Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®
ALPHA RHO OMEGA CHAPTER Detroit, Michigan
1st AKAversary
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority History The cold winds blowing through the campus of Howard University on January 15, 1908, could not diminish the warmth in the hearts of Anna Easter Brown, Beulah Elizabeth Burke, Lillie Burke, Margaret Flagg, Ethel Hedgeman, Marjorie Hill, Lavinia Norman, Lucy Diggs Slowe, and Marie Woolfolk. Their vision of an organization dedicated to cultural enrichment, scholarship, leadership, high ethical and moral values, “racial uplift” and interest in college life after graduation had come to fruition. With permission from the administration of Howard University, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority became the first African-American Greek-letter organization for college-educated women in the United States. Affectionately referred to as “The Founders’,” these nine women, who were privileged to the extent that circumstances allowed them to seek and obtain higher education, had planted the seeds for a sorority that today in 2019 claims over 300,000 members in graduate and undergraduate chapters throughout the United States, Virgin Islands, the Caribbean, Canada, Japan, Germany, Korea and the continent of Africa. Now fast forward to December 15, 1922. Despite a record snowfall of 10 inches falling on the city of Detroit two days earlier, even the weather could not discourage the seven (7) young women who had successfully applied to establish the first chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority in the state of Michigan. Having paid the initiation fee of $2.00, they gathered at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Frank Raiford to receive Miss L. Pearl Mitchell from Kalamazoo, Michigan who was sent to organize and initiate the members of Xi Chapter.
The Charter Members of the newly formed chapter were: Beulah Tyrrell – A native of Lynchburg, Virginia, and graduate of Oberlin College Lorainetta Henderson – Born in Detroit, Michigan, and graduate of the Detroit Conservatory of Music Hazel Lyman – Originally from Pensacola, Florida and graduate of Fisk University Edna Dale – Born in Montgomery, Alabama, and graduate of Detroit City College Mary Cassandra Scott –Born and raised in Columbiana, Alabama, and graduate of Fisk University Nellie Watts – Born in Atlanta, Georgia, and graduate of Atlanta University Alice Boyd Burton – A native of Natchez, Mississippi, and graduate of Fisk University Seven accomplished cultured and educated women who despite the hardships inflicted by segregation, prejudice and an economic depression left their mark on this community in many different ways.
2019 Leadership
Dr. Glenda Glover International President
Carrie J. Clark Great Lakes Regional Director
Denise Marshall-Walker Chapter President
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Beta Delta Omega (Nashville, TN)
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Lambda Pi Omega (Rochester Hills, MI)
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Alpha Rho Omega (Detroit, MI)
Thank You MIP Committee
Geneva J. Young MIP Chairman
Jacqueline M. Elam MIP Co-Chairman
Tammora D. Green MIP Co-Chairman
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Alpha Rho Omega (Detroit, MI)
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Alpha Rho Omega (Detroit, MI)
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Alpha Rho Omega (Detroit, MI)
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
®
ALPHA RHO OMEGA CHAPTER Detroit, Michigan
From 1922 until 1930, Xi Chapter accepted graduates and undergraduates as members, with the expectation that once Detroit City College was accredited, a chapter would be established on the campus of an accredited college/ university for undergraduates. In 1930, Detroit City College (now Wayne State University) received its anticipated accreditation and Alpha Rho Omega Chapter received its designation as a graduate chapter. The year 1936 marked the chartering of Beta Mu Chapter on the campus of Wayne University and in 1974, Theta Tau Chapter was chartered on the campus of the University of Detroit – Marygrove with the assistance of Alpha Rho Omega Chapter. Xi Chapter remained as the City-Wide Chapter for undergraduates until 1949 when its charter was transferred to Michigan Normal Teachers College, now known as Eastern Michigan University.
and established partnerships with multiple organizations in an effort to address the needs of our citizens and to channel the energy of our children into positive and productive areas. And as our reach has grown, our numbers have expanded and the breadth of our programs speaks to the history that started in the hearts of nine women 104 years ago.
Alpha Rho Omega Chapter leads by example. In 1987 the members invested in the City of Detroit with the purchase of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Foundation Building. Today it exists as the nonprofit arm of the chapter which serves the community through a variety of programs and collaborations such as Africare, AKA Teens, AKA/NAACP Youth Fashions for Freedom, Detroit Urban League, MOTTEP Life Walk, Detroit Cultural Center Noel Night, Festival of Trees, Ronald The history of Alpha Rho Omega Chapter is not defined by dates or any one individual. As the beneficiary of the McDonald House, Foundation Scholarship and Selected Citizens, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and the United vision, leadership, and commitment of the sorority’s founders, our charter members embraced the mission of Negro College Fund, to name a few. encouraging and cultivating high scholastic and ethical standards among college women; and reaching back to others so they might benefit from the progress and success of those privileged to lead. These women-led by example Today Alpha Rho Omega Chapter celebrates ninety-seven years of history; ninety-seven years of sisterhood. We take and they live on in the hearts of Alpha Rho Omega women as shining examples of what we can and should be in pride in the services and accomplishments, both individually and collectively, of Alpha Kappa Alpha women everywhere providing service to all mankind. and remain committed to the history founded and nurtured in our hearts. It is this love that sustains us as a chapter and holds the promise that the next ninety-seven years will be filled with “greater tasks to begin." Over the past ninety years, 38 women have accepted the call to the leadership of Alpha Rho Omega Chapter. They coordinated their efforts with those of our national leadership, and have reached out to the larger Detroit Community
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®
ALPHA RHO OMEGA CHAPTER 2020 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®
ALPHA RHO OMEGA CHAPTER 2019 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 1st Row Seated L-R: Alice Johnson, Carlyn J. Robinson (1st Vice President), Denise Marshall-Walker (President), Rs’Shanda M. Glenn (2nd Vice President), Kathryn Walker 2nd Row Standing L-R: Paula Whittaker-Watkins, Michele T. Parker, Remonia C. Chapman, Donna Space, Tammora D. Green, Katrica M. Dixon, Wanda J. Harper, Wendy C. Carrauthers 3rd Row Standing L-R: Sylvia Ross Sherrill, Rachel R. Stewart, Margo Ferguson, Fatimah Muhammad
Not Pictured: Sabrina James, Asenath Jones Richmond
President: Carlyn J. Robinson 1st Vice President: Marilynn B. Rudolph 2nd Vice President: Ra’Shanda M. Glenn Recording Secretary: Michele T. Parker Assistant Recording Secretary: Rhonda Smith Corresponding Secretary: Tammorra Green Treasurer: Sabrina James Assistant Treasurer: Staci K. Reed Financial Secretary: Sylvia Ross Sherrill Assistant Financial Secretary: Raymell Tyler Hostess: Paula Whittaker-Watkins Sargent-at-Arms: Wendy C. Carrauthers Parliamentarian: Kathryn A. Walker Ivy Leaf Reporter: Donna R. Space Graduate Advisors: Beta Mu: Margo K. Ferguson Theta Tau: Fatimah A. Muhammad Historian: Geneva A. Young Chaplain: Remonia A. Chapman Members-at-Large: Gloria Polk Roshunda Steele Rachel R. Stewart Denise Marshall-Walker
New 85 Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® ALPHA RHO OMEGA CHAPTER - Detroit, Michigan Attending their first Membership meeting, April 13, 2019.
New 85 Members and the 2019 Membership Intake Process Committee of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® ALPHA RHO OMEGA CHAPTER - Detroit, Michigan
THEE 85 - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Alpha Rho Omega Chapter - Detroit, MI
ALLEN, BETTY N.
ANDERSON, RIANA E.
BANKS, CIERA D.
BEALORE, LAUREN N.
BRADLEY-WARE, JACQUETTE R.
BRAND, ANDREA
BRAXTON, DANA L.
BROACH, MITZIE, N.
BROWN, SIMONE K.
BROWN, TIFFANY D.
THEE 85 - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Alpha Rho Omega Chapter - Detroit, MI
BROWN-DERBAH, SARAH R.
BRYANT-WEEKES, AYANA
BUTLER-QUARLES, BARIKA M.
CARSON, RACHELLE D.
CARTER, CAROLYN
D’ABREU, KALANDRA
DANIELS, JYARLAND
DAVIS, ERICKA, R.
DIALLO, LILLIAN F.
DONALDSON, TAMIKA, D.
THEE 85 - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Alpha Rho Omega Chapter - Detroit, MI
DOUGLAS, ADRIENNE
DOUGLAS, MONICA B.
EL-AMIN, DANIELLE A.S.
EL-AMIN, RACHEL A.T.
ENGLISH, ANGELA D.
FLAGGS, ARIEL
FOUNTAIN, TAISHA
FRIERSON, CARLA
GIBBS, TIRA A.
GILLUM-ARTHUR, DEANNA S.
THEE 85 - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Alpha Rho Omega Chapter - Detroit, MI
GLENN, RONECA, M.
GRANT, TONI R.
GRAY, LATOYA L.
GRIFFIN-COLLINS, RANAE M.
HAIRSTON, KIMBERLY R.
HARRISON, ROSALYN LISA
HOUGE CORETTA C.
HURST, KAYLA J.
JACKSON, JENNIFER M.
JOHNSON, SHANNA A.
THEE 85 - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Alpha Rho Omega Chapter - Detroit, MI
JOLLY, TAMMODA M.
JONES, MAZALYNN
KHARI, SHERRY L.
LASENBY, DANA R.
LEWIS, CONCETTA A.
MACKERL-COOPER, KELLYN T.
MARTIN SHANNON
MAY, ANGELA C.
MCCLORE SINITRA
MCDONALD, KYLA
THEE 85 - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Alpha Rho Omega Chapter - Detroit, MI
MCDOWELL, KIMBERLY N.
MIAL, TERRI L.
MURRAY-WALTON, DANIELLE N.
PADEN, LARONDA M.F.
PARIZON, MICHELLE B.
PARKER, TASHAWNA P.
PARNELL, VANESSA A.
PELICHET, ALLYSON
PULLINS-GOVANTES, EBONY
ROGERS, BRITTANY V.
THEE 85 - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Alpha Rho Omega Chapter - Detroit, MI
ROGERS-DALLAH, MAYA L.
ROSS, PARIS
RUSHDAN, JOANN
SHORTER-SIEBERT, KIMBERLY
SMITH, CHAIRMAINE N.
STANFORD-JONES, KENYETTA
STEWART, RITA R.
SUTTON, STEPHANIE M.
TAYLOR, TANIKA, D.
TOPLES, ASHLEIGH, K.
THEE 85 - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Alpha Rho Omega Chapter - Detroit, MI
VALUX-WRIGHT, FREDDIE
WALKER, CAROL L.
WALKER, KATHLEEN
WALKER, TAMIKA M.
WALLACE, ARIELLE N.
WALLACE, DENISE E.
WALLACE, MONICA I.
WATSON, BETHANY C.
WELCH, RAQUEL N.
WHITE-SAVAGE, ADRIENNE
THEE 85 - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Alpha Rho Omega Chapter - Detroit, MI
WHITELOW, EBONY L.
WILLIAMS, COLINA R.
WILLIAMS-BOWERS, MELANIE N.
WINSTON, LISA M.
ZARRIEFF, JOYCE D.
THEE 85 Membership Intake Luncheon
“Sisters Serving with Excellence” April 7, 2019, 1:00 p.m. Motor City Hotel Grand Ballroom Detroit, MI Thank You Carrie J. Clark, Great Lakes Regional Director Schylbea J. Hopkins, 26th Great Lakes Regional Director Denise Marshall-Walker, President Geneva J. Young, MIP Chairman Jacqueline Elam, MIP Co-Chairman Tammora Green, MIP Co-Chairman Stacey A. Travis, Luncheon Chairman Beverly J. Campbell, Luncheon Co-Chairman Kathray A. Walker, Protocol Chairman Remonia Chapman, Great Lakes Int’l Day of Prayer Chairman Special thanks to the professional photography courtesy of
FREDA G. SAMPSON for all the MIP Luncheon and 1st Chapter Meeting Photos
Membership Intake Luncheon
85
The
1 Year AKAversary st
Members of the 85, at the Alpha Rho Omega Chapter Foundation assisting with the Great Lakes Regional Conference preparations.
2019 Great Lakes Regional Conference, Detroit, MI
2019 Great Lakes Regional Conference, Detroit, MI
2019 Great Lakes Regional Conference, Detroit, MI
2019 June Breakfast
2019 Homecoming
2019 Summer Backyard Pool Bonding at Ebony Pullins-Govantes’ home
Harriett Movie Premiere at Imagine Novi
Emerald Effect 2020
Book Club Bonding at Andrea Brand House
Jeans and Glitz
After Chapter Meeting Luncheon at Good Times
After Chapter Meeting Luncheon at Xochimilco Restaurant
After Chapter Meeting Luncheon at Starter’s Restaurant
After Chapter Meeting Luncheon at 24 Grille Restaurant
Founders’ Day 2020
Thee 85 - Oh Baby!
Meals on Wheels
Ronald McDonald House
Beta Mu Chapter - Wayne State University Probate
New Initiates to the Fabulous Sisterhood of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, IncorporatedÂŽ
J15 - Founders’ Anniversary
Thee 85 Crafting and Bonding at the home of Vanessa Parnell
Thee 85 Crafting and Bonding at the home of Vanessa Parnell
Breakfast Bonding and Holiday Gift Exchange - LeCrepe Restaurant
Chapter Meeting - Installation
Chapter Meeting - Congratulations to our New President
Shopping on Livernois Avenue with the Foundation
Joyce D. Zarrieff Turns 50
Joyce D. Zarrieff Birthday Pajama Party
Happy Birthday Paris Ross
Happy Birthday Kalandra
Happy Birthday Monica Wallace
ML.K Day at the Foundation
Noel Night
2020
About Town Thee 85 on the Scene
About Town Thee 85 on the Scene
About Town Thee 85 on the Scene
Ladies of The 85 First, Fabulous & Finest Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® Alpha Rho Omega Chapter
The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another. We should raise each other up. Make sure you're very courageous: be strong, be extremely kind, and above all be humble. Serena Williams
1908