Gamma Mu Omega History

ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY INCORPORATED ®, GAMMA MU OMEGA CHAPTER

History

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, in 1908, became America’s first Greek-letter organization established by Black women, with roots dating back to Howard University, Washington, D.C., where the idea for formation was visualized by Ethel Hedgemon Lyle of St. Louis, Missouri.

As a result of this incorporation, 33 years later, on December 14, 1941, six distinguished women, including Mildred Peterson, Joyce Engram, Phannye Huger, Marion Lancaster, Nadine Ferrell, and Angie Douglas, chartered the first graduate chapter among AfricanAmerican Greek-lettered organizations established in Volusia County, specifically in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Throughout the last 80 years, thirty-one (31) professional, committed and zealous women have served as Presidents of Gamma Mu Omega Chapter, all trailblazers in their own right. Presidents of Gamma Mu Omega Chapter, listed in succession, are as follows: Mildred Peterson, Charlotte F. Clark, Larzette G. Hale, Dufferin Harris, Florence L. Roane, LeRosa H. Smith, Joyce Engram, Edith Starke, Nadine Ferrell, Isabelle Ambrose, Clarice Biggins, Theresa Gainous, Gladys M. Green, Buford Moore, Ann Dismuke Taylor Green, Jessie Jackson Childs, Julia Griggs, Myra Miiddleton Valentine, Joneva Loper, Jennifer Thomas, Mae Frances Davis, Sandra Williams Anderson, Shelia Davis Jackson, Belinda Williams-Collins and Tracia Culver. Some have served subsequent terms. Ida Duncan Wright currently serves as the 31st President.

Gamma Mu Omega Chapter established Gamma Tau Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, an undergraduate chapter located on the campus of Bethune-Cookman University, on April 30, 1949, and was also instrumental in the chartering of two Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® graduate chapters, Tau Chi Omega Chapter, located in DeLand, Florida and Chi Delta Omega Chapter, located in Palm Coast, Florida.

Gamma Mu Omega Chapter, for the past 80 years, has demonstrated its sensitivity and commitment to community needs through the involvement of its members in a multiplicity of projects and programs including, but not limited to, the following: Junior Artists’ Recitals, Fashionetta, Ebony Fashion Fair, Men of Tomorrow Program, Debutante Cotillion Program, Accent on Youth Program, Adopt A-Child Program and Take the Elderly to Lunch Program. Gamma Mu Omega Chapter has undertaken other projects that include providing coats, food and socks to the homeless through Halifax Urban Ministries and providing coats and toys to young children through the Breakfast with Santa Program. The Chapter has partnered with other agencies such as the Council On Aging (COA), volunteering in the Meals on Wheels Program; and has made contributions to the Rose Marie Bryon Children’s Center for the delivery of Thanksgiving Baskets to local residents, to the United Way, Incorporated for stocking the Second Harvest Food Bank shelves with peanut butter and jelly, and various other community agencies to sponsor financial wellness clinics.

Gamma Mu Omega Chapter has participated in Alzheimer’s Walks, donated personal hygiene supplies, seasonal wraps and toiletries to victims of domestic violence, recognized “Unsung Heroes” (seniors who have made significant contributions to the community), and partnered with Campbell Middle School, Bonner Elementary School, Palm Terrace Elementary School and Bethune-Cookman University in many student-centered activities. The Chapter has also donated hundreds of dresses to the Little Dresses for Africa Project, an AKA International Program.

Gamma Mu Omega Chapter’s target programs were greatly impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic, prohibiting face to face contact. As a result, the Chapter has diligently used innovative strategies designed to advance the mission of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. Programs held through virtual technology, social media and other public awareness tools include the 2020 Virtual Debutante Cotillion Program; #CAP (College Admissions Process) for high school juniors and seniors; “Wear A Mask” campaign with the message, “Wear A Mask for Community Health” which stressed the importance of wearing a mask to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and that message was displayed on a billboard located on International Speedway Boulevard; “EntrepreneuHERship” 102, a virtual event featuring local women entrepreneurs who shared their experiences in establishing their own businesses; and a public meeting for candidates vying for local, county and state offices. Other activities included Soles4Souls (donation of new and slightly used shoes for women, men and children); financial contribution to God’s Bathhouse of Volusia County for basic hygiene items and clothing for the needy; support of the Summer Reading Program for students in grades K-5 by collecting books spotlighting the Harlem Renaissance and the Arts; provided hundreds of backpacks to middle school students in Volusia County Public Schools; breast cancer awareness; and other initiatives too numerous to mention.

Gamma Mu Omega Chapter has awarded thousands in dollars in scholarships to deserving high school students, and has made numerous financial contributions to other national and community programs, which include the United Negro College Fund, BethuneCookman University, Rose Marie Children’s Center, Dickerson Library, American Cancer Society, Sickle Cell Association, Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee, Mary McLeod Bethune Foundation and Statue Project, Juneteenth Committee, and the Children’s Home Society.

Over its 80-year history, Gamma Mu Omega Chapter has diligently answered the call of the motto of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, which strongly emphasizes and concomitantly demonstrates “In Service to All Mankind” through its devoted members.