrounding communities and petitioned to the Boule for a charter.
After gathering additional
sorors, the group began raising funds and providing community services.
They worked very hard from the winter of 1968 through the fall of the same
year. The chapter was then chartered on November 17, 1968, officiated by
Soror Ordie Roberts, Central Regional Director. Soror Lauretta Naylor
Thompson, Supreme Grammateus, Soror Beatrice Murphy, Basileus of Theta
Omega Chapter and sorors from Chicago and South Bend, Indiana attended.
The first officers were: Soror Josephine Franklin, Basileus; Soror Dorothy
Bradford, Anti-Basileus and Program Chairman; Soror Armerike Warren,
Grammateus; Soror Emma Bakeman, Anti-Grammateus; Soror Joyce Marvel,
Epistoleus; Soror Rebecca Ross, Tamiouchos; Soror Marie Smith, Ivy Leaf
Reporter; and Soror Barbara Geaither, Historian.
Early activities included
scholarship awards programs, Sickle Cell Anemia fund raising drives, “Meet
the Candidates Night”, skating parties and the Community Action Program
(CAP). Support was given to the NAACP and the Cleveland Job Corps Center.
The chapter hosted the 1973 Central Regional Conference and was the prime
hostess chapter of the 1978 Central Regional Conference.
During the 1980’s, Theta Rho
Omega chapter initiated new members and began reactivating sorors. The
chapter focused on health issues affecting women such as Toxic Shock
Syndrome (TSS), Nutrition for Women, Blood Pressure and Weight Control,
and Women and Cancer. Fundraising efforts became more profitable and more
scholarships were awarded with the inception of the “Little Miss AKA”
pageant during the annual “Spring Affair”.
During the 1990’s and the
early 2000’s fundraising efforts profited even more, allowing the chapter
to expand programs and scholarships. In 1999, the fundraising event was
changed to the “Vision Quest Awards”, a luncheon recognizing outstanding
community residents who have excelled in our program target areas
(Education, Health, the Black Family, Economic Development, and the Arts).
As a result of successful fundraising initiatives from 1999 through 2001,
the chapter awarded more than $30,000.00 in scholarships.
Chapter programs now include
ESSENCE, a teen mentoring program; Buckle Up; ON TRACK, an early education
intervention program; theater and opera parties; Sistah Fest, a program to
foster sisterly relations; the Robbins Service Festival; AKA Connection;
joint Health and Wellness Fairs with other fraternal and civic
organizations; Black Dollar Day; leadership development; and
traditionally, the Ivy AKAdemy. Additionally, Theta Rho Omega chapter is a
founding member of the Chicago Basilei Council of Alpha Kappa Alpha
Sorority, Inc. and a member of the Pan-Hellenic Community Action Council
of Chicago.
In 2002, Theta Rho Omega
co-hosted the largest Central Regional Conference in sorority history,
attended by more than 1600 persons.
In 2003, the chapter will
celebrate its thirty-fifth anniversary. Through creative planning,
imaginative leadership and dedicated sorors, Theta Rho Omega will continue
to provide decades of “Service to all Mankind”.
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