EVENTSOrder of
May 31, 2025
Greetings Members and Friends:
It is my esteemed honor to welcome you to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Epsilon Omicron Omega Chapter’s 75th Anniversary Garden Party, themed “The Pearls and Bow Ties Edition!” This afternoon, attendees will enjoy an elegant affair, where this jewel of a chapter serving the Greater Hartford, Connecticut community since 1950, will commemorate three quarters of a century of stellar service and sisterhood
I take this time to acknowledge the 15 original charter members, as well as the 170 current diverse and talented members of Epsilon Omicron Omega Chapter, led by their president, Ms. Yvette Highsmith, whose years of good works have put a mighty footprint in the community. You have assisted local residents through countless hours of community service and longstanding dynamic programs that have made an impact, improved many lives, and provided hope for their future endeavors. I applaud Epsilon Omicron Omega Chapter’s recent efforts, as exemplified by the following programs:
• Hartford Girls Rock! - annual program celebrating and honoring the leadership, innovation, and empowerment skills of outstanding young women from the Greater Hartford community;
• Scholarship Program - over the years has awarded more than $250,000 in scholarships assisting college-bound female high school seniors in the Hartford or Middletown area. In 2025 alone, awarded a record $34,000;
• Trait Talk – webinar discussing why Black blood matters and the importance of knowing your carrier status for sickle cell anemia and other diseases;
• CHIPP Program - collecting over 2,000 food items, packing and providing nutritious meals to children in support of the Sorority’s initiative to address the fight against childhood hunger.
To our guests, I offer a heartfelt “thank you” for your continued support of the diligent and dedicated efforts of Epsilon Omicron Omega Chapter, including today’s notable event. Your patronage makes it possible for the philanthropic endeavors of this dynamic chapter, one shining example among more than 1,060 Alpha Kappa Alpha chapters comprised of more than 350,000 members in all states and across 11 nations, to continue its tradition of exemplary service, both locally, and on the global stage
Congratulations on your 75th anniversary, and I wish for a most successful event and a most enjoyable afternoon
Sincerely,
Elicia Pegues Spearman, Esq. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® North Atlantic Regional Director
A Message From Our PRESIDENT
YVETTE HIGHSMITH
DearEpsilonOmicronOmegaChapterMembers,Honored Guests,FamilyandFriends!
OnbehalfofAlphaKappaAlphaSorority,Inc®, EpsilonOmicronOmegaChapter,itismydistincthonorto welcomeyoutoour75thAnniversaryCelebration-a momentousoccasionaswereflectonalegacythatbeganon May6,1950andcontinuestoflourishtoday
OurGardenPartythemepayshomagetoourcharter memberswhohadatraditionofhostingbeautifulgarden partiestoraisefunds,raiseawarenessandfostersisterhood andserviceAseverygardenbeginswithseeds,thistheme beautifullyencapsulatesthespiritofthischapterFor75 years,EpsilonOmicronOmegahassownseedsofhope, leadershipandlovethroughoutHartfordandsurrounding communitiesThroughdecadesofsteadfastserviceandadeep bondofsisterhood,ourchapterhasnurturedcountless initiativesthatuplift,empowerandtransformlives
Thismilestoneisatributetothevisionarychartermembers wholaidthefoundation,thededicatedsororswhocarriedthe torchforward,andthenewgenerationswhowillensureour legacyenduresWecelebratethefruitsoftheirlaborthrivingprograms,impactfulpartnerships,andavibrant sisterhoodthatcontinuestogrowwithgraceandpurpose
Aschapterpresident,Iamprofoundlyproudofwhatwehaveaccomplishedtogether,implementingourinternational initiativesandengagingwithlocalpartners,andevenmoreexcitedabouttheseedsweareplantingtodayforaneven brightertomorrow
CongratulationstoourPinkTeaRoseCommunityPartnerAwardRecipients,Ms KarenLottandMs DawnJenkins Yourcommitmentandleadershiphelpusaddresschildhoodhungerandsupportliteracyforourchildren Weare honoredtoservewithyou!
Thankyouforjoiningusincelebrationaswecontinuetobesupremeinservicetoallmankind
YvetteHighsmith
President
A LEGACY OF SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP Epsilon Omicron Omega Chapter
OnMay6,1950,thefirstgraduatechapterofAlphaKappaAlphaSorority,Incorporated®intheStateofConnecticutwasofficiallychartered North AtlanticRegionalDirectorLillianParrotconductedthecandlelightceremonyatthehomeofEthelHale,locatedat1HubbardStreetinBloomfield Thenewlyformedchapter,EpsilonOmicronOmega,wasfoundedbyfifteendedicatedmembers:
CatherineBarlow,AlphaChapter
MarjorieD Borders,AlphaChapter(President) EllaG Brown,AlphaEpsilonChapter BerniceCobb,AlphaEpsilonChapter MaryJ Cromwell, BetaChiChapter(Treasurer) DeloresB Davis,SigmaChapter JoyceD Elliot,EpsilonChapter(CorrespondingSecretary) EthelN Hale,NuChapter LillianHarris,AlphaEpsilonChapter JeanN Morris,BetaGammaChapter MargaretShaw,GammaRhoOmega(VicePresident) WinnieTroutman,BetaAlphaChapter GertrudeM Rivers,ZetaChapter AllenstineS Willis,GammaDeltaChapter(RecordingSecretary) BeatriceM Wood,AlphaChapter(IvyLeafReporter)
Fromitsearliestdays,EpsilonOmicronOmegademonstratedadeepcommitmenttocommunityservice In1950,thechapterhostedasupperdance andfloorshowtoraisefundsforphysicalexamsattheWomen’sLeagueDayCareCenter WhentheLeaguemovedtoanewlocation,members outfitteditsHealthCareRoom In1951,thechapterlauncheditsannualGardenParty,apublicappreciationeventthatbecameamuch-anticipated tradition
By1952,undertheleadershipofWinnieTroutman,newmemberswerewelcomedintothefold,increasingthechapter’sreach EpsilonOmicron OmegaquicklyestablisheditselfasadynamicforceinHartford,organizingthecity’sfirstHealthFair(1953),sponsoringtheEbonyFashionFair(1959), launchingaDebutanteBall(1967),andlaterincludingmalescholarsinitsscholarshipprogram(1972)
Thechapter’sbroadcommunityengagementincludedsupportingtheNAACPandUrbanLeague,aidingintherestorationofFaithCongregational Churchafterafire,andraisingawarenessaboutSickleCellAnemia Asteadfastcommitmenttoeducationledtoover$250,000inscholarships awardedtostudentsattendingHBCUs,publicinstitutions,andIvyLeagueschools From1984to2005,thechapter’sannualScholarshipLuncheon attractednotablespeakersandcelebratedexcellencethroughtheAKAImageAward
In1977,EpsilonOmicronOmegacharteredtheLambdaTauundergraduatechapter,servingstudentsattheUniversityofHartford,TrinityCollege, WesleyanUniversity,andUConn ThismentoringrelationshipearnedthenationalC EdithBookerCollaborationAwardinboth2005and2013 The chapterextendeditseducationalmissionbyfoundingtheFoundationforEducationalOpportunities,Inc (FEO)in1994tosustainscholarshipsand communityprogramslikeCHIPP™(ChildHungerInitiativePowerPack).
LEADERSHIP
ThechapterhaschampionedyouthempowermentthroughinitiativessuchastheEmergingYoungLeadersprogram,PETALS @SAGEforteen mothers,andHartfordGirlsRock!,amarqueeeventhonoringoutstandingyoungwomeninSTEM,thearts,andservice Keynotespeakershave includedSonyaLockett,MistyCopeland,GabbyDouglas,andRuthE Carter The10thanniversaryofHartfordGirlsRock!wascommemoratedin 2024,affirmingitsroleininspiringthenextgeneration
TheCOVID-19pandemicin2020challengedthechaptertoadapt Membersturnedtovirtualplatforms,organizeddrive-bycelebrations,and expandedcommunityoutreach Manyservedasfrontlineworkers,andthechapteremergedasavitalvoiceinhealtheducationandvaccineadvocacy, allwhilecontinuingtogrow
In2022,thechapterchartereditssecondundergraduatechapter UpsilonMuattheUniversityofConnecticut EpsilonOmicronOmegaremains committedtosupportingHBCUsthroughcollegefairs,campusvisits,andscholarshipopportunities,leadingtonumerousstudentacceptancesand awards
Areturntothechapter’srootscamein2022withthelaunchofCHIPP™attheWomen’sLeagueChildDevelopmentCenter Initsfirstyear,the programserved39studentswithweekendfoodpacksandlaterexpandedtoCommunityFirstSchool,reaching57students CHIPP™earned recognitionfromConnecticutFoodshareandtheNorthAtlanticRegion,withmemberscollectingover2,000itemsinhonorofFounders’Dayandthe 75thanniversary
Alsolaunchedin2022,theYouthLeadershipInitiative(YLI),inpartnershipwiththeBoys&GirlsClubofHartford,providesleadershiptraining, culturalenrichment,andcommunityserviceforyouthaged11–13 YLIhasreceivedregionalrecognitionanddevelopedstrongtieswithlocalBlackownedbusinesses
In2024,thechaptermournedthepassingofAllenstineWillis,itslongest-livingchartermemberandaDiamondmember Shealsoservedasthe foundingpresidentofFEO Herlegacyenduresthroughthecontinuingworkofboththefoundationandthechapter EpsilonOmicronOmegatakesprideinmemberswhohavemadehistory: EllaBrown–FirstBlackwomanpoliceofficerinConnecticut(1943) SuzetteDeBeatham-Brown–FirstBlackwomanmayorofBloomfield,CT VannessaDorantes–FirstAfricanAmericantoserveastheCommissioneroftheConnecticutDepartmentofChildrenandFamilies ReginaRush-Kittle–FirstBlackfemalepatrolofficerinMiddletown,CTandlaterthefirstwomantocommandaStatePolicebarracksand its TrainingAcademy MorganTuckSawi–YoungestWNBAGeneralManager HonorableDawneWestbrook–ThefirstBlackwomantoserveasChiefAdministrativeJudgeandthefirstBlackChiefAdministrativeJudgeof JuvenileMattersinConnecticut
AstheEpsilonOmicronOmegaChaptermarks75yearsofsisterhoodandservice,itcontinuestobeapillarofstrength,leadership,andunwavering dedicationtotheadvancementofwomen,children,andfamiliesintheGreaterHartfordcommunity
Pink Tea Rose Community Award DAWN MARIE JENKINS
UNION BAPTIST CHURCH - FOODSHARE OF CONNECTICUT
Dawn Jenkins, a Hartford native and 1989 graduate of Windsor High School, is a dedicated community servant and lifelong member of Union Baptist Church of Hartford She has been active in various ministries, including the Youth Choir, Handbell Ministry, Usher Board, and Mission Society She currently serves on the Trustee Board and leads the church’s Food Pantry, supported by Foodshare of CT
Dawn’s passion for service began early, volunteering alongside her father in the Breakfast Ministry and later helping him establish the Food Pantry. After his passing, she committed to continuing his legacy, ensuring families facing food insecurity could depend on the church Under her leadership, the pantry provides bi-monthly food distributions to thousands of families, supported by a team of volunteers she coordinates
Concerned about rising food costs and shrinking resources, Dawn remains committed to fighting hunger and inspiring others to join the cause. She also works as a bus monitor for Hartford Public Schools and devotes her spare time to sourcing new resources to keep the pantry stocked
Dawn is a member of the Jamaica Progressive League of Hartford and the Queen of Sheba Chapter No 3 Mechanics Lodge
Her favorite scripture is Deuteronomy 6:5: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your might ” She lives in Windsor and is the proud mother of two sons, Joshua and Daryl
Pink Tea Rose Community Award KAREN LOTT
WOMEN’S LEAGUE CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER
KarenLotthasservedasExecutiveDirectoroftheWomen’sLeagueChildDevelopmentCentersince2018 In2023, shewasappointedtoGovernorLamont’sBlue-RibbonPanelonChildCaretohelpshapeanequitableandhighqualityearlychildhoodsystem.
Withovertwodecadesineducation,Ms LotthasledtransformativeeffortsinsomeofConnecticut’smost challengedurbanschools Sheservedasprincipalateverygradelevel,includingsuccessfulturnaroundsatThirman L MilnerSchoolinHartford(2013–2018)andBrennan-RogersSchoolinNewHaven(2009–2013),implementing innovative,child-andfamily-centeredpractices
AtWomen’sLeague,shecontinuestochampionequity,social-emotionaldevelopment,andschoolreadiness, strivingtocloseachievementgapsandempowerfamilies HerworkhasbeenfeaturedinGreatExpectations:
RaisingEducationalAchievement,theHartfordCourant,andUS EducationWeekly
Ms.LottholdsdegreesfromSpringfieldCollege,Virginia CommonwealthUniversity,WestfieldStateUniversity,and UConn Herhonorsinclude100WomenofColor(2018)and multiplestatecitations
SheservesontheConnecticutScienceCenter’sboard,livesin Bloomfield,andisaproudmotherandgrandmother.
OVER THE YEARS Epsilon Omicron Omega
OVER THE YEARS Epsilon Omicron Omega
L A U R E N A L L E N - J O N E S
C U R T I S E A A N D E R S O N
L E A A N D E R S O N
C H E E N E A H A R M S T R O N G
C H A N T A A L A T W A T E R
L E N O R E B A I L E Y
B E A S H A B A R T L E T T E
M I A B E C T O N
C O N S T A N C E B E L T O N - G R E E N
M O N I Q U E B I G G S
Y A S M I N B L A C K B U R N
L O N E K E B L A C K M A N - C A R R
K R I S T E L B O L D E N - G R A Y
A D R I A N A B O R G E S
E A R L I N E B R A D S H A W
T A Y L O R B R A D S H A W
C H A R M A I N E B R A D S H A W - H I L L
W A N D A B R O A D E N
N I C O L E B R O O K S
Y O L A N D A B R O O K S
C A M I L L E B U R K E - G E A T H E R S
J O A N B U R N E T T
T R A C E Y B U T L E R
K A I B Y R D
N I C O L E C A R M I C H E A L - K E E L
C A R O L C A R T E R - L O W E R Y
H E A T H E R C A T O
V E L A D A C H A I R E S
D O N N A C H A I R E S - S M I T H
C H A K E Y A C H A P M A N
J U L I A N N E C H A T M A N
N O R M A C H E R R Y
R O X A N N E C H U K W U R A H
D I A N E C L A R E - K E A R N E Y
V I C T O R I A C L A R K
T A Y L O R C L A R K E
R O B I N C L A Y T O N
A D R I E N N E C O C H R A N E
K A R E N C O L E B U T
D E A N N C O L E M A N
P A M E L A C O L E M A N
S H A R I C O U S I N
D I A N N A C R A W F O R D
D A S C H A D A R D E N
N I C O L E D A R D E N
A I S H A D A V I S
S U Z E T T E D E B E A T H A M - B R O W N
M I A D O R A N T E S
V A N N E S S A D O R A N T E S
W H I T L E Y D O Z I E R
C H A K I R I E L E Y
C H E R Y L E L L I S
A L E X I S E S C A L A N T E
L Y D I A E S D A I L E
T H A M A R E S P E R A N C E - S M I T H
L E A H F L E E T I N G
S O P H I A E . F O R B E S
T H E D A F R A N C I S
R A I N A G I D D I N G S
T A M A R A G L O S T E R
J E R R I L Y N G O O D W A T E R
S H A N Y A G R A H A M
T E R R Y G R A H A M
M A R K I T A G R E E N E
Y O L A N D A G R E E N E
A N G E L A G R I F F I N
A N N E T T E G U N N
C A R L A G U N N - S A M S O N
B E C K I H A L L
C R Y S T A L H A M E R
C A R O L Y N H A R R I S - B U R N E Y
L A S H A N D A H A R V E Y
Y V E T T E H I G H S M I T H
A L I C I A H I L L
M I C H E L L E H I L L
A F R I C K A H I N D S
N A T A L I E H I P P O L Y T E
R A Y N E T T E H O L M E S
T A N I Q U A H U G U L E Y - C H A P L I N
L Y N D A H U N T E R - W I L L I A M S
D A N I E L L H Y N E S
T E R E S A I K E
M A R I L Y N J A C K - O R T I Q U E
M I C H E L L E J E F F E R S O N
D I A N E J O H N S O N
L A T O S H A J O H N S O N
C E C E L I A J O N E S
S A U N D R A K E E W A L L E R
D A N N I E K E N N E D Y
G L A D I S K E R S A I N T
L I N D A K I N G - C O R B I N
B R E N D A L A W R E N C E
G W E N D O L Y N L E W I S
M A R G A R E T L E W I S
S T E P H A N I E
L I T T L E J O H N - S E R G E A N T
I R E N E L L E W E L L Y N
J E W E L L O G A N
J A C Q U E L I N E L U C I E R
L A S H E L L E L Y N C H
A L E X A N D R A L Y O N
L A T O Y A M A L C O L M
J A C Q U L I N E M A N N
G A I L M A R T I N
D A N A M C D O N A L D
D A N A M C G E E
G E R A L D I N E M C H U G H - W I L L I A M S
T I F F A N I S . M C K E N Z I E
S A R A H M I L E S
C H A N N O N M I L L E R B A R N E S
T A Y L O R M I L L E R
N I C K I A M I L L E R
K A Y L A M O N R O E
K I M B E R L Y M O N R O E
K A T H Y M O N T A G U E
K H A R I M O N T A G U E
K I M N E W L A N D
R A Y N A N O R T H C U T T
C H A P P
O N
T H E R E S E S I N G L E T O N
Q U E R S T O N S M A L L E Y S A M A N T H A S M A L L S
G I A N E T T A S M I T H
J A ' N E L L E S M I T H
S A M A R I Y A S M I T H
S T A C Y S M I T H
D O N N A S O D I P O
L Y N N E S P A N N
A Y A N A T A Y L O R
C A R O L Y N T H O M A S
C H A N T E L T H O M A S
T E R R I E T H O M A S
M O R G A N T U C K
M I A T U C K E R
P A M E L A W A L T E R S
W A N D A W A R D
W Y R O T W A R D
A N N I K A L . W A R R E N
E R N E S T I N E W E A V E R
S Y L V I A W E I R
N I C O L A W E I S E
B R E N D A W E S T
D A W N E W E S T B R O O K
C H A R L E N E W H I T E
P A M E L A W H I T L E Y
A L I C I A W I L L I A M S
K A T H R I E N E . W I L L I A M S
T I E L E N W I L L I A M S
K I M B E R L Y W O O D
A N G E L A W O O D S
I D A W R I G H T
J O S I E W R I G H T
B R I T T N E Y Y A N C Y
J U D Y Y O U N G M E M B E R S E p s i l o n O m i c r o n O m e g a C h a pt e r
OVER THE YEARS Epsilon Omicron Omega
1 9 5 0 – C H A P T E R C H A R T E R I N G
On May 6, 1950, Epsilon Omicron Omega Chapter was chartered, becoming the first graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in the state of Connecticut. ®
1 9 5 3 – F I R S T H E A L T H F A I R I N H A R T F O R D
On May 11, 1953, the chapter hosted Hartford’s first Health Fair, promoting public health through screenings, exhibits, and demonstrations one of many groundbreaking public service events.
1
9 5
7 – F I R S T S C H O L A R S H I P A W A R D E D
The chapter awarded its first scholarship to Wyrot Pace Ward, launching a scholarship tradition that would eventually total over $250,000 awarded to students Today one of our largest scholarships is named after Wyrot, who became a member of the sorority in 1970
1959 – HOSTED EBONY FASHION FAIR
EOQ became the first local organization to sponsor the Ebony Fashion Fair, bringing Black fashion excellence and fundraising to the Hartford community.
1977 – CHARTERING OF LAMBDA TAU CHAPTER
On September 30, 1977, EOQ sponsored the chartering of Lambda Tau, a Hartford city-wide undergraduate chapter including multiple
I M E L I N E
1994 – ESTABLISHMENT OF FEO
The Foundation for Educational Opportunities, Inc. (FEO) was founded as the chapter’s nonprofit arm, expanding its ability to fund scholarships and educational programs.
2014 – LAUNCH OF HARTFORD GIRLS ROCK!
EOO launched Hartford Girls Rock!, a signature leadership and empowerment program celebrating high-achieving young women The 10th anniversary was celebrated in 2024.
2022 – Launch of CHIPP™ Initiative
Epsilon Omicron Omega Chapter launched the international CHIPP™ (Childhood Hunger Initiative Power Pack) program at the Women’s League Child Development Center The initiative later expanded to Community First School, providing weekly food support to a total of 57 children
2025 – 75th Anniversary and Expanded Community Impact
Awarded $34,000 in scholarships and secured Hartford Foundation funding to combat childhood hunger through the CHIPP™ initiative continuing a proud legacy of empowering youth and supporting families across Greater Hartford T I M E L I N E C h a pt e r
Y O U Thank
On behalf of the Epsilon Omicron Omega Chapter we would like to for celebrating 75 years of sisterhood, scholarship, and service with us!
