AKA History Book

ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED® 1908 – 2013 Delta Iota Omega Chapter Pensacola, Florida 1946 – 2013

A BRIEF HISTORY OF DELTA IOTA OMEGA CHAPTER “THROUGH THE YEARS” Third Edition

Conceived, Compiled, and Edited by MAMIE WEBB HIXON Chapter Historian 2004-2013

T I M E L ESS H IST O R Y PR O J E C T

A K A A L P H A K A PP A A L P H A SO R O R I T Y , I N C O RP O R A T E D® 1908-2014

A B R I E F H IST O R Y O F DE L T A IO T A O M E G A C H APT E R “THROUGH THE YEARS” 1946-2014 Third Edition (Includes 2 Oral History CD’s) The Timeless H istory Project Edition Conceived, Compiled, and E dited by M A MIE W EBB HIX ON C hapter H istorian/A rchivist 2004 – 2014 R E V ISE D M ay 7-12, 2011 September 23, 2011 December 5-15, 2013

Edition I, 2008—Delta Iota Omega Chapter’s Centennial History Project: “Today’s Moments, Tomorrow’s Memories” Edition I I, 2011—Revised Edition I II, 2013— The Timeless H istory Project

“TODAY’S MOMENTS, TOMORROW’S MEMORIES” T I M E L ESS H IST O R Y PR O J E C T C O N T R I B U T I N G W R I T E RS Lois Anderson Millie Steele Benjamin Donna Bennett, M.D. Gwen Bullard Gloria Clay Nettie Eaton Charmere Gatson Hanna Ghirmay Mamie Webb Hixon Barbara Holloway Andra Jefferson Carla Scott Jones Joycelyn Jordan Cheryl Knight Freda Lacey Angela McCorvey Modeste McCorvey Cheryl Reeves Elaine Simpson Carolyn Stallworth Bentina Terry Evelyn Walker Sharmayne White

Canel Williams

T ypographers Stephania Bustamante, University of West Florida Writing Lab Staff Mamie Webb Hixon Ruby Jackson – Text: Lois Anderson as Basileus Schari Russell – Text: Millie Steele Benjamin as Basileus

W atermar ks and Images Stephania Bustamante Carla Scott Jones

Photographs Al Henderson and Electronic File Copies from Cheryl Powell Archives of Dorothy House McCray

Book Cover Mamie Webb Hixon Stephania Bustamante

©Delta Iota O mega C hapter A lpha K appa A lpha Sorority, Incorporated® A pril 1, 2008 September 2011 December 2013 DELTA IOTA OMEGA CHAPTER Cluster IV South Atlantic Region

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Delta Iota Omega Chapter Post Office Box 2403 Pensacola, F L 32513 ISB N 978-0-615-94651-1

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DEDIC A TI ON “ Hearts that are loyal and hearts that are true . . . .”

DEDIC A T ED T O THE MEMORY OF Soror A lyce W illiams H enderson Delta Iota Omega Chapter’s F irst Centenarian (1913-2013)

“Soror Alyce is a jewel; she’s a joy; she’s a blessing.”

- Soror Gwen Lewis (May 1, 2008)

To SO R O R A L Y C E W I L L I A MS H E N D E RSO N, Delta Iota Omega Chapter’s first Diamond Soror with eighty-one years of sisterhood and uninterrupted leadership and service to the AKA Sorority, the Pensacola community, and Delta Iota Omega Chapter To SO R O R A L Y C E W I L L I A MS H E N D E RSO N, a charter member of Delta Iota Omega Chapter Soror Alyce Henderson’s mantra regarding longevity and uninterrupted service in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® is “Don’t just be a member but take an active part.

Be an active member, not just someone who belongs.”

A t this writing, Soror A lyce H enderson was 100 years old when she passed T uesday, November 26, 2013, in Pensacola, F lorida.

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G R E E T I N GS F R O M T H E C H A P T E R B ASI L E US G loria C lay

December 5, 2013 Greetings Sorors; and Family, Friends, and Supporters of AKA: We are pleased to present the third edition of Delta Iota Omega Chapter’s written history published in honor of the international Timeless History Project and Delta Iota Omega Chapter’s 67th Anniversary.

Since 2008, when our first history book was published, Delta Iota Omega Chapter has seen a number of changes in its history, including the passing of the chapter’s only living charter member, Diamond Soror Alyce Williams Henderson; and the chapter’s purchasing of a building, The Ivy House, which opened in March 2012. In addition, I have had the distinguished honor of being added to the historical list of our chapter’s 34 terms of past Basilei and 23 different past Basilei in 67 years, 12 of whom are still living.

The oral history, also spearheaded by our chapter historian of ten years, is part of our national archives initiative to preserve chapter histories and is a part of our chapter’s Timeless History Project. The chapter’s oral history project, which is comprised of two audio CD’s of some of the voices of our Golden Sorors as well as the voices of some of our twelve living past Basilei, is enclosed with this, our third edition of Delta Iota Omega Chapter “Through the Years.”

To borrow from Barbara Walters and those who coined the expression before she did, “Please take a little time to read and enjoy our rich chapter history.” This is our timeless history; this is our time; this is our time in history.

Like us on Facebook. Learn more about us at http://www.DeltaIotaOmegaChapter.org Sisterly, Gloria E. Clay Chapter Basileus 2012-2013

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F ORE W ORD

F rom the C hapter H istorian (2004-2014) – Soror M amie W ebb H ixon In the histories we know and celebrate, few are steeped in the oral traditions of story telling by its history makers.

African-American history is one such tradition that has its roots in the oral tradition of story telling, that kind of history that springs from either the formal or spontaneous interaction between the story teller and the ethnographer or interviewer.

It is in that tradition that Delta Iota Omega Chapter’s “19:08 Minutes History Project” was conceived. In honor of our Sorority’s 100 years, several Delta Iota Omega sorors were given the job of ethnographer (one who records the history or culture of a group) and the enviable task of taking 19:08 minutes to interview one of our chapter’s thirteen Golden Sorors and/or one of our chapter’s eleven past presidents. Their job was to focus on the topic “the way it (the chapter) was” or “back in the day”: past programs, meetings, membership, fundraising, etc. This was the Golden Sorors Reliving Chapter History segment of the project. In many cases, the Golden Sorors and past presidents themselves generated their own written histories and personal narratives, pulling together information from their own AKA memorabilia. Past Basilei went back through their boxes and files; membership directories; program booklets; and Debutante Ball, Founders’ Day, and other event programs and wrote about their tenure as basileus. From my AKA “pileage” (stuff piled up), my AKA “keepage” (stuff I keep), and my AKA organized mess, I have found mounds of historical data to help in the compilation of this, our first history book.

So, readers, walk through the pages of Delta Iota Omega Chapter’s history with me, as the griots of Delta Iota Omega Chapter share many moments of the chapter’s history and as these leaders and sorors with longevity put their pens to paper. Allow these names of past officers and the lists of myriad activities to catapult you into a time you’ve known or heard about. And let the words of past presidents remind you of Alpha Kappa Alpha’s legacy. As you read, you’ll surely say, “This brings back memories.”

It’s oral history: these griots made phone calls and sat down to record some forgotten, untold stories and to embellish some stories lost to time and fading memory. It’s living history: Those who have lived to tell the story impart their defining and sometimes disappointing moments in the sixty-two year history of Delta Iota Omega Chapter.

More than eight months in the making, this project owes its completion to the immeasurable time that the interviewers/writers, Golden Sorors, and past basilei took to see the project to its fruition. The following were of especial help to me in the preparation of this book: Soror Carla Jones for the water marking and for the chapter articles and programs from Soror Rose Hicks’ AKA archives; Soror Rose for saving EVERYTHING; Soror Elaine Simpson for doing an add-on interview; Soror Gloria Jones-Phillips for articles and programs from her personal AKA archives; Soror Nettie Eaton for listening to my editing woes and for converting a file at the last minute; Golden Sorors Lois Anderson, Gerry Scott, and Evelyn Walker for answering questions about the chapter’s history; Sorors Hanna Ghirmay and Schari Russell for coming up with something brilliant for the book’s cover; and Sorors Charmere Gatson and Sheree Triplett Roberts for the Program Initiative collages.

Professional titles and marital names are provided in a historical context; thus, last names and professional degree designations are applicable at the time of the historical reference. Considering that we all have different memories of the same events, every attempt was made to provide accurate renderings and recollections based primarily on recorded documentation. This is our oral and written history.

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A L P H A K A PP A A L P H A SO R O R I T Y , I N C O RP O R A T E D® 105 Y E A RS O F SE R V I C E Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is America's first Greek-letter organization founded 105 years ago at Howard University in 1908 by – and for – African-American college women. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, it is one of the world's leading service organizations.

Alpha Kappa Alpha’s international programs of service through the years have included, but are not limited to, the Cleveland Job Corps Center, Africare, the Leadership Fellows Program, EAF (Educational Advancement Foundation), the AKA Connection (a political action initiative), and Ivy AKAdemy (an after-school community learning program).

The Sorority's members have made a commitment "to serve all mankind" through a nucleus of more than 200,000 women in over 975 graduate and undergraduate chapters in the United States, the Caribbean, Canada, Germany, Korea, Japan, and on the continent of Africa.

In addition to its graduate and undergraduate members, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority has inducted a number of honorary members. Among them are Nobel laureate Toni Morrison, first African American to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature (1993); civil rights activists Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King; writers Maya Angelou, Ntozake Shange, Margaret Walker, and Sonya Sanchez; former astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison, the first African American female to go into space; entertainers Gladys Knight, Alicia Keys, and Ella Fitzgerald; former Miss Americas Marjorie Judith Vincent, Debbye Lynn Turner, and Suzette Charles; actresses Phylicia Rashad, first African American to win a Tony Award (Best Actress 2004), and Jada Pinckett-Smith; opera diva Jessye Norman; Olympic medalist Debi Thomas, first African American to medal in the Winter Olympics (1988); entrepreneur Esther Gordy; Hazel O’Leary, first African American and first female Secretary of Energy (1993); first Ivy League college president Ruth Simmons; former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt; and Africa’s first female president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (sworn in as Liberia’s president 2006).

Among our distinguished sorors is the past lieutenant-governor of Florida, Jennifer Carroll, elected in 2010.

For more information, log on to www.aka1908.com.

ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA’S 2010-2014 T H E M E : Global Leadership Through Timeless Service

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T A B L E O F C O N T E N TS AKA International Historical Perspective ................................................................................................. 8 - 9 AKA The South Atlantic Region’s Historical Perspective .......................................................................10-15 Delta Iota Omega Chapter History ...........................................................................................................16-17 Charter Members ........................................................................................................................................... 18 First Initiation ................................................................................................................................................ 19 Membership Initiations and Intakes .........................................................................................................20-21 Past Basilei ...............................................................................................................................................23-25 A H IST O R Y O F C H A P T E R L E A D E RS Ida Young Ransom (Coleman) ...................................................................................................................... 26 Sarah W. Haynes, Ph.D ............................................................................................................................27-28 Evelyn Walker ..........................................................................................................................................29-30 Mamie Webb Hixon .................................................................................................................................31-32 Lois W. Anderson* (Ivy Beyond the Wall) .............................................................................................33-34 Nettie Eaton ..............................................................................................................................................35-36 Millie Steele Benjamin .............................................................................................................................37-38 Canel Jacobs Williams .............................................................................................................................39-40 Corrie B. Mumford ........................................................................................................................................ 41 Canel Jacobs Williams .................................................................................................................................. 42 Cheryl Reeves ............................................................................................................................................... 43 Joycelyn Jordan Fluellen ..........................................................................................................................44-46 Angela Elaine McCorvey, Ed.D .................................................................................................................... 47 Gloria E. Clay ...........................................................................................................................................48-49 D I A M O N D SO R O R A N D G O L D E N SO R O RS Diamond Soror Alyce Henderson ................................................................................................................. 52 Anita Streeter ................................................................................................................................................. 53 Lois W. Anderson* (Ivy Beyond the Wall) ................................................................................................... 54 Yvonne Lucky Kyle ...................................................................................................................................... 55 Dorothy House McCray* (Ivy Beyond the Wall).......................................................................................... 56 Sarah Wynder Haynes, Ph.D. * (Ivy Beyond the Wall) ................................................................................ 57 Evelyn Walker ..........................................................................................................................................58-59 Ida Young Coleman....................................................................................................................................... 60 Rose Adams Hicks* (Ivy Beyond the Wall).................................................................................................. 61 Deloris Salter McCray* (Ivy Beyond the Wall ............................................................................................. 62 Barbara Simmons Rodgers ............................................................................................................................ 63 Geraldine Scott .........................................................................................................................................64-65 Barbara Herbert Simmons ............................................................................................................................. 66 Lois B. Sellers, Ed.D. .................................................................................................................................... 67 Ophelia Ray ................................................................................................................................................... 68 Laurel Boyd ................................................................................................................................................... 69 Barbara Holloway.......................................................................................................................................... 70 Minnie Byrd .............................................................................................................................................71-72 Silver Stars and Life Members ...................................................................................................................... 73 The Ivy House ..........................................................................................................................................74-77 Service Programs and Initiatives ..............................................................................................................78-83 Sorors Making History A New Way ......................................................................................................85-101 Accolades, “Firsts,” and Others..............................................................................................................96-101 In Memoriam – Ivies Beyond the Wall ....................................................................................................... 102 Membership Trends..................................................................................................................................... 103 Other Officers Through the Years ........................................................................................................104-105 Celebrations ................................................................................................................................................. 106 Little Known Facts About Delta Iota Omega Chapter ................................................................................ 107 Mother-Daughter Teams and Sisters ........................................................................................................... 108 Soror Awards, Record of Initiations, Pictorials, Etc. ..........................................................................109-121 Beta Gamma Chapter ...........................................................................................................................122-123 History-Making Officers ............................................................................................................................. 124 A PP E N D I C ES ....................................................................................................................................125-137 R E F E R E N C ES .......................................................................................................................................... 138 G L OSSA R Y ............................................................................................................................................... 139 I N D E X .................................................................................................................................................141-142 P AST B ASI L E I A N D C E N T E N A R I A N ..........................................................................................143-144

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AKA International Historical Perspective for Timeless Histories (Final)

A L P H A K A PPA A L P H A SO R O R I T Y , I N C O RPO R A T E D

A Legacy of Sisterhood and Timeless Service Confined to what she called “a small circumscribed life” in the segregated and male-dominated milieu that characterized the early 1900s, Howard University co-ed Ethel Hedgeman dreamed of creating a support network for women with like minds coming together for mutual uplift, and coalescing their talents and strengths for the benefit of others. In 1908, her vision crystallized as Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first Negro Greek-letter sorority. Five years later (1913), lead incorporator Nellie Quander ensured Alpha Kappa Alpha’s perpetuity through incorporation in the District of Columbia.

Together with eight other coeds at the mecca for Negro education, Hedgeman crafted a design that not only fostered interaction, stimulation, and ethical growth among members; but also provided hope for the masses.

From the core group of nine at Howard, AKA has grown into a force of more than 265,000 collegiate members and alumnae, constituting 972 chapters in 42 states, the District of Columbia, the US Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, Germany, South Korea, Japan, Liberia, and Canada.

Because they believed that Negro college women represented “the highest—more education, more enlightenment, and more of almost everything that the great mass of Negroes never had— Hedgeman and her cohorts worked to honor what she called “an everlasting debt to raise them (Negroes) up and to make them better.” For more than a century, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sisterhood has fulfilled that obligation by becoming an indomitable force for good in their communities, state, nation, and the world.

The Alpha Kappa Alpha program today still reflects the communal consciousness steeped in the AKA tradition and embodied in AKA’s credo, “To be supreme in service to all mankind.” Cultural awareness and social advocacy marked Alpha Kappa Alpha’s infancy, but within one year (1914) of acquiring corporate status, AKA had also made its mark on education, establishing a scholarship award. The programming was a prelude to the thousands of pioneering and enduring initiatives that eventually defined the Alpha Kappa Alpha brand.

Through the years, Alpha Kappa Alpha has used the Sisterhood as a grand lever to raise the status of African-Americans, particularly girls and women. AKA has enriched minds and encouraged life-long learning; provided aid for the poor, the sick, and underserved; initiated social action to advance human and civil rights; worked collaboratively with other groups to maximize outreach on progressive endeavors; and continually produced leaders to continue its credo of service.

Guided by twenty-eight international presidents from Nellie M. Quander (1913-1919) to Carolyn House Stewart (2010-2014), with reinforcement from a professional headquarters staff since 1949; AKA’s corps of volunteers has instituted groundbreaking social action initiatives and social service programs that have timelessly transformed communities for the better—continually emitting progress in cities, states, the nation, and the world.

Signal Program Initiatives 2000s—Launched Emerging Young Leaders, a bold move to prepare 10,000 girls in grades 6-8 to excel as young leaders equipped to respond to the challenges of the 21st century; initiated homage for civil rights milestones by honoring the Little Rock Nine’s 1957 desegregation of Central High (Little Rock, Ar.) following the Supreme Court’s 1954 decision declaring segregated schools unconstitutional; donated $1 million to Howard University to fund scholarships and preserve Black culture (2008); strengthened the reading skills of 16,000 children through a $1.5 million after school demonstration project in lowperforming, economically deprived, inner city schools (2002); and improved the quality of life for people of African descent through continuation of aid to African countries.

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1990s—Built 10 schools in South Africa (1998); added the largest number of minorities to the National Bone Marrow Registry (1996); Became first civilian organization to create memorial to World War II unsung hero Dorie Miller (1991).

1980s—Adopted more than 27 African villages, earning Africare’s 1986 Distinguished Service Award; encouraged awareness of and participation in the nation’s affairs, registering more than 350, 000 new voters; and established the Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation (1981), a multimillion dollar entity that annually awards more than $100,000 in scholarships, grants, and fellowships.

1970’s— Was only sorority to be named an inaugural member of Operation Big Vote (1979); completed pledge of one-half million to the United Negro College Fund (1976); and purchased Dr. Martin Luther King’s boyhood home for the MLK Center for Social Change (1972).

1960s—Sponsored inaugural Domestic Travel Tour, a one-week cultural excursion for 30 high school students (1969); launched a “Heritage Series” on African-American achievers (1965); and emerged as the first women’s group to win a grant to operate a federal job corps center (1965), preparing youth 16-21 to function in a highly competitive economy.

1950s—Promoted investing in Black businesses by depositing initial $38,000 for AKA Investment Fund with the first and only Negro firm on Wall Street (1958). Spurred Sickle Cell Disease research and education with grants to Howard Hospital and publication of The Sickle Cell Story (1958).

1940s—Invited other Greek-letter organizations to come together to establish the American Council on Human Rights to empower racial uplift and economic development (1948); Acquired observer status from the United Nations (1946); and challenged the absence of people of color from pictorial images used by the government to portray Americans (1944).

1930s—Became first organization to take out NAACP life membership (1939); Created nation’s first Congressional lobby that impacted legislation on issues ranging from decent living conditions and jobs to lynching (1938); and established the nation’s first mobile health clinic, providing relief to 15,000 Negroes plagued by famine and disease in the Mississippi Delta (1935).

1920s—Worked to dispel notions that Negroes were unfit for certain professions, and guided Negroes in avoiding career mistakes (1923); pushed anti-lynching legislation (1921).

1900s—Promoted Negro culture and encouraged social action through presentation of Negro artists and social justice advocates, including elocutionist Nathaniel Guy, Hull House founder Jane Addams, and U. S. Congressman Martin Madden (1908-1915). Established the first organizational scholarship at Howard University (1914).

—Earnestine Green McNealey, Ph.D., AKA Historian August 2013

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T he South A tlantic Perspective The South Atlantic Region is the largest region of all ten regions in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Initially, the original South Atlantic Region was composed of three states— Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina Six graduate chapters and four undergraduate chapters in South Carolina were in the original South Atlantic Region.

South C arolina C hapters in O riginal South A tlantic Region G raduate C hartering Y ear

C hapter

Location

1934

Beta Zeta Omega

Orangeburg, South Carolina

1942

Gamma Nu Omega

Columbia, South Carolina

1942

Gamma Xi Omega

Charleston, South Carolina

1949

Epsilon Beta Omega

Spartanburg, South Carolina

1952

Epsilon Chi Omega

Florence, South Carolina

1952

Epsilon Tau Omega

Greenville, South Carolina

C hartering Y ear

C hapter

School and Location

1938

Beta Sigma

South Carolina State College (University) Orangeburg, South Carolina

1947

Psi

Benedict College (University) Columbia, South Carolina

1947

Mu

Allen University Columbia, South Carolina

1949

Gamma Nu

Claflin College (University) Orangeburg, South Carolina

Undergraduate

Chapters in Georgia and Florida were a part of the South Eastern Region, which was comprised of five states—Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.

Those chapters in Georgia and Florida were as follows: G raduate C hartering Y ear

C hapter

Location

1923

Kappa Omega

Atlanta, Georgia

1940

Gamma Zeta Omega

Miami, Florida

1940

Gamma Theta Omega

Tampa, Florida

1941

Gamma Mu Omega

Daytona Beach, Florida

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1943

Gamma Rho Omega

Jacksonville, Florida

1943

Gamma Pi Omega

Fort Valley, Georgia

1943

Gamma Sigma Omega

Savannah, Georgia

1943

Gamma Tau Omega

Columbus, Georgia

1946

Delta Iota Omega

Pensacola, Florida

1947

Delta Kappa Omega

Tallahassee, Florida

1947

Delta Eta Omega

Albany, Georgia

1947

Delta Omicron Omega

Orlando, Florida

1952

Epsilon Omega Omega

Macon, Georgia

1930

Alpha Pi

Clark College (Clark/Atlanta University) Atlanta, Georgia

1932

Beta Alpha

Florida A & M University Tallahassee, Florida

1942

Gamma Gama

Morris Brown College Atlanta, Georgia

1943

Alpha Beta

Fort Valley State College (University) Fort Valley, Georgia

1949

Gamma Sigma

Albany State College (University) Albany, Georgia

1949

Gamma Upsilon

Savannah State College (University) Savannah, Georgia

1949

Gamma Tau

Bethune-Cookman College (University) Daytona Beach, Florida

1974

Beta Gamma

University of West Florida Pensacola, Florida

Undergraduate

The South Eastern Region, which was composed of Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, was considered too large. Therefore, a Constitutional Amendment for realignment of the two Regions of South Atlantic and South Eastern was voted upon at the 1953 Boule in St. 11

Louis, Missouri. The “New” South Atlantic Region removed North Carolina and Virginia from the South Atlantic Region and added Georgia and Florida to the region. The new South Atlantic Region would consist of three state—Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. Zatella R. Turner was the Regional Director before the realignment, and A. Kathryn Johnson from Atlanta, Georgia, had been elected South Eastern Regional Director; however, she was appointed the new South Atlantic Regional Director (1953-1958). Lois Daniels of Nashville, Tennessee, was appointed to Regional Director of the South Eastern Region.

T he F irst Regional Conference A. Cathryn Johnson requested permission to plan and have the first South Atlantic Regional Conference as a joint Regional Conference with South Eastern. The request was granted, and the conference was held at Alabama A and M College (University) April 15-18, 1954. The joint regional conference was presided over by both A. Cathryn Johnson and Lois Daniels; there were approximately 200 in attendance.

Gamma Mu and Epsilon Gamma Omega chapter were hostesses. (Ivy Leaf, June 1954).

T he F irst Regional Report to Boule The first South Atlantic Regional Report to the Boule was made at the 1954 Boule in Nashville, Tennessee, by A. Cathryn Johnson. She reported the following: “The new Undergraduate Cup was named ‘The Mayme E. Williams Cup’ for former South Eastern Regional Director. The Cup was awarded to Gamma Tau, Bethune-Cookman College, Daytona Beach, Florida. The Graduate Cup was named ‘The Marie Woolfolk Taylor Cup’ for the Founder. The Cup was awarded to Delta Omicron Omega, Orlando, Florida.” (Minutes 1954 Boule).

T he Regional Directors Georgia Schank (1958-1959) succeeded A. Cathryn Johnson as South Atlantic Regional. She became an Ivy Beyond the Wall on April 29, 1959, while serving her first term. The Supreme Basileus, Marjorie H. Parker, appointed Mayme E. Williams (1959) to serve in an interim position until the appointment of Suzette F. Crank (1959-1964) who served in the remaining one and half years for Georgia Schank and was later elected as the South Atlantic Regional Director.

Exhaustive research did not reveal or produce a photograph or any information about Georgia Schank other than her death date.

Since 1953, seventeen courageous, outstanding, and dedicated women have served as South Atlantic Regional Directors. Presently, Marsha Lewis Brown from Florida leads this region as Regional Director. Since 1953, the South Atlantic Region has increased in membership making it the largest region. As of June 28, 2013, the region had 107 graduate chapters, 58 undergraduate chapters, which totals 165 chapter with a membership of 1,113 undergraduates and 8,658 graduate members totaling 9,771. (Patricia A. Watkins, Director of Membership) Honor is given to those who have served with distinction as South Atlantic Regional Directors.

Names

Y ears of Service

A. Cathryn Johnson

1953-1958

Georgia Schank

1958-1959

Mayme E. Williams

1959 (Interim)

Sujette Crank

1959-1964 12

Odessa Nelson

1964-1968

Margaret Roach

1968-1970

Homie Regulus

1970-1974

Norma Solomon White

1974-1978

DeLoris Ham Oliver

1978-1982

Mary Shy Scott

1982-1986

Frederica S. Wilson

1986-1990

Vertelle M. Middleton

1990-1994

Lucretia Payton-Stewart

1994-1998

Sonja W. Garcia

1998-2002

Irene W. McCollom

2002-2006

Ella Springs Jones

2006-2010

Marsha Lewis Brown

2010-Present

Two Regional Directors have gone on to become International Presidents of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

The 23rd International President (1990-1994) was Mary Shy Scott of Atlanta, Georgia.

She completed the addition of the third floor to our Corporate Office (debt free) by instituting an assessment as part of the members’ annual dues. She remains a popular International President.

The 25th International President (1998-2002), was Norma Solomon White from Jacksonville, Florida. She was Program Chairman during Mary Shy Scott’s administration. One of White’s programs, “On Track,” focused on keeping our youth “on track” in reading, math, and other studies.

She also coined “AKA Coat Day.” Over 75,000 coats were donated to those in need.

Other former Regional Directors have served with distinction as international committee and special chairmen, on special committees, and in other leadership roles.

The Region is proud that the 28th International President, Carolyn House Stewart (2010-Present), is from the South Atlantic Region. Her program theme, “Global Leadership Through Timeless Service,” has engaged chapters and members with programs and activities for youth leadership development, health, global poverty and economic security, human rights, and environmental sustainability.

C luster Concept C reation The creation of the cluster concept originated in the South Atlantic Region during the administration of Suzette Crank. The Neighborhood Concept was created to allow members who could not attend Regional Conferences or Boules an opportunity to attend a one-day, drive-in meeting. As the region continued to grow, the Neighborhood Concept expanded and included additional guidelines.

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The Neighborhood groups were realigned and renamed “Clusters.” Chapters were assigned to eight clusters with eight appointed Cluster Coordinators during Norma Solomon White’s administration.

Guidelines for the election of Cluster Coordinators were adopted during the administrations of DeLoris Ham Oliver and Mary Shy Scott.

The election of Cluster Coordinators was terminated and replaced with appointments by the Regional Director during the administration of Frederica S. Wilson.

During Vertelle M. Middleton administration, Cluster Coordinators duties expanded and the Cluster Coordinators Council, chaired by Ella Springs Jones, assisted with the supervision and monitoring of chapters and hosting of Regional Conferences. Cluster Coordinators In-Training was created to prepare the appointees for the role of Cluster Coordinator.

The role of Cluster Coordinator was expanded even more to assist with concerns of the undergraduate chapters during the administrations of Lucretia PaytonStewart and Sonja W. Garcia.

As the region continued to grow, Irene W. McCollom utilized the Cluster Coordinators in maintaining open communication, assisting with the interpretation of policies and program, and hosting of Regional Conferences.

The advent of electronic communication meant instant information to chapters during Ella Springs Jones’ administration through the Cluster Coordinators.

Cluster conference calls were initiated and utilized extensively. Cluster Coordinators planned the Regional Director’s VIP Dinner, hosted the Regional Suite during Regional Conferences and Boules, and planned the Boule South Atlantic Luncheon.

To date, Cluster Coordinators are appointed by the Regional Director; a nomination letter from the chapter, an application, and documentation are required for the process.

Significant Highlights of the South Atlantic Region  Marie Woolfolk Taylor, founding member, was a charter member of Kappa Omega, the oldest chapter in the South Atlantic Region  Broke through segregation during the 1960s and integrated downtown hotels in the Region  Cluster Concept established and introduced in other regions  AKA at the State Capitol was designed by Marjorie H. Young and implemented throughout the Sorority  “100 Years of Service: The Alpha Kappa Alpha Story” Centennial Traveling Exhibit was hosted in Atlanta, Georgia, and Tampa, Florida  First Place winners in PIMS competition at the 57th Boule (1996), Baltimore, Maryland from Zeta Xi Omega Chapter, Augusta, Georgia, and 58th Boule (1998), Chicago, Illinois, Beta Zeta Omega Chapter, Orangeburg, South Carolina  First Place Entrepreneurship Youth Business Plan Award, 64th Boule (2010), St. Louis, Missouri, from Upsilon Sigma Omega Chapter  Regional EAF winner for largest contributions at Boules  Four Boules hosted in the Region o 36th Boule (1956, Clark University, Atlanta, Georgia) o 46th Boule (1974, Fountainbleu, Miami Beach, Florida)

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o 49th Boule (1980, World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia) o 60th Boule (2002), Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida) o scheduled for the 2016 Boule in Atlanta, Georgia  Other Directorate Members o First Supreme Anti-Basileus: Mayme E. Williams (1954-1958), Mary Shy Scott (1986-1990), Norma Solomon White (1994-1998), and Carolyn House Stewart (2006-2010) o Second Supreme Anti-Basileus: Rosalind Fripp (1994-1998), Angela Okunsanya (1998-2002), and Jatisha Marsh (2002-2006) o Supreme Grammateus: Freddie L. Groomes (1986-1990) and Carolyn House Stewart (2002-2006) o Supreme Anti-Grammateus: Earnestine Green (1970-1974) o Supreme Tamiouchos: Delores Y. McKinley (2010-Present) o Supreme Parliamentarian: Patricia Russell (1978-1982), Lucretia Payton (1982-1986), Freddie L. Groomes-McLendon (2006-2010) o Undergraduate Member-at-Large: Dawn Adams (1974-1978), Delta Springer (1978-1982), Diedre Barrett (1982-1986), Chandra Dillard and Traci Williams (1986-1990) o Editors-in-Chief, Ivy Leaf Lucille McAllister Scott (1949-1953) and Earnestine Green (1974-1978) o Executive Directors o Alison Harris Alexander (1989-1996) o Earnestine Green McNealey (1980-1985)  Largest Region in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated  Home of three the International Presidents o Mary Shy Scott, 23rd o Norma Solomon White, 25th o Carolyn House Stewart, 28th Honorary Members  Coretta Scott King, Civil Rights Actives, Atlanta, Georgia, 1967  M. Athalia Range, Secretary of Human Affairs for Florida, Miami, Florida, 1975  Gladys Knight, Music Legend, 1984, Atlanta, Georgia  Elena Diza-Verson Amos, Humanitarian and Volunteer, 1986, Columbus, Georgia  Alice Coachman Davis, Olympia Gold Medalist, 1998, Albany, Georgia  Valda S. Flewellyn, Poet, Author, and Storyteller, 2002, Sanford, Florida

Ella Springs Jones August 2013

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“THROUGH THE YEARS” Delta Iota Omega Chapter History – December 2013 Revision Thirty-eight years after the founding of the Sorority, the then-Southeastern Regional Director, the late Soror Arnetta G. Wallace, chartered the Pensacola Chapter – Delta Iota Omega – with seven charter members, one, the then-Hodegus/Chair of Courtesies (Soror Alyce Williams Henderson), who in 2007 became a Diamond Soror. The other charter members were Sorors Lorena Cannon Brown, Basileus (President); Elsie Johnson Jones, Anti-Basileus (Vice President) and Dean of Pledgees; Lillie James Frazier, Grammateus (Recording Secretary); Edythe Lucky, Epistoleus (Corresponding Secretary); Hilda Preer, Tamiochous (Treasurer); and Annie Baker Williams, Parliamentarian. Sorors Georgette Cobb Jones and Theo Hicks, though not listed as charter members, also participated in the organizing of the chapter.

Since its November 23, 1946 inception, Delta Iota Omega Chapter has become a very active group in the now South Atlantic Region, with one of its members, Ivy Beyond the Wall Dolores Blount Albury, having served as Cluster IV Coordinator from 1987-1990. Delta Iota Omega Chapter has served as hostess chapter to at least three Cluster IV conferences and one Regional conference (in 1968), which was held at the former Grand Hotel on Tarragona and Cross Streets. While most chapters hosting regional conferences held their activities at HBCU’s – historically black colleges and universities – during spring breaks, the sorors of Delta Iota Omega Chapter needed to select a hotel or conference center. Soror Thelma Dubose attempted to get accommodations for this conference at the then San Carlos Hotel on Garden and Palafox Streets, but was unsuccessful: the hotel’s administrative staff was concerned about the city’s racial climate during that time (all business establishments had not been fully integrated). In 2004, the chapter hosted the first Cluster IV Founders’ Day at the Hilton Gardens Inn on Pensacola Beach. And, since 1970, Delta Iota Omega Chapter has presented two South Atlantic Regional Awards in honor of Soror Ruby Jackson Gainer: the Emory Jackson Journalism Award and the Ruby Gainer Leadership Award.

In 1973, the chapter purchased a sorority house that was later torn down and the property subsequently sold when the physical space became insufficient for accommodating a chapter which had grown to over fifty members and which was continuing to grow. In 2012, the chapter had a new sorority house – the Ivy House – built at 2900 North Davis Highway.

Delta Iota Omega Chapter has been fortunate to have been under the strong and dedicated leadership of 23 different sorors in its 67 years of existence. Among the past basilei are Evelyn Dubose, Ida Young Coleman, Evelyn Walker, Mamie Webb Hixon, Nettie Eaton, Millie Steele Benjamin, Canel Jacobs Williams, Corrie Boyd Mumford, Cheryl Reeves, Joycelyn Jordan Fluellen, and Angela McCorvey, Ed.D.; and Ivies Beyond the Wall Lorena Brown, Lula Mae Hawthorne, Elsie Jones, Lillie Frazier, Jorja Wiggins, Dolores Blount Albury, Ruby Jackson Gainer, Jacqueline Harris, Sheila Wiggins Williams, Lois Wagstaff Anderson, and Sarah Wynder Haynes, Ph.D. Each has left the chapter a legacy of creative sisterly relations ideas and programs, including but not limited to Second Sisters, now called “Matching Pearls,” a Membership Profile Manual, SisterGrams, and an ESP (Every Soror Participating) national platform program which involves every soror volunteering in the Pensacola community once a month. In 2007, sorors kicked of the chapter’s monthly volunteerism by serving as bell ringers for the Salvation Army at a local Sam’s Warehouse. Additionally, a number of sorors volunteer on various boards, at their churches, and in the community, including Sacred Heart Health Foundation, Alzheimer’s Family Services, the Escambia County Council on Aging, the African-American Heritage Society, the 100 Black Women, Inc., and the American Cancer Society. In 2013, Delta Iota Omega Chapter launched a new tradition in Pensacola, Pink in the City” – a fundraiser for The American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

The chapter continues to grow. Delta Iota Omega’s active membership has ranged from its original 7 to 87 in the chapter’s sixty-seven year existence. At this writing, the chapter has eleven Golden Sorors, twenty-seven Silver Stars, and sixteen life members. To its credit, the chapter has initiated over 151 members from 1948 to the present, the largest group of 20 having been the first in the Sorority to be initiated under the pilot three-day 16

Membership Intake Process (MIP) in 1990. (Only 40 – 28% - of the living 119 chapter initiates are known to be active). The eleven Golden Sorors, to date, are Anita Streeter, 71 years; Evelyn Walker, 63 years; Ida Coleman, 62 years; Barbara Rodgers and Geraldine Scott, 61 years; Barbara Herbert Simmons and Lois Sellers, 60 years; Ophelia Ray and Laurel Boyd, 54 years; Barbara Holloway, 53 years; and Minnie Clark Byrd, 52 years.

Delta Iota Omega Chapter is recognized in the Pensacola, Florida, community as a service organization and was awarded the local NAACP’s Community Service Organization Award in 1992 and the Fiesta of Five Flags / Chappie James Community Service Award in 1996. One of the chapter’s first fundraisers was a piano recital.

During its early years from 1950 to 1965, the chapter was most known for sponsoring an annual spelling bee and an annual sickle cell anemia project. From the mid fifties to late seventies, the chapter’s principal fundraiser was Fashionetta, an annual fashion show gala with sorors choosing adult contestants from the community to vie for Miss Fashionetta, and children to compete in the teen and “tiny tot” categories. After Fashionetta, the chapter sponsored Ebony Fashion Fair for a number of years. In 1985, the chapter sponsored its first health fair. In 1986, Delta Iota Omega sponsored one of its sorors in concert – soprano, Barbara Beck.

Among the chapter’s current and ongoing signature activities are its Charmette Program, which, since 1956, has provided cultural, social, academic, and personal enrichment for African-American high school girls who are presented to society at the chapter’s annual Debutante Ball (2006 marked the chapter’s fiftieth year of having presented more than 1,000 young women as Debutantes); its Saturday School Program, which the sorority rotates among its neighborhood elementary school partners, especially those schools which serve several housing projects; its AKA Coat Day; and its Food Pantry, which provides food each month to needy families.

Other ongoing chapter projects include participating in the annual Relay for Life campaign and World Food Day and donating toys to needy children at Christmas. The chapter consistently participates in the community’s MLK Day parade, and in 1989 won second place in the theme float competition. Delta Iota Omega’s annual EAF (Educational Advancement Foundation) contributions have placed the chapter consistently at the silver level for the past several years. In 200l, Delta Iota Omega Chapter, with Levin & Papantonio Family Foundation, Incorporated as a corporate sponsor, donated the proceeds from its Founders’ Day celebration to Habitat for Humanity.

Through its annual Debutante Ball program, the chapter has awarded over $200,000 in scholarships since 1976, with Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama, as a scholarship partner from circa 1980 to 1989 and the University of West Florida and Pensacola Junior College as partners from 1990 to 2010.

In 1974, Delta Iota Omega Chapter completed the process for chartering Beta Gamma Chapter, the first black Greek-letter organization on the campus of the University of West Florida.

From 1985 to the present, Delta Iota Omega has honored the accomplishments and achievements of two outstanding sorors each year: Soror of the Year and Distinguished Service Soror. To this end, the chapter has recognized since 1984 a number of exemplary, active, outstanding women who have earned the title Soror of the Year: Modeste McCorvey, Marva Wallace, Mamie Webb Hixon, Minnie Byrd, Gloria Jones-Phillips, TaMetryce Byrd, Evelyn Walker, Canel Williams, Gwen Lewis, Carla Jones, Jada Gardner, Corrie Mumford, Cheryl Powell, Dr. Donna Bennett, Joycelyn Jordan-Fluellen, Sharmayne White, Gloria Clay, Terrlyn McClammy, Schari Rusell, Frances Gray, and co-recipients Charmere Gatson and Sheree Triplett Roberts ; and Ivies Beyond the Wall Lois Anderson, Jackie Harris, Sheila Williams, Sarah Haynes, and Ruby Gainer, the chapter’s first Soror of the Year. The chapter’s first Sisterly Relations Award was presented to Sorors Gerry Scott and Minnie Byrd in 2011, with this award going to Joycelyn Jordan Fluellen in 2012 and Mamie Webb Hixon in 2013.

As the chapter continues to grow in programs, services, and membership, it continues to “capture a vision fair” and will remain a viable force in Pensacola and in the South Atlantic Region through the years.

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C H ART ERING C ERE M ONY Delta Iota O mega C hapter A lpha K appa A lpha Sorority, Incorporated® November 23, 1946

SEATED L to R: Theo Hicks; Elsie Johnson Jones, Anti-Basileus and Dean of Pledgees; Hilda Preer, Tamiochous; and Annie Baker Williams, Parliamentarian

STANDING L to R: Georgette Cobb Jones; Arnetta G. Wallace, the then-Southeastern Regional Director; Lorena Cannon Brown, Basileus; Lillie James Frazier, Grammateus; Edythe Lucky, Epistoleus; and the only living charter member, Diamond Soror Alyce Williams Henderson, Hodegos

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Delta Iota O mega C hapter A L P H A K A PP A A L P H A SO R O R I T Y , I N C O RP O R A T E D® F irst Initiation 1948

SE A T E D L E F T T O R I G H T : Jorja Wiggins, Elsie Jones, Dorothy House, Modeste Washington, Lorena Canon Brown, Celestine Dixon, Lillie Frazier ST A N D I N G L E F T T O R I G H T: Ruth White, Hilda Preer, Lula Mae Hawthorne, Katie L. Williams, Exie Goode, Annie Belle Williams, Alyce Henderson, Georgette Jones

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C H A PT E R M E M B E RSH IP I N I T I A T I O NS T H R O U G H T H E Y E A RS Delta Iota O mega C hapter 1948 - 2011 * - Ivy Beyond the Wall (Deceased Soror)

1948 – 8 Elsie Jones,* Dean of Pledgees (DP) Celestine Dixon* Exie Goode* Lula Mae Hawthorne* Dorothy House* Maudeste James* Modeste Washington* Ruth White* Katie Williams*

1977 – 3 Mae Clemmons, Ph.D. Gloria Cole* LaEthyl Shelby* 1981 – 8 Delores Sanders*, Membership Chairperson Modeste McCorvey Margie McCorvey Josephine Ballard Patrice Jones Sharon Anderson Mildred Hunter Elaine Simpson Rosalyn Hunter-Levy

1950 – 2 Annie B. Williams,* DP Carrie Hicks* Gloria Hunter* 1952 – 2 Ruby Jackson Gainer* Rose Hicks

1983 – 5 Evelyn Walker, Membership Chairperson Marie Crowder Jacqueline Harris* Charley Harris Joyce Harrison Lisa Harrison

1971 – 3 Marion Cushon Maudeste Washington* Lois Zaragoza*

1984 – 8 Modeste McCorvey, DP Mary Baker Farrow Bernadine Jackson Joanette Pete James Jewell Jordan Ida Pearl McCorvey Gay Rankins Bettye Young Swanston Cheryl Ward

1973 – 5 Delores McCray, DP Dorothy Collier* Shirley Gooding Sandra Newbold Anner Nichols Cornelia Robinson* 1975 – 9 (T he 9 Dimensions) Mamie Webb Hixon, DP Amy Cato, Ph.D. Laura Benboe Millie Benjamin Joyce Reese Delores Sanders* Charlene Jones Taite Carrie Williams Mona Williams Alvina Wooten

1985 – 9 Ida Coleman, Membership Chairperson Denise Carroll Gwen Lewis Nettie Eaton Barbara Fitzpatrick Gloria Janet Hunter Naomi Jamison Myrtle Janice Lee Debra Malishan Mamie Preyer Barbara Patience Hughes* Audrey Jones Sherma Moore Doris Parker

1986 – 9 (T he Notable 9) Modeste McCorvey, Membership Chairperson Joyce Earl Hart

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Ruby Malden Potter Thelma Salter Carletta Bibbs Smiley Canel Jacobs Williams

Kathy Williams Sarah Williams Alycia Willis 1997 – 11 Ida Coleman, Membership Chair Gail Carter Jada Gardner Denise Hamilton Gigi Haynes Sondra Hill Angela Taite Jennings Carmelas Marsh Paula Seldon Denise Walker Janice Warren Jonita Watson

1987 – 4 Kimberly Blackmon TaMetryce Ann Byrd Gloria Jones-Phillips Karen Walker 1990 – 20 (20 Pearls) Gloria Jones-Phillips, Membership Chair Gwendolyn Bullard Sharon Cole Carla Drake Frances Gray Lana Hampton Andra Jefferson Pamela Jenkins Brenda Johnson Linda Kirkland Terrlyn McClammy Angela McCorvey Carol McIntosh Marion Mobley Gayla Moorer Deidre Phillips Rachel Pruitt Mona Simmons Sharmayne White Areiale Williams Sheila Wiggins Williams*

2001 – 7 Carla Jones, Membership Chair Donna C. Bennett, M.D. Gail J. Davis Joyce Higginbotham Jamie T. Hixon April McFarlin Melia Potter Latrandrial Yates 2004 – 7 (T he 7 Wonders) Carla Jones, Membership Chair Monique Collins Eleanor Daniels-Mumford Hanna Ghirmay Angela Gipson Ruby Jackson Lisa Morrisette Chiquita Williams

1995 – 16 (T he Supreme Sixteen) Peggy Odom, Membership Chair Yeletta Banks Cynthia Fountain-Mills Christine Harris Sharon Harris* Machelle Haynes Chiquita Henderson Cheryl J. Howard, Esq. Dora James Annie Joyce Lawrence Capt. Kimberly Mercy, USA Cheryl Powell Shirley Packer Springer Harriet Williams

Carla Jones, Membership Chair Adrianette Williams Terra Jackson

2006 – 9 Carla Jones, Membership Chair Charmere N. Gatson Kimberly Jackson Delois Jones Shawndra Jones Cecily McLeod Tracy Jackson Pickett Schari Russell Quay Smith Rachic Wilson

2011 – (11 Reflections of “Pearlfection”) Tara Moultrie Shirley Henderson Cheryl Lymons Lillie Johnson Stacye Moering LaTasha McGruder

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Sharon Bourges-Jones Jasmine Fowlkes Nasya McSwain

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A Living H istory of Chapter Leaders

P AST B ASI L E I O F DE L T A IO T A O M E G A C H APT ER 1960 to 2013

“Leaders are followers of what is true, what is right, and what is fair.”

Author Unknown

“. . . AND WITH A SMILE . . . .”

T his section includes living past Basilei as well as past Basilei who have become I vies Beyond the W all since the publication of the C entennial E dition, the first edition, in 2008.

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H IST O R I C A L R E F L E C T I O NS –A PPE A LS F R O M P AST C H A PT E R B ASI L E I “It has been with a spirit of commitment to service to all mankind that I have helped to move the program of Delta Iota Omega Chapter . . . forward. Knowing full well that I had many lessons to learn, many mistakes to make, new dreams to fulfill, many new experiences to realize, and many goals to struggle to attain . . . . Through dissent, opposition, resentment, road blocks, trials and errors, we progress and grow. . . . [M]ay we set priorities based upon the unselfish service we can do to capture the vision . . . for all mankind.”

Soror Ruby Jackson Gainer, 1974-77 Basileus From the1977 Chapter Program Booklet “Let us pledge our hearts, our minds, and our strengths to fulfill the goals as outlined in this carefully planned program. 1982 is a very special year; in April our new National Sorority House had its beginning.”

Soror Ida Ransom – 1982-83 Basileus From the 1982 Chapter Program Booklet “For 1984, our thrust is Power, our goal is productivity, and our strength is sisterhood. To implement these aims, let us . . . provide service, reclaim our ‘missing pearls’ (inactive sorors), exhibit sisterliness and work together, carry out our local and national projects, and keep the promise.”

Soror Mamie Webb Hixon, 1984-85 Basileus From the1984 Chapter Program Booklet “My aim is to involve each soror in a continuation of our great work we are doing and to earnestly solicit the unwavering cooperation of each soror in bringing to fruition our main project for the year – the rebuilding of our Sorority House.”

Soror Lillie James Frazier, 1986-87 Basileus From the1986 Chapter Program Booklet “Sorors . . . . This year, I’d like for you to devise a “time-sharing” plan for Alpha Kappa Alpha. I am aware that we have families, churches, jobs, and other organizations to consider. The key word is commitment and then setting up a schedule to allow time for the follow-through. From our biblical knowledge, we have learned that there is a time for everything. Delta Iota Omega’s time is the first Saturday of each month . . . from September to June. Please commit yourselves to that time for Alpha Kappa Alpha this year. Then we need some time for service to the organization. Please accept chairmanships and committee assignments, and remain committed until the task is completed.”

Lois Anderson, 1988-89 Basileus From the1989 Chapter Program Booklet “The members of Delta Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority continue to make our world by the heights we seek and the higher view.”

Soror Sarah Wynder Haynes, Ph.D., 1990-91 Basileus From the 35th Debutante Ball Souvenir Journal, 1990 “Sorors, I challenge you to allow and accept diversity in each of us. Let us not only tolerate but also celebrate our differences. Even though we are a diverse group, we must become powerful and effective links in our circle chain and work together for our common causes.”

Soror Nettie Eaton, 1992-93 Basileus From the 1992-93 Chapter Program Booklet “As Alpha Kappa Alpha women, we have a responsibility to the Sorority, to the founders, to God, and to our communities to give the very best of our abilities to the national program . . . as well as address . . . some of the compelling problems in our own community.

We cannot resolve all of the problems . . . . However, we can choose those where we can make a difference . . . .’We can do all things through Christ which strengthens us.’”

Soror Millie Steele Benjamin, 1996-97 Basileus From the1997 Chapter Program Booklet “We are an organization of very special women. Our challenge is to collectively inspire each other to make a difference as we reflect on our new national theme ‘The Spirit of AKA’ . . . [and our local theme for two years] ‘Many Hands Make Light Work.’”

Soror Corrie Boyd Mumford, 2002-03 Basileus From the 2002-2004 Chapter Program Booklet

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“This year, as all years, presents us with new challenges and opportunities to make a difference in our families and communities . . . . We are blessed in this chapter to have talented, dedicated women who are ready to meet these challenges. Each soror is important to this sisterhood and has something valuable to contribute. I encourage you to use what talents you have.”

Soror Jackie Harris, January – March 1988 Basileus From 1988 Chapter Program Booklet

Delta Iota O mega C hapter A lpha K appa A lpha Sorority, Incorporated PAST B ASI L E I Lorena Cannon Brown*……………………………………………. 1946 ~ 1947 Lula Mae Hawthorne*……………………………………………. 1948 ~ 1949 Elsie Jones* ……………………………………………. 1950 ~ 1951 Lillie James Frazier* ……………………………………………. 1952 ~ 1953 Jorja Wiggins* ……………………………………………. 1954 ~ 1955 Evelyn Dubose ……………………………………………. 1956 ~ 1957 Elsie Jones* ……………………………………………. 1958 ~ 1959 Evelyn Walker ……………………………………………. 1960 ~ 1961 Dolores Blount Albury*………………………………………….. 1962 ~ 1963 Ida Young Ransom ……………………………………………. 1964 ~ 1965 Sarah Wynder Haynes……………………………………………. 1966 ~ 1967 Evelyn Walker ……………………………………………. 1968 ~ 1969 Ida Young Ransom ……………………………………………. 1970 ~ 1971 Lillie James Frazier* ……………………………………………. 1972 ~ 1973 Ruby Jackson Gainer*……………………………………………. 1974 ~ 1977 Dolores Blount Albury*………………………………………….. 1978 ~ 1979 Ruby Jackson Gainer*……………………………………………. 1980 ~ 1981 Ida Young Ransom (Coleman)……………………………………. 1982 ~ 1983 Mamie Webb Hixon ……………………………………………. 1984 ~ 1985 Lillie James Frazier* ……………………………………………. 1986 ~ 1987 Lois W. Anderson ……………………………………………. 1988 ~ 1989 Sarah W. Haynes, Ph.D……………………………………………. 1990 ~ 1991 Nettie Eaton ……………………………………………. 1992 ~ 1993 Sarah W. Haynes, Ph.D……………………………………………. 1994 ~ 1995 Millie Steele Benjamin……………………………………………. 1996 ~ 1997 Jacquelyn W. Harris* ……………………………………………. January ~ March 1998 Canel Jacobs Williams……………………………………………. 1998 ~ 1999 Sheila W. Williams* ……………………………………………. 2000 ~ 2001 Corrie B. Mumford ……………………………………………. 2002 ~ 2003 Canel Jacobs Williams……………………………………………. 2004 ~ 2005 Cheryl Reeves ……………………………………………. 2006 ~ 2007 Joycelyn Jordan Fluellen ………………………………………… 2008 ~ 2009 Angela McCorvey, Ed.D ………………………………………… 2010 ~ 2011 Gloria E. Clay……………………………………………………… 2012 ~ 2013 “My prayer is that God will continue to bless sorors abundantly with His love, wisdom, knowledge, understanding and the tenacity needed to co-labor harmoniously during this administration and throughout the life of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Remember, ‘Service is the rent we pay for our room on earth.’”

Soror Sheila Wiggins Williams, 2000-01 Basileus From the 2000-2001 Chapter Program Booklet

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I D A Y O U N G R A NSO M (C O L E M A N) Basileus (1964 – 1965, 1970 – 1971, 1982 – 1983) Interviewed by E laine Simpson

M E M B E RSH IP (1982): 53 – F rom Chapter’s 1982-1983 Program Booklet/Directory M E M B E RSH IP (1983): 67 – F rom Cha pter’s 1983 Program Booklet/Directory O F F I C E RS (1982 – 1983): From Chapter’s 1982-1983 Program Booklet/Directory Basileus Ida Ransom Anti-Basileus Lillie James Frazier Grammateus Rose Hicks Anti-Grammateus Anita Streeter Epistoleus Georgette Sellers Tamiochous Minnie C. Byrd Financial Secretary Gloria Hunter Hodegos Sandra J. Newbold Philacter Lois Anderson Membership Chair Evelyn Walker Ivy Leaf Reporter Mamie Webb Hixon Parliamentarian Dolores Albury Undergraduate Advisor Lillie J. Frazier O F F I C E RS (1970 – 1971) Basileus Grammateus

Ida Ransom Geraldine Scott

M E E T I N G T I M ES A N D D A T ES 6:00 p.m., First Saturdays, House to House I N N O V A T I O NS: Chapter phone chain C H A PT E R PR O G R A MS Health Fair, Spelling Bee, Ebony Fashion Fair C O N F E R E N C ES Cluster IV: San Carlos Hotel, Pensacola, Florida Regionals: 1964 at Grand Hotel, Pensacola, Florida; Jacksonville, Florida Boules: Charleston, South Carolina; Boston, Massachusetts; Atlanta, Georgia 26

SA R A H W Y N D E R H A Y N ES (Ivy Beyond the W all, September 2013) Basileus (1966 – 1967, 1990 – 1991, 1994 – 1995) Interviewed by F reda Lacey

1966 – 1967 From Chapter’s 11th Debutante Ball Program M E M B E RSH IP – 53 (12 of whom are listed as Associate Sorors) O F F I C E RS (1966 – 1967) Basileus Sarah W. Haynes Anti-Basileus Exie B. Goode Grammateus Geraldine Scott Anti-Grammateus Alyce R. Henderson Epistoleus Dorothy M. House Tamiochous Myrtle W. Brown Financial Secretary Georgette C. Jones Philacter Gloria J. Hunter Dean of Pledgees Annie B. Williams Reporter to Ivy Leaf Nellie Parker Parliamentarian Celestine F. Dixon 1990 – 1991 M E M B E RSH IP (1990): 86 – F rom Chapter’s 35th Debutante Ball Souvenir Journal O F F I C E RS (1990 – 1991) F rom Chapter’s 35th Debutante Ball Souvenir Journal Basileus Sarah W. Haynes, Ph.D First Anti-Basileus Nettie Eaton Second Anti-Basileus Dolores Albury Grammateus Dolores Sanders Anti-Grammateus Jackie Harris Pecunious Grammateus Canel Williams Epistoleus Joycelyn Jordan Tamiochous Cheryl Reeves Ivy Leaf Reporter Joanette McGadney, Ph.D Membership Chair Gloria J. Phillips Parliamentarian Evelyn Walker Chaplain Myrtle Brown Philacter Elaine Simpson Graduate Advisor Mamie Hixon Musician Ophelia Ray 27

SA R A H H A Y N ES, Basileus 1994 – 1995 M E M B E RSH IP (1995): 73 – F rom Chapter’s Debutante Ball Program and 1995 Founders’ Day program O F F I C E RS (1994 – 1995) F rom Chapter’s Debutante Ball Program Basileus Sarah W. Haynes, Ph.D First Anti-Basileus Millie Benjamin Second Anti-Basileus Denise Dickenson Grammateus Shenita Rancifer Anti-Grammateus Carla Drake Pecunious Grammateus Canel Williams Epistoleus Carla Jones Tamiochous Cheryl Reeves Ivy Leaf Reporter Mamie Hixon Membership Chair Peggy Odom Parliamentarian Evelyn Walker Chaplain Gwen Bullard Philacter Lillie Frazier Hodegos Minnie Byrd Graduate Advisor Angela McCorvey Assistant Graduate Advisor Dolores Albury Musician Ophelia Ray M E E T I N G T I M ES A N D D A T ES At one time, meetings were held on the first and fourth Saturdays at 6:00 p.m.

I N N O V A T I O NS Recognition of Golden Sorors Founders’ Day Breakfast Reactivation Spring Fling

C H A PT E R PR O G R A MS A N D A C T I V I T I ES Charmette Program Coat Closet Tuskegee Gift Basket Reactivation Spring Fling Founders’ Day Breakfast Recognition of Golden Sorors C H A PT E R A C C O M P L ISH M E N TS Spearheaded the purchase of the chapter’s first Sorority House C O N F E R E N C ES Most Clusters and Regionals; Boules: Greenville, South Carolina; Houston, Texas; St. Louis, Missouri (1953) O T H E R Soror Haynes has traveled to Australia and New Zealand as a member of the Kiwanis International Organization

Soror Haynes’s daughter and two daughters-in-law are AKA sorors.

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EVELYN WAL K ER Basileus (1960 – 1961, 1968 – 1969) Written by Evelyn Walker

1960 – 1961 F rom 1960 F ashionetta Program, November 4, 1960 M E M B E RSH IP 41 O F F I C E RS Basileus Anti-Basileus Grammateus Anti-Grammateus Epistoleus Philacter Tamiochous Hodegos Ivy Leaf Reporter Parliamentarian Dean of Pledgees

Evelyn Walker Alyce R. Henderson Georgette C. Jones Ida J. Ransom Geraldine Scott Lillie B. Kelker Jorja W. Wiggins Modeste P. Washington Katie Williams Sarah W. Haynes Evelyn DuBose

C H A PT E R PR O G R A MS A N D A C T I V I T I ES Debutante Ball Third Fashionetta: “Symphonic Fashions,” November 4, 1960, Municipal Auditorium, 9:00 p.m. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1968 - 1969 M E M B E RSH IP - 40 O F F I C E RS Basileus Grammateus Tamiochous

Evelyn Walker Dolores Albury Georgette Jones

M E E T I N G T I M ES A N D D A T ES First Saturday of the month at 6:00 p.m. The Federated Club House on "C" Street was often used. Fines were assessed for tardy arrivals. Meetings were often held in homes.

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I N N O V A T I O NS Ebony Fashion Fair Fundraiser South Atlantic Regional Conference in Pensacola Chapter honored in the Delta Jabberwock Activity Secret Sister Program C H A PT E R PR O G R A MS A N D A C T I V I T I ES Charmette Program Deb Ball Tuskegee Veterans’ Hospital Gifts School Health Projects Health Fair Integrated Hotel Facilities for Meetings C O N F E R E N C ES C lusters: Pensacola, Florida, February 2004 Tallahassee, Florida, 2001 Panama City, Florida, 2002 Thomasville, Georgia, 2005 Albany, Georgia, 2003 Columbus, Georgia, 2006 Regional Conferences: Atlanta, Georgia, 2001 Orlando, Florida, 2002 Tampa, Florida, 2003 Savannah, Georgia, 1984 Augusta, Georgia, 2004 Orangeburg, South Carolina, 2005 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, 2006 Miami, Florida, 2007 Pensacola, Florida, 1968 Jacksonville, Florida Tallahassee, Florida, 1988 Atlanta, Georgia, 2000 Atlanta, Georgia, 2001 Boules Atlanta, Georgia, 1980 Boston, Massachusetts, 1982 Richmond, Virginia, 1984 New Orleans, Louisiana, 1988 Chicago, Illinois, 2000 Orlando, Florida, 2002 Detroit, Michigan, 2006 Nashville, Tennessee, 2004 O T H E R A C H I E V E M E N TS Participated in Regional Conference Luncheon Fashion Show Served as hostess at Regional Conference EAF Luncheon Chaired Chapter tokens to VIPs at Boule in Orlando 30

M A MIE W EBB HIX ON Basileus (1984 – 1985)

Written by Mamie Webb H ixon M E M B E RSH IP (1984): 77 – F rom Chapter’s 1984 Program Booklet and Directory M E M B E RSH IP (1985): 81 – F rom Chapter’s 1985 Program Booklet and Directory O F F I C E RS (1984 – 1985) F rom Chapter’s 1984 Program Booklet and Directory Basileus Mamie Webb Hixon First Anti-Basileus Lillie J. Frazier Second Anti-Basileus Lois Anderson Grammateus Modeste McCorvey Anti-Grammateus Marie Crowder Pecunious Grammateus Dolores Albury Epistoleus Jacqueline Harris Tamiochous Minnie Byrd Ivy Leaf Reporter Janie Watts Membership Chair Ida Y. Ransom Parliamentarian Sarah Haynes Chaplain Yelena Banks Philacter Ophelia Ray Hodegos Ruth White Undergraduate Advisor Carla Jones Faculty Adviser, UWF Gloria Hunter M E E T I N G T I M ES A N D D A T ES: Source – Chapter Newsletter 1984 – First Saturday of each month at the AKA Sorority House, Corner of Gonzalez Street and 13th Avenue 1985 – First Saturdays at 6:00 p.m. at sorors’ homes: January – Marion Cushon’s home, February – Lillie Frazier’s home, March – Delores Sanders’ home, April – Georgia Philpot’s home, May – Georgette Jones’s home, June – Gloria Hunter’s home, September – Laurel Boyd’s home, October – Annie B. Williams’ home, November – Marie Crowder’s home I N N O V A T I O NS “Great Black Moments” PSA’s for WBOP Radio and WEAR TV-3 (Ref: 1985 Program Booklet Chapter Newsletter ( Entrée News) “Second Sisters,” a forerunner of “Matching Pearls: “The ‘Second Sister’ Project is designed to supplement the ‘Secret Sister’ Project, not to replace it” (Qtd in 1984 Chapter Program Booklet, p. 50).

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AKA Sistergrams and chapter birthday cards to send to sorors Chapter Initiation Record of sorors and their date and chapter of initiation Committee Co-chair Mentoring and Shadowing Program Program Booklet Distribution at the January meeting (Booklet was compiled during November and December of Ida Ransom’s administration; reactivated members’ names and other changes were published on an addendum page.)

“Missing Pearls” Reactivation: Inactive Sorors’ Directory Information in the Chapter’s Program Booklet “Basileus’ Report” as an agenda item (Ref: 1984 Program Booklet) Post office box for the chapter – 1985 (Reference: 1985 Program Booklet) Safe deposit box for chapter files Public Relations Committee with specific soror media contacts for television, radio, and newspaper Handbook of committees, services, and skills, chaired by Modeste McCorvey Special Services for Sorors Committee (Gifts, Soror Recognition, Silver Stars and Golden Girls, etc.)

Black Awareness Month Committee Underwriter for the chapter’s program booklet in the form of a business advertisement in the back of the booklet C H A PT E R PR O G R A MS A N D A C T I V I T I ES Recognition of Soror Yvonne Braithwaite Burke, who was a guest speaker at PJC Reactivation Activities chaired by Millie Benjamin Scholarship Partnership with Talladega College, Talladega, Alabama Deb Ball Program 1985 “Get Out the Vote” for City Council Assault on Illiteracy Recognition of Honor Students in Local Schools In-Service Leadership Training Workshop A C C O M PL ISH M E N TS Two Membership Initiations (eight candidates in 1984 and nine in 1985) Recognition of Soror Retirees Reorganization of the Pensacola Chapter of the National Pan-Hellenic Council; became its President and instituted Greek Night; afterwards, served as AKA chapter representative till 2005 Citywide Health Fair at St. Anthony chaired by Modeste McCorvey Re-institution of Soror of the Year Award and addition of Distinguished Service Award Open Founders’ Day at Zion Hope Baptist Church with Regional Director Mary Shy Scott as speaker (substituting for Supreme Basileus Faye Bryant who had to cancel unexpectedly) C O N F E R E N C ES Cluster: Valdosta, Georgia; Columbus, Georgia; Pensacola, Florida Regional: Miami, Florida; Tallahassee, Florida; Orlando, Florida Boule: Washington, D.C., 1984; New Orleans, 1992 O T H ER INF ORM A TI ON Chapter voted in 1985 to demolish the sorority house.

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L O IS A N D E RSO N (Ivy Beyond the W all, 2010) Basileus (1988 – 1989) Written by Lois Anderson

S UPREME BASILE U S – S OROR JANET BALLARD

M E M B E RSH IP

1988 – 74 Members 1989 – 69 Members

O F F I C E RS Basileus – Lois Anderson First Anti-Basileus – Lois B. Sellers Second Anti-Basileus – Mamie Preyer Grammateus – Jacqueline Harris Anti-Grammateus – Sherma Moore Epistoleus – Millie Benjamin Financial Secretary – Canel Williams Tamiochous – Minnie Byrd Ivy Leaf Reporter – Janice Lee Membership Chairperson – Mary Farrow Chaplain – Thelma Salter Hodegos – Cheryl Reeves Philacter – Deloris McCray Graduate Advisor – Mamie Hixon

M E E T I N G T I M ES A N D D A T ES First Saturday of each month at 6:00 p.m. – St. Cyprian’s Fellowship Hall

I N N O V A T I O NS “Basileus Update” on the Agenda Moving of post office box to new location of East Hill Post Office; changed code to a physical key Visited Debutantes’ Senior Night at their high school The Voucher System in all financial transactions Written history of Delta Iota Omega Chapter from Golden Sorors 33

C H A PT E R PR O G R A MS A N D A C T I V I T I ES Hostess groups visited Magnolia Nursing Home Stress Management Workshop conducted by Second Anti-Basileus, Mamie Preyer Co-host of 1988 South Atlantic Regional with the Tallahassee Chapter – planned the Leadership Breakfast – participants were Beta Gamma and Delta Iota Omega “Float” in the MLK Parade January 16, 1989 – received a 2nd place trophy Donation to Washington High School’s reading awards for underclassmen – Honors Day Political forums for the community chaired by Nettie Eaton and the AKA Connection Committee “Great Black Moments” – Black History presentation on Channel 3 TV – Sue Straughn supervised the production – Millie Benjamin chaired Sponsorship of two parent education workshops for the Pensacola Parent and Community Coalition, Inc. – Iowanna Whitman-Tims, president Staged an invitational skit for Cluster IV in LaGrange, GA Delta Iota Omega hosted Cluster IV in 1990 – Jacqueline Harris chaired the Steering Committee C O N F E R E N C ES C luster I V Albany, GA – 1988 LaGrange, GA – 1989 Pensacola, FL – 1990 Thomasville, GA Ft. Walton Beach, FL – 2000 Regional Conferences Jacksonville, FL – 1967 + 2 others Tallahassee, FL – 1988 Savannah, GA – 1989, 1998 Atlanta, GA – 2 + 2007 Tampa, FL – 2002 L eadership Conferences Puerto Rico – 2001 Las Vegas, NV – 2003 Paradise Island, Bahamas – 2005 New Orleans, LA – 2007 Boules Washington, DC – 1984 Los Angles, CA – 1988 Miami, FL New Orleans, LA Richmond, VA – 1990 Chicago, IL – 1998 Orlando, FL – 2002 Detroit, MI – 2006 OTHER The chapter voted in 1989 to lift its self-imposed moratorium on membership initiations.

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NETTIE EATON Basileus (1992 – 1993) Written by Nettie E aton

M E M B E RSH IP – 77 O F F I C E RS Nettie Eaton – Basileus First Anti-Basileus – Jacqueline Harris Second Anti-Basileus – Dolores Albury Grammateus – Terrlyn McClammy Anti-Grammateus – Modeste McCorvey Epistoleus – Joycelyn Jordan Tamiouchos – Cheryl Reeves Pecunious Grammateus – Canel Williams Hodegos – Janice Lee Philacter – Elaine Simpson Membership Chairperson – Gloria Jones-Phillips Ivy Leaf Reporter – Joanette McGadney, Ph.D. Parliamentarian – Evelyn Walker Chaplain – Myrtle Brown Graduate Advisor – Mamie Hixon Assistant Graduate Advisor – TaMetryce Byrd Musician – Ophelia Ray

M E E T I N G T I M ES A N D D A T ES First Saturday of the month at 6:00 p.m.

St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church Parish Hall I N N O V A T I O NS Political Forums - One political forum was televised by a local television station Meeting time was changed to noon in 1993.

The Ivy AKAdemy was held at A.A. Dixon Elementary School Founders’ Day speaker was Supreme Basileus Eva Evans Reading Scholarships were presented at Booker T. Washington High School Honors Assembly 35

C H A PT E R PR O G R A MS A N D A C T I V I T I ES AKA Connection Ivy AKAdemy MLK Activities Founders’ Day Delta Iota Omega Ensemble Food Pantry Leadership Training Cleveland Job Corps Sickle Cell Anemia Month Charmette/Debutante Ball programs

Spring Fling Covered Dish Party Rush Activities with Undergraduates Black Dollar Days World Food Day Coat Closet Tuskegee Veterans’ Hospital Fund Scholarships Christmas Social Worship and Fellowship

C O N F E R E N C ES Clusters: Thomasville, Georgia, Columbus, Georgia, and Pensacola, Florida, in 1992 Regionals: South Carolina; Macon, Georgia, in 1992; Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Miami, FL; Atlanta, GA, in 2008 Boules: New Orleans, LA, in 1992

O T H ER INF ORM A TI ON Dr. Ruby Gainer presented the Ruby Gainer Awards at several South Atlantic Regional Conferences.

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M I L L I E ST E E L E B E NJ A M I N Basileus (1996 – 1997) Written by Millie Steele Benjamin

M E M B E RSH IP (1996): 71 – F rom Chapter’s 1996 Program Booklet and Directory M E M B E RSH IP (1997): 73 – F rom Chapter’s 1997 Program Booklet and Directory O F F I C E RS Basileus – Millie Benjamin First Anti-Basileus – Shelia E.Williams Second Anti-Basileus – Jacqueline W. Harris Grammateus – Chiquita Henderson Anti-Grammateus – Carla Drake Epistoleus – Carla S. Jones Tamiochous – Cheryl E. Reeves Pecunious Grammateus – Canel Williams Hodegos – Minnie C. Byrd Philacter – Machelle Haynes Membership Chair – Ida Coleman Ivy Leaf Reporter – Mamie W. Hixon Parliamentarian – Evelyn B. Walker Chaplain – Yeletta Banks Graduate Advisor – Angela McCorvey Assistant Graduate Advisor – Dolores Albury Musician – Dolores Sanders M E E T I N G T I M ES A N D D A T ES First Saturday of each month excluding July and August at 12 noon at various venues I N N O V A T I O NS Calendar of monthly chapter activities distributed at monthly meetings “Matching Pearls,” matching all sorors with chronologically blessed sorors and/or ill sorors Ivy AKAdemy location at one school instead of visiting several schools Ivy AKAdemy expansion to include science, language arts, as well as reading Birthday Sorors to do a kindness as a group to a nursing home resident each month Learning About Other Sorors: encouraged sorors to sit with sorors who were not their personal friends to promote sisterhood Adoption of the Ivy AKAdemy school Completion of sale of Gonzalez Street property with an increased selling price Free pizza for the AKAdemy students 37

Increased Ivy AKAdemy participation to an average 125 students in the each session C H A PT E R PR O G R A MS A N D A C T I V I T I ES Charmette Program and Debutante Ball 1996 Coat Closet Food Pantry with food for at least three families each month Gift shoeboxes for African children A concrete effort to reclaim and renew sorors Donations to Manna Food Bank Donation to Tuskegee Veterans’ Hospital Fund International Senior Citizens Month Food Drive for World Food Day Summer Event for Sorors and Their Families International Black Family Month Vote 2000 – Voter Registration and Speakers Investment Counseling – Speaker MLK Parade Health Forum AKA Water Day C O N F E R E N C ES Boules 1984 Washington 1986 Detroit 1988 Los Angeles 1990 Richmond 1992 New Orleans 1994 Indianapolis 1996 Baltimore 1998 Chicago 2000 Dallas 2002 Orlando 2004 Nashville 2006 Detroit

Regional Conferences 1979 Callaway Gardens South Carolina Jacksonville Miami Atlanta Augusta Charlotte

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Leadership Conferences 1995 Detroit Las Vegas Bahamas

Clusters 1975 Georgia 1977 Pensacola 2001 Madison

C A N E L J A C O BS W I L L I A MS Basileus (1998 – 1999) Written by Canel Jacobs Williams

M E M B E RSH IP (1998): 73 – F rom Chapter’s 1998 Debutante Ball Program M E M B E RSH IP (1999): 69 – F rom Chapter’s 1999 Debutante Ball Program O F F I C E RS Basileus – Canel Jacobs Williams First Anti-Basileus – Angela McCorvey Second Anti-Basileus – Annie J. Lawrence Grammateus – Jada Gardner Anti-Grammateus – Doris Parker Epistoleus – Terrlyn McClammy Pecunious Grammateus – Cheryl Reeves Tamiochous – Cheryl Powell Hodegos – La Ethyl Shelby Philacter – Minnie C. Byrd Membership Chair – Joycelyn Jordan-Fluellen Ivy Leaf Reporter – Harriet Williams Parliamentarian – Evelyn Walker Chaplain – Rachell Gold Graduate Advisor – Kimberly Wheeler Assistant Graduate Advisor – Angela McCorvey Musician – Dolores Sanders M E E T I N G T I M ES A N D PL A C ES First Saturday of each month at noon for ten months No meetings in July or August Golden Corral, Hall’s Seafood, Piccadilly’s, and other restaurants C H A PT E R PR O G R A MS A N D A C T I V I T ES Purchase of Banner for Education Partnership with Lincoln Park Elementary School On-Track Program at Spencer Bibbs Elementary Formulation of Leadership Committee – Past Basilei Advisory Board Golden Soror Luncheon AKA Coat Day World Food Day and Food Pantry 39

First Dinner/Dance Ball at New World Landing chaired by Sorors Mamie Hixon and Minnie Byrd Senior Citizens Outreach Program Project SE’ND and AKA-IFESH (Boxes for African Childern) Black Dollar Month Sisterly Relations C O N F E R E N C ES Attended During Soror Canel’s 1998-1999 T erm as Basileus Cluster IV: Americus, GA, September 1998; Tifton, GA, September 24-25, 1999 58th Boule’: Chicago, Illinois, July 1998 International Program Launch: Arlington, Virginia, October 2-4, 1998 C O N F E R E N C ES Attended During Soror Canel’s 2004-2005 T erm as Basileus C luster I V Hilton Garden Inn, Pensacola Beach, Florida, February 2005 DoubleTree, Tallahassee, Florida, October 2004 Regional Conferences Augusta, Georgia, April 2004 Jacksonville, Florida, 2005 Boule’ Nashville, Tennessee, July 2004

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C ORRI E BO YD MUM F ORD Basileus (2002 – 2003)

Interviewed by Soror H anna Ghirmay M E M B E RSH IP (2002): 72 – F rom Chapter’s 2002 Debutante Ball Program M E M B E RSH IP (2003): 72 – F rom Chapter’s 2003 Debutante Ball Program I N T E R N A T I O N A L PR O G R A M: Education, Health, The Black Family, Economic Empowerment, and The Arts.

C H A PT E R T H E M E : “Many Hands Make Light Work.”

O F F I C E RS  Basileus – Corrie B. Mumford  First Anti-Basileus – Kimberly A. Wheeler  Second Anti-Basileus – Cheryl Reeves  Grammateus – Janice Lee  Anti-Grammateus – Nettie Eaton  Epistoleus – Jonita Watson  Tamiochous – Minnie C. Byrd  Pecunious Grammateus – Yvonne Kyle  Hodegos – LaEthyl Shelby  Philacter – Sheila Williams  Membership Chairperson – Cheryl Powell  Ivy Leaf Reporter – Lois Anderson  Parliamentarian – Evelyn Walker  Chaplain – Alvina Wooten  Graduate Advisor – Carla Jones  Assistant Graduate Advisor – Terrlyn McClammy  Musicians – Barbara Rodgers and Lillie Dove M E E T I N GS First Saturdays at noon at Morrison’s Cafeteria, Golden Corral, and other restaurants A C C O M PL ISH M E N TS Debutante Ball Food Pantry IVY AKAdemy

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C A N E L J A C O BS W I L L I A MS (Photograph on page 38) Basileus (2004 – 2005) Written by Canel Jacobs Williams

M E M B E RSH IP (2004): 74 – F rom Chapter’s 2004 Debutante Ball Program M E M B E RSH IP (2005): 80 – F rom Chapter’s 2005 Debutante Ball Souvenir Journal O F F I C E RS Basileus – Canel Jacobs Williams First Anti-Basilues – Cheryl Reeves Second Anti-Basileus – Gloria Clay Grammateus – Melia Potter Anti-Grammateus – Nettie Eaton Epistoleus – Freda Lacey Pecunious Grammateus – Jonita Watson Tamiochous – Minnie Clark Byrd Hodegos – Joycelyn Jordan-Fluellen Philacter – Ophelia Ray Membership Chairperson – Carla Jones Ivy Leaf Reporter – Lois W. Anderson Parliamentarian – Evelyn Walker Chaplain – Sarah Wynder Haynes, Ph.D. Historian – Mamie Webb Hixon Graduate Advisor – Cheryl Powell Musicians – Lillie Dove and Barbara Rodgers M E E T I N G T I M ES A N D PL A C ES First Saturday of each month at noon for ten months (No meetings in July or August) Golden Corral, Hall’s Seafood, Piccadilly’s, and other restaurants C H A PT E R PR O G R A MS A N D A C T I V I T ES Partnership with Links: Art Exhibit Trunk Showing at O. J. Semmes Elementary School Appointment of Chapter’s First Historian Delta Iota Omega’s First Pictorial History Booklet, compiled by Soror Mamie Hixon Group picture at Founders’ Day Ivy AKAdemy at Spencer Bibbs Elementary School Dinner/Dance Ball Food Pantry and Black Dollar Day Month Mother’s Day Greeting Initiative (SIDS) Pink Ribbon and Breast Cancer Awareness MLK Day of Service Pensacola Relay For Life (Silver Team, Bronze Team) E-SPIRIT Program Reports (online end-of-year) First Cluster IV Founders’ Day Celebration, Hilton Garden Inn, Pensacola Beach Christmas Gifts to Head Start children, chaired by Soror Myrtle Brown Membership Intake for Graduate and Undergraduates

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C H E R Y L E L L I O T T R E E V ES Basileus (2006 – 2007) Written by Cheryl Reeves

M E M B E RSH IP (2006): 84 – F rom Chapter’s 2006 50th Debutante Ball Souvenir Journal M E M B E RSH IP (2007): 83 – F rom Chapter’s 2007 Debutante Ball Program O F F I C E RS Basileus – Cheryl Reeves Anti-Basileus – Joycelyn Jordan-Fluellen Second Anti-Basileus – Angela McCorvey Grammateus – Meila Potter Epistoleus – 2006, Myrtle J. Lee; 2007, Freda Lacey Tamiochous – 2006, Minnie Byrd; 2007, Jonita Watson and Evelyn Walker Pecunious Grammateus – 2006, Jonita Watson ; 2007, LaRitza Lynn Crear Hodegos – Gloria Clay Philacter – Ophelia Ray Membership Chairperson – Carla Jones Ivy Leaf Reporter – Lois Anderson Chaplain – 2006, Dr. Sarah Haynes; 2007, Kimberly Wheeler and Ruby Jackson Graduate Advisor – Cheryl Powell Historian – Mamie Webb Hixon Parliamentarian – Evelyn Walker Musicians – Barbara Rodgers and Lillie Dove M E E T I N G T I M ES A N D D A T ES Monthly meetings on the first Saturday of each month at Piccadilly’s or Golden Corral Bi-monthly Executive Board meetings at Booker T. Washington High School I N N O V A T I O NS Evaluation by the Regional Heritage Committee Submission of a wining entry to the 2007 South Atlantic Regional Conference Scrapbook Committee: 3rd Place: 54th South Atlantic Regional Award – the Margaret Davis Bowen Outstanding Alumna Award (Soror Mamie Hixon, recipient) Creation of a chapter lapel pin and a chapter scarf as well as a Chapter Membership Brochure Appointment of a Non-Traditional Entrepreneur Committee and sponsorship of a “Women Telling Their Business” forum, chaired by founder Gloria Clay Meeting with the Leadership Committee (Past Basilei) once a year Development of a chapter information brochure for returning, reactivating, and newly initiated sorors and transferees Emailing information to sorors online

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J O Y C E L Y N J O R D A N-F L U E L L E N Basileus (2008-2009) Written by Joycelyn Jordan- F luellen M E M B E RSH IP (2008): 71 – From Chapter’s 2008 Program Booklet and Directory M E M B E RSH IP (2009): 72 – From Chapter’s 2009 program Booklet and Directory O F F I C E RS 2008-2009 (From Chapter Program Booklet) Basileus – Joycelyn Jordan Fluellen First Anti-Basileus – Angela McCorvey, Ed.D. Second Anti-Basileus – Nettie Eaton (2008); LaRitza Lynn Crear (2009) Grammateus – Freda Lacy Anti-Grammateus – Cheryl Knight Epistoleus – Gloria Clay Tamiochous – Minnie C. Byrd Pecunious Grammateus – Melia Potter Parliamentarian – Evelyn Walker Philacter – Ophelia Ray Hodegos – Schari Russell Membership Chairperson – Carla Jones Chaplain – Ruby Jackson Graduate Advisor – Cheryl Powell Ivy Leaf Reporter – Lois Anderson Historian – Mamie Webb Hixon Musician – Barbara Rodgers M E E T I N G T I M ES A N D D A T ES Monthly Meetings on the first Saturday of each month at Piccadilly’s, Golden Corral, or St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church’s Parish Hall Monthly Executive Board meetings at Piccadilly’s or Soror Minnie Byrd’s House I N N O V A T I O NS Centennial Chapter Basileus Evaluation by the Regional Heritage Committee 2007, AKAdemy at Lincoln Park (FCAT), 5th Grade Science Class Ivy Academy Salvation Army Ringer Bell Volunteer February 2008/AKA Centennial Founders’ Day/Washington, DC Centennial ESP Global Walk, June 27, 2008 Featured on WEAR TV-3 News 44

Pensacola News Journal ESP Global Walk Reactivation Spring Fling Chapter Booklet C H A PT E R PR O G R A MS A N D A C T I V I T I ES ESP Platforms National Pen-Hellenic Council Representation (a chapter member was president) Charmette Program Founders’ Day Delta Iota Omega Cluster IV 1990 Christmas Social Delta Iota Omega Ensemble MLK Activities Group Picture for 2008 Centennial Regional Conference (Booklet) Food Pantry Black Dollar Day Membership Intake for Graduate and Undergraduates Birthday Sorors Cards and Gifts Given by Basileus Sisterly Relations Senior Citizens Outreach Program First Cluster IV Founders’ Day Celebration, Hilton Garden Inn, Pensacola Beach C H A PT E R A C C O M P L ISH M E N TS Forming and Completion of a Chapter Foundation Monthly Executive Board Meetings Selected by the Regional Director Soror Ella Spring Jones as first-time member of Delta Iota Omega to be a Co-Chair at 2010 Regional Conference, Atlanta Georgia Selected to work on Evaluation Committee and Outstanding Leadership Program 2010, at Regional Conference, Regional Director Ella Springs Jones.

Selected by our 27th International President Soror Barbara McKenzie to work on the Parliamentary Procedures Committee and Membership Committee at the 2010 Boule Conference held in St. Louis, Missouri Joint Meetings with Beta Gamma Chapter Bylaws Revision in accordance with National standards and template C O N F E R E N C ES C lusters: Pensacola Florida, February 1990 Madison, Florida, 2001 Panama City, Florida 2002 Thomasville, Georgia, 2005 Albany, Georgia, 2003 Columbus, Georgia, 2006 Columbus Georgia, 2007 Valdosta, Georgia, 2008 Athens, Georgia, 2009 Tallahassee, Florida 2004 Tallahassee, Florida 2010 LaGrange, Georgia, 1989 Fort Walton Beach, Florida, 20000

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Regional Conferences: Atlanta, Georgia, 2001 Orlando, Florida, 2002 Tampa, Florida 2004 Savannah, Georgia 1989, 1998 Augusta, Georgia 2004 Orangeburg, South Carolina, 2005 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 2006 Miami, Florida, 2007 Jacksonville Florida, 2005 Tallahassee, Florida, 1988 Atlanta, Georgia, 2000 Atlanta, Georgia, 2001 New Orleans, Louisiana, 1992 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, 2011.

Atlanta, Georgia, 2006 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 2009 Atlanta, Georgia, 2010 Charlotte, South Carolina, 2007 Tampa, Florida 2008 Leadership Conferences Anchorage, Alaska, 2009 Boules New Orleans, Louisiana, 1988 St. Louis, Missouri, 2010 Detroit, Michigan 2006 Orlando, Florida, 2002 Nashville, Tennessee, 2004 Centennial Boule in Washington, DC, 2008 O T H E R A C H I E V E M E N TS

Attended the 2008 Centennial Founders' Day in Washington, DC, January 2008 Participated in Centennial Regional Conference South Atlantic Regional Luncheon, Washington, DC Served as hostess at Regional Conference EAF Luncheon O T H ER INF ORM A TI ON Soror Joycelyn has three sisters who are AKA Sorors.

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A N G E L A E L A I N E M C C O R V E Y, E d.D. Basileus (2010 – 2011) Written by Angela McCorvey

“I had the wonderful opportunity to lead and represent the ideals of generations of proud Alpha Kappa Alpha women whose sacrifices we benefit from and dreams we have fulfilled. We collectively had the responsibility of ensuring that our Chapter remains vibrant and strong. It is my desire that we will continue our work toward the international goal of Global Leadership through Timeless Service to all Mankind.”

M E M B E RSH IP (2010): 70 M E M B E RSH IP (2011): 65 O F F I C E RS Basileus – Angela McCorvey Anti-Basileus – Gloria Clay Second Anti-Basileus – LaRitza Lynn Crear Grammateus –Tracy Pickett Epistoleus – Cheryl Knight, 2010; Sheree Roberts, 2011 Tamiochous – Minnie Bryd, 2010; Ruby Jackson, 2011 Pecunious Grammateus – Melia Potter, 2010; Angela Cola, 2011 Hodegos – Minnie Bryd Philacter –Frances Gray Membership Chairperson – Carla Jones Ivy Leaf Reporter – Lois Anderson, 2010; Modeste McCorvey, 2011 Chaplain – Cheryl Reeves, 2010; Ophelia Ray, 2011 Graduate Advisor – Cheryl Powell, 2010; Joycelyn Jordan Fluellen, 2011 Historian – Mamie Webb Hixon Parliamentarian – Evelyn Walker Musicians – Barbara Rodgers and Ophelia Ray M E E T I N G T I M ES A N D D A T ES • Monthly meetings on the first Saturday of each month at various locations • Bi-monthly Executive Board meetings at Holm Elementary School I N N O V A T I O NS Development of a chapter Web‐URL to assist the Chapter go Green: http://www.DeltaIotaOmegaChapter.org

Chapter Program Manual, 2008, 2009 changed and updated format – Electronic and hard copies Electronic agendas, minutes, and chapter reports sent via email

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G L O RI A E. C L A Y Basileus (2012-2013) Written by Gloria E . Clay O F F I C E RS 2012-2013 Basileus—Gloria E. Clay First Anti-Basileus—Carla Scott Jones Second Anti-Basileus—Sheree Triplett Roberts Grammateus—Schari Russell Anti-Grammateus—Nettie Eaton Epistoleus—Cheryl Knight Tamiochous-—Ruby Jackson Pecunious Grammateus—Jennifer Kennedy Parlimentarian—Evelyn Walker Philacter—LaRitza Lynn Crear Hodegos—Shirley Henderson Membership Chair—Cheryl Powell Chaplain—Freda Lacy Graduate Advisor—Angela Cola Assistant Graduate Advisor and UWF Faculty Adviser—Angela McCorvey, Ed.D. Ivy Leaf Reporter—Charmere Gaston Historian/Archivist—Mamie Webb Hixon Musician—Ophelia Ray M E E T I N G T I M ES Monthly chapter meetings on the first Saturday of the month at The Ivy House at noon Executive Board meetings bi-monthly at The Ivy House C H A PT E R PR O G R A M & A C T I V I T I ES Global Leadership Through Timeless Service Initiatives Family Affair Tea Charmette/Debutante Program MLK Day of Service—Parade Float and Economic Security Pink in the City—American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Fundraiser Relay for Life Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Diabetes Walk Retreat—2012 & 2013 I.V.I.E.S Program, a Mentoring Program for Girls in Grades 9 to 10 Membership Reclamation Events NPHC (National Pan-Hellenic Council) Activities 48

2 Sisterhood Retreats C H A PT E R A C C O M P L ISH M E N TS Completed and Moved into The Ivy House Purchased adjoining property Hosted Community Open House Started Process for Non-Profit Status Presentation for Domestic Violence to Favor House Conducted MIP for Undergraduate Chapter at UWF Presentation to Justice Peggy Quince Founders’ Day with FT. Walton Beach Chapter Featured articles and appearances in the Media and Regional Newsletter C O N F E R E N C ES A N D PR O G R A MS Founders’ Day Celebrations 2012—Tallahassee, Florida Regional Conference 2012—Greenville, South Carolina Boule 2012—San Francisco, California Cluster 2012—Madison, Florida Founders’ Day Celebration 2013—Valdosta, Georgia Regional Conference 2013—Charleston, South Carolina Leadership 2013—Montreal, Canada Cluster 2013—Tallahassee, Florida P E RSO N A L A C C O M P L ISH M E N TS Five Executive Board Positions & Committee Chairman Certified Graduate Advisor Centennial Silver Star Daughter Initiated into Delta Iota Omega Chapter

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DIA M OND SO R O R & G O L D E N SO R O RS “Some people are born great, some people achieve greatness and some people have greatness thrust upon them.

[And the ones who achieve greatness are the ones to be celebrated and appreciated].”

- Paraphrase of a Shakespearean Quote

“WITH MAIN AND WITH MIGHT” T his section includes the Diamond Soror and seventeen Golden Sorors, all who were living at the time of the publication of the C entennial E dition, the first edition, in 2008.

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A L Y C E W I L L I A MS H E N D E RSO N (Ivy Beyond the W all, 2013) D I A M O N D SO R O R I N I T I A T E D I N 1932 Interviewed by Soror Mamie Webb H ixon June 1, 2003, and May 1, 2008 The year 2008 marked not only the 100th anniversary of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® but also the 75th anniversary of Soror Alyce Williams Henderson’s initiation into the Sorority. At age nineteen, Alyce Williams Henderson began her pledge period in Chi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated at Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama, in 1931 and was initiated in Pi Chapter at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1932. She remained active until her passing on Tuesday, November 26, 2013. On June 9, 2013, Soror Alyce turned 100 years old and celebrated 81 years of service in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®.

In 1982, Soror Alyce, an AKA life member, became Delta Iota Omega Chapter’s first Golden Soror (50 years of service) along with Lillie James Frazier. Soror Alyce also became Delta Iota Omega Chapter’s first Diamond Soror.

Soror Alyce Henderson was also one of the seven charter members of Delta Iota Omega Chapter. She, along with eight other Alpha Kappa Alpha women who had been initiated in undergraduate chapters at various historically black colleges and universities, came together in Pensacola in 1946 to form a graduate chapter, Delta Iota Omega Chapter, which was chartered on November 23, 1946, thirty-eight years after the founding of the international organization. Seven of these nine women are listed on the charter as charter members. The chartering ceremony was held at the home of Mrs. Hilda Preer on North Reus Street, and the initiation banquet was held at the then-Sunset Riding Club, which is now Marcus Lake. Soror Alyce held the office of Hodegos.

Two years after the chartering of the local graduate chapter in Pensacola, Soror Alyce’s second oldest sister, Lula Mae Hawthorne, became one of eight who were the first to be initiated into this new chapter. Soror Alyce’s other two sisters, Sorors Jorja Wiggins, a past basileus of Delta Iota Omega Chapter (1954 to 1955), and Virgie Reid, were initiated into graduate chapters in other cities. Soror Alyce’s daughter Kay and granddaughter Kelli, as well as her stepgranddaughter Shaun, are all AKA’s. Her daughter-in-law, Soror Shirley Henderson, was initiated in Delta Iota Omega Chapter in 2011.

In a 2008 interview, Soror Alyce noted that in her seventy-five Diamond years of membership, her chapter had initiated 146 members in nineteen ceremonies, most of which she attended.

Ten years after its 1946 chartering, Delta Iota Omega Chapter launched its Charmette-Debutante program in March 1956 and selected its first group of high school seniors from Washington High, Carver High, Ransom, and St. Joseph to be presented to society in December 1957. Soror Alyce Henderson’s daughter, Soror Kay Henderson Adams, was among the twenty-seven Debutantes.

In her eighty-one years as an AKA, Soror Alyce attended district, regional, and national conferences; served in a number of chapter offices and on various committees; and gave numerous volunteer hours toward implementing the chapter’s community service projects from its spelling bees in the fifties to its food pantries of today. “My favorite job in the chapter was sending cards to members on their birthdays when I was Social and Sunshine Committee chairperson,” said Soror Alyce.

Soror Alyce’s mantra regarding longevity and uninterrupted service in her sorority is “Don’t just be a member but take an active part. Be an active member, not just someone who belongs.”

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A N I T A ST R E E T E R G O L D E N SO R O R I N I T I A T E D I N 1942 Interviewed by Soror Nettie E aton March 7, 2008 Soror Anita Streeter was initiated in Beta Sigma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated at South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, South Carolina, in 1942. She herself is originally from Spartanburg, South Carolina. Soror Anita transferred to Delta Iota Omega Chapter in 1950 and has been financially active for 66 years.

During her tenure in Delta Iota Omega Chapter, Soror Anita served as financial secretary and chairperson of the audit and budget committees. In addition, she attended several Cluster IV Conferences, South Atlantic Regional Conferences, and two Boules. Soror Anita was Parliamentarian in 1977 and Epistoleus in 1986.

Soror Anita has fond memories of going to sorors’ homes for monthly sorority meetings on first Saturdays at 6:00 p.m. She also remembers making the transition to noon meetings at restaurants and occasionally at the parish hall of her church, St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church.

Soror Anita is a retired secretary in the Escambia County School system.

Soror Anita became a Golden Soror in 1992. She is also a Life Member of the Sorority.

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L O IS W A GST A F F A N D E RSO N (Ivy Beyond the W all, 2010) G O L D E N SO R O R I N I T I A T E D I N 1948 Interviewed by Soror Andra Jefferson December 26, 2007

Golden Soror Lois Anderson, a retired educator, was initiated in Beta Pi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated at Alabama State University in her hometown of Montgomery, Alabama, in 1948.

Soror Lois became a member of Delta Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in Pensacola, Florida, in 1951. She was a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha.

Soror Lois Anderson participated in many activities, worked on committees, and attended Cluster and Regional Conferences, and Boules. During 1988 and 1989, Soror Lois participated in many ongoing programs of Delta Iota Omega Chapter such as the Food Pantry, NAACP membership drive, Pan Hellenic Council, and the Magnolia Nursing Home project, where the monthly hostess group would take gifts to the nursing home patients. Soror Lois also participated in the shoe fund campaign, which was sponsored by the visiting teachers of Escambia County, and a Health Fair, which focused on stress management. Soror Lois attended Honors night at several of the high schools to present the Delta Iota Omega Chapter scholarship.

Additionally, Soror Lois participated with the AKA Connection Committee, which presented a political forum to get the community involved in voting for political candidates. In fact, Soror Lois and other sorority members worked at the Supervisor of Elections office on October 8, 1988.

Soror Lois stated that meetings were held at St. Cyprian’s Church on Saturdays at 6:00 p.m. Soror Lois recalled a number of events during her sixty years of service: the voucher system for paying bills was implemented on March 5, 1988. There were 72 financial members in the sorority in 1988. The late Soror Dolores Albury became Cluster IV Coordinator in 1988. The sorority won second place in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. parade in 1989. And the sorority made contributions to the Sorority’s Cleveland Job Corps Center, and the Sickle Cell Foundation.

In 1989, Sorors Lois Anderson and Dolores Albury attended a meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, at Morris Brown College sponsored by then-Regional Director Soror Frederica Wilson and then-Supreme Basileus Janet Ballard. A moratorium on hazing was discussed in great detail. Delta Iota Omega Chapter made a presentation in LaGrange, Georgia, which invited sorors to the 1990 Cluster IV conference that was held in Pensacola. In 1988, Delta Iota Omega co-hosted a Regional Conference in Tallahassee, Florida. Soror Lois Anderson became a Golden Soror in 1998. Soror Lois’s daughter, Sharon Anderson, was inducted in Delta Iota Omega Chapter in 1981 and is an Alpha Kappa Alpha Silver Star, who is the current basileus of Xi Omega Chapter in Washington, D.C.

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Y V O N N E L U C K Y K Y L E (Ivy Beyond the W all, M arch 2013) G O L D E N SO R O R I N I T I A T E D I N 1948 Interviewed by Soror Carolyn F razier Stallworth F ebruary/March 2008

Soror Yvonne Kyle was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1948. The chapter did not have a Greek name and was referred to as just Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® at Xavier University. Soror Yvonne continued active membership since that time. She transferred to Delta Iota Omega Chapter in 1950. Delta Iota Omega Chapter had not been chartered when she first moved to Pensacola.

Soror Yvonne Kyle’s sister, Edythe Lucky Thompson, and her Aunt Annie Belle Williams were charter members of Delta Iota Omega Chapter. Soror Yvonne’s great aunt, Soror Ruth White, was among the eight women who were the first to be initiated into Delta Iota Omega Chapter in 1948.

During her tenure in the chapter, Soror Yvonne served as Tamiochous. Although she never chaired a committee, Soror Yvonne was always an active member of various committees. In fact, for over twenty years, she was responsible for selecting the Debutantes’ gifts – silhouette charms. During her membership, she attended three Boulés and numerous Regional Conferences.

During her early membership in Delta Iota Omega, Soror Yvonne said meetings were held on the first Saturday afternoon and the host soror was responsible for refreshments.

Soror Yvonne Kyle was the first African-American female pharmacist in Pensacola; she was honored by the Pensacola Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Incorporated, in 1995 at a ceremony and in a calendar honoring “Firsts” – local African-American women who were “first” in their area of accomplishment. Soror Yvonne became a licensed pharmacist in the state of Florida in 1951. Because of enforced segregation, she could not get a job in Pensacola as a pharmacist, but as a warehouse buyer. In 1952, however, she went to work at Jones Pharmacy, a black-owned drugstore, as a retail pharmacist and worked there until 1971 when she was hired as a hospital staff pharmacist at Sacred Heart Hospital, where she worked until her retirement in 1992.

In 1998 Soror Yvonne was designated as a “Golden Soror” for fifty years of consecutive membership and service to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She was a Life Member of the Sorority.

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D O R O T H Y H O USE M C C R A Y (Ivy Beyond the W all, 2010) G O L D E N SO R O R I N I T I A T E D I N 1948 Interviewed by Soror Cheryl Reeves

Soror Dorothy House McCray was one of eight ladies who made up the first group initiated in Delta Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in 1948. In fact, Soror Dot, as she is endearingly called, was the last living member of the first group initiated into Delta Iota Omega Chapter.

Soror Dorothy’s participation in Delta Iota Omega included but was not limited to serving as Epistoleus. She actually served as Epistoleus during the time period that Delta Iota Omega hosted the Regional Conference in Pensacola in 1968 and had saved some of the minutes and other paperwork from the organizational meetings. She also had saved communication from the Supreme Basileus. In Soror Dorothy’s AKA archives were photographs of chapter initiations and activities from the fifties.

Among Soror Dorothy’s most memorable AKA moments was the South Atlantic Regional Conference in Pensacola, Florida, in 1968, which, according to Soror Dorothy, was a “blast.” Soror Dorothy also attended a Regional Conference in Jacksonville, Florida. She attended a Regional Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, with Soror Lillie James Frazier; they flew, and this trip was Soror Dorothy’s first flight. In Atlanta, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity hosted a cocktail party for the AKAs. Soror Dot said that the Christmas season in Pensacola was a time for social gatherings, and many sorors used to host parties and invite other sorors and their spouses as guests.

Soror Dorothy was a retired educator. She taught typing and shorthand at Booker T. Washington High School for many years.

Soror Dorothy House McCray became a Golden Soror in 1998.

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SA R A H W Y N D E R H A Y N ES, Ph.D. (Ivy Beyond the W all, September 2013) G O L D E N SO R O R I N I T I A T E D I N 1950 Interviewed by Sorors F reda Lacey and Sharmayne White, April 6, 2008 An Additional Interview by Soror Mamie Webb H ixon, May 19, 2008 Soror Sarah Wynder Haynes was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at Alabama State University, Beta Pi, Chapter, in Montgomery, Alabama, on May 1, 1950. Soror Sarah transferred to Delta Iota Omega Chapter in 1960. She held the Basileus position for three terms of her membership in Delta Iota Omega Chapter: 1966-1967, 1990-1991, and 1994-1995. Soror Sarah was a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha.

Soror Sarah was able to effectively juggle her roles as wife, mother, active churchgoer and member, and active soror while at the same time adding another role: student. “I’ve been in school all of my life,” Soror Sarah quipped. “I’d go back now if someone paid my tuition for another advanced degree.” She already had a specialist degree from Florida State University. In 1980, Soror Sarah moved to the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa, to take doctoral classes; she completed her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Education, Administration, and Supervision in 1982 while still maintaining her membership in Delta Iota Omega Chapter. She later retired from educaton after over forty years of teaching. Before receiving a specialist degree from Florida State, Soror Sarah said that she and other blacks were being paid by the State of Florida to attend graduate school elsewhere, since during the fifties and sixties, Florida State University and the University of Florida were not accepting black students. “I remember coming back to Pensacola to file an affidavit with the State of Florida and receiving a check for the difference it would have cost to attend a Florida university.” “Most of us went off to schools like Columbia University and Indiana University to pursue master’s degrees,” she said.

Lovingly called the “road runner” and the traveling soror by her friends and sorors, Soror Sarah attended many Boules, Regional Conferences, and Cluster meetings with her traveling partner, the late Soror Dolores Albury. Specifically, Soror Sarah recalled the Boules in Greenville, South Carolina; Houston, Texas; and St. Louis, Missouri. At the Dallas, Texas Boule, in 2000 when Soror Sarah became a Golden Soror, along with her childhood friend Soror Evelyn Walker and her college crony and former member of Delta Iota Omega Chapter, Robbie Kyle, Soror Sarah’s daughter invited all the Pensacola Chapter sorors to her home to celebrate the occasion. Soror Alvina Wooten was among the Delta Iota Omega Chapter members present, for this was also the year that Soror Alvina and Soror Millie Benjamin became Silver Stars.

Soror Sarah remembered vividly her visit to St. Louis, Missouri, and staying in someone’s home similar to what is now a bed and breakfast establishment. Her attendance at the Boule Conferences also allowed her to travel with the Sorority to Morocco, Spain, and other European countries.

Also, she recalled the chapter participating in the Tuskegee Gift Basket Project, the Spring Fling, and conducting sorority meetings at least twice a month on the 1st and 4th Saturdays at 6:00 p.m. Soror Sarah was one of the original signers of the chapter’s first Sorority House mortgage and was among the sorors who were instrumental in negotiating the purchase of the house. Soror Sarah Haynes became a Golden Soror in the year 2000. Soror Sarah’s daughter, Charlene Kinon, of Dallas, Texas, is an Alpha Kappa Alpha soror. Two of her daughters-in-law, Machelle Haynes and Gigi Haynes, as well as her niece Wanda Grandberry, are also sorors.

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EVELYN WAL K ER G O L D E N SO R O R I N I T I A T E D I N 1950

Information Submitted by Soror Evelyn Walker, Written by Soror Mamie H ixon When Soror Evelyn Walker “pledged” Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority in 1950, she served as the president of the Ivy Leaf Pledge Club for a semester. In May 1950, Soror Evelyn Walker was initiated in Gamma Tau Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated at thenBethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida. Soror Evelyn is now a member of Bethune Cookman University’s Board of Trustees.

Soror Evelyn transferred to Delta Iota Omega Chapter in 1955. She has served on nearly all committees at some time in memory; she has served as Grammateus and Tamiochous; she was Basileus from 1960 to 1961 and 1968 to1969; and notably, she has served as Parliamentarian under six basilei from 1992 to the present, including her current position of Parliamentarian under Basileus Number 34. Soror Evelyn also chaired one of the chapter’s ongoing fundraising projects during the sixties: the Ebony Fashion Fair project for three years.

Additionally, Soror Evelyn accepted and chaired the hosting of the Chapter’s first Regional Conference while serving as Basileus in 1968.

In her 57 years of membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha, she has attended most Regional conferences, Cluster meetings, and many of the Boules. In her 57 years of membership, Soror Evelyn has rarely missed attending a chapter meeting. “Chapter meetings,” she said, “have always been held on Saturdays. In earlier years, the meeting time was 6:00 p.m.; when some sorors started to grow older, they requested that evening meeting times be moved to noon.”

Attendance at meetings was mandatory, and fines were assessed for lateness to meetings.

Soror Evelyn remembers that meetings were held in sorors’ homes when possible. Other places were the Federated Club House, and the San Carlos Hotel (“When the owners and managers finally decided to let us [black people] in,” she quipped).

The sorority’s Regional conference was held for the first time in Pensacola on the campus of Washington Junior College on Texar Drive with the cooperation of its president, Dr. G.T. Wiggins, the husband of Soror Jorja Wiggins. Guests were housed in the Crosby Motel on Alcaniz Street and in sorors’ and others’ homes. The banquet was held at Grier’s Grand Hotel on Guillemard Street.

A major historical Delta Iota Omega Chapter event that Soror Evelyn recalls proudly is the purchase of the two-story sorority house on the corner of 13th Avenue and Gonzalez Street in 1973. The house was painted a beautiful green with a pink trim. To make monthly mortgage payments, sorors were grouped to serve as hostesses, and instead of using their hostess fees to provide a repast, the hostess fee assessment was used for a mortgage payment. Soror Evelyn 58

recalls: “No food was served. Our food allowance was used to pay the mortgage. Also the house had an occasional renter. We outgrew the house and its use. It deteriorated, and in 1985 the chapter voted to tear it down.”

Soror Evelyn had been a member of Delta Iota Omega Chapter for six years when the Debutante program was initiated, so she has fond memories of garden parties that were “real garden parties” held on the front lawns and back lawns, sometimes at poolside, of various sorors’ homes. “Having the garden parties at sorors’ homes kept expenses down,” she said.

The Charmettes wore their prom gowns and designed their own hats. “At one garden party, we were televised and shown on WEAR TV-3.” All other charm schools were also held in sorors’ homes or at the sorority house. Sometimes the sorority used St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church for the mother-daughter tea.

Soror Evelyn became a Golden Soror in 2000. She is a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

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IDA Y OUNG C O L E M AN G O L D E N SO R O R I N I T I A T E D I N 1951

Interviewed by Soror E laine Simpson January 2008 Soror Ida Young Ransom Coleman was initiated into Gamma Xi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in 1951 at St. Augustine College in St. Augustine, Florida. Soror Ida transferred to Delta Iota Omega Chapter in 1952.

During her tenure in the chapter, Soror Ida has held numerous offices and has served on several committees, including but not limited to Auditing, Health, and Evaluation. She has chaired the Building and Properties Committee during several terms. Sorors know her as the beautiful lady who designed many of her own clothes and who always was perfectly coordinated with matching suits or dresses, shoes, purses, and jewelry.

Soror Ida has served as basileus three terms: 1964-65, 1970-1971, and 1982-1983. During her first term as basileus, she developed the telephone chain as a means of communicating meeting reminders to sorors.

Prior to the phone chain, the hostess or hostess committee sent postal card mailouts. Sorors went from house to house for monthly sorority meetings at 6:00 in the evening.

During her fifty-six years in Alpha Kappa Alpha, Soror Ida has attended Clusters, Regionals and Boules. In 1968, the South Atlanta Regional Conference was held at the Grand Hotel on Guillemard Street, and she was a member of the planning committee. Under Soror Ida’s administration, the Cluster IV Conference was held at the downtown Hilton.

Soror Ida remembers the chapter having sponsored Fashionetta, Ebony Fashion Fair, and the annual Spelling Bee. She also remembers the Sorority being nominated as volunteer of the year.

Soror Ida’s sister Bettye Swanston and her great niece Yeletta Banks were initiated in Delta Iota Omega Chapter; Soror Ida’s niece Yelena Banks is also an Alpha Kappa Alpha soror. Soror Ida was designated a "Golden Soror" in 2001. She is a retired English teacher. Soror Ida is a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

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R OSE A D A MS H I C K S (Ivy Beyond the W all, M arch 2013) G O L D E N SO R O R I N I T I A T E D I N 1952

Interviewed by Soror Mamie Webb H ixon November 26, 2007 Two years after its 1946 chartering, Delta Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated initiated eight members; two years later, in 1952, the chapter initiated two members, one of whom was Rose Hicks, who is originally from Daytona Beach, Florida.

Rose recalled during her interview, when looking at pictures from her storehouse of archived AKA memorabilia, that she and Ruby Jackson Gainer were the only two “pledgees,” and “so we had a lot of chores to do for the seventeen members. Lillie Frazier was Basileus, and she demanded all our time.”

Soror Rose hosted a number of sorority meetings in her beautiful home on the corner of Scott Street and 14th Avenue. She also hosted a number of Links meetings there too, as she was one of the organizers of the Pensacola Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. In the Sorority, Soror Rose served on the Black Family Committee and the Building and Properties Committee. In 1977, Soror Rose was the Membership Chairperson. At one time, Soror Rose served as Grammateus of the chapter; in fact, she still has in her AKA archives copies of minutes she recorded in the fifties and sixties.

Soror Rose was a retired high school and Pensacola Junior College reading instructor.

Soror Rose became a Golden Soror in 2002. She has a legacy of Alpha Kappa Alpha in her family. Her daughter, the late Judith Hicks Thompson, was an AKA soror; and her daughter Dr. Lauren Hicks Barton, is an AKA soror. The legacy continues into the next generation, for Soror Rose’s granddaughters Candice Thompson and Brandi Rose Barton are AKAs as well.

Quite the historian herself, Soror Rose Hicks collected AKA memorabilia. She had everything from chapter articles in the then Colored Citizen newspaper to Fashionetta programs and souvenir journals, garden party invitations and programs, spelling bee programs, sorority meeting notes and minutes, photographs, and chapter program booklets and directories that cover a period from 1954 to 2005. Soror Rose was a Life Member of the Sorority.

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D E L O R IS SA L T E R M C C R A Y (Ivy Beyond the W all, 2010) G O L D E N SO R O R I N I T I A T E D I N 1952 Interviewed by Soror Carla Scott Jones, January 2008

Soror Deloris Salter McCray was initiated into Gamma Tau Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated at Bethune-Cookman College, Daytona Beach, Florida, in 1952. She transferred to Delta Iota Omega Chapter in 1954 and continued her membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. for 56 years. During her tenure in the chapter, Soror Deloris has held numerous offices: Anti-Basileus Grammateus Epistoleus Hodegos Dean of Pledgees Soror Deloris’s achievements didn’t stop there; she chaired various committees, such as the following: Founders’ Day (3 terms) Sickle Cell Anemia Program Sorority Christmas Party Debutante Ball Music Committee: she secured the band for the Debutante Ball for 7 consecutive years.

Soror Deloris was a contestant in the chapter’s fundraiser, FASHIONETTA®, which used to be a signature program of AKA. All proceeds were dedicated to the chapter-sponsored charitable events.

Soror Deloris raised the highest amount of money and was crowned “Miss Fashionetta” in 1975. She sponsored, along with her committee, a raffle, and the grand prize was a bus trip to the then “new” Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

In the early years of Delta Iota Omega Chapter, Soror Deloris stated that the sorority meetings were held in the homes of the sorors. The host soror was responsible for the refreshments for the meeting. Meetings were held on the first Saturdays of each month at 6:00 P.M., and every soror dressed to impress.

In 2002, Soror Deloris Salter McCray was designated as a “Golden Soror” for 50 years of consecutive membership and service to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She attended the Boulé that year in Orlando, Florida, to receive her golden crown. Soror Deloris was a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha.

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B A R B A R A SI M M O NS R O D G E RS G O L D E N SO R O R I N I T I A T E D I N 1952 Interviewed by Soror Modeste McCorvey April 2008

Soror Barbara Simmons Rodgers was initiated into Beta Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) in 1952. She transferred to Delta Iota Omega Chapter in 1954 and has continued her membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. for 56 years.

She, along with other sorors, has served as the chapter’s musician for a number of years.

In her capacity as the chapter’s musician, she has directed the AKA Chorale and the Delta Iota Omega Ensemble at a number of public and closed functions of the Sorority.

In 2002, Soror Barbara Simmons Rodgers was designated as a “Golden Soror” for her 50 years of consecutive membership and service to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Soror Barbara is a retired educator and a church organist/pianist and choir director. Not only is Soror Barbara a musician; she is also a gifted and eloquent public speaker. Soror Lois Anderson remarked about Soror Barbara’s delivering the Emancipation Proclamation at a community event and Soror Barbara’s numerous appearances at Women’s Day programs, where she (Soror Barbara) shared her travel experiences with the audiences. During the fifties and sixties, Soror Barbara traveled extensively, so when she was invited to be a church’s Women’s Day speaker, she would often give a travel log.

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G E R A L D I N E SC O T T G O L D E N SO R O R I N I T I A T E D I N 1952

Interviewed by Soror Gloria Clay, January 2008 Golden Soror Geraldine Scott was initiatied into Gamma Tau Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® in 1951 at Bethune-Cookman College, Daytona Beach, Florida. She transferred to Delta Iota Omega Chapter in 1958 and has been a very active member of the local chapter since then. She has served as corresponding secretary, recording secretary, and a financial officer. Soror Scott has served, and still does serve, on many committees in the chapter.

Soror Scott loves to travel and has attended many Regional Conferences, Clusters, and Boules during her fifty-six years in the Sorority. Soror Scott said in her early years as a member she was not able to afford the costs of conference attendance. However, she is able to do so now and is faithful in attending.

Soror Scott talked about chapter meetings during the fifties and sixties: meetings were held in sorors’ homes. At that time, restaurants were not an option because of segregation laws. “The sorority definitely was not allowed to hold meetings at the San Carlos hotel downtown, for instance,” recalls Soror Scott. The soror who hosted the meeting incurred all of the costs for expenses herself. The meetings were at 6:00 in the evening and lasted two to three hours followed by a dinner meal. The attire normally was suits and dresses. Pants were not so common during that time period. Eventually, the sorority moved the meetings out of the homes and into a house the chapter renovated and used for not only meetings but also sorority activities. It was a two-story house on East Gonzalez Street. Instead of hostesses providing a repast, the hostess fees were used for mortgage payments. This decision to forego repasts had an adverse effect on membership, which drastically decreased, leaving only thirty or so members to maintain the house and continue its up-keep. Soror Scott said the maintenance of the house became expensive because of the need for additional renovations and the lack of a full-time caretaker for the grounds and indoors (the chapter met there only once a month).

Eventually, in 1985, the chapter had to tear down the house; later the lot was sold.

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Soror Scott talked about the numerous events the chapter sponsored. One was Ebony Fashion Fair Show. She said that project took a lot of work: selling of tickets, finding accommodations for the models and fashion show crew, and decorating the facility. The chapter also hosted an AKA signature project, Fashionetta®, which consisted of a fashion show, musical entertainment, and a competition of contestants vying for the title “Miss Fashionetta,” a title for which many sorors competed. Another activity was the annual Spelling Bee, held at a school, with students from various schools in the area participating. Soror Scott has fond memories of the chapter-sponsored garden parties that were held usually in May and outside in sorors’ yards, where tables and chairs were set up on sorors’ beautifully manicured lawns.

Beaming, she said, “The attire was their GOOD dresses and extravagant hats designed by sorors themselves as well as the Debutantes.” The menu usually consisted of fancy sandwiches, petit fours and other delicious items prepared by the sorors. The girls participating wore their prom dresses, and “their hats were made from scratch, meaning they made the hat frame and all!” Sorors served as hat judges, and also there was entertainment.

Soror Scott‘s husband, Lawrence Scott, was the master of ceremonies and announcer of the Debutantes at the chapter’s annual Debutante Ball for approximately twenty years.

Soror Geraldine Scott was crowned a Golden Soror in 2001. Soror Gerry, as she is endearingly called, is a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha. Her daughter, Soror Carla Jones, is an Alpha Kappa Alpha soror.

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B A R B A R A H E R B E R T SI M M O NS G O L D E N SO R O R I N I T I A T E D I N 1953 Interviewed by Soror Mamie Webb H ixon May 19, 2008 “Sorors Sarah Haynes and Lillie Belle Ballard McGhee (a Pensacola native) were present when I ‘crossed the burning sands’ at Alabama State University in Beta Pi Chapter on May 5, 1953. Sarah [an Alabama State alumna] made a trip from Opelika, Alabama, where she was living at the time, to come for my initiation ceremony. She and Lillie were standing on either side of me. Lillie was still an Alabama State student and a member of Beta Pi Chapter, so she was the one who ‘penned’ me.”

The above statement is how Soror Barbara Herbert Simmons describes her initiation. The eight “Ivies” of Beta Pi Chapter actually started their pledging process with a so-called secret probation period at the end of 1952 and were “on line” for eight weeks before being initiated in May 1953. “Though our group of eight did not have a ‘line name,’ my individual ‘line name’ was ‘Blondie’ (because I had naturally light-colored hair), and I was number 7 of 8,” recalls Soror Barbara.

On a fast academic track to success, Soror Barbara graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1950 and enrolled at Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama, where she attended classes all year long – winter, spring, and summer quarters. Soror Barbara majored in elementary education. Her minor was home economics, so she made her two AKA uniforms – one pink and one green – while she was “on line.”

May 1953 – initiation; August 1953 – graduation: three months after becoming an Alpha Kappa Alpha woman, Soror Barbara graduated from Alabama State and then on December 8, 1953, transferred her membership to Delta Iota Omega Chapter, where she has been an active member since. After joining the graduate chapter, Soror Barbara recalls attending her first Founders’ Day program, the chapter’s open Founders’ Day celebration at Allen Chapel AME Church, and then going to a reception at Soror Lula Mae Hawthorne’s house. Sorority meetings were every first Saturday at 6:00 p.m. at sorors’ homes and occasionally at the Women’s Federated Club. “And, oh yes, honey, we dressed up!” Soror Barbara exclaimed.

Family illnesses precluded Soror Barbara’s regular attendance at meetings, but she was still able to do committee work and hold an office. Soror Barbara was the chapter’s Ivy Leaf Reporter under Soror Jorja Wiggins’ administration as basileus. “I was always placed on the same committees with Sorors A.B. Williams and Elsie Jones,” she said. Soror Barbara chaired one of the Charm School committees – Fun and Living – and reserved Monsanto Picnic Grounds for the activity. Afterwards, she and her committee members took the Charmettes and their escorts to Sorors Elsie Jones and Myrtle Brown’s grandmother’s farm for a marshmallow roast. Soror Barbara also compiled the scrapbook for the Regional Conference held in Pensacola in 1968. She remembers going to the conference sessions at Washington Junior College. Soror Barbara has been a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority since 1990. Her only daughter, Harriette Gadsden-Reynolds, is a member of Delta Iota Omega Chapter as well. Soror Barbara became a Golden Soror in 2003.

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L O IS B E L L E SE L L E RS, E d.D. G O L D E N SO R O R I N I T I A T E D I N 1953 Interviewed by Soror Modeste McCorvey May 13, 2011 Soror Lois Belle Sellers was initiated in 1953 at Youngstown State University in Delta Delta Chapter, a chapter that was initiated and chartered on May 8, 1953 at the state university in Youngstown, Ohio. At that time, Youngstown State University was called Youngstown College. Soror Lois was a charter member.

Soror Lois joined Delta Iota Omega Chapter twice. She first joined in 1982 along with her sister, Arcelean Hampton, and again in 2000.

Soror Lois has had a very long career in nursing. She taught nursing at Youngstown State University, Hampton University, Oral Roberts University, and the University of Oklahoma. She served as Assistant Director of Nursing at the University of Illinois and the Director of Nursing at the University of Arkansas in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, when the program became fully accredited. While at Hampton, she was appointed by the governor to the State Board of Nursing in Virginia. During her tenure at the University of Arkansas, she was a member of the National League of Nursing and served on the search committee for the university’s president. She was a colonel in the United States Army Nursing Corps. She also worked at Veterans Administration Hospitals in Tuskegee, Alabama as well as in the state of Massachusetts in various capacities. Soror Lois retired in 2000 as a Substance Abuse Counselor for veterans.

Soror Lois enjoys traveling and has maintained contact with many friends.

Soror Lois loves Alpha Kappa Alpha. Although her jobs took her to various cities around the country, she was always an active member of the sorority. She has held various offices and served on many committees during her 58 years of membership. She says that she has enjoyed her sisterhood and how the sorors of Delta Iota Omega care for the sick and become involved in community activities. She said that she especially enjoys the recognition that she has received on her birthdays and other special milestones.

As a retiree, Soror Lois now resides in Daphne, Alabama, and maintains her membership with Delta Iota Omega Chapter.

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OPH E L I A C O T T O N R A Y G O L D E N SO R O R I N I T I A T E D I N 1959 Interviewed by Soror Cheryl Knight, May 2011 Soror Ophelia Ray was initiated in 1959 at Tennessee State, Alpha Psi Chapter. She was one of a line of 28.

Her line name was “Fee Fee.” Soror Ophelia joined Delta Iota Omega Chapter twice. She first joined Delta Iota Omega in 1963. She left and went to LaGrange, Georgia. While in LaGrange, Soror Ophelia became a charter member of Theta Xi Omega. In 1968, Soror Ophelia returned to Pensacola and rejoined Delta Iota Omega Chapter.

Soror Ophelia is a retired music teacher. She has many accomplishments. She was one of the first black females to integrate the Board of Directors for the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra. Soror Ophelia served two terms on the Board. It was noted that there were no African American members of the orchestra at the time.

Another notable moment occurred when Soror Ophelia became the first African-American teacher to integrate Bellview Elementary School in Pensacola. She was also first to integrate a junior high school in Dayton, Ohio. Soror Ophelia’s calling, she said, “seems to be integrating!”

Since becoming a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Soror Ophelia has participated in many activities and events. She has held several offices within Delta Iota Omega Chapter. Soror Ophelia has been Philacter two times. She has served as Grammateus, Anti-Grammateus, and Hodegos. She has also served as chapter musician for a number of years. As chapter musician, Soror Ophelia teaches both the University of West Florida candidates and our Chapter candidates our Sorority songs. She is currently the chapter Chaplain.

Committees Soror Ophelia participates on include Health, AKA Connection, Relay for Life, Building and Properties, and the Charmette and Debutante Ball Committees.

Soror Ophelia enjoys traveling and has attended many Regionals, her favorite being the Regional held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in 2009 where she became a Golden Soror. When speaking of changes in the Sorority that she has witnessed, she said lots of things have changed. She reflected a moment and said “We aren’t as sisterly as we used to be.” And “we need to be.”

Soror Ophelia is a member of Zion Hope Primitive Baptist Church where she is a member of the Sunday School and the Women’s Auxiliary. Golden Soror Ophelia’s marriage is approaching its Golden status: Soror Ophelia has been married to her husband, Willie, for 47 years.

Soror Ophelia is also actively involved in diabetes education, especially for young people. She assists in sponsorships for Diabetes Camps for Youths. She is a wonderful example to those with diabetes. She is a shining example that one can live a full and active life with diabetes. Her philosophy is to not let anything, including diabetes, bother her. Soror Ophelia is a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

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L AURE L B O YD G O L D E N SO R O R I N I T I A T E D I N 1959 Interviewed by Soror Nettie E aton, May 10, 2011 Golden Soror Laurel Boyd was initiated into Gamma Chapter at the University of Illinois at Urbana in 1959.

During her matriculation at the University of Illinois, she served as House Manager and Grammateus.

While taking Alpha Kappa Alpha journey, Soror Laurel has held membership in the following chapters: Beta Chapter (Chicago, Illinois), Theta Omega (Chicago, Illinois), Pi Kappa Omega (New York, New York), and Delta Iota Omega Chapter (Pensacola, Florida). She has been a member of Delta Iota Omega Chapter since 1974.

Soror Laurel has attended Cluster conferences in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, and in Tallahassee, Florida; Regional conferences in St Louis, Illinois, and Atlanta, Georgia; and Boule conferences in Philadelphia, Pennslyvania, and Chicago, Illinois.

During her 37-year membership in Delta Iota Omega Chapter, Soror Laurel has participated in the following activities: Health Committee, Charmette program at different times as speaker on health matters, and the Health Fair. In addition, Soror Laurel served as Faculty Advisor to Beta Gamma Chapter at the University of West Florida (UWF) in the early 80’s.

As a faculty member of the Nursing Department at the University of West Florida, Soror Laurel was instrumental in assisting Beta Gamma sorors in acquiring scholarships through Health and Human Services.

Soror Laurel retired from UWF’s Department of Nursing in 2013.

Soror Laurel spoke candidly about Alpha Kappa Alpha official colors and what they mean to her. She stated, “The official colors of Alpha Kappa Alpha are salmon pink and apple green. However, never are those colors put together. In fact, when I go to conferences, I put it to every vendor: ‘If you have anything in salmon pink and apple green, I'll buy it.’ They never do. They do have, however, the bright pink, emerald or bright lime green. . . .” Soror Laurel continues by saying, “I know that the original colors were selected because of their softness. Too bad we have not retained it. That explains why you seldom see me in our colors. . . . It is difficult to find them. (As a side note...dear Soror Loraine Green in Chicago, when she was about 75 years old, mentioned that to me as well. She and her husband lived next door to us throughout my childhood, and much of my reverence for AKA comes from my admiration of her.” When Soror Laurel was an undergraduate, she remembers Soror Loraine coming into one of their meetings and teaching the undergraduates how to sing the AKA National Hymn to the right tempo. “Soror Loraine would say ‘Do not sing the hymn too slow,’” Soror Laurel recalls. She also told them to sign it loudly when they are around older sorors.

Soror Laurel’s sister and many of her sisters-in-law are Alpha Kappa Alpha women.

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B A R B A R A J E A N C H A M B E RS H O L L O W A Y G O L D E N SO R O R I N I T I A T E D I N 1960 Written by Soror Barbara Holloway, May 11, 2011

As an undergrad, Soror Barbara Chambers (now Holloway), on a line of seven, was initiated on April 9, 1960, in the Delta Kappa Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated at Bishop College, Marshall, Texas.

While a pledgee, Soror Barbara served in the position of Anti-Grammateus/assistant secretary.

She transferred to the graduate chapter, Delta Epsilon Omega of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Omaha, Nebraska, in 1960. Soror Barbara served on various committees while a member of this chapter— Founders’ Day Luncheon, Mother-Daughter Tea, and Membership.

In 1968, Soror Barbara’s family relocated to Willingboro, New Jersey, where she became affiliated with the Theta Pi Omega Chapter, Mount Laurel, New Jersey, a 1967 newly chartered chapter which served South Jersey’s tri-county region of Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester Counties. Soror Barbara was very active and served on numerous committees.

On March 18, 1978, upon relocating to Cleveland, Ohio, Soror Barbara was one of 71 charter members of the Lambda Phi Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Warrensville Heights, Ohio. Soror Barbara served on various committees.

Soror Barbara relocated to Pensacola, Florida, in 2004 and became affiliated with Delta Iota Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Incorporated in 2005. The Budget, Audit, Properties, Founders’ Day, Debutante Ball, and Charmette Introductory Tea are a few of the committees for which she volunteered.

The first AKA Regional she attended was in Dallas, Texas, in April of 1960. This proved to be a pivotal point in Soror Barbara’s life, as she had finally accomplished one of her childhood dreams of following in the footsteps of one of her high school teachers, Mrs. Alvan Jean Baker of Beta Nu Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Montgomery, Alabama. Soror Alvan is now an Ivy Beyond the Wall Golden Soror. Just the memory of that wonderful function continues to be heartfelt and will never be forgotten.

Soror Barbara is a retired (2000) educator of 31 years. Soror Barbara taught three years in Pennsauken, New Jersey, and the remainder of her years of service was in Bedford, Ohio, where she was the first black teacher in the high school. She taught Manual and Computerized Accounting, the Microsoft Office Suite, Job Readiness, and Job Placement Skills. She served on the Ohio State Board of Education’s Vocational Division Advisory Committee and represented the State of Ohio on a tri-state regional as well as a lobbyist in Washington, DC, for the benefit of vocational education funding. Soror Barbara has been recognized locally, regionally and state-wide for her achievements as a business education instructor and chair.

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MINNIE C L AR K B YRD G O L D E N SO R O R I N I T I A T E D I N 1961 Interviewed by Soror Joycelyn Jordan- F luellen, May 2011 Minnie Clark Byrd was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at Florida A & M University, Beta Alpha Chapter, in Tallahassee, Florida, on April 21, 1961. The other members on her line were made on April 15th. Soror Minnie’s father died on April 13th, and she had to come home for a while. Therefore, she “went over” (was initiated) by herself. You can imagine the challenging time she had crossing the “burning sands” by herself.

As a young lady in high school, Soror Minnie knew that AKA was for her. Her godmother, Soror Edna Rivers, was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, having been initiated into Beta Alpha in the 1940’s. Soror Edna transferred to Delta Iota Omega Chapter when she moved to Pensacola to teach mathematics at Booker T. Washington High School.

In 1956, the Debutante Ball program was originated by Soror Annie Bell Williams, and in 1957, Soror Edna Rivers sponsored Minnie as a Debutante.

After returning to Pensacola from Florida A & M and joining Delta Iota Omega Chapter in 1962, Soror Minnie was considered to be the “baby” in the chapter. There was a large gap in ages between Soror Minnie and the next youngest soror, a situation which meant that Soror Minnie was assigned all the “good things” to do that no one else wanted to do. Most of the sorors were teachers, and they had taught Soror Minnie when she was a student in high school.

Soror Minnie hosted many AKA Sorority meetings, initiation meetings, and Sorority Christmas parties at her home on Chavers Street in Pensacola. For one of the chapter’s Christmas parties, Soror Minnie remembers moving the furniture to the garage and setting up a party room for the sorors and their guests.

She and other sorors served turkey, dressing, and the trimmings, with plenty to drink. Soror Minnie indicated that they “had a heck of a party.” The last soror left about 2:00 A.M. the next morning. Soror Minnie also remembers hosting one of the chapter’s first informal reactivation gatherings/socials to try to encourage a number of inactive sorors who had left Delta Iota Omega Chaper to return.

Soror Minnie has fond memories of traveling to and attending Cluster and Regional conferences. In fact, she remembers driving to a lot of these conferences: Atlanta, Valdosta, Columbus, LaGrange, and Augusta, Georgia; and Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Fort Walton Beach, Florida. She always had at least three other sorors in the car with her. If she was in the van, she had six sorors with her. In Tampa, she recalls, “We had four sorors in a room, and one snored so badly until one soror slept in the bathtub and another in a corner with a pillow over her head. The next day Soror Ophelia bought earplugs and told the other sorors to get some earplugs too. Soror Minnie remembers at a Regional in Augusta listening to a very outspoken undergraduate complain about the sorority’s ills; that undergraduate was the now Minister Sylvia Tisdale. Another time on a plane trip to a sorority conference in South Carolina when there was really bad weather, Soror Frazier prayed out loud all the way to their destination. The time that she drove to Augusta, Soror Gainer was trying to convince the other sorors to accept a young lady as a Charmette who was not approved for the Charmette Program. They were in such 71

a heated discussion that they didn’t know a patrol officer was behind them until they heard the siren. He informed them that Minnie was driving 85 miles per hour in a 65-mile speed zone; of course, they talked him out of issuing a ticket. It seems that “the officer felt sorry for a bunch of school teachers.” She stated that those were the good days when sorors were friends and sisters, and they really cared about each other.

They had lots of fun together too.

Soror Minnie is a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha. In Delta Iota Omega Chapter, Soror Minnie has served as Tamiouchous over 20 years in two to three consecutive terms. She has also served as Hodegos, Pecunious Grammateus, and Philacter. In addition, she has served as chair of the Budget & Finance Committee and an EAF Representative to the National Office. Soror Minnie and other sorors on the AKA Connection Committee worked at the Supervisor of Elections Office in various capacities during local, state, and national elections; and she still works there now as a volunteer. Minnie has served as Chairperson of Food Pantry Committee and has worked with the Health Fair, the Sickle Cell Foundation, and many other chapter programs. She worked to help us get our first sorority house and was one of the original signers on the mortgage for the Delta Iota Omega Chapter sorority house. The Building Fund Committee is meeting with the builder tomorrow (May 13, 2011) at Soror Minnie’s house to make plans to build our second sorority house.

Soror Minnie contracted polio when she was 18 months old. During these early years, she had many operations to help stabilize her mobility. Throughout her young life, she wore braces and was teased and frowned upon, but she never let her physical disability deter her from succeeding and participating in activities. She was very active in school activities, holding many offices in various organizations. She graduated as an honor student, went on to college, and obtained her master’s degree in mathematics three years after receiving her B.S degree. She has continued to be active in the Sorority and her community.

Soror Minnie’s philosophy about life is to be kind and pleasant to everyone because every person has some kind of handicap. “Some handicaps can be seen, and some can not,” she says. Soror Minnie feels very strongly that God has been extremely good to her, and she gives him credit for having a very good, successful, and happy life. She will forever continue to put her trust in God. She is a member of St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church where she sings in the choir, serves with the Women’s Society, and serves on the Finance Committee.

Soror Minnie and her husband Bill have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally. In addition to going to numerous Regional, Cluster, and Boule meetings, they have traveled to 45 states within the United States and throughout Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, and Australia.

Soror Minnie’s daughter, TaMetryce Byrd Collins of Plant City, Florida, was initiated into Delta Iota Omega Chapter in 1987 – at Soror Minnie’s home. Tam is married to Chris Collins, and they have two children, Christopher and Nyah.

Soror Minnie has received the Soror of the Year award twice, and she is the first soror, along with Soror Geraldine Scott, to receive the chapter’s Sisterly Relations Award.

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I L V E R S T A R S – 2 0 1 3 (25 to 49 Y ears of Service) M amie W ebb H ixon – 47 Y ears Reita Paul – 47 Y ears A ngela Cola – 40 Y ears A nner Purify – 40 Y ears C arolyn Stallworth – 40 Y ears M illie S. Benjamin – 38 Y ears F reda L acey – 38 Y ears Debra Simpkins – 38 Y ears A lvina Wooten – 38 Y ears C heryl Reeves – 37 Y ears H ar riette G adsden-Reynolds – 36 Y ears Joyce Hopson, Ph.D – 36 Y ears Joycelyn Jordan F luellen – 35 Y ears Sheree T riplett Roberts – 34 Y ears C arla Scott Jones – 32 Y ears M argie M c Corvey – 32 Y ears Modeste M c Corvey – 32 Y ears E laine Simpson – 32 Y ears G loria C lay – 30 Y ears C heryl K night – 29 Y ears Nettie E aton – 28 Y ears Bobbie H ar rison – 28 Y ears M yrtle Janice L ee – 28 Y ears G wen L ewis – 28 Y ears Doris Par ker – 27 Y ears Ruby Potter – 27 Y ears C anel W illiams – 27 Y ears G loria Jones-Phillips – 26 Y ears Pamela Johnson – 25 Y ears

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E M B E R S – 2 0 1 3

M illie Benjamin M innie C lar k Byrd Ida Coleman Nettie E aton Joycelyn Jordan F luellen C arla Jones G loria Jones-Phillips A nner Purify O phelia Ray Barbara Rodgers Geraldine Scott Lois Belle Sellers, Ph.D. Barbara Herbert Simmons E laine Simpson C arolyn Stallworth A nita Streeter

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T H E I V Y H O USE

Constructed F ebruary 2012 Pensacola, F lorida

Members of Delta Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® attended their first meeting in the newly constructed building, The Ivy House, Saturday, March 3, 2012.

Instrumental in proposing and implementing The Ivy House plans were Sorors Ida Coleman and Minnie Clark Byrd, chair and co-chair respectively of the chapter’s Properties Committee. The chapter completed its first set of bylaws for The Ivy House Foundation on June 4, 2008. The foundation was originally named the Delta Iota Omega Foundation; however, the international office restricted the chapter from using its chapter name or the name of the sorority in the name of the foundation. Therefore, the name of the board became The Ivy House Foundation, which is comprised of members of the chapter, including at least six members of the chapter’s Properties/Building Committee and whose purpose is to make decisions regarding the maintenance and expansion of the chapter’s sorority house.

At this writing, Sorors Nettie Eaton and Bentina Terry, Esquire, are gathering information and submitting paperwork to apply for 501c3, nonprofit status for The Ivy House Foundation.

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Based on the handwritten notes of Soror Ida Coleman and the first computer-generated draft of The Ivy House Foundation bylaws, the following members became the Ivy House Foundation’s first Board of Directors: Lois Anderson Millie Benjamin Gwendolyn Bullard Minnie Clark Byrd Gloria Clay LaRitza Lynn Crear Nettie Eaton Loycelyn Fluellen Sarah Wynder Haynes Mamie Webb Hixon Ruby Jackson Andra Jefferson Carla Scott Jones

Cheryl Knight Freda Lacey Gwen Lewis Deloris McCray Angela McCorvey Cheryl Powell Ophelia Ray Schari Russell Geraldine Scott Barbara Simmons Elaine Simpson Sharmayne White Kathy Williams

The first officers were Ida Coleman, Chairman; Cheryl Knight, Secretary; and Minnie Byrd, Treasurer.

Delta Iota Omega Chapter honored its Ivy House Gold and Silver Donors at a special breakfast in February 2013 coordinated by Sorors Charmere Gatson and Mamie Webb Hixon. The $1,000 Gold Donors are Sarah Wynder Haynes, Barbara Holloway, Millie Benjamin, Minnie Clark Byrd, Ida Coleman, Nettie Eaton, Dora James, Dr. Donna Bennett, Geraldine Scott, Elaine Simpson, and Gwen Bullard. The $250 to $500 Silver Donor is Chauntey Harvey.

Sorors shown before the O pen House ceremony of T he Ivy House, Saturday, November 10, 2012.

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A lpha K appa A lpha Sorority, Incorporated ® Delta Iota O mega C hapter C elebrates O pen House

By C harmere G atson and Nettie E aton Published in Out F ront Magazine, M ay-June Issue, 2013 Based in Pensacola, Florida, Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, Incorporated® Delta Iota Omega Chapter, a service organization that has dedicated itself to serving all mankind for over 66 years, recently celebrated the grand opening of its newly constructed sorority house, The Ivy House. Located at 2600 N. Davis Highway on the east side of the city, the facility was officially completed in February 2012. This house is the second sorority house owned by Delta Iota Omega Chapter of AKA since its inception in 1946.

Chapter members hosted the Open House Ceremony for The Ivy House on Saturday, November 10, 2012. The Rev. Matthew Payne II, pastor of the city’s Mt. Zion Baptist Church, offered a special blessing over The Ivy House. Members from the following organizations gathered to support the event: The National Council of Negro Women, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., The Links, Inc., and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. AKA members and guests enjoyed a festive reception, and entertainment followed the program.

Many years have passed since the 1985 demolition of the local AKAs’ old sorority house—located at 1324 East Gonzalez Street and purchased in 1973. Therefore, the purchase of property and building a new home for the sorority is definitely a milestone reached in 2012 for the local chapter. Under the leadership of Mrs. Ida Coleman, building committee chair, and her relentless building committee, the sorority was ecstatic to open the doors of The Ivy House to the public and to share with the community some of the programs that are being sponsored within the walls of the place the sorority calls “home.”

The local AKA chapter sponsors three Signature Mentoring Programs that enrich and nurture the lives of young girls in grades 6 through 12. These mentoring programs include the following: T he A K A C harmette/Debutante Program – This program is an enrichment program established and sponsored by the sorority since 1956 to promote scholarship, finer womanhood, community service through volunteerism, and sisterhood among high school seniors with similar interests, cultural backgrounds, and academic training. The young ladies are invited by sorority members to participate in the year-long program that includes participation in cultural activities, educational training, and pre-college and pre-profession workshops. The program also provides opportunities for leadership training, for networking, and for participation in community service programs. These activities culminate at the sorority’s Debutante Ball, where the young ladies are presented to society and where the sorority awards scholarships to either two or three of the debutantes. All of the debutantes represent the sorority’s ideals of scholarship, leadership, service, and finer womanhood.

T he E merging Young L eaders (E Y L) Program – The increasing demands of the 21st century mandate that our youth become better leaders at a younger age and make smarter choices with positive consequences; therefore, the E Y L signature program of AKA was initiated in 2010 for middle school girls in the Escambia County community. The program has four AKAdemies that are designed to extend the vision of the sorority by cultivating and encouraging high scholastic achievement through leadership development, educational enrichment, civic engagement, and character building. The objectives of the EYL Program are to help alleviate problems concerning women and girls as they improve their social stature and to help maintain a progressive interest in college life as they prepare “to be of service to all mankind.”

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T he A K A I. V .I. E .S. Program – The A K A I. V .I. E .S. is the newest mentorship program implemented by the local chapter of AKA. Its mission is to provide mentors to young ladies in grades 9 through 12 and to assist in bridging the transitional period from middle school to college preparedness. In addition, the members of AKA hope that the students in the I.V.I.E.S. Program will inspire, empower, as well as reassure our emerging young leaders that change is inevitable, and that they cannot only be a part of it, but they also can spearhead it. Upon graduating from the I.V.I.E.S. program, each young lady will unmistakably recognize herself as an I ntelligent, V ersatile, I nteresting, E legant, and Superior (I.V.I.E.S.) leader in her community and in our global society.

In addition to the signature mentoring programs, the tradition of service in social action continues through five other AKA Signature Program Initiatives that essentially send sorority members into the community to “serve all mankind.” These programs consist of health (to encourage personal fitness and healthy lifestyles, including asthma awareness and environmental sustainability); global poverty (to end hunger, preserve the environment, and empower women); economic security (to promote wealth building and allocation of resources, home ownership, estate planning, support and empowerment of female-owned businesses and urban enterprise zones); social justice and human rights (to address gender equality issues, voter empowerment, access to technology; to train parents as advocates for children’s educational and healthcare needs; and to support the arts); and internal training for external service (to afford AKA members leadership training at all levels within the organization, allowing them to also take leadership skills into the workplace and beyond).

The 80-plus members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Delta Iota Omega Chapter have embraced their new home. It has been dedicated for the use of successful endeavors and to carry out the sorority’s mission. The sorority members envision that The Ivy House will be a center of excellence that will serve its members and the Pensacola community well into the future.

The official sign identifying the 1,500 square-foot building as T H E I V Y H O USE was erected in November 2012 and stands on the corner of Hatton Street and Davis Highway.

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Delta Iota Omega Chapter’s

PR O G R A MS O F SE R V I C E ”THROUGH THE YEARS” SP E L L I N G B E E: Delta Iota Omega Chapter was one of the first organizations in Pensacola’s history to sponsor an annual Spelling Bee from circa 1954 to 1967.

F ASH I O N E T T A®: From circa 1952 to 1975, Delta Iota Omega Chapter sponsored its annual signature fundraiser, alternating between Ebony Fashion Fair and Fashionetta®.

T H E A R TS: Delta Iota Omega Chapter has sponsored at least two performing artists in concert, a pianist in its early years, circa 1946 to 1948; and one of its own chapter sorors, soprano Barbara Beck, in circa 1986.

M L K PA R A D E : Delta Iota Omega Chapter has participated with a walking unit and/or a float or a car in each MLK Day celebration sponsored by the local MLK Commemorative Celebration Committee.

(Shown below: 2013 float designed by Soror Chauntey Harvey)

F O O D PA N T R Y : Delta Iota Omega Chapter has sponsored and maintained a Food Pantry since 1975, providing food four to five times a year to needy families or to the Manna Food Bank.

I V Y A K A demy: From circa 2006 to 2010, Delta Iota Omega Chapter sponsored a Saturday School Program, which the sorority rotated among its neighborhood elementary school partners, especially those schools which serve several housing projects.

C L O T H ES A N D C O A T D R I V E : Delta Iota Omega Chapter has collaborated with A Will & A Way Ministries and other service organizations to provide clothing and shoes to the needy since 2011.

Delta Iota O mega C hapter sorors shown with C E O of A W ill & a W ay M inistries at a rummage sale for charity

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T H E C H A R M E T T E-D E B U T A N T E PR O G R A M—T H E A K A D E B U T A N T E B A L L L E G A C Y Written by Soror Mamie Webb Hixon, November 21, 2005 Revised December 23, 2013

Nine years after Delta Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, was chartered in Pensacola, Florida, in 1946, one of the charter members, Mrs. Annie Belle Williams, proposed that the sorority select high school girls from wholesome family backgrounds, train them in social graces and etiquette, and present them to adult society at a formal, invitational affair, a Debutante Ball, for their family and friends and members of the sorority. The idea was to develop the young ladies in leadership, scholarship, and service and culminate the training at a formal ball where each young lady’s father would present his daughter to Pensacola society and waltz with her during the traditional father-daughter dance.

The chapter accepted the proposal and established criteria for selection of these young ladies including grade point average and a record of consistent ladylike conduct. Each member of the sorority submitted the name of a young lady whom she sponsored. Starting in March, that young lady, along with all the others, participated in a series of charm schools held at the homes of the sorority members. Charm school topics included but were not limited to dating, grooming, and social etiquette, a phase of the training which was usually presented in a garden party format.

Traditionally, each Charmette/Debutante created and designed a hat to complement her prom dress since the activity was always held during May of each year. That tradition still lives today, with Debutantes designing their own hats to be judged by members of the sorority.

Thus began the AKA Debutante program (aka Charmette-Debutante Program). The first Debutantes were selected in 1955 and were presented to society in 1956. Among them were young ladies who are now members of the Sorority.

Now in its fifty-seventh year, the Debutante Program has attracted thousands of African-American girls to its fold, with the chapter now having presented, in some families, three generations of Debutantes. The basic program and criteria have remained the same; other criteria and activities have been added to the program to reflect the changing pace and times. The format has changed from invitational to ticket admission, but sorority members, Debutantes, escorts, and friends and family of the Debs and sorority members still don themselves in gowns and tuxedoes, sit through the introduction of the Debutantes, and dance the night away to the music of a live band. The dinner-dance format was an idea proposed in 1998 by Mamie Webb Hixon and Minnie Clark Byrd, former Debutantes and current sorority members, and is still used today. This change resulted in a change in venue from the Pensacola Municipal Auditorium with a 1,000 seating capacity to New World Landing, a 500-capacity banquet facility. Debutante Balls today include not only the father-daughter dance but also a special Debutantes’ dance and an escorts’ dance choreographed by sorority members. Since its inception, the Debutante Ball has always included a special dance— the post-Debutantes’ dance—as the first dance of the evening.

The chapter has presented an average of twenty-five girls during each of its fifty-seven presentations, totaling approximately 1,425 Debutantes. The themes have ranged from “A String of Pearls” in the early seventies to “The Making of a Pearl” in 2005 to “Girls on Fire for Their Future” in 2013.

Since 1956, the Sorority has added the presentation of scholarships to Debutantes who have excelled on a proficiency exam covering reading, writing, and math skills. Through the years, Alpha Kappa Alpha has had several collegiate partners in this venture, including Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama, and the University of West Florida and Pensacola Junior College in Pensacola, Florida. These schools have joined the chapter in providing monetary scholarships to the AKA Debutantes. Since the seventies, the Sorority has awarded two scholarships per year, starting in the early seventies with $500 scholarships, to $1000 scholarships in the eighties, to $2500 scholarships in the nineties. In 2005, the Sorority awarded a $5000 scholarship to the first-place scholarship winner and $2500 to the second-place winner. In 2010, the first-place scholarship honoring the chapter’s only Diamond Soror was named the Alyce Henderson Diamond Scholarship. At this writing, the Debutante Ball Program is in its 57th year, with the Chapter having voted against having a Debutante Ball in 1996. Nonetheless, the tradition continues.

Debutante Ball chairmanships have rotated among a number of sorors, including but not limited to the following: Gloria-Jones Phillips, Canel Williams, Dolores Albury, Joycelyn Fluellen, Cheryl Reeves, Terrlyn McClammy, Sharmayne White, Cheryl Powell, Donna Bennett, Sheila Williams, Nettie Eaton, Barbara Holloway, Modeste McCorvey, and Margie McCorvey. Choreographers have included Evelyn Walker, Carrie Williams, Mamie Webb Hixon, Carla Scott Jones, Jennifer Kennedy, Hannah Ghirmay, Sheree Triplett Roberts, Cheryl Powell, Schari Russell, Stacye Moering, LaTasha McGruder, and Tara Moultrie.

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PR O G R A M I N I T I A T I V ES 2012-2013 (Collage Designs by Sorors C harmere Gatson and Sheree T riplett Roberts)

KEY FOCUS: EYL’s Participation in Local City and County Government Day

K E Y F O C US: A nnual participation in Relay for Life

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PR O G R A M I N I T I A T I V ES 2012-2013

K E Y F O C US: Participation in the Heifer International Project, which provides livestock for underprivileged villages in T hird-World countries

KEY FOCUS: Sponsorship of ”Women Telling Their Business” forums, where women with non-traditional businesses provide information about entrepreneurialship

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PR O G R A M I N I T I A T I V ES 2012-2013

K E Y F O C US: A nnual F amily T ea to benefit organizations such as H abitat for H umanity and F avor House; a service program proposed and implemented by Soror F rances G ray in 2011

K E Y F O C US: Sisterhood Retreat and sound-byte presentations by sorors at chapter meetings on topics including Speaking and W riting T ips, E mail E tiquette, Interpersonal Communication Skills, Working with Other People’s Children, Signs of Domestic Violence, Presentation Tips, Dealing with People—the Personal Touch, Business L etter E tiquette, E motional Intelligence, and Vendor F ees

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PI N K IN T H E C I T Y (PI T C): In December 2012, Soror Mamie Webb Hixon presented a proposal to the chapter to brand, market, and sponsor a PAINT THE TOWN PINK WEEKEND to include a Saturday PINK IN THE CITY (PITC) fundraiser and ”funraiser”—gala/dance party and a PINK Sunday at participating local churches. The proposal involved acquiring corporate sponsorships, including the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, to help sponsor a breast cancer awareness fundraiser. As a result, September 14, 2013, marked the beginning of a new tradition in Pensacola, Florida—a unique social event, whose proceeds each year will go to American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and to the chapter’s community service programs. Part of the program included a video titled “Pinking the City” produced and directed by Soror Mamie Webb Hixon in conjunction with the production staff of WEAR TV-3 in Pensacola, Florida. (Pictured below: sorors on the steps of the PITC site—the Corinne Jones-Sanders Beach Community Center; guests on the dance floor at the fundraiser)

From the proceeds of the Pink in the City Dance Party and Soulful Pink Sunday, Delta Iota Omega Chapter presented $1,500.00 to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, with $500 coming from its local partners including the Prince Hall Shriners, the King Richard Foundation, Soulful Sundays, Dance Konnection, Dance Konnection Swingers, and North 2 South Ballroom Connection.

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Sorors M aking H istory a New W ay

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H IST O R Y-M A K I N G SO R O R - Bentina C hisolm Ter ry F I RST A F R I C A N-A M E R I C A N F E M A L E O F F I C E R G U L F P O W E R C O M P A N Y , P E NSA C O L A F L O RI D A V ice President – E xternal A ffairs and Corporate Services G ulf Power Company One Energy Place Pensacola FL 32520-0100 850.444.6380 E-mail: BCTERRY@SOUTHERNCO.COM Bentina C. Terry is Vice President – External Affairs and Corporate Services for Gulf Power Company, a Southern Company subsidiary headquartered in Pensacola, Florida. In this role, Terry is responsible for the company’s external efforts including regulatory affairs, governmental relations, environmental affairs, economic development and corporate communications. She is also responsible for the company’s ethics and compliance efforts as well as the security, safety and health, labor relations, facilities and real estate organizations. Most recently she assumed responsibility for Gulf Power’s nuclear development efforts.

Terry is very active outside of Gulf Power and serves on Board of Directors or Trustees for the following: the American Association of Blacks in Energy, Florida Chamber of Commerce Foundation (Infrastructure and Growth Leadership Caucus Chair), Leadership Florida (Audit Committee Chair), Enterprise Florida, Inc. Legislative Committee, SunTrust Bank (NW Florida Board), University of West Florida, the Florida Electric Power Coordinating Group (Executive Committee), the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra (Governance Committee Chair) and Autism Pensacola. She was also appointed to the Federal Judicial Nominating Commission (Florida) in 2011 by Senator Nelson.

Terry began her career with Southern Company in 2001 at Georgia Power Company and progressed through leadership roles in compliance, ethics and power delivery including customer service, external affairs and customer operations. In her most recent position prior to her current one she served as Vice President – External Affairs and General Counsel, Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary for Southern Nuclear Operating Company, the Southern Company subsidiary that operates Southern’s nuclear fleet.

Prior to joining Southern Company, Terry served as Associate General Counsel for Progress Energy in Raleigh, NC. She began her career practicing law as an associate with Troutman Sanders law firm in Atlanta, Georgia.

A native of Fayetteville, N.C., Terry holds a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Michigan Law School and a Bachelor of Arts in English (cum laude) from North Carolina State University. She is a member of the North Carolina State Bar and the Georgia State Bar, Leadership Atlanta, Leadership North Carolina and Leadership Florida, the American Association of Blacks in Energy and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. In 2008, she was selected as one of the “Twelve Young Professionals Under 40” and she was selected as a member of the 2009, 2010, 2011 “IN Power List” which recognizes the top 50 most powerful and influential people in greater Pensacola.

She is married to Antonio Terry.

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H IST O R Y-M A K I N G SO R O R – C A R O L Y N F. ST A L L W O R T H

F I RST A F R I C A N-A M E R I C A N SE C O N D A R Y E D U C A T O R T O A C H I E V E N A T I O N A L B O A R D C E R T I F I C A T I O N I N T H E ESC A M B I A C O U N T Y SC H O O L D IST R I C T

In 2003, Carolyn F. Stallworth became the first African-American secondary educator to achieve National Board Certification (NBC) in the Escambia County School District. NBC is an advanced teaching credential. NBC is achieved upon successful completion of a voluntary rigorous assessment program designed to recognize effective and accomplished teachers who meet high standards based on their competencies and abilities. NBC is recognized nationwide for most pre-K–12 teachers. As part of the certification process, Carolyn completed 10 assessments that were reviewed by trained educators in her certification area. The assessments included four portfolio entries that featured teaching practice and six constructed response exercises that assessed content knowledge. Carolyn equates the process to the equivalence of completing a master’s degree in ten months while working full time. After achieving her certification, she became a mentor to fellow Escambia County educators who were working toward their certification.

After thirty-five years of service, Carolyn retired from the Escambia County School District in June 2011. During her tenure with the District, Carolyn served as a business technology educator at J. M. Tate High School (JMTHS) where she was named JMTHS’s 2002-2003 Teacher of the Year.

Additionally, she served as JMTHS’s first Technology Coordinator and was instrumental in establishing JMTHS’s first networked computer lab. Ultimately, Carolyn became the school’s first black Business Technology department chair. Carolyn also served as the coordinator for the J. M. Tate Gaming Academy (a school-choice program). She served on the school’s Advisory Board and was a member of Escambia Association of Career and Technical Education. In addition to her high school duties, for eight years she instructed incarcerated women at the Escambia Jail where she taught in the Administrative Assistants Program for George Stone Technical Center.

Prior to moving to Pensacola, Florida, Carolyn was recruited by the Tulsa School District to work in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she began her career as a business education teacher.

A native of Mountain Pine, Arkansas, she holds a master’s degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in Business Education from Troy State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education from Wiley College (home of the Great Debaters). She is a member of Zion Hope Primitive Baptist Church and a member of Delta Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She was initiated in Phi Chapter at Wiley College in 1973.

Carolyn is married to Larry Stallworth. They have two daughters, Erica and LaToya, who are both Alpha Kappa Alpha sorors.

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H IST O R Y-M A K I N G SO R O R - Donna C. Bennett, M D, F A C O G F I RST C H A P T E R M E M B E R T O B E C O M E A M E D I C A L D O C T O R Physician O bstetrician/G ynecologist Monroeville M edical C linic 16 M edical C tr Dr Monroeville, A L 36460 251-575-3266 ivyobmd@yahoo.com Soror Donna Bennett is the first member of Delta Iota Omega (DIO) Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated to become a medical doctor.

Donna Bennett is the eleventh of 12 children born to the late Preston and Jeanette Bennett in Camden, New Jersey. Since the age of eight when she received her first “toy” medical black bag filled with the tools of the trade (stethoscope, thermometer, etc), she has committed herself to the field of healthcare. Currently, she is the first and only female OB/GYN in Monroe County, Alabama, and is practicing in a multispecialty group with Drs. Sage Smith, Carl Martens, and Tetyana Falkenberry in Monroeville, Alabama. She and her three children live in nearby Peterman, Alabama.

Soror Donna was born, raised and educated in New Jersey. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in biology/chemistry from Montclair State College in Montclair, New Jersey. Right after graduation, she accepted a position with the Burlington Health Department as city health inspector. She continued her education and pursued her master’s degree in Applied Human Physiology at Hahnemann University (now Drexel University) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

While Donna was at Hahnemann, several professors suggested that she apply to medical school; the following year she was accepted at and attended the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (formerly Rutgers Medical School) in Piscataway, New Jersey. She graduated with her MD degree in 1991 and went on to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology; she also served as Chief Resident in her last year of residency. In 1995, she was married, and later that year she accepted a position with Primecare, Inc (now defunct) in Pensacola, Florida, working with Dr. Lornetta Epps.

An initial priority for Soror Donna in relocating to Pensacola was finding a church home. Soror Donna became a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church where she met two very good friends/sorors: Geraldine Scott and her daughter Carla Jones. She credits these two extraordinary women for fulfilling her lifelong dream of joining Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s elite organization. “Gerry and Carla exemplify to this day what I have always admired about Alpha Kappa Alpha. Strong, genteel, beautiful and graceful women committed to making a difference in their community and their world with a seemingly endless supply of love and dedication to the organization through their words and deeds. They don’t just talk the talk. I want to be just like them when I grow up,” insists Donna. In 2001, Donna and six other women were initiated into the DIO Chapter, two of whom are still active in this chapter Soror Melia Potter (Adams) and Soror Gail Davis.

In her ten years with the DIO Chapter, Soror Donna has served on several programs and committees, including serving as the team leader for the Relay for Life Cancer Campaign and the 2005 Debutante Ball Co-Chair with Soror Sharmayne White, just to name a few. Soror Donna was also the 2003 Soror of the Year. She continues to touch the lives of women in her community, church, and family by encouraging them to strive for physical, emotional, spiritual, and educational excellence.

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H IST O R Y-M A K I N G SO R O R Soror Gwendolyn Simpson Bullard E ducator, F riend, H umanitarian, Native Pensacolian, M inister, C hild of God Soror Gwendolyn Simpson Bullard is the first member of Delta Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. to become a minister.

According to the Bible, the Lord "calls" or summons people to do certain things. Acts 17:30, reveals, "This calling is more than just an invitation; it is a command." Following in the footsteps of her grandfather, and after a frightening experience, October 1997, Gwen, as she is affectionately known, obediently answered the call to the ministry. She preached her first sermon November 1997 at Fellowship Prayer Temple. In 1999, she became a member of Fellowship Prayer Temple. In July 2000, Gwen was ordained an Elder under the leadership of Pastor Eddie M. Layne. Currently, Gwen serves as administrative assistant to the Pastor. She serves on the Finance Committee and is one of nine Presbytery Team Members.

Gwen is a known prayer warrior; an anointed, spirit-filled speaker; and a Holy Ghost-filled, fire-baptized, born-again child of God. A call from God into a ministry is a high and heavenly calling (Phil. 3:14).

People have many choices in life they can make. Ministry is the path Gwen ended up choosing for herself.

The path we choose and the many life choices we make can change our world and mean so very much. This life journey we are on is sometimes already written as our destiny and fate. The path is not always clear, nor is the road always straight and smooth. Gwen feels that her destiny is to serve God and her community.

Gwen is the youngest of three blessings born to the late Charles and Gertrude Simpson. She is the widow of Mr. James Bullard.

Gwen is a 1957 graduate of Booker T. Washington High School, Pensacola, Florida. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Troy State University and advanced her studies toward a master’s degree at thenBethune-Cookman College, Daytona Beach, Florida. She completed her Master of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida. As an employee in the Escambia County School District, Gwen motivated young minds and provided them with a foundation for ongoing learning.

Gwen was initiated into the noble sorority of Alpha Kappa Alpha in 1990. She is joined in the Sisterhood of Alpha Kappa Alpha by her two outstanding nieces, Elaine Simpson and Ruby Yvette Simpson. Over the course of the years, she has demonstrated dedication and commitment to the sorority, serving as chaplain, a member of various committees, and currently serving on the Building and Properties Committee.

Gwen's personal philosophy is that “When we love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, we grow to recognize that everyone is part of His creation.” She believes that life is like a song; we should sing it loud and clear as we move along, and what's important, we should keep near. Further, life is what we make it; nothing more, and nothing less. Trust is strong but once you break it, everything becomes a mess. Moreover, there will be times when pain is all we feel, and the clouds will be all that we can see. Life will ultimately seem to be too much for us to deal with, but in the end, God will set us free.

Gwen is very caring, warm and compassionate with a loving and giving spirit. She loves people and enjoys having fun.

Her willingness to support and nurture the sick whether confined to the hospital or at home has classified her as an "Angel" by many. It is this life journey that inducts Soror Gwendolyn Simpson Bullard into Alpha Kappa Alpha's Spotlight on History-Making Sorors!

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H IST O R Y-M A K I N G SO R O R – M amie W ebb H ixon F I RST D E L T A I O T A O M E G A C H A P T E R SO R O R T O R E C E I V E A C O M P E T I T I V E SO U T H A T L A N T I C R E G I O N A L A W A R D Having been recognized as Delta Iota Omega Chapter’s Soror of the Year three times (1986, 2001, and 2013), the chapter’s Distinguished Service Award recipient (1990), and the chapter’s Sisterly Relations Award recipient (2012), Soror Mamie Webb Hixon is no stranger to accolades or to being a first in her area of expertise or her profession. In fact, it was Soror Mamie who reinstituted the Soror of the Year Award under her 1984-85 tenure as Basileus. During her term as Basileus, she was instrumental in reviving the local Pan-Hellenic Council and initiating a directory of local sororities and fraternities. Soror Mamie was also the first to compile the chapter’s Record of Initiations. Seeing a need for a second chapter service award, she implemented the Distinguished Service Award in 1984; she is also responsible for proposing a chapter Sisterly Relations Award in 2010, planning the chapter’s first sisterhood retreat in 1998 at the Cottonwood Resort in Cottonwood, Alabama, and for initiating the chapter’s Sisterly Love Visitation project. As a chapter “first” to receive a competitive Regional award for which she was nominated by the chapter’s Awards Committee, Soror Mamie was awarded first place for the Lucretia Payton Stewart Guiding Torch Award at the 2012 South Atlantic Regional Conference. At the 2007 South Atlantic Regional Conference, Soror Mamie received third place for the Margaret Davis Bowen Outstanding Alumna Award, an award for which she was nominated by the then-chapter Basileus Cheryl Reeves. Mamie is also the first in the chapter to have been nominated for the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame in 2012.

A thirty-one year member of the English faculty at the University of West Florida in Pensacola, Florida, Soror Mamie was the first African-American to be hired in the Department of English, where she has been the Writing Lab and Grammar Hotline Director and an assistant professor of English since 1982. In fact, in this capacity, she developed the first Grammar Hotline at a state university in Florida. Prior to her career in higher education at the university level, Mamie was an English instructor at the then-Pensacola Junior College after having been a high school English teacher in the Escambia County School District for thirteen years.

Among her other chapter and community/professional “firsts” are the following: Soror Mamie is first chapter soror to author a textbook—a grammar book in its second edition called Real Good Grammar, Too and another textbook entitled Essentials of English Language , published by Kendall/Hunt Publishers and Research & Education Association respectively. Soror Mamie’s other authorships include editor and contributing writer of three history books about Black Pensacola, published by the African-American Heritage Society (Two editions of I mages in Black: A Pictorial of Black Pensacola and five volumes of When Black Folks Was Colored, an anthology of stories and poems about growing up “colored”); and a chapbook of essays and poems about Alzheimer’s disease, published by Alzheimer’s Family Services. She has also authored/scripted, produced, and directed a theatrical presentation of African-American literature and history through poetry, song, and dance called Our Voices Are Many.

Soon-to-be-Golden Soror Mamie, with 47 years of AKA service, was initiated in 1966 in Chi Chapter, Talladega College, Talladega, Alabama. Immediately after graduating with her Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1967, Soror Mamie transferred to Delta Iota Omega Chapter, the chapter she says that groomed her as a Debutante, a soror, and a leader. Following in the footsteps of a chapter charter member who initiated the Debutante Ball, Soror Mamie initiated the idea of scholarship partners for the Debutante Ball, selecting her alma mater, Talladega College, as the chapter’s first scholarship partner in circa 1985. She, along with Soror Minnie Byrd, also introduced the current dinner-dance Debutante Ball format to the chapter in 1998. Most recently Soror Mamie introduced an innovative fundraiser for the chapter to benefit its service programs and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer— “Pink in the City.”

Soror Mamie has served the chapter in a number of leadership roles, including Basileus from 1984 to 1985. She has served as the chapter’s historian for ten years (2004-2014) and is the soror who first initiated the idea of a chapter history book, which she compiled and edited in 2008 in recognition of the Sorority’s Centennial Celebration: the chapter’s “19:08 Minutes—Today’s Moments, Tomorrow’s Memories Centennial History Project.” The chapter history book, which she titled A Brief History of Delta Iota O mega History Through the Years, is now in its third edition. The book also includes two DVD oral histories—voice recordings of participating Golden Sorors and participating past Basilei. Hixon’s other chapter publications include a 2004 Pictorial & Profile Journal and the chapter’s first Policies & Procedures Manual, which she wrote and compiled along with Sorors Nettie Eaton and Modeste McCorvey. Her other chapter “firsts” contributions are initiating, along with Minnie Byrd, a dinner-dance format for the Debutante Ball in 1998 and establishing a Public Communications Committee in 2012.

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H IST O R Y-M A K I N G SO R O R - Nettie A . E aton F I RST F E M A L E PR I N C IP A L O F B O O K E R T . W ASH I N G T O N H I G H SC H O O L A N D F I RST A F R I C A N-A M E R I C A N F E M A L E T O B E C O M E PR I N C IP A L O F A H I G H SC H O O L I N T H E ESC A M B I A C O U N T Y SC H O O L D IST R I C T In 1997, Nettie A. Eaton entered into “a man’s world” in the administrative arena at Booker T. Washington High School (BTWHS). Only men had been principals of BTWHS since it was founded in 1908. Women had not been afforded the opportunity to serve in an educational capacity outside of the classroom in most school districts in the South as well as throughout the United States. After Nettie was employed for four years, 1993-1997, as the assistant principal in charge of curriculum at BTWHS, the then-superintendent appointed a male assistant principal, from another school, as principal at BTWHS for four days prior to appointing Nettie as the new principal. Nettie stated that those four days were the longest four days of her life. Becoming the first female principal at BTWHS was a profound honor for Nettie. She inherited her own set of challenges; however, she was able to bring a different perspective to the school that helped her gain support from many of her students, faculty, parents, and community. Under Nettie’s eight-year leadership, many of the school’s teams (academic, sports, marketing, and the performing arts) have advanced to receive local, state, and national recognition. In addition, several of her teachers earned National Board Certification.

Nettie has retired from the School District of Escambia County after 38.5 years of service. During her tenure with this District, Nettie served as a speech therapist, hospital homebound teacher, assistant principal, principal, and director of middle schools. She spent the first 20 years of her career providing speech therapy to students in numerous schools and teaching in the Hospital Homebound program at Baptist Hospital; the last 18.5 years of her career, she supervised the dayto-day operations of a high school, an elementary school, and eleven middle schools.

Involvement in this community is foremost among Nettie’s many commitments. She has served on the Board of Directors or as a member of the following organizations: Escambia Association of Administrators in Education, Florida Association of Secondary Administrators, University of West Florida African-American Affairs Committee, West Florida Child Care and Educational Services Inc., the Standing Committee for the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, Escambia Education Association, National Education Association, Florida A&M Alumni Association (scholarship chairman), and the NAACP. Prior to moving to Pensacola, Florida, Nettie was recruited to work in Georgia. Consequently, she began her career as a speech therapist in 1970 with the Dougherty County School District in Albany, Georgia. She was employed there for two years from 1970-1972.

A native of Perry, Florida, Nettie holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of West Florida and a Bachelor of Science degree in speech therapy from Florida A & M University. She is a member of St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society. In 1996-1997, Nettie was selected Assistant Principal of the Year for the School District of Escambia County. She was presented a life-time membership in the national Parent Teacher Association (PTA) in 2002.

Nettie is married to Amos Eaton. They have three sons and six grandchildren.

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H IST O R Y-M A K I N G SO R O R – D R. SA R A H W Y N D E R H A Y N ES F I RST SO R O R I N D E L T A I O T A O M E G A C H A PT E R TO RECEIVE A DOCTORATE DEGREE Golden Soror Sarah Wynder Haynes (Ivy Beyond the Wall, September 2013), a native Pensacolian, was the first member of the Delta Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated to receive her doctorate degree. After graduating from Booker T. Washington High School as Salutatorian, Soror Sarah attended Alabama State College, now renamed Alabama State University, located in Montgomery, Alabama, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in 1952 and was initiated in Beta Pi Chapter in 1950. Soror Sarah transferred to Delta Iota Omega Chapter in 1954. She later received her Master of Arts degree from Indiana University in Library Science in 1961.

Returning to school several years later to study for a doctorate degree was not a simple task. Soror Sarah was a wife and mother of four when she started the doctorate program at the University of Iowa; so when she went “off to school” – two thousand miles from Pensacola, she took two of her children, Cedric and Chauncey, with her. While making these academic forays from Pensacola to Iowa City in southeast Iowa, Sarah and her two boys always stopped in Memphis, Tennessee, when they were on the way home to Pensacola; they always stopped in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and stayed in the same motel each time when they headed back to Iowa. They would drive home twice a year, and when they did, Cedric helped with the driving. The three of them traveled in a blue Buick Station Wagon for those 2,000 miles with no complaints from either child. When Cedric wasn’t helping with the driving, he and Chauncey slept most of the way, while Sarah did the driving. The drive was long indeed, but in the end the trip – the journey – was all worth the time and the sacrifices. Soror Sarah had her doctorate degree, and her children were right beside her to see her through. While pursing her degree, Soror Sarah remained an active soror in Delta Iota Omega Chapter, Pensacola, Florida, After receiving her degree in the early seventies, Soror Sarah left her son Cedric with a Caucasian family in Iowa in order for him to finish high school. Cedric was presented with a choice. He could come back home for his senior year in Florida at Escambia High School, or he could finish his senior year at the high school in Iowa that he had attended for the last two years while Soror Sarah was in school. Cedric decided to stay in Iowa because he didn’t want to leave his friends at school.

In the two years that it took Soror Sarah to receive her doctorate degree, she says that there were trials and tribulations, but with God’s guidance and provision she was blessed with her most prized educational achievement. Soror Sarah proclaims, “I don’t know what I would do without my Lord and Savior. He saw me through every problem and every discouraging moment. Without Him I am nothing, and without Him I wouldn’t be where I am today; and I thank Him graciously for every opportunity He has granted me.

After receiving her Doctor of Philosophy in Education from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa, Soror Sarah returned to the Escambia County School District as the media specialist at Holm Elementary School and taught part time in the GED program at then-Pensacola Junior College. Soror Sarah retired in 1996 after forty-four years as an educator.

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H IST O R Y-M A K I N G SO R O R – G O L D E N SO R O R Y V O N N E L U C K Y K Y L E F I RST B L A C K F E M A L E P H A R M A C IST I N P E NSA C O L A, F L O RI D A

Soror Yvonne Lucky Kyle became a licensed pharmacist in the State of Florida in 1951. Because of enforced segregation and existing Jim Crow laws, Soror Yvonne could not get a job in Pensacola, Florida, as a pharmacist though she had earned a degree in pharmacy from Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Despite having passed the Board of Pharmacy for the State of Florida Exam in 1951, she ended up getting a job as a warehouse buyer at Moulton’s Drugs. In her words, “I wasn’t allowed to be in the front of the pharmacy or involved with the public though I was a qualified pharmacist and also a very good one.” Her daughter Bernadette said even her mother’s supervisor knew how good her mother was, but he also knew that whites didn’t want a black woman dispensing their meds to them over the counter. In 1952, however, Soror Yvonne went to work at Jones Pharmacy, a black-owned drugstore (owned by the husband of Ivy Beyond the Wall Soror Georgette Jones), as a retail pharmacist and worked there until 1971 when she was hired as a hospital staff pharmacist at Sacred Heart Hospital, where she worked until her retirement in 1992.

As a “first,” Soror Yvonne Kyle was among twenty-three other local African-American Female “Firsts” to be spotlighted by the Pensacola Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. in a 1995 calendar.

Soror Yvonne was also recognized at a special program honoring her and other black women who were first in their areas of accomplishment.

Soror Yvonne was the sister of one of the charter members of Delta Iota Omega Chapter, Soror Edythe Lucky Thompson; the niece of a Delta Iota Omega Chapter charter member, Soror Annie Belle Williams; and the great niece of Soror Ruth White, one of the eight sorors who were the first to be initiated in Delta Iota Omega Chapter in 1948.

Soror Yvonne Kyle was initiated in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at Xavier University, in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1948.

Soror Yvonne was the wife of Frank Kyle; the mother of three (Bernadette, David, and Michael); and the grandmother of five.

Initiated in 1948 in Beta Phi Chapter at Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana, Soror Yvonne has served Alpha Kappa Alpha for 64 years.

If when you give the best of your service . . .

Oh, when I come to the end of my journey . . . He’ll understand and say well done

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H IST O R Y -M A K IN G S O R O R C h a r me r e N . G a tson F o r me r B u dget an d Tech n ica l W r i te r – T he W hite House an d Fi nancial M an agemen t Ana lyst – Department of Defense Each day of her life, Charmere N. Gatson finds ways to prevent failure, overcome obstacles, and glorify the Lord using her God-given creativity. Amid the many medical dilemmas and traumatic situations she has endured over the past several years while living with a chronic illness, Gatson continues to make strides of success in her life and to impact the lives of others.

A motivated young woman, Gatson said, “God has afforded me an awesome number of career opportunities, for which I am incredibly thankful.” Gatson is a former federal government analyst, having previously worked in the role of budget/technical writer and analyst for the Office of Management and Budget in the Executive Office of the President at the White House under the George W. Bush administration. In this capacity, Gatson and her colleagues spent countless hours preparing the President’s Budget (of the United States Government) for fiscal year 2008 – in accordance with laws, Presidential objectives, agency budgets, legislative proposals, and other factors. “I never thought I’d have to work weekends, but working on a Presidential task of such magnitude required me to go above and beyond,” explained Gatson. “I said ‘bye-bye,’ Saturdays.” Gatson said the experience increased her perseverance, her level of professional responsibility, and her ability to learn on instinct. “It was such a joy for me personally to write an executive summary in the budget and to design the cover, write, analyze and compile numbers for one of the critical budget supplemental materials,” she said. “In retrospect, my White House experience was not just work: I witnessed – or involved myself in – so much history, including an up-close-and- personal view of President Ford’s body arriving at the Capitol, a ride via Presidential motorcade to Capitol Hill on budget roll-out day to deliver budgets to Congress members, a fabulous time at two White House Christmas parties – one at which my family joined me, a daily stroll along 17th Street as Vice President Cheney’smotorcade passed by – both of us headed to work, and the list goes on.”

Furthermore, Gatson – a Pensacola, Fla., native – permanently worked in the Washington, D.C.-metro area as a financial management analyst for the Bureau of Naval Personnel, where she received numerous accolades. She too has worked as a news reporter for several news media, including the Pensacola News Journal and USA Today. Gatson currently teaches at the University of West Florida, her alma mater, from which she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Arts/Journalism (summa cum laude). She also holds a Master of Journalism with a public policy emphasis from the University of Maryland and a Master of Business Administration with an accounting/finance emphasis from Regis University.

While living a testimonial life, Gatson aims to make a significant difference in society via her participation as a volunteer, leader, motivational speaker, and member in community and national organizations and activities, inclusive of the National Association of Black Journalists; the Society of Professional Journalists; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Leadership Pensacola (Class of 2011); UWF National Alumni Association Board of Directors; the Emmaus Kidz Program; and the Phenomenal Women Debutante Program, just to name a few. Music ministry, to include management, consumes an extensive amount of Gatson’s time, in addition to her active involvement in church. When Gatson finds time for herself, she spends the time exploring her passion for the fine and performing arts – to include music, graphic design and photography; working on the computer; perfecting current creative projects such as freelance writing for national magazines; traveling; spending quiet time at the bookstore or spa; and spending quality time with her two adorable nephews – Cameron, 7, and Kaleb, 5.

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H IST O R Y-M A K I N G SO R O R

D r. Joyce Hopson Professor Pensacola State College 1000 College Blvd.

Pensacola, FL 32504 850.484.2162 E‐mail: JLONGMIRE50@YAHOO.COM

F irst Soror in Delta Iota O mega C hapter to H ave Been Initiated in a Boule C hapter

Joyce Hopson is the daughter of the late Freddie L. Hopson, Sr. and Vira Hopson. She has dedicated her life to the field of education. She currently serves as Professor of Business and Computer Science at Pensacola State College. She has taken leave of absence to travel all over the country for candidates running for president in the political arena and returned back to school to complete her Ph.D. in business and computer science at Columbia, Missouri. Joyce has lived over thirty-five years in Pensacola, Florida, where she has served the community and has been a strong community advocate, especially for the youth. In 1977, she moved to Pensacola from Arkansas and has commuted back and forth to take care of her family. During those years, she was able to persuade her father, mother, two brothers, and sister to join her in Pensacola.

Joyce became interested in joining Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. while she was a student at the University of Arkansas, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. However, there was not a chapter for her to join; therefore, an interest group named the “Vine Sisters” formed after the interested women sought permission from the University of Arkansas. The group was represented by Jennifer Lee and Joyce Hopson at the campus student government meeting. At the first Student Government Association meeting in the fall of 1975, the group’s request was granted. In order for Joyce to participate with the assistance of forming the Kappa Iota Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, she had to become a Boule member, which is the same as a General member today. Dr. Margaret Clark initiated Joyce and two other students as members of this fine organization at her home in 1975. After going through the proper procedures and paperwork, Joyce and the two other students became sorors with all rights and privileges bestowed upon them by the national office as Boule members, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, in May 1975. Joyce still keeps in touch with the Kappa Iota Chapter members, and she talks to Dr. Clark at least once a month on the phone. With Joyce’s hard work and persistence, the Kappa Iota Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated was chartered March 20, 1976, at the University of Arkansas. Dr. Margaret Clark (Fayetteville, Arkansas), Jennifer Lee (Pine Bluff, Arkansas), and Joyce Hopson (Pensacola, Florida) named the first group to be initiated as the “Perpetual 15.” Joyce still keeps in touch with at least five or six of the members. When the chapter celebrated its 34 th anniversary, the charter members were the honorary guests.

Joyce grew up in a small country town in Buckner (Falcon) Arkansas; received her high school education from the historic Oak Grove High School in Rosston, Arkansas; graduated from the University of Arkansas with B.S. and M. Ed degrees; and received a master’s degree in Community College Curriculum from Arkansas State University and her Ph.D. from the University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri. She is very active on her job as well as in the community: Chair of the Emerging Young Leaders program sponsored by the Delta Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; First Vice-President of Programming, National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW), Pensacola Chapter; Secretary, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); Sunday School Teacher and Charter Trustee Board Member of First Corinthian Baptist Church; Member, Board of Directors of the Alabama West Florida Civitan Club; and Vice-President of the Freddie M. Washington Scholarship Committee.

Joyce has always encouraged her family and friends to enhance their thinking, strengthen their spirits, liberate their minds, and maintain educational, spiritual, and inner growth. I don’t think she knows what sleep is because she is always planning for the next activity for someone else. Before she went back to graduate school in Missouri, she had a love for political affairs and was fortunate to have traveled with the Reverend Jesse Jackson as his administrative assistant. In that global arena, she was able to interact with a number of individuals of high prestige (some pictures are shown above, but there are many more that could not fit on this page). She doesn’t mind getting out there to work – from assisting kindergarteners, to assisting our wise and unique seniors. Joyce has been inspired by her 100-year-old grandmother, who has always encouraged her to work hard and “be the best that you can as long as you give 100% of yourself.”

Joyce knows that we have Angels standing watching above as we sleep. She believes in taking care of family to try to celebrate, embrace your history, learn from your past, make a difference in the future, and pass the torch from one generation to another. For these reasons, Joyce took the initiative to help establish an AKA chapter where there was not one.

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O T H E R “F I R S T S” IN THEIR AREAS O F A C C O M PL ISH M E N T

T O P R O W from L eft to Right: Barbara Holloway, Cheryl Powell, Bobbie Harrison, and Gloria E. Clay B O T T O M R O W from L eft to Right: Shirley Henderson, Sharon Bourges-Jones, Joycelyn Jordan Fluellen, Anner Purify, and LTC Eurydice Stanley, Ph.D. B ARB ARA H O L L O W A Y In 2004, Soror Barbara Holloway moved to Pensacola, Florida, from Bedford, Ohio, where she became the first black teacher hired at Bedford H igh School in Bedford, O hio, in 1972. At Bedford High, she taught Typing, Keyboarding, Accounting, Bookkeeping, Business Law, Economics, Microsoft Office Suite, and Job Readiness Skills at the eleventh and twelfth grade levels. She also served as department chair for 22 years and did job placement for 16 years.

Barbara was Coordinator of Staff Development and was a certified vocational supervisor and a vocational director. While in these positions, Soror Barbara created a Personal Data Book that is still used throughout the state of Ohio. She was nominated for the State Teacher of the Year Award after having received the Teacher of the Year Award for Northeastern Ohio.

C H E R Y L PO W E L L Soror Cheryl Powell is the first Delta Iota O mega C hapter soror to receive a South Atlantic Regional Leadership Fellow Award for being C hairperson of the Regional Protocol Committee. She received the award at the 49th South Atlantic Regional Conference Leadership Breakfast on April 5, 2002. She is also the first Delta Iota Omega Chapter soror to serve as cochair of the Undergraduate Activities Committee at the 2010 South Atlantic Regional Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Cheryl is Delta Iota Omega Chapter’s current Membership Chair and a past Graduate Adviser for Beta Gamma Chapter at the University of West Florida.

B O B B I E T H O M AS H A R R ISO N Soror Bobbie Harrison, a twenty-eight year AKA member, is the first Project SE A R C H instructor at the University of W est F lorida (August 2009) and the first Project R E A L (Realistic E xperiences for A dult L iving) instructor at Pensacola State College (January 7, 2010). Bobbie is currently an Instructional Employment Specialist at three sites: Escambia County School District Extended, University of West Florida, and Pensacola State College.

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G L O RI A E. C L A Y Soror Gloria E. Clay, a Silver Star and the current Basileus of Delta Iota Omega Chapter, is the first woman in Pensacola to create a forum that offers opportunities for local women to spotlight their little-known and unknown small businesses in a show-and-tell format. W T T B— Women T elling T heir Business—is a non-profit, non-fund-generating forum where a small group of women come together on a monthly basis to promote their “gigonomics.”

SH I R L E Y H E N D E RSO N Soror Shirley Henderson, a two-year newly initiated member of Delta Iota Omega Chapter of AKA, is the first Director of the A rea Housing Commission for Escambia County and is the first A frican-A merican certified Housing C redit Counselor for C E I I (Community Enterprise Investments, Incorporated). She is also the first soror to co-chair the chapter’s signature fundraiser, “Pink in the City,” an event that raises funds for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

SH A R O N B O U R G ES-J O N ES Soror Sharon Bourges-Jones, also a two-year newly initiated member of Delta Iota Omega Chapter of AKA, was the first A frican-A merican president of the Escambia County M edical Society A lliance (her husband, Dr. Kurt Jones, was the first African-American president of the Escambia County Medical Society), and the first Northwest Florida District Vice President of the Florida Medical Association Alliance. Sharon served as president of the Escambia County Medical Alliance from January 2001 to December 2002. She served as the Northwest Florida District Vice President, of the Florida Medical Association Alliance from August 2002 to August 2003. Sharon is the current president of the Pensacola Chapter of The Links, Incorporated and the Immediate Past Southeastern Regional member-At-Large Liaison for Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated, an organization for which she is the current National Protocol Chair.

JO Y C E L YN F LUE L L EN Soror Joycelyn Fluellen, the Centennial Basileus of Delta Iota Omega Chapter, was selected by past Regional Director Soror Ella Springs Jones as a first-time member of Delta Iota O mega C hapter to be a Co-C hair at a South A tlantic Regional Conference—the 2010 Regional Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

A N N E R PU R I F Y Soror Anner Purify, a retired Escambia County School District educator and Alpha Kappa Alpha Silver Star of forty years, is the first Delta Iota O mega C hapter member to have been a staff writer employed by the Pensacola News Journal at a time when she was the only AfricanAmerican employee on the staff.

L T C E U R Y D I C E ST A N L E Y , Ph.D. Soror Eurydice Stanley is the first Delta Iota O mega C hapter member to become a field grade officer in the United States A rmy National G uard. She is also the first A frican-A merican female Reserve Component A dvisor at D A N T ES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support) at Pensacola NAS, Saufley Field, Pensacola, Florida. In this position, she assists service members, veterans, and their families as they pursue their educational goals. Soror Eurydice started her military career immediately after her high school graduation when she received a four-year ROTC scholarship to FAMU in 1986 and was a distinguished military graduate. She later earned a Master of Arts and Industrial Relations degree from the University of Minnesota, the Twin Cities Campus, in Minneapolis, Minnesota; and a doctorate degree in Christian Counseling and Psychology from Louisiana Baptist University in Shreveport, Louisiana.

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SO R O R L I L L I E J A M ES F R A Z I E R (Ivy Beyond the W all) F irst Black F emale F aculty M ember at then-Pensacola Junior College (1966) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SO R O R R UB Y J A C K SO N G A I N E R (Ivy Beyond the W all) F irst Black F emale President of the Pensacola C hapter of the National C lassroom T eachers Association ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SO R O R C E L EST I N E F R A Z I E R D I X O N (Ivy Beyond the W all) F irst Black Female Published A uthor in Pensacola, Florida F I RST L eadership Pensacola (L eaP) A lumni in the C hapter

L aurel Boyd C lass of 1986

M amie H ixon C lass of 1987

A ngela Mc Corvey Nettie E aton Charmere Gatson L ynn C rear C lass of 1993 C lass of 1998 C lass of 2011 C lass of 2012

M O R E SO R O R H O N O R E ES/A C C O L A D ES F irst A nnual Pensacola Black G irls W ho Rock Recognition Ceremony Honoring Women M aking an Impact M ay 7, 2011 Melia Adams Dr. Monique Collins Charmere Gatson

Natalie Smith Hardeman Mamie Webb Hixon Tracy Jackson Pickett

Joyce Hopson, Ph.D. Angela McCorvey, Ed.D. Modeste McCorvey

C harter Members of the Pensacola C hapter of T he L inks, Incorporated Dolores Albury* Elsie Jones* Dorothy McCray* Lois Anderson* Georgette Jones* Annie Belle Williams* Sarah Haynes, Ph.D.* Geraldine Scott Lois Zaragoza*

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C harter Member of Jack and Jill of A merica, Pensacola C hapter Alyce Williams Henderson* C harter Member of the National Council of Negro Women Lillie James Frazier* C harter Members of the E lla Jordan Federated Colored Women’s Club Lula Mae Williams Hawthorne* Alyce Williams Henderson* Virgie Williams Reid* Jorja Williams Wiggins*

D E L T A I O T A O M E G A C H A P T E R A C C O L A D ES

Dolores Blount Albury* P AST C L UST E R I V C O O R D I N A T O R 1987 – 1990

Dr. Ruby Jackson Gainer* C L UST E R A N D R E G I O N A L A W A R DS N A M E D I N H E R H O N O R Ruby Jackson G ainer Leadership Award E mory O . Jackson Journalism Award

*Ivy Beyond the Wall

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Annie Belle Baker Williams* ORIGINATOR OF THE CHAPTER’S DEBUTANTE BALL, 1956 2008 Debutante Scholarship named in her honor

SO R O RS M A K I N G H IST O R Y AS C O M M U N I T Y O R G A N I Z E RS & L E A D E RS

SO R O R R OSE H I C K S* O ne of the T wo O rganizers of T he L inks, Incorporated, Pensacola C hapter, 1972, along with Soror E xie Goode C harter M embers of the Pensacola C hapter of T he L inks, Incorporated

Dolores Albury* Lois Anderson* Sarah Wynder Haynes, Ph.D.*

Elsie Jones* Georgette Jones* Geraldine Scott

Dorothy McCray* Annie Belle Williams* Lois Zaragoza*

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SO R O R M A M I E W E B B H I X O N

SO R O R M I N N I E C L A R K B Y R D

Founding/C hartering President National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. Pensacola C hapter, 1993 Reorganizing President National Pan-H ellenic Council, Pensacola C hapter, 1984

Founding/C harter M ember National Coalition 100 Black Women Pensacola C hapter, 1993

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SO R O R M O D EST E M C C O R V E Y

G L O R I A J O N ES-P H I L L IPS

Founding/C harter M ember National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. Pensacola C hapter, 1993

Founding/C harter M ember National Coalition of 100 Black Women Pensacola C hapter, 1993

M O R E C O M M U N I T Y O R G A N I Z E RS AND C H APT ER AND C O M MUNIT Y N E WS A N D H IST O R Y M A K E RS M O R E N E WSM A K E RS F eatured in Pensacola News Journal’s “Celebrating Pensacola – Black History Month: Past, Present, and Future” Article F ebruary 2011 Lillie James Frazier* Mamie Webb Hixon Bentina Terry SO R O RS W I T H L O N G E V I T Y I N O F F I C E (See others on page 124)

C anel Jacobs W illiams Pecunious Grammateus/Financial Secretary for 5 Consecutive Terms (10 Years) 1988-1997 Two Terms as Basileus (1998–1999 and 2003–2005) Eight years as Relay for Life Committee Shair

M yrtle Janice L ee MLK Parade Chair 10 to 12 Consecutive Years 101

IN M E M ORIA M Ivies Beyond the W all Delores Blount Albury* Lois Wagstaff Anderson* Lorena Cannon Brown Myrtle Brown* Gloria Cole Dorothy Collier Celestine Frazier Dixon Thelma Dubose Marie English (UWF Chapter) Lillie James Frazier* Ruby Jackson Gainer Exie B. Goode Jacqueline Watson Harris Lula Mae Williams Hawthorne Sarah Wynder Haynes, Ph.D.* Alyce Williams Henderson◊ Carrie Hicks Rose Adams Hicks* Barbara Patience Hughes Gloria James Hunter Maudeste T. James Elsie Johnson Jones* Georgette Cobb Jones* Yvonne Lucky Kyle* Gloria Black Malden Deloris Salter McCray* Dorothy House McCray* Minnie Watson Moultrie Hilda Preer Virgie Williams Reid Cornelia Robinson Dolores Baker Sanders LaEthyl Shelby Edythe Lucky Thompson Maudeste Washington Modeste Washington Ruth White Jorja Wiggins Annie Baker Williams* Fannie Williams Katie L. Williams Sheila Wiggins Williams Lois Zarogoza *G O L D E N SO R O RS A T T H E T I M E O F T H E I R P ASSI N G ◊DIAMOND SOROR AT THE TIME OF HER PASSING

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M E M B E RSH IP I N D E L T A I O T A O M E G A C H A PT E R T H R O U G H T H E Y E A RS Available chapter records show the following membership trends. Please note that any numerical inaccuracies could be attributed to an error in counting or changes in chapter membership from the beginning to the end of a particular fiscal year.

YEAR 1946 1948 1950 1952 1954 1960 1966 1968 1974 1977 1980 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1988 1989 1990 1992 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

NUMBER O F A C T I V E M E M B E RS 9 17 19 21 31 41 53 40 45 50 45 53 67 77 81 69 74 69 86 77 73 71 73 73 69 65 65 72 72 74 80 84 83 71 72 70 65 81 75

B ASI L E US Lorena Cannon Brown Lula Mae Hawthorne Elsie Jones Lillie James Frazier Jorja Wiggins Evelyn Walker Sarah Wynder Haynes Evelyn Walker Ruby Jackson Gainer Ruby Jackson Gainer Ruby Jackson Gainer Ida Young Ransom Ida Young Ransom Mamie Webb Hixon Mamie Webb Hixon Lillie James Frazier Lois Anderson Lois Anderson Sarah Wynder Haynes Nettie Eaton Sarah Wynder Haynes Millie Steele Benjamin Millie Steele Benjamin Canel Williams Canel Williams Sheila Williams Sheila Williams Corrie Mumford Corrie Mumford Canel Williams Canel Williams

SO U R C E Chapter History Chapter History Chapter History Chapter History ’54 Fashionetta Program ’60 Fashionetta Program 11th Deb Ball Program Present Memory ’74 Fashionetta Program 1977 Program Booklet 25th Anniversary Journal 1982 Program Booklet 1983 Program Booklet 1984 Program Booklet 1985 Program Booklet 1986 Program Booklet 1988 Deb Ball Program 1989 Deb Ball Program 35th Ball Souvenir Journal 1992 Program Booklet Deb Ball Program 1996 Program Booklet 1997 Program Booklet 1998 Deb Ball Program 1999 Deb Ball Program 2000 Fin. Secretary’s List Founders’ Day Program 2002 Deb Ball Program 2003 Deb Ball Program 2004 Deb Ball Program 2005 Deb Ball Program

Cheryl Reeves Cheryl Reeves Joycelyn Jordan-Fluellen Joycelyn Jordan-Fluellen Angela McCorvey Angela McCorvey Gloria Clay Gloria Clay

2006 Deb Ball Program 2007 Deb Ball Program Chapter Files Chapter Files Chapter Files Chapter Files Chapter Files Chapter Files

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From DELTA IOTA OMEGA CHAPTER’s Archives O T H E R O F F I C E RS T H R O U G H T H E Y E A RS C H A R T E R O F F I C E RS 1946-1947 Basileus – Lorena C annon B rown Anti-Basileus – Elsie Johnson Jones Grammateus – Lillie James Frazier Epistoleus – Edythe Lucky Tamiochous – Hilda Preer Hodegos – Alyce Williams Henderson Parliamentarian – Annie Baker Williams Dean of Pledgees – Elsie Johnson Jones

Membership – 9 O F F I C E RS 1954-1955 ( F rom 1954 F ashionetta Souvenir Journal) Basileus – Jor ja W iggins Anti-Basileus – Katie L. Williams Grammateus – Ruby L. Gainer Anti-Grammateus – Rose Hicks Epistoleus – Dorothy M. House Philacter – Yvonne L. Kyle Tamiochous – Lulamae W. Hawthorne Hodegos – Hilda M. Preer Ivy Leaf Reporter – Ruth J. White Parliamentarian – Lillie J. Frazier Dean of Pledgees – Maudeste J. James

Membership – 31 O F F I C E RS 1974-1975 ( F rom 1974 F ashionetta Program Booklet) Basileus – Ruby J. G ainer Anti-Basileus – Dolores Albury Grammateus – Maudeste B. Washington Epistoleus – Marion Cushon Tamiochous – Alyce W. Henderson Financial Secretary – Lois Zaragoza Hodegos – Yvonne Kyle Philacter – Geraldine Scott Ivy Leaf Reporter – Georgette Jones Dean of Pledgees – Mamie Hixon Membership – 45 104

O F F I C E RS 1977

( F rom 1977 Program Booklet)

Basileus – Ruby J. G ainer Anti-Basileus – Doloris S. McCray Grammateus – Lois W. Anderson Anti-Grammateus – Delores B. Sanders Epistoleus – Marion Cushon Tamiochous – Alyce W. Henderson Financial Secretary – Sandra J. Newbold Hodegos – Ruth White Philacter – Alvina Wooten Membership – Rose A. Hicks Ivy Leaf Reporter – Cornelia Robinson Parliamentarian – Anita Streeter Membership – 50 O F F I C E RS 1986-1987

( F rom Chapter Newsletter, December 1985)

Basileus – L illie James F razier First Anti-Basileus – Lois Anderson Second Anti-Basileus – Gloria Hunter Grammateus – Gwen Lewis Anti-Grammateus – Yelena Banks Epistoleus – Anita Streeter Tamiochous – Minnie C. Byrd Financial Secretary – Marie Crowder Parliamentarian – Margie McCorvey Philacter – Ophelia Ray Hodegos – Ruth White Membership Chairperson – Modeste McCorvey Chaplain – Mary Farrow Graduate Advisor – Mamie Hixon Ivy Leaf Reporter – Ann Jenkins Membership – 69

O F F I C E RS 2000 ( F rom 2000 Debutante Ball Program) Basileus – Sheila W iggins W illiams First Anti-Basileus – Corrie Mumford Second Anti-Basileus – Annie Joyce Lawrence Grammateus – Kimberly Cannon-Atkinson Anti-Grammateus – Nettie Eaton Epistoleus – Terrlyn McClammy Tamiochous – Cheryl Powell Pecunious Grammateus – Cheryl Reeves Hodegos – Chiquita Henderson Philacter – Minnie Clark Byrd Membership Chairperson – Joycelyn Jordan-Fluellen Ivy Leaf Reporter – Andralica McCorvey Parliamentarian – Evelyn Walker

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O F F I C E RS 2000, continued Chaplain – Alvina Wooten Graduate Advisor – Kimberly Wheeler UWF Faculty Advisor – Mamie Webb Hixon Assistant Graduate Advisor – Angela McCorvey Musicians – Lillie Dove and Barbara Rodgers Membership – 65 O F F I C E RS 2001 F rom 2001 Chapter Program Booklet and Founders’ Day Program Basileus – Sheila W . W illiams First Anti-Basileus – Corrie Mumford Second Anti-Basileus – Cheryl Reeves Grammateus – Kimberly Cannon-Atkinson Anti-Grammateus – Nettie Eaton Epistoleus – Jonita Watson Tamiochous – Cheryl Powell Pecunious Grammateus – Minnie C. Byrd Hodegos – LaEthyl Shelby Philacter – Janice Lee Membership Chairperson – Chiquita Henderson Ivy Leaf Reporter – Lois Anderson Parliamentarian – Evelyn Walker Chaplain – Alvina Wooten Graduate Advisor – Carla Jones Assistant Graduate Advisor – Terrlyn McClammy (2001) UWF Faculty Advisor – Mamie Webb Hixon Musicians – Lillie Dove and Barbara Rodgers Membership – 65 C E L E B R A T I O NS (F rom C hapter F iles) 1980 1990 1996 2005 2006 2012 2013

25th Debutante Ball Souvenir Journal

Ruby Jackson G ainer, Basileus A nnie Belle W illiams, C hair 35th Debutante Ball Souvenir Journal Sarah W ynder H aynes, Basileus E lsie Jones & A .B. W illiams, C hairs Chapter’s 50-Y ear A nniversary Journal M illie Benjamin, Basileus A ngela Mc Corvey, C hair 49th Debutante Ball Souvenir Journal C anel W illiams, Basileus D r. Donna Bennett & Sharmayne W hite, C hairs th 50 Debutante Ball Souvenir Journal C heryl Reeves, Basileus C arla Jones & Jonita W atson, C hairs 56th Debutante Ball Souvenir Journal G loria C lay, Basileus Modeste M c Corvey & M argie Mc Corvey, C hairs th 57 Debutante Ball Souvenir Journal G loria C lay, Basileus Nettie E aton & Barbara Holloway, Chrs

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L I T T L E K N O W N F A C TS A B O U T D E L T A I O T A O M E G A C H AP T E R The address of the AKA Sorority House, purchased in 1973, was 1324 E ast Gonzalez Street.

The house was torn down in 1985.

Dr. Amy Cato, a then-UWF professor, was initiated in Delta Iota Omega Chapter in 1975 and became Beta Gamma Chapter’s first faculty advisor.

Soror Dolores Blount Albury was C luster I V Coordinator from 1987 to 1990.

Eleven chapter sorors have served as Beta Gamma Chapter’s Graduate Advisor (Dr. Amy Cato, Mamie Webb Hixon, Cheryl Howard, Angela McCorvey, Carla Jones, Annie Joyce Lawrence, Kimberly Wheeler, Cheryl Howard, Esq., Cheryl Powell, Joycelyn Fluellen, and Angela Cola), with Cheryl Powell having served the longest term – eight years.

Soror Ruby Jackson Gainer was the first black president of the Classroom Teachers’ Association and was the first to start a chapter of this association for the district.

Soror Ruby Jackson Gainer was the first black person to run for the Pensacola C ity Council.

Delta Iota Omega Chapter has hosted a number of Sorority Conferences: 1968 Regional Conference at Booker T. Washington Junior College on Texar Drive 1977 Cluster IV Conference at the Downtown Hilton Hotel 1988 South Atlantic Regional Conference co-sponsored with the Tallahassee Chapter in Tallahassee, FL 1990 Cluster IV Conference (Chapter sorors did an invitational presentation in LaGrange, Georgia, in 1989 and wore sailor caps, white T-shirts, and white pants to coincide with the chapter’s naval aviation theme.)

2004: the First Cluster IV Founders’ Day, Hilton Garden Inn, Pensacola Beach Delta Iota Omega Chapter received a “Chappie” from the Fiesta of Five Flags Black Heritage Committee for its community service.

Delta Iota Omega Chapter sponsored “Great Black Moments” PSA’s on WBOP Radio and WEAR TV-3 from 1984 to 1989.

Delta Iota Omega Chapter had an educational partnership with an H B C U (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) – Talladega College, Talladega, Alabama, from circa 1986 to 1989, and provided several scholarships to Debutantes.

Delta Iota Omega Chapter has initiated 146 members since its chartering in 1946.

Two sorors (now deceased) have charter schools named after them: Ruby Jackson Gainer and Jacqueline Harris.

Delta Iota Omega Chapter sponsored Spelling Bees at Washington Junior High School and other venues from circa 1954 to 1967.

In recent history, Delta Iota Omega Chapter has held three open Founders’ Day programs featuring a member of the Directorate as the speaker: 1985 – Soror Mary Shy Scott, then-South Atlantic Regional Director; now past Supreme Basileus 1995 – Soror Eva Evans, Ph.D., 24th Supreme Basileus 1995 - 1998 2001 – Soror Norma Solomon White, 25th Supreme Basileus 1998 – 2001

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M O T H E R-D A U G H T E R A N D SIST E R T E A MS I N D E L T A I O T A O M E G A C H A P T E R M OT H ER Alyce Henderson* Lois Anderson* Josephine Ballard Myrtle Brown* Minnie Byrd Twillea Evans-Carthen Gloria Clay Sarah Haynes* Alyce Henderson* (Mother-in-law) Rose Hicks*

D AU G H T E R Kay Henderson Adams, Shirley Henderson (Daughter-in-law) Sharon Anderson Sheree Triplett Roberts Annie Joyce Lawrence (Granddaughter) TaMetryce Byrd Collins Megan Carthen-Jackson Jasm ine Fowlkes Charlene Haynes Kinon Shirley Henderson Lauren Hicks Barton Judith Hicks Thompson* Angela McCorvey Mildred Hunter, Charlene Hunter James Rosalind Hunter Levy, Gloria Janet Hunter Mekeio Jackson-Martin Kimberly Jefferson Brittany Jefferson Sandra Jones Young, Charlene Jones Taite Patrice Jones Jasm ine V. Lacey Deidre Phillips Michelle Lee Diane Taite Andralica McCorvey Brittany Reeves Carla Scott Jones Harriette Gadsden-Reynolds Erica Nicole Stallworth LaToya Stallworth Adrienne Taylor Nell White Booker Mona Williams Thornton, Carol Williams Wanda Wooten Brown

Vera McCorvey Hollom an* Gloria Hunter* Ruby Jackson Andra Jefferson Georgette Cobb Jones* F reda Lacey Gloria Jones-Phillips Myrtle Janice Lee Gwen Lewis Margie McCorvey Cheryl Reeves Geraldine Scott Barbara Simmons Carolyn Stallworth Connie Taylor Ruth White* Annie Belle Williams* Alvina Wooten

SIST E RS

Alyce Henderson* and Lula Mae Hawthorne*, Virgie Reid*, and Jorja Wiggins* Corrie Mumford and Laurel Boyd (S isters-in-law) Corrie Mumford and Faye Boyd Carter Myrtle Brown* and Elsie Jones* Ida Coleman and Bettye Swanston Joycelyn Jordan F luellen and Kimberly Mercy Modeste McCorvey and Ida Pearl McCorvey Margie McCorvey and Modeste McCorvey (S isters-in-law) Yvonne Kyle and Edythe Lucky Thompson* Doris Parker and Jacqueline Harris* * Ivy Beyond the Wall

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YEAR 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

A L P H A K A PPA A L P H A SO R O R I T Y , I N C O RPO R A T E D® Delta Iota O mega C hapter SO R O R A W A R DS SO R O R O F T H E Y E A R D IST I N G U ISH E D SE R V I C E A SIST W AERRDL Y R E L A T I O NS A W A R D *Ivy Beyond the Wall *Ivy Beyond the Wall New A ward as of 2010 Modeste McCorvey Gloria Hunter* Marva Wallace Minnie Clark Byrd Mamie Webb Hixon Millie S. Benjamin Lois Wagstaff Anderson* None Dolores Blount Albury Gloria Jones-Phillips Minnie Clark Byrd Naomi Jamison Jacqueline W. Harris Mamie Webb Hixon Gloria Jones-Phillips Sheila Wiggins Williams* TaMetryce Ann Byrd Joycelyn Jordan Fluellen Evelyn Walker Myrtle Janice Lee Canel Jacobs Williams Carla Scott Jones Gwen Lewis None Sheila Wiggins Williams* None Carla Scott Jones Cheryl Reeves Minnie Clark Byrd Janice Lee Jada Gardner Cheryl Powell Corrie Boyd Mumford LaRitza Lynn Crear Mamie Webb Hixon Sarah Wynder Haynes, Ph.D* Cheryl Powell Jonita Watson Sarah Wynder Haynes, Ph.D.* Nettie Eaton And Donna Bennett, M.D. Joycelyn Jordan Fluellen None Sharmayne D. White Latanya Roberts None None Gloria Clay Andra Jefferson Terrlyn McClammy LaRitza Lynn Crear Schari Russell Gloria Clay Frances Gray Carla Scott Jones Minnie Byrd and Geraldine Scott Joyce Hopson Longmire Cheryl Reeves Joycelyn Fluellen Charmere Gatson and Ida Coleman Mamie Webb Hixon Sheree Triplett Roberts Mamie Webb Hixon Angela Cola Nettie Eaton

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INITIA TION RE C ORD A ctive and K nown Inactive Sorors of Delta Iota Omega Chapter Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® SO R O R INITIA TION *Ivy Beyond the Wall/Deceased Soror C H A PT E R Melia Adams Delta Iota Omega Dolores Blount Albury* Beta Alpha, Florida A&M University Shavon Algee Omicron Epsilon, Elon University, NC Cathy Ali Eta Pi Omega Chapter, Fort Hood, Texas Lois Wagstaff Anderson* Beta Pi, Alabama State University Sharon Anderson Delta Iota Omega Josephine Ballard Delta Iota Omega Yelena Banks Chi, Talladega College, Talladega, AL Yeletta Banks Delta Iota Omega Kimberly Blackmon Delta Iota Omega Laura Benboe Delta Iota Omega Millie Steele Benjamin Delta Iota Omega Donna C. Bennett, M.D. Delta Iota Omega Sharon Bourges-Jones Delta Iota Omega Laurel Boyd Gamma, University of Illinois Myrtle Brown* Beta Alpha, FAMU Gwendolyn Bullard Delta Iota Omega Minnie Clark Byrd Beta Alpha, Florida A&M University TaMetryce Ann Byrd (Collins) Delta Iota Omega Denise Carroll Delta Iota Omega Megan Carthen-Jackson Lambda Alpha, California State University, Long Beach, CA Amy Cato, Ph.D. Delta Iota Omega Gloria Clay Lambda Rho, Rowan College of NJ Angela Cola Beta Alpha, Florida A&M University Gloria Cole* Delta Iota Omega Sharon D. Cole Delta Iota Omega Ida Young Coleman Gamma Xi, St. Augustine College Dorothy Collier* Delta Iota Omega Monique Collins, Ed.D. Delta Iota Omega LaRitza Lynn Crear Alpha Omicron Omega Marie Crowder Delta Iota Omega Marion Cushon Delta Iota Omega Eleanor Daniels-Mumford Delta Iota Omega Gail J. Davis Delta Iota Omega Celestine Dixon* Delta Iota Omega Lillie Dove Gamma Xi Omega, Charleston, SC Carla Drake Delta Iota Omega Nettie A. Eaton Delta Iota Omega Mary Baker Farrow Delta Iota Omega Barbara Fitzpatrick Delta Iota Omega Joycelyn Jordan Fluellen Beta Pi, Alabama State University Jasmine Fowlkes Delta Iota Omega 110

INITIA TION YEAR 2001 1948 2008 2005 1948 1981 1981 1962 1995 1987 1975 1975 2001 2011 1959 1955 1990 1961 1987 1985 2006 1974 1983 1973 1977 1990 1951 1973 2004 1989 1983 1971 2004 2001 1948 1978 1990 1985 1984 1985 1978 2011

SO R O R

INITIA TION C H A PT E R Lillie James Frazier* Delta Iota Omega Harriette Gadsden-Reynolds Chi, Talladega College, Talladega, AL Ruby Jackson Gainer* Delta Iota Omega Jada Gardner Delta Iota Omega Charmere N. Gatson Delta Iota Omega Hanna Ghirmay Delta Iota Omega Angela Gipson Delta Iota Omega Exie B. Goode* Delta Iota Omega Shirley Otey Gooding (Butler) Delta Iota Omega Frances Gray Delta Iota Omega Lana Hampton Delta Iota Omega Joyce Earl Hart Delta Iota Omega Charley Harris Delta Iota Omega Jacqueline Harris* Delta Iota Omega Bobbie Harrison Gamma Mu, Alabama A & M University, Huntsville, AL Lisa Harrison Delta Iota Omega Chauntey Harvey Gamma Tau, Bethune-Cookman College (Univ.)

Lula Hawthorne* Delta Iota Omega Gigi Haynes Delta Iota Omega Machelle Haynes Delta Iota Omega Sarah Wynder Haynes, Ph.D.* Beta Pi, Alabama State University Alyce Williams Henderson Pi, Fisk University Chiquita Henderson Delta Iota Omega Shirley Henderson Delta Iota Omega Carrie Hicks* Delta Iota Omega Rose Adams Hicks Delta Iota Omega Joyce M. Higginbotham Delta Iota Omega Sondra Hill Delta Iota Omega Jamie T. Hixon Delta Iota Omega Mamie Webb Hixon Delta Iota Omega Barbara Holloway Delta Kappa, Bishop College (Paul Quinn College), Marshall, TX Cheryl J. Howard, Esq. Delta Iota Omega Barbara Patience Hughes* Delta Iota Omega Gloria James Hunter* Delta Iota Omega Gloria Janet Hunter Delta Iota Omega Mildred Hunter Delta Iota Omega Bernadine Jackson Delta Iota Omega Elisabeth Jackson Beta Gamma, University of West Florida Kimberly Jackson Delta Iota Omega Ruby Jackson Delta Iota Omega Terra Jackson Delta Iota Omega Mekeio Jackson-Martin Beta Gamma, University of West Florida Dora James Delta Iota Omega Joanette Pete James (McGadney) Delta Iota Omega Maudeste James* Delta Iota Omega 111 *Ivy Beyond the Wall/Deceased Soror

INITIA TION YEAR 1932 1977 1952 1997 2006 2004 2004 1948 1973 1990 1990 1986 1983 1983 1985 1983 1993 1948 1997 1995 1950 1932 1995 2011 1950 1952 2001 1997 2001 1966 1960 1995 1986 1950 1985 1981 1984 2001 2006 2004 2011 2000 1995 1984 1948

SO R O R *Ivy Beyond the Wall/Deceased Soror

Naomi Jamison Andra Jefferson Pamela Jenkins Brenda Johnson Lillie Johnson Pamela Robinson Johnson Audrey Jones Carla Scott Jones Delois Jones Elsie Johnson Jones Patrice Jones Shawndra Jones Gloria Jones-Phillips Jewell Jordan Jennifer Kennedy Linda Kirkland Cheryl Knight Yvonne Lucky Kyle* Freda Lacey Annie Joyce Lawrence Myrtle Janice Lee Rosalind Hunter Levy Christine Harris Lewis Gwendolyn Lewis Joyce Hopson Longmire, Ph.D. Cheryal Lymons Erica Latoya Mack Deborah Malishan Carmelas Marsh Terrlyn McClammy Angela McCorvey, Ed.D. Ida Pearl McCorvey Margie McCorvey Modeste McCorvey Deloris Salter McCray* Dorothy House McCray* April McFarlin LaTasha McGruder Carol McIntosh Cecily McLeod Nasya McSwain Capt. Kimberly Mercy Marion Mobley Stacye Moering Sherma Moore Lisa Morrissette Minnie Watson Moultrie*

INITIA TION C H A PT E R Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Beta Gamma, University of West Florida Delta Iota Omega Beta Gamma, University of West Florida Delta Iota Omega Beta Alpha, Florida A&M University Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Epsilon Upsilon, University of South Alabama Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Beta Phi, Xavier University, New Orleans, LA Chi, Talladega College, Talladega, AL Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Boule Chapter, University of Arkansas Delta Iota Omega Gamma Sigma, Albany State Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Gamma Tau, Bethune-Cookman College (Univ.)

Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Gamma Kappa, Tuskegee Institute (University) 112

INITIA TION YEAR 1985 1990 1990 1990 2011 1988 1986 1981 2006 1936 1981 2006 1987 1984 2001 1990 1984 1948 1975 1995 1985 1981 1995 1985 1975 2011 1998 1985 1997 1990 1990 1984 1981 1981 1951 1948 2001 2011 1990 2006 2011 1995 1990 2011 1986 2004 1967

SO R O R *Ivy Beyond the Wall/Deceased Soror

Tara Moultrie Toya Moultrie Corrie Boyd Mumford Sandra Newbold Doris Parker Reita Paul Deidre Phillips Tracy Jackson Pickett Ruby Malden Potter Cheryl Powell Mamie Preyer Rachel Pruitt Anner Nichols Purify Gay Rankins Ophelia Ray Joyce Reese Cheryl Reeves Allison Roberts Latanya Roberts Sheree Triplett Roberts Cornelia Robinson Barbara Rodgers Schari Russell Delores Sanders* Thelma B. Salter Geraldine Scott Paula Seldon Lois Belle Sellers, Ed.D. LaEthyl Shelby* Augusta Simon, Ph.D. Barbara Herbert Simmons Mona Simmons Debra Simpkins Elaine Simpson Carletta B. Smiley Quay Smith Carolyn Stallworth LTC Eurydice Stanley, Ph.D. Anita Streeter Bettye Young Swanston Adrienne D. Taylor Bentina Terry Evelyn Walker Karen Walker Janice Warren* Andrea Washington Maudeste Washington*

INITIA TION C H A PT E R Delta Iota Omega Gamma Tau, Bethune-Cookman College (Univ.)

Gamma Zeta Omega, Miami, Florida Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Gamma Gamma, Morris Brown College Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Alpha Psi, Tennessee State University Delta Iota Omega Beta Zeta, Kentucky State Beta Gamma, University of West Florida Gamma Iota, Buffalo State College, NY Zeta Omicron, The Florida State University Delta Iota Omega Beta Alpha, FAMU Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Gamma Tau, Bethune-Cookman College (Univ.)

Delta Iota Omega Delta Delta, Youngstown State University Delta Iota Omega Gamma Tau, Bethune-Cookman College (Univ.)

Beta Pi, Alabama State University Delta Iota Omega Beta Pi, Alabama State University Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Phi, Wiley College, Marshall, TX Beta Alpha, Florida A&M University Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Pi Lambda, DePauw University, Greencastle, IN Kappa Omicron Gamma Tau, Bethune-Cookman College (Univ.)

Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Gamma Omega Delta Iota Omega 113

INITIA TION YEAR 2011 1993 1974 1973 1986 1966 1990 2006 1986 1995 1985 1990 1973 1984 1959 1975 1976 1991 1992 1979 1973 1952 2006 1975 1986 1951 1997 1953 1977 1967 1953 1990 1975 1981 1986 2006 1973 1989 1942 1984 2011 1989 1950 1987 1997 1983 1971

SO R O R *Ivy Beyond the Wall/Deceased Soror

Modeste Washington* Jonita Watson Kimberly Wheeler Ruth White* Sharmayne D. White Adriannette Williams Annie Belle Williams* Areiale Williams Canel Jacobs Williams Carrie Williams Chiquita Williams Harriet Williams Kathy Williams Katie Williams* Mona Williams Sheila Wiggins Williams* Alvina Wooten Rachic Wilson Latrandrial Yates Lois Zarogoza*

INITIA TION C H A PT E R Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Epsilon Gamma, Kent State University Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Beta Alpha, Florida A&M University Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega Delta Iota Omega

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INITIA TION YEAR 1948 1997 1982 1948 1990 2011 1936 1990 1986 1975 2004 1995 1995 1948 1975 1990 1975 2006 2001 1971

SO R O RS O F D E L T A I O T A O M E G A C H A P T E R A L P H A K A PP A A L P H A SO R O R I T Y, I N C O RP O R A T E D At the Chapter’s 50th Debutante Ball and Its th 60 A nniversary Celebration December 29, 2006

Golden Sorors and Diamond Soror Alyce H enderson seated, with other chapter members standing in the background

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DE L T A I O T A O M E G A C H APT E R A L P H A K A PP A A L P H A SO R O R I T Y, I N C O RP O R A T E D FIRST FOUNDERS’ DAY

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DELTA IOTA OMEGA CHAPTER’S F ASH I O N E T T AS® T H R O U G H T H E Y E A RS Second Fashionetta® “Fashions Through the Ages” Washington High School Auditorium Friday, March 19, 1954, 8:00 p.m.

Soror Jorja Wiggins, Basileus

F rom 1954 F ashionetta Souvenir Journal

Third Fashionetta® “Symphonic Fashions” Municipal Auditorium November 4, 1960, 9:00 p.m.

Soror Evelyn Walker, Basileus; Gloria J. Hunter, Chairman F rom 1960 F ashionetta Souvenir Journal

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F ASH I O N E T T AS®, continued “Nostalgic Revolution” Municipal Auditorium Friday, October 25, 1974 Soror Ruby Gainer, Basileus; Soror Mamie W. Hixon, Fashion Show Directress F rom 1974 F ashionetta Souvenir Journal

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C O L L A G E O F C H A P T E R I N V O L V E M E N T A N D N E WSM A K I N G T H R O U G H T H E Y E A RS

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C O L L A G E O F C H A P T E R I N V O L V E M E N T A N D N E WSM A K I N G T H R O U G H T H E Y E A RS

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DE L T A IO T A O M E G A C H APT E R FOUNDERS’ DAY – F ebruary 2010 Saint Cyprian’s Episcopal Church’s Parish Hall A ngela Mc Corvey, E d.D., Basileus

D E L T A I O T A O M E G A C H A PT E R M A K I N G H IST O R Y I N 2008 T he C hapter established a Foundation, the Delta Iota O mega Incorporation, in June 2008 under Past Basileus Joycelyn Jordan F luellen.

F O U N D A T I O N B O A R D O F D I R E C T O RS O F F I C E RS Ida Coleman – President Cheryl Knight – Secretary Minnie Byrd – Treasurer B O A R D M E M B E RS Lois Anderson* Carla Jones Millie Benjamin Cheryl Knight Gwendolyn Bullard Freda Lacey Gloria Clay Gwendolyn Lewis Lynn Crear Deloris McCray* Nettie Eaton Angela McCorvey Sarah Haynes* Cheryl Powell Mamie Webb Hixon Geraldine Scott Ruby Jackson Barbara Simmons Andra Jefferson Elaine Simpson Ophelia Ray Sharmayne White

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H IST O R Y O F B E T A G A M M A C H A PT E R – I TS F O R M A T I V E Y E A RS

By Soror K elly S. M ackey A pril 15, 1989 Delta Iota Omega Chapter oversees an undergraduate chapter at the University of West Florida.

Beta Gamma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. was founded at the University of West Florida, on June 22, 1974. The twelve members required to obtain a chapter, according to national bylaws, were Ernestine Brown, Paula Brahens Goldsmith, Carrie Henderson, Vivian Jackson, Linda Lee, Bura Long, Nettie Manning (now Linton), Senthia Matan, Judy Pierce, Mary Potter, Belinda Tomlin, and Vivian Johnson. The officers of the directorate were Supreme Basileus Mattelia B. Grays, Supreme Grammeteus Laura N. Banks, and Regional Director Homie Regulus. Inspirations that helped in establishing Beta Gamma were Lillie James Frazier, a charter member of Delta Iota Omega Chapter, and Dr. Amy Cato.

Lillie Frazier, who was initiated in Tallahassee, Florida, at Florida A & M University in 1932, was inspirational in getting the Regional Director to come to the university about four times to meet with the members. The reason for the excessive number of times was that all of the members were not available at the same time: as students, they were home for summer vacation, and it was very difficult for all the members to meet at the same time because of their different geographical locations. But because of the persistence of Lillie Frazier, Beta Gamma was finally established.

In 1974, Dr. Amy Cato was a professor at the University of West Florida but not a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. She was later initiated as a member of the graduate chapter, Delta Iota Omega. She helped in getting the chapter chartered on campus by connecting Lillie Frazier to the appropriate people on campus, including the Director of Student Activities, Jim Hurd.

Despite the fact that the populus of the university is majority white, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority has managed to survive on this campus. Alpha Kappa Alpha has gone through many hardships trying to survive on campus.

For a number of years, Alpha Kappa Alpha was the only surviving sorority of the PanHellenic Council on UWF’s campus. Mary Shy Scott, the First Supreme Anti-Basileus from 1980-1984, was very supportive of Beta Ganmia by letting the charter remain though the membership had decreased drastically.

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There were twelve members from 1974 to 1976. In 1977, nine members graduated, and four members were initiated, totaling seven members. There were no members in 1982.

The next three years, there were seven members. Marilyn Roland and Sharisse Bronson pledged in 1985. In 1986, the new members were Kim Griffin, Alison Filmore, and Kathy Smith. In 1987 Andertta White, Lesley Williams, Michele Lee, and Nanette Barnes were initiated under Soror Mamie Webb Hixon, the graduate advisor, and Kim Griffin. Nanette Barnes transferred to Florida State University, leaving the chapter with three members. Four new members were initiated in the spring of 1988; they were Kelly Watson, Dana Smith, Sharon Locke, and Pamela Robinson. Pam graduated, and the chapter then had six members. In the spring of 1989, Carol Gilmore, Forlescer White, and Dawn Sinclair were initiated.

From the Beta Gamma Chapter, there is only one known “Ivy Beyond the Wall”; her name is Maria English.

We are very thankful to Lillie Frazier for her dedication and persistence in establishing Beta Gamma and to Mamie Webb Hixon for keeping Mrs. Frazier’s dream alive. We will try to uphold this beautiful dream and encourage the expansion of Beta Gamma.

A D D I T I O N A L H IST O R I C A L F A C TS A B O U T B E T A G A M M A C H A PT E R Other graduate advisors who have also ensured Beta Gamma’s continuance at UWF have included Carla Jones, Angela McCorvey, Ed.D., A.J. Lawrence, Cheryl Howard, Esquire, Kimberly Wheeler, Cheryl Powell, and Joycelyn Jordan Fluellen, with Soror Cheryl Powell having served the longest term of eight years. The current graduate advisor is Angela Cola. Assistant graduate advisors have included Sorors Dolores Blount Albury, Tametryce Byrd, Angela McCorvey, Evelyn Walker, and Terrlyn McClammy. Angela McCorvey is the current assistant graduate advisor.

Beta Gamma Chapter has also been under the leadership of sorors, who in their roles as UWF administrative, faculty, or staff members, have, at the university’s behest, served in the role of the chapter’s Faculty Adviser: Sorors Mamie Webb Hixon and Laurel Boyd, faculty members; Soror Anela McCorvey, administrator; and Soror Cheryl Powell, staff.

In its 39-year history, Beta Gamma has had a membership as low as one soror and as high as twelve sorors. Nonetheless, these college-trained women continue “to capture a vision fair.”

The current membership is twelve.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT http://uwf.edu/aka/betaGammaHistory.cfm

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“WE STRIVE AND WE DO” H IST O R Y-M A K I N G O F F I C E RS W I T H L O N G E V I T Y I N O F F I C E L I L L I E J A M ES F R A Z I E R* 3 Terms as Basileus (1952-53, 1972-73, 1986-87)

C A R L A J O N ES 5 Consecutive Terms as Membership Chair (2002-11)

D R. R U B Y G A I N E R* 3 Terms as Basileus (1974-77, 1980-81)

C H E R Y L PO W E L L 4 Consecutive Terms as Graduate Advisor (2004-10)

D R. SA R A H H A Y N ES 3 Terms as Basileus (1966-67, 1990-91, 1994-95)

EVELYN WAL K ER 12 Consecutive Terms as Parliamentarian (1992-2013)

MINNIE B YRD 11 Terms as Tamiochous

B A R B A R A R O D G E RS 5 Consecutive Terms as Chapter Musician (2000-2011)

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A PP E N D I X I

T H A N K Y O U!

Special Thanks to the following for their timely assistance with the Third Edition of Our History Book: Stephania Bustamante, UWF Writing Lab Assistant, for capturing my vision for the book cover

Soror Gloria Clay for doing what is expected of a president: encouraging the publication of the Third Edition by trusting my judgment and entrusting me with the responsibility of co-writing, compiling, and editing the Third Edition

All sorors who believed in and contributed to the F irst and Second Editions—the Centennial History Project; Sorors Bentina Terry, Carolyn Stallworth, Charmere Gatson, Donna Bennett, Gwen Bullard, Joyce Hopson, Nettie Eaton, Sarah Haynes, and Yvonne Kyle for their submissions that enhanced this new edition— the Timeless History Project; and Soror Nettie Eaton for information about The Ivy House Foundation Soror Mamie Webb Hixon, Compiler/Editor and Chapter Historian December 5, 2013

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“IN HER OWN WRITE” – Words from O ur L ast L iving C harter M ember Delivered at a Founders’ Day Program, circa February 2002 Reflections The Beginning – The Way We Were: We Were Seven Written by Soror Alyce Williams H enderson, Diamond Soror Since 2007 (Soror Alyce passed November 26, 2013.)

Delta Iota O mega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha is the first black Sorority chartered in Pensacola. The Chartering Ceremony was held in 1946 at the home of Soror Hilda M. Preer. The ceremony was conducted by our Regional Director, Soror Arnetta Wallace. She later became our 14th Supreme Basileus and is now an Ivy Beyond the Wall.

Seven members had met all requirements[s]and became charter members. These are they: 1.

Lorena Cannon Brown 2.

Hilda M. Preer 3.

Edythe Lucky Thompson 4.

Elsie Johnson Jones 5.

Annie B. Williams 6.

Lillie James F razier 7.

Alyce Williams Henderson

Lorena Cannon Brown became the first Basileus. Each member held an office. We immediately went to work. Our first event for the community was a Piano Recital. This history-making event was held at Washington High School. We presented Lois Towles of Nashville, Tennessee.

Some other projects were: 1.

Health 2.

We paid for blood each month for a [Sickle Cell Anemia] patient.

3.

City-wide Spelling Bee 4.

F ashionetta 5.

Deb Ball 6.

Scrapbook and Others Fashionetta is the Sorority’s paying project. We produced several. 1972 Fashionetta was choreographed

by Soror Gloria Spates. Contestants were from the Sorority. Soror Deloris McCray was crowned Miss F ashionetta. 1974 Production, Soror Mamie Hixon was the F ashion Show Directress. Contestants came from the community. LaEthyl Shelby was a contestant. She is now a member of this Great Sisterhood.

Proceeds were for scholarship.

The National Body carried on a health program in Mount Bayou Mississippi. The Sorority operated a floating hospital. It was staffed by sorority members, including the medical doctor. Our chapter’s health 126

program was Clean Schools, Clean Community. The schools and the west-side community gave us good support. Prizes were awarded to the winners.

It was not until 1948 that we increased our membership by an initiation. The initiation banquet was held at the Sunset Riding Club. These ladies were our new sorors: Celestine Dixon, Dorothy House, Modeste P. Washington, Exie Goode, Lula W. Hawthorne, Ruth White, Katie Williams, Maudeste James. Shortly after, Jorja Wiggins joined us from [the] Columbus, Ohio Chapter.

May 16, 1950, the second initiation banquet was held. The honorees were Sorors Carrie Hicks and Gloria Hunter. 1955, we had grown to 35 members. Per capita tax was $4.50, and chapter tax $15.00. We were now getting members from college and out of town to our community.

Some from college and out of town were Delores Blount Albury, Lois W. Anderson, Evelyn Dubose, Catherine Dubose, Barbara Hurbert, Deloris McCray, Yvonne Kyle, Ida Joe Ransom, Anita Streeter, Sarah Wynder Haynes, Robbie Kyle, Margaret Reynolds, Gloria Spates, plus an initiation of Ruby Gainer and Rose Hicks.

[In] 1975, an initiation was held. Members of this group beca me sorors: Millie Benjamin, Joyce Reese, Delores Sanders, Carrie Williams, Alvina Wooten, and Charlene Tate.

The Debutante Program was begun in 1956. The first Charm Schol was April 21 st , 1956, at 4:00 o’clock.

This history-making affair was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Augustus Jones, Soror Georgette’s home.

Our late Soror Exie Goode was the chairperson for this school. The second charm school was at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Clevelan Malden, Soror Gloria. I have the group picture and article about the activities of the charm schools.

Twenty-six girls were presented in December 1957 absolutely free. The Sorority gave the ball. The girls were chosen from the four high schools: Washington, Carver, Ransom, and St. Joseph. Three of the girls were sorors’ daughters: Judith Hicks, Kay C. Henderson, Nell White. The three became sorors at their chosen universities.

We must continue to grow as we enter the 21st century. We began as the first sorority in Pensacola. We must strive to remain in that place. We must [p]reserve the good that we have and look for opportunities to improve the chapter. Love one another. Take time to listen. No one knows everything. We all know something. E ach has something to contribute. Work to advance the sorority. Be committed.

Three things in a human life are important. The first one is to be kind. The second one is to be kind. The third one is to be kind. Always remember to be kind. You are a member of the greatest sisterhood.

Come to the meetings often and help hand and heart Don’t just be a member but take an active part.

Think this over, member. You know right from wrong.

Are you an active member or do you just belong?

Or do you stay at home and criticize the flock?

Do you ever go and visit a member who is sick?

Or leave the work to just a few and talk about the clique?

Are you a committed member, the kind that would be missed?

Or are you just content that your name is on the list?

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R E-E N A C T M E N T O F T H E C H A R T E R I N G O F D E L T A I O T A O M E G A C H A PT E R A L P H A K A PPA A L P H A SO R O R I T Y , I N C O RPO R A T E D A N D SU BSE Q U E N T C H A P T E R M E E T I N GS Script W ritten by Soror M amie W ebb H ixon, H istorian/A rchivist (T hanks to Sorors A lyce H enderson/her 2007 notes, Ida Coleman/her memory, G er ry Scott, and Dora James; and Sandra Preer) PA R T I (1946 V ISI O N A R I ES C A PT U R I N G A V ISI O N F A I R : T H E C H A R T E R I N G) Presented at the Saturday, November 2, 2013, C hapter Meeting N A R R A T O R: SO R O R M A M I E W E B B H I X O N : November 23, 2013, will be the 67th birthday of the chartering of Delta Iota Omega Chapter. Would all sorors 21 to 35 years of age please stand?

Sorors, we are looking at facial facsimiles of the ages of our charter member sorors.

The following is a re-enactment intended to capture the spirit and essence of the chartering of Delta Iota Omega Chapter as well as the spirits, “voices,” and personalities of the seven (7) charter members: living charter member and Diamond Soror Alyce Henderson and four other charter members whom I knew personally (Sorors A.B. Williams, my former 7th, 8th, and 9th grade teacher (1958-1960); Soror Lillie Frazier, my friend and mentor (1950 until her passing in August 22, 2000); Soror Elsie Johnson Jones, whom I knew from 1960 until her passing); and Soror Georgette Cobb Jones, whom I knew from 1962 until her passing). This historical re-enactment in two parts also underscores the familial and personal relationships between and among sorors. The dialogue represents what likely occurred during meetings, not an exactitude of what actually did happen since there are no written records of these occurrences or chapter proceedings. Much information was gleaned from the written text of Soror Alyce Henderson, who at the 2007 open Founders’ Day program delivered a speech about the chapter’s chartering and scripted a written document of her recollections. The document is not intended to be revisionist history, but a recreation of real history. Other information is from my own memory of the oral histories of the chapter shared by the charter members whom I knew personally and from archived documents with dates. I have taken authorial license to embellish and create for the purpose of historical authenticity. Terminology ( colored, Negro, pledging, lines, etc.) represents the language used in 1946.

The year is 1946. Seven women whose external lives were greatly affected by the segregated Jim Crow world in which they lived (they couldn’t vote in local or national elections; they were graduates of Negro colleges and universities in the South; they sat on the back of the bus; they couldn’t eat at the downtown lunch counters at Kress’s and Woolworth’s; they shopped at Bon Marche, Sears, and Lerner’s though they tried on clothes in colored waiting rooms; and they drank from colored water fountains and had to use colored restrooms and other public facilities). As colored teachers, they encountered wage discrimination, earning an income significantly lower than that of white teachers. As Soror Ida explained, they lived modestly, most of them in their thirties and just getting started professionally. Their homes were small, with many of the sorors renting at the time until they had saved enough money to buy their own homes. Nonetheless, their internal lives were not affected by these outside segregationist forces. They were working moms and mothers, active members of their churches, and productive contributors to the black, or colored community. These women had gravitas—a seriousness of behavior at both the personal and professional levels. These seven women came together and completed all the chartering paperwork to submit to the national office. Each member held an office, and in the words of Soror Alyce Henderson, “We immediately went to work.”

SOROR LORENA CANNON BROWN (Reita Paul, Part I; Cheryl Reeves, Part II) – Basileus Age at the time of chartering is unknown. The former teacher of Soror Dora James’s husband 128

SOROR HILDA M. PREER (Gloria Clay) – Tamiochous Age at the time of chartering is unknown. Former teacher of Soror Dora James (please stand). Sister of Dr. Preer who was a pharmacist. A good friend of Soror Alyce Henderson.

SOROR EDYTHE LUCKY (Tara Moultrie, Part I; Jennifer, Part II) – Epistoleus 21 years old, the youngest of the seven charter members. Older sister of Soror Yvonne Lucky Kyle.

Pledged and initiated in Beta Alpha Chapter, FAMU. Born in 1925, according to the Kyle family records.

SOROR ELSIE JOHNSON JONES (Canel Williams) – Anti-Basileus and Dean of Pledgees 35 years old. Instructive visionary. Attentive to details. Mindful of protocol and guidelines.

Scrupulous record keeper. Initiated in Beta Alpha, FAMU, 1936. High school math teacher, who would later retire from Booker T. Washington High School. Mother of Horace Jones, who would become a professional football player for the Oakland Raiders in the mid- to late-seventies; sister of Ivy Beyond the Wall Soror Myrtle Brown, who became one of the first black hairdressers to own a shop in Pensacola.

SOROR ANNIE BELLE (Tee-Tee) WILLIAMS (Nettie Eaton) – Parliamentarian 31 years old. A quiet storm, though not prone to anger or being angered. Soft spoken, but stern, precise, engaged, meticulous. She always strived for perfection. Would become the originator of the Debutante Ball. Would become the soror to compile the chapter’s first souvenir journal in 1980 (December 29) for the 25th anniversary of the Debutante Ball. Initiated in Beta Alpha, FAMU, 1936.

The aunt of Soror Yvonne Kyle. High school geography teacher who would later become Outstanding Teacher of the Year at Pensacola High School. She originated the Debutante Ball. Also a business owner – owner of Annie Belle Motel on West Cervantes and Coyle Streets – now a dry cleaning business. Became an Ivy Beyond the Wall in 1998.

SOROR LILLIE JAMES FRAZIER (Frances Gray, Part I; Sheree Roberts, Part II) – Grammateus 32 years old. Articulate. Gregarious. Picayunish grammarian who dotted every “i” and crossed every “t.” Attentive to order, precision, and detail. Wanted everything right! Initiated in Beta Alpha, FAMU, 1932. One of 17 children of Mrs. Lillie James, mother of the first black four-star general Daniel “Chappie” James (Miss Lillie was my teacher from age 4 to grade 4). Aunt-in-law of Dora James.

Sister-in-law of Soror Celestine Frazier Dixon, who would become one of Delta Iota Omega Chapter’s first eight initiates in 1952. Soror Lillie became one of the first black English professors to be transferred from Booker T. Washington Junior College to the then-Pensacola Junior College. Like her mother, Miss Lillie, Soror Lillie had gravitas.

SOROR ALYCE WILLIAMS HENDERSON (Shirley Henderson) – Hodegus 33 years old. Quiet and soft-spoken observer. Petite and pretty. Initiated in Pi Chapter, Fisk University, 1932. Would live to become a Diamond Soror. Mother-in-law of Soror Shirley Henderson. Three of Soror Alyce’s sisters became DIO sorors: Lula Mae Hawthorne, who was Basileus from 1948-49; Jorja Wigins, who was Basileus from 1954-55; and Virgie Reid.

SORORS GEORGETTE JONES and THEO HICKS participated in the chartering ceremony but were not present at the chartering meeting or listed on the original charter as charter members. Georgette was a witty, handsome, and charming “closet historian” who kept many of the chapter’s records. Married to pharmacist Augustus Jones for whom Soror Yvonne Kyle worked.

This is a re-enactment of the last meeting before the chartering ceremony, Saturday, November 2, 1946, at 6:00 p.m. at the home of Soror Alyce Henderson, 414 North “B” Street.

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R E I T A as L O R E N A: Good evening, Sorors. It’s 6:00 p.m., so let’s get started. The meeting will now come to order. We’ll have the reading of the minutes and both the Epistoleus and Tamiochous reports.

F R A N C ES as L I L L I E (holding a tablet of notebook paper with handwritten minutes): The Saturday, October 5,,1946, meeting was held at the schoolhouse of Mrs. Lillie James. Soror Lorena called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

M A M I E : The schoolhouse, the L. A. James Private School for Colored Children, was owned and run by the mother of Soror Lillie James Frazier.

F R A N C ES as L I L L I E: The first order of business was the chartering. We have received approval from the national office, and the name of our chapter will be Delta Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. We will be the first black sorority chartered in Pensacola. Seven of us will be installed as charter members. Sorors Georgette Cobb Jones and Theo Hicks will not be listed as charter members but will be allowed to participate because they assisted in the organizing of the chapter. The Chartering Ceremony will be held Saturday, November 23, 1946, at the home of Soror Hilda M. Preer on North Reus Street. The ceremony will be conducted by our Regional Director, Soror Arnetta Wallace, who will be arriving by Greyhound bus Friday night, November 21. The initiation banquet will be held at the Sunset Riding Club. Sorors may wear after-five dressy attire for the banquet.

M A M I E - Soror Arnetta Wallace later became our 14th Supreme Basileus. The site of the initiation banquet, the Sunset Riding Club, is now Marcus Lake.

F R A N C ES as L I L L I E (Continuing to read the minutes): Soror Tee-Tee reported that our first event for the community will be a Piano Recital. This history-making event will be held at Washington Junior High School on Strong and “A” Street, where we will present Lois Towles of Nashville, Tennessee, in concert.

M A M I E : Greater Little Rock Baptist Church is now located at the site of the then-Washington Junior High School on Strong and “A” Streets.

F R A N C ES as L I L L I E (Continuing to read the minutes): It was agreed to start a city-wide Spelling Bee to be held in the Washington Junior High School; and for our Health Project, we will pay for blood each month for a [Sickle Cell Anemia] patient. Sorors Lillie, Alyce, and Edythe will also start working on a scrapbook to make sure we keep up with our history.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. since there was no further business.

Respectfully submitted, Soror Lillie Frazier, Grammateus Soror Lorena Cannon Brown, Basileus M A M I E : The chapter would later begin donating to the Tuskegee Gift Drive for Veterans, a program sponsored by the Beta Xi Omega Chapter in Tuskegee, Alabama, and one to which Delta Iota Omega Chapter would donate until the late 1980s.

R E I T A as L O R E N A: Thank you, Soror Lillie. Sorors, you’ve heard the reading of the minutes. Are there any corrections or additions to the minutes? If not, the minutes will be accepted as read.

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G L O R I A as H I L D A (holding a ledger): Total dues and assessments for the chartering - $350.00 (seven sorors @ $50.00 per soror) already collected. Sorors Theo and Georgette also paid their $50.00.

I have your receipts to give you.

T A R A as E D Y T H E : The only correspondence, Madam Basileus, is the letter from the national office with our chartering information.

R E I T A as L O R E N A: Soror Alyce, do you have a Hodegus report?

SH I R L E Y as A L Y C E : Yes, Madam Basileus. First, I will order corsages and a centerpiece from Gertrude’s Flower Shop on “A” Street for the initiation banquet. Milton Knight will be the photographer for the banquet and the piano recital. Our repast for the piano recital will be frappe, finger sandwiches with chicken and tuna salad, petit-fours, peanuts, and pink and green mints. By the way, a new bakery – J’s Bakery – just opened, but we’re going to support one of our Negro businesses. Mr. Clayborn has a bakery on the corner of Gonzalez and Alcaniz Streets.

M A M I E : Notice the simplicity of the menu, Sorors. No meatballs and chicken wings. Gertrude’s Flower Shop was a black-owned business.

R E I T A as L O R E N A: If there is no further business, I will accept a motion to adjourn.

C A N E L as E LSI E (addressing NETTIE as TEE-TEE): Madam Parliamentarian, it is “I move that” and not “I motion that,” right Soror Tee-Tee. N E T T I E as T E E-T E E: Yes, Soror Elsie. It’s “I move that.”

F R A N C ES as L I L L I E: And make sure you say “seconded with three syllables” too.

C A N E L as E LSI E : Madam Basileus, I move that the meeting be adjourned.

T A R A as E D Y T H E : Madam Basileus, I second the motion.

R E I T A as L O R E N A: It has been moved and seconded that the meeting be adjourned. A reminder, Sorors, that we agreed to meet the first Saturday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at each other’s homes.

We’ll serve as hostesses in alphabetical order. The next meeting will be one week after the chartering: Saturday, December 7, at my home.

M A M I E : An article would later appear in The Colored Citizen with the story about the chartering.

Other articles about Fashionetta and the chapter’s annual Spelling Bee also appeared in The Colored Citizen.

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P A R T I I (1948—F O R W A R D T H I N K I N G : M E M B E RSH IP A N D T H E D E B U T A N T E B A L L) Presented Saturday, December 14, 2013, at C hapter Meeting In early 1948, two years after the chartering, Delta Iota Omega Chapter had what was then called a line and pledged and initiated eight new sorors, bringing the total membership of Delta Iota Omega Chapter to 17. The Dean of Pledgees was an elected office (now call Membership Chair), and the person elected to that office was Soror Elsie Jones.

C A N E L as E LSI E : Sorors, as Dean of Pledgees, I am reporting that the names of 8 outstanding women in the community have been submitted for our first line. They represent the sophistication, dignity, and integrity that Alpha Kappa Alpha stands for: they are articulate, well-educated, welldressed, and well-read, and they represent the kind of image we want in Pensacola. These are women we really want and need in our chapter. Most of us know these ladies because they have lived in Pensacola a long time. They are Celestine Dixon, wife of the pastor of Union Baptist Church and a home economics teacher; Exie Goode, another home economics teacher, whose husband is one of the first Negro doctors in town; Lula Mae Hawthorne, the sister of Soror Alyce Henderson; Dorothy House, a typing teacher; Maudeste (M-a-u-d-e-s-t-e) James, a musician and the sister-in-law of Soror Lillie; Modeste (M-o-d-e-s-t-e) Washington, a teacher; Ruth White, the aunt of Soror Tee-Tee and great aunt of Soror Yvonne Kyle; and Katie Williams, a teacher.

N E T T I E as T E E-T E E : Sorors, I hope we will all vote for the ladies because we need to increase our membership.

G L O R I A as H I L D A : That’s right, Sorors. We don’t want to blackball anybody; we’re just getting started, and we need more women to help us do service in the community.

J E N N I F E R as E D Y T H E : Maudeste James is an excellent pianist, and it would be nice to have a musician in the group.

SH E R E E as L I L L I E : And you know my sister-in-law is very active in her church and the community.

SH I R L E Y as A L Y C E : Please vote for my sister Lula Mae Hawthorne. (Smiling) I know each of you will. She just might come in and run for the office of Basileus.

C H E R Y L R E E V ES as L O R E N A : If we don’t have any questions about the names being submitted, I think we should go ahead and vote.

M A M I E : The still nine active sorors voted by secret ballot and accepted the eight prospective members. During that same year, 1948, Lula Mae Hawthorne was elected Delta Iota Omega Chapter’s second Basileus.

Other “lines” were pledged and initiated in 1950 and 1952, two pledgees, or Ivies, each time (1950— Carrie Hicks and Gloria Hunter, the niece of Lillie James Frazier and daughter of Maudeste James; 1952—Ruby Jackson Gainer and Rose Hicks). Then, after 1952, there was a nineteen-year period when the chapter did not initiate any members until 1971, though each year several names were submitted by sorors for consideration.

Other sorors who transferred to Delta Iota Omega Chapter after their graduation from HBCU’s (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) were as follows (Membership numbers are based on oral records and written records of active sorors at the time of the 2011 publication of our chapter’s history book. For instance, Soror Evelyn Dubose was obviously active during the 1956-57 period since she was chapter Basileus): 132

1950 – Yvonne Lucky (23), Xavier University, New Orleans Louisiana; and Anita Streeter, Beta Sigma Chapter, South Carolina State University, Orangesburg, SC (Membership total: 21 sorors) 1951 – Lois Wagstaff Anderson, Beta Pi Chapter, Alabama State University, Montgomery, Alabama (Membership total: 22 sorors) 1952 – Ida Young, Gamma Xi Chapter, St. Augustine College, St. Augustine, Florida (Membership total: 25 sorors) 1953 – Barbara Herbert, Beta Pi Chapter, Alabama State University, Montgomery, Alabama (Membership total: 26 sorors) 1954 – Delores Salter, Gamma Tau Chapter, Bethune-Cookman College; and Barbara Simmons (Rodgers), Beta Alpha, FAMU (Membership total: 28 sorors) 1955 – Evelyn Badger, Gamma Tau Chapter, Bethune-Cookman College (Membership total: 29 sorors) 1958 – Gerry Christy Scott – Gamma Tau Chapter, Bethune-Cookman College (Membership total: 30 sorors) 1960 – Sarah Wynder, Beta Pi Chapter, Alabama State University, Montgomery, Alabama (Membership total: 31 sorors) In 1956–ten years after the chartering, Soror Tee-Tee Williams (Nettie stands) would present a proposal to the chapter to sponsor a Debutante Ball. The Basileus in 1956 was Soror Evelyn Dubose, who, to date, was the youngest soror at the time to have taken the office of Basileus. She was 27 years old in 1956. The total number of chapter members was 29. The Basileus was Soror Evelyn DuBose.

N E T T I E as T E E-T E E : Madam Basileus, I have an idea for a wonderful program – a formal Debutante Ball. Sorors, we would be the first colored group in Pensacola to sponsor a formal Debutante Ball, and we can have this ball at the Municipal Auditorium. The ball will be by invitation only, and we hope that every year people would look forward to receiving an invitation from the AKAs. The attire will be strictly formal: women must wear long gowns, and men must wear tuxedoes.

The Debutantes will wear long white formal gowns, and no two gowns should look alike. Remember, we’ll have to stress formal attire. Mr. Abraham Tolbert has agreed to be at the entrance doors to inspect our guests’ attire. Guests who are not properly attired must go to the balcony to be seated.

Since guests will be allowed to bring alcohol on the premises, no children will be allowed.

J E N N I F E R as E D Y T H E: Soror Tee-Tee, have you thought about how we will select the Debutantes?

N E T T I E as T E E-T E E : Yes, I have, Soror Edythe. We’ll hand pick the young ladies ourselves and submit their names each January. They should be high school juniors at the time and be presented in December when they are seniors. You know, Sorors, we have to start thinking about grooming young women to become AKAs, who would later come back home and join our chapter. So look at the Debutantes as part of that group. Anyway, a soror should sponsor only one Debutante. The sponsor will go on stage and present the Deb with a dozen red roses. The chapter will also purchase a tiara and a gift, a charm bracelet, for each Deb. We hope a soror will volunteer to teach the Debutantes and their escorts the waltz. By the way, Soror Delores Salter knows of a great band in Mobile, Alabama, called the E.B. Coleman Orchestra; the band will play for $300.00; the ball is formal, so the men will all wear tuxedoes, and the vocalist will wear a long dress.

We’ll train the young ladies first at a series of Charm Schools to be held at sorors’ homes. The Charm Schools will be GOOD GROOMING, SOCIAL GRACES, and FUN & LIVING. We’ll take the girls and their escorts to Johnson’s Beach for the Fun & Living Charm School. We’ll also teach the girls how to make hats to wear with their prom dresses to the Garden Party. Sorors must wear hats and long dresses too. Because they’ll be attending Charm Schools, we’ll call the young ladies Charmettes.

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The first meeting of the Charmettes will be an Introductory Tea, where the young ladies come and meet all the members of the sorority. We’ll make sure that each soror is on one of the charm school committees so that the Charmettes will have an opportunity to meet all of us.

Sorors, do you have any questions, comments, or ideas?

C H E R Y L R E E V ES as L O R E N A: I like Soror Tee-Tee’s idea, and I think the sorority should pay for the ball even if we have to be assessed.

G L O R I A as H I L D A : Since the ball will be at the Municipal Auditorium, won’t we need to decorate the building and determine a way to seat everyone?

N E T T I E as T E E-T E E : I’ve talked to Fred Sanders, who is one of the few colored people working at the auditorium—a lot of you know him; he’s a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church—and he can help us with the stage setting. He’ll design the backdrop and set it up for us. As far as seating is concerned, we can all arrive the morning of the ball at 8:00 and select our own tables once we get there. Each banquet-size table will seat guests. We’ll still have a Decorating Committee to decorate each table C A N E L as E LSI E : And don’t forget to bring some ivy to put on all the tables, sorors. At the next sorority meeting, should we all submit names of high school girls and make adjustments if we need to in case some of us submit more than one name?

A L L T H E SO R O RS PR ESE N T N O D I N A G R E E M E N T J E N N I F E R as E D Y T H E : I know we have three sorors with daughters who are high school seniors: Sorors Rose, Alyce, and Ruth.

SH I R L E Y as A L Y C E : I know you sorors are going to accept our daughters, but I think we do need a Screening Committee to look at all the prospective Debutantes’ credentials.

C H E R Y L R E E V ES as L O R E N A: Something else we need to think about is teaching the young ladies to waltz so they can do the waltz with their escorts.

G L O R I A as H I L D A : I think it would be a nice idea for them to dance with their fathers too, Sorors.

N E T T I E as T E E-T E E : Sorors, I’m so happy to see such excitement among you for this Debutante Ball idea. One other thing: I believe we should budget for a charm to give each Debutante as a gift.

I’ve already asked Soror Yvonne to look into finding a charm bracelet, and she has found one with the silhouette of a girl’s face on which we will engrave “AKA Debutante 1956.”

C A N E L as E LSI E : Soror Tee-Tee, would you please remind sorors that this ball is not supposed to be a fundraiser.

N E T T I E as T E E-T E E : That’s right, Sorors. We are going to sponsor the Ball ourselves, and we will not ask the girls to pay a fee. It will be an invitational only Ball. And we definitely will not ask our girls to go to the public and solicit funds on behalf of the Sorority.

SH E R E E as L I L L I E : I move that we sponsor a Debutante Ball each year two to three days after Christmas – on the 27th or 28th of each month and that we keep the addresses of the young ladies so we can send each one a personal invitation to our 1957 Debutante Ball.

SH I R L E Y as A L Y C E: I second the motion.

M A M I E : The motion passed, and the Debutante Program was begun in 1956. Many balls, however, fell on a weeknight since the chapter chose two to three days after Christmas for its annual Debutante Ball dates.

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According to Soror Alyce Henderson’s 2007 notes, the first Charm School was [Saturday], April 21, 1956, at 4:00 o’clock. This history-making affair was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Augustus Jones, Soror Georgette’s home. Soror Exie Goode was the chairperson for this school. The second charm school was at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland Malden (Soror Gloria). All the other Charm Schools were held at the sorors’ homes. Twenty-six girls were presented on Friday, December 28, 1956, absolutely free—the Sorority financially sponsored the ball. Every soror was placed on a committee so that the Debs ended up meeting all the sorors during the ten-month period from March to December.

The girls were chosen from the four high schools: Washington, Carver, Ransom, and St. Joseph. Three of the girls were sorors’ daughters: Judith Hicks, Kay C. Henderson, [and] Nell White. The three became sorors at their chosen universities.

At this writing, the Debutante Ball Program is in its 57th year, with the Chapter having voted against having a Debutante Ball in 1996. Nonetheless, the tradition continues. The Chapter has presented over 1,130 Debutantes to society in its fifty-six-year history of sponsoring Debs, and at least one-fourth of these Debutantes have become members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. In circa 1976, the Chapter began presenting scholarships to Debutantes who met the criteria, including passing a scholarship exam with three components: reading, writing, and mathematics; the chapter has also acquired a number of scholarship partners including Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama (four active sorors are Talladega alumni – Mamie Hixon, who initiated the partnership between Talladega College and DIO; Freda Lacy; Tracy Pickett; and Harriette Gadsden-Reynolds) are active chapter, the University of West Florida, and the then-Pensacola Junior College. In 2011, the chapter named one of its scholarships after charter member and Diamond Soror Alyce Williams Henderson.

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A PP E N D I X I V

A L P H A K A PPA A L P H A SO R O R I T Y , I N C O RPO R A T E D Delta Iota O mega C hapter Serving the Pensacola Community Since 1946 Diamond Soror (75 or more years of service) ** Golden Soror (50-74 years of service) *Silver Star (25-49 years of service) + Life Member 2013 O F F I C E RS President – Gloria Clay * First Vice President – Carla Scott Jones +* Second Vice President – Sheree Triplett Roberts * Recording Secretary – Schari Russell Assistant Recording Secretary – Nettie A. Eaton +* Corresponding Secretary – Cheryl Knight * Financial Secretary – Jennifer Kennedy Treasurer – Ruby Jackson Chairperson of Courtesies – Shirley Henderson Sergeant-at-Arms – LaRitza Lynn Crear Ivy Leaf Reporter – Charmere Gatson Parliamentarian – Evelyn Walker ** Chaplain – Freda Lacey * Graduate Advisor – Angela Cola * Assistant Graduate Advisor – Angela McCorvey, Ed.D. Membership Chair – Cheryl Powell Historian/Archivist – Mamie Webb Hixon * Musician – Ophelia Ray +** 2013 M E M B E RS Alyce Williams Henderson, Charter Member (81 years of service) Melia I. Adams Barbara Holloway ** Shavon Algee Terra Jackson, J.D. Cathy Ali-Lawson Mekeio Jackson-Martin Millie Steele Benjamin +* Tracy Jackson-Pickett Donna C. Bennett, M.D. Dora James Sharon Bourges-Jones Andra Jefferson Laurel Boyd ** Lillie Johnson Gwendolyn S. Bullard Pamela Johnson * Minnie Clark Byrd +** Delois Salter Jones Megan Carthen-Jackson Shawndra Jones, J.D. Ida Y. Coleman +** Gloria Jones-Phillips +* Joycelyn Jordan Fluellen +* Myrtle Janice Lee * Jasmine Fowlkes Gwendolyn Lewis * Frances Gray Cheryal Lymons Bobbie Harrison * Terrlyn McClammy Chauntey Harvey Margie McCorvey * 136

Modeste McCorvey * LaTasha McGruder Nasya McSwain, PharmD. Stacye Moering Tara Moultrie Doris Parker * Reita J. Paul * Ruby Potter * Anner Purify +* Cheryl Reeves * Harriette Gadsden Reynolds * Barbara Rodgers +** Geraldine Scott +**

Lois Belle Sellers, Ph.D. +** Barbara Herbert Simmons +** Debra Simpkins Elaine Simpson +* Carolyn Stallworth +* LTC Eurydice Stanley, Ph.D. Anita Streeter +** Adrienne D. Taylor Bentina Chisolm Terry, J.D. Adriannette Williams Canel Jacobs Williams * Kathy Williams Alvina Wooten *

Diamond Soror (75 or more years of service) ** Golden Soror (50-74 years of service) *Silver Star (25-49 years of service) + Life Member

PICTURE D BELOW: Members of Delta Iota O mega Chapter at the 56th Annual Debutante Ball, Saturday, December 29, 2012, at New World Landing (S EATE D: Diamond Soror Alyce Henderson with 3 Golden Sorors to her left and right)

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R E F E R E N C ES Available Chapter Program Booklets and Chapter Directories (1974, 1977, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986) Available Debutante Ball Programs and Fashionetta Programs Available Souvenir Journals and Available Founders’ Day Programs

Colored Citizen Newspaper, March 1954 Entrée News Chapter Newsletter, December 1995 Hicks, Rose Adams. Pictorial, Newspaper, and Program Archives.

Hixon, Mamie Webb. Membership Pictorial and Profile Journal of Delta Iota O mega Chapter. Pensacola, Florida: Delta Iota Omega Chapter, 2004.

Interviews of Diamond Soror and Golden Sorors. January to June 2008 Other Published Documents of Delta Iota Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

PH O T OS Milton Knight Photography, Pensacola, Florida, 1946-1950.

Al Henderson Photography, Pensacola, Florida, 2004, 2010.

Carmen Jones Photography, 2012.

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G L OSSA R Y A K A : An abbreviated form of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Basileus: A Greek term used to refer to the president of a chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® C harmette: A high school senior participating in a series of Charm Schools on social graces/etiquette, good grooming, financial planning, communication skills, etc. sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Delta Iota Omega Chapter, Pensacola, Florida C harter Member: A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® who participated in the chartering of a local AKA chapter Delta Iota O mega C hapter (D I O): One of the 1,000+ organized and chartered groups of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® throughout the United States Debutante (Deb): A high school senior who makes her debut to society at a formal ball sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Delta Iota Omega Chapter, Pensacola, Florida Diamond Soror: An Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® member with 75 years or more of service in the sorority Founders’ Day: A closed or open (public) program commemorating the founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® G raduate C hapter: A chapter comprised of AKAs who have earned college degrees and are participating in service programs in their community.

Golden Soror: An Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® member with 50 to 74 years of service in the sorority H B C U: An initialism/acronym for “Historically Black College or University” Ivy Beyond the W all: A deceased member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® L ife Member : An Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® member with 25 years or more of service in the sorority and who meets the international office’s requirements for life membership M IP: Initialism/Acronym for Membership Intake Process, the membership orientation and initiation process Silver Star: An Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® member with 25 to 49 years of service in the sorority Soror: Latin term for “sister”; the term members of a sorority use to refer to another sorority member Sorority: An organization of women students, usually at a college or university Undergraduate C hapter: A college/university-based chapter comprised of AKAs who are participating in service programs at their respective colleges/universities and in their communities 139

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INDE X Because of electronic transmission difficulties, some pof the pagination below may be off by two to three pages.

Accolades, 96-101 Acknowledgments, 125 Adams, Melia 110 Albury, Dolores Blount, 24, 79, 96, 106, 110, 143 Algee, Shavon, 110 Ali-Lawson, Cathy, 110 Anderson, Lois, 24, 33-34, 54, 109, 110, 143 Awards, 98, 109 Basilei—Past, 23-25, 143 Benjamin, Millie Steele, 20, 24, 37-38, 73, 75, 103, 110, 143 Bennett, Donna, M.D., 21, 73, 79, 88, 103, 109, 110 Beta Gamma Chapter, UWF, 104, 122-123 Black Girls Who Rock, 95 Black History Month PSAs, 104 Bourges-Jones, Sharon, 21, 96-97 Boyd, Laurel, 69, 95, 110 Brown, Lorena Cannon, 16, 18, 24, 123-131, 143 Brown, Myrtle, 110 Bullard, Gwendolyn, 20-21, 73, 89, 110 Byrd, Minnie Clark, 71-72, 73, 75-76, 77, 97, 109, 110, 118, 124 Byrd, Tametryce (Collins), 21, 109, 110 Carthen-Jackson, Megan, 110 Cato, Amy, Ph.D, 110, 119-120 Celebrations, 103, 112-118 Centenarian, 144 “Chappie” Award, 104 Chapter Awards, 109 Charmette Program, 74, 77 Chartering Ceremony, 18 Charter Schools—Named for Sorors, 104 Clay, Gloria, 4, 24, 48-49, 96-97, 62, 73, 103, 109, 110, 143, 144 Cluster IV Coordinator, 96, 104 Cola, Angela, 71, 109, 110, 119-120 Coleman, Ida, 24, 26, 60, 73, 75-77, 109, 110, 118, 143 Community Involvement, 116-117 Concerts, 78 Conferences, 104 Crear, LaRitza Lynn, 95, 109, 110 Debutante Ball, 74, 79 Dedication, 3 Diamond Soror, 50 Distinguished Service Awards, 109 Dixon, Celestine, 110 Dubose, Evelyn, 24, 143 Eaton, Nettie, 24, 35-36, 51, 67, 73, 75, 77, 79, 91, 95, 103, 109, 110, 118, 143 Ebony Fashion Fair, 16 Ella Jordan Federated Colored Women’s Club, 96 Events, 115-121 EYL, 76, 80 Family Tea, 82 Fashionetta®, 16, 78, 114-115 “Firsts,” 95-98 Fluellen, Joycelyn, 24, 44-46, 69, 71, 73, 79, 96 97, 109, 110, 118, 120, 121, 143 Food Pantry, 78

Founders’ Day Programs, 104, 118 Fowlkes, Jasmine, 21, 110 Frazier, Lillie James, 18, 24, 95, 98, 24, 111, 124, 125-132, 143 Gadsden-Reynolds, Harriette, 73, 111 Gainer, Dr. Ruby Jackson, 20, 24, 95, 96, 111, 124, 125-132, 139 Gatson, Charmere, 21, 94, 95, 109, 111 Ghirmay, Hannah, 21, 79, 109 Glossary, 139 Graduate Advisors, 104 Gray, Frances, 21, 80, 109, 111 Great Moments in Black History, 104 Harris, Jacqueline, 24, 104, 111 Harrison, Bobbie, 73, 96, 111 Harvey, Chauntey, 73, 111 Haynes, Sarah Wynder, Ph.D., 24, 27-28, 57, 73, 92, 103, 109, 111, 124, 143 Hawthorne, Lula Mae 24, 143 Heifer International, 81 Henderson, Alyce, 3, 18, 50, 108, 123-124, 125-132, 144 Henderson, Shirley, 21, 96-97, 108 Hicks, Rose Adams, 61, 95, 97, 108, 125-132 Hicks, Theo, 16, 18, 123 History—Delta Iota Omega Chapter, 16-17 History—International, 6, 8-9 History—South Atlantic Region, 10-15 Hixon, Mamie Webb, 5, 24, 31-32, 50, 55, 56, 59, 64, 73, 77, 79, 90, 95, 97, 98, 109, 111, 143 Holloway, Barbara, 70, 75, 79, 96, 103 Hopson, Joyce, Ph.D., 73, 95, 109, 111 Initiation—First, 19 Initiations by Members, 110-114 Initiations by Years, 20-21 Initiation Record, 110-114 “In Her Own Write,” 126-127 In Memoriam, 102 I.V.I.E.S. Program, 77 Ivies Beyond the Wall, 99 Ivy AKAdemy, 78 Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated, 99 Jackson, Ruby, 21, 111 Jackson, Terra, 21, 111 Jackson-Martin, Mekeio, 111 Jackson-Pickett, Tracy, 21, 111 James, Dora, 73, 111, 125-132 Jamison, Naomi, 20, 109, 112 Jefferson, Andra, 21, 52, 109, 112 Johnson, Lillie, 21, 112 Johnson, Pamela Robinson, 73, 112 Jones, Carla Scott, 60, 73, 79, 103, 109, 112, 120, 124 Jones, Delois Salter, 21, 112 Jones, Elsie, 18, 103, 125-132 Jones, Shawndra, 21, 112 Jones-Phillips, Gloria, 73, 79, 98, 109, 112 Kennedy, Jennifer, 79, 112 Knight, Cheryl, 66, 73, 112, 118

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Kyle, Yvonne Lucky, 55, 93, 112, 125-132 Lacey, Freda, 55, 73, 112 Lee, Myrtle Janice, 20, 73, 98, 109, 112 Lewis, Gwendolyn, 3, 20, 73, 109, 112 Life Members, 73 Little Known Facts, 107 Longevity in Office, 101, 124 Lymons, Cheryal, 21, 112 Mack, Erica, 112 McClammy, Terrlyn, 79, 109, 112 McCorvey, Angela, Ed.D., 21, 24, 47, 95, 103, 112, 120, 139 McCorvey, Margie, 20, 71, 79, 103, 112 McCorvey, Modeste, 20, 61, 65, 73, 79, 98, 103, 109, 112 McCray, Deloris Salter, 62, 112 McCray, Dorothy House, 20, 56, 112 McGruder, LaTasha, 21, 79, 112 McSwain, Nasya, 21, 112 Membership Current, 136-137 Membership Trends, 103 MLK Parade, 78 Moering, Stacye, 21, 79, 112 Mother-Daughter Teams, 108 Moultrie, Tara, 21, 79, 112 Mumford, Corrie Boyd, 24, 41, 109, 113, 143 NAACP, 16 National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Incorporated, Pensacola Chapter, 100-101 National Council of Negro Women, 99 Officers Current, 133 Officers—History Making, 121 Officers Through the Years, 104-106 Parker, Doris, 21, 73, 113 Paul, Reita, 73, 113 Pensacola News Journal, 98 Pink in the City, 16, 83 Potter, Ruby, 21, 73, 113 Powell, Cheryl, 21, 79, 96, 107, 109, 113, 120, 124 Preer, Hilda, 16, 18, 123-131 Program Initiatives, 78-83 Purify, Anner, 20, 73, 96-97, 113 Ray, Ophelia, 69, 73, 113 Re-enactment—Chapter History, 128-135 Reeves, Cheryl, 24, 43, 53, 73, 79, 103, 106, 110, 139 References, 138 Relay for life, 80 Retreats, 82 Scholarships, 74, 77, 104

Roberts, Latanya, 106, 110 Roberts, Sheree Triplett, 73, 79, 106, 113 Rodgers, Barbara, 63, 73, 121, 113, 124 Roster of 2013 Membership, 136-137 Russell, Schari, 21, 79, 106, 113 Scholarship Partners, 74, 77, 104 Scott, Geraldine, 64-65, 73, 75, 106, 113 Sellers, Lois Belle, Ph.D., 67, 113 Service Programs, 78-83 Silver Stars, 73 Simmons, Barbara Herbert, 66, 73, 113 Simmons, Barbara Rodgers, 61 Simpkins, Debra, 73, 113 Simpson, Elaine, 20, 58, 71, 73, 113 Sister Teams, 108 Sisterly Relations Awards, 109 Sisterhood Retreat, 82 Soror Awards, 109 Soror of the Year Awards, 109 Sorority House, 74-77, 107 Souvenir Journals, 106 Spelling Bee, 78, 107 Stallworth, Carolyn, 52, 73, 87, 113 Stanley, LTC Eurydice, 93-94, 113 Streeter, Anita, 53, 73 Taylor, Adrienne D., 113 Terry, Bentina, 74, 86, 98 The Ivy House, 74-77 The Links, Incorporated, Pensacola Chapter Charter Members, 98, 99 Thompson, Edythe Lucky, 16, 18, 123-131 Walker, Evelyn, 24, 29-30, 58-59, 79, 109, 124, 139 Watson, Jonita, 21, 114 WEAR TV-3, 81 Wheeler, Kimberly, 114, 119, 120 White, Sharmayne, 21, 55, 103, 106, 114 Wiggins, Jorja, 24, 139 Williams, Adriannette, 21, 114 Williams, Annie Belle, 16, 18, 77, 97, 103, 123-132 Williams, Canel, 24, 39-40, 42, 73, 98, 103, 109, 114 124, 143 Williams, Carrie, 79 Williams, Kathy, 21, 114 Williams, Sheila, 21, 24, 79, 106, 114, 139 Women Telling Their Business, 81 Wooten, Alvina, 20, 73, 114

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Delta Iota O mega (D I O) C hapter, A lpha K appa A lpha Sorority, Inc. C H A P T E R B ASI L E I H istory F rom the Ivy H istory Vine With age upon taking office Prepared by Soror Mamie Webb Hixon, C hapter A rchivist/Historian November 3, 2011

Basileus

Tenure

Age

1. Lorena Cannon Brown* 2. Lula Mae Hawthorne* 3. Elsie Johnson Jones* 4. Lillie James Frazier*

1946-1947 1948-1949 38 1950-1951 36 1952-1953 38

5. Jorja Wiggins* 6. Evelyn Dubose 7. Elsie Johnson Jones* 8. Evelyn Walker 9. Dolores Blount Albury* 10. Ida Ransom (Coleman) 11. Sarah Wynder Haynes* 12. Evelyn Walker 13. Ida Ransom 14. Lillie James Frazier* 15. Ruby Jackson Gainer* (from Jet, Jan. 15, 1976) 16.Dolores Blount Albury* 17. Ruby Jackson Gainer* 18. Ida Coleman 19. Mamie Webb Hixon 20. Lillie James Frazier*

1954-1955 1956-1957 1958-1959 1960-1961 1962-1963 1964-1965 1966-1967 1968-1969 1970-1971 1972-1973 1974-1977

52 27 48

1978-1979 1980-1981 1982-1983 1984-1985 1986-1987 21. Lois Wagstaff Anderson* 1988-1989 22. Sarah Wynder Haynes 1990-1991 23. Nettie Eaton 1992-1993 24. Sarah Wynder Haynes* 1994-1995 25. Millie Benjamin 1996-1997 26. Jacquelyn Harris* Jan-Mar 1998 27. Canel Williams 1998-1999 28. Sheila W. Williams* 2000-2001 29. Corrie Boyd Mumford 2002-2003 30. Canel Williams 2004-2005 31. Cheryl Reeves 2006-2007 32. Joycelyn Fluellen 2008-2009 33. Angela McCorvey 2010-2011 34. Gloria E. Clay 2012-2013

51 66 53 38 72 60 59 45 63

35 35 35 41 58 61

Year Transferred to DIO Chapter (Number of yrs from member to Basileus) Charter Member (4 yrs) Charter Member 1946 (6 yrs) Initiated 1932, Beta Alpha Columbus, Ohio Chapter (6 yrs) Alpha Psi (1 yr) Charter Member (12 yrs) 1955 from Gamma Tau (5 yrs) 1949 from Beta Alpha (13 yrs) 1952 from Gamma Xi (12 yrs) 1954 from Beta Pi (12 yrs) 1955 from Gamma Tau 1952 from Gamma Xi (18 yrs) 1946 Charter Member ( 26 yrs)

Charter Member

Charter Member 1952 (22 yrs)

1949 from Beta Alpha (28 yrs) 1952 (28 yrs) 1952 from Gamma Xi (30 yrs) 1967 from Chi (17 yrs) 1946 Charter Member (40 yrs) 1952 from Beta Pi (36 yrs) 1954 from Beta Pi (24 yrs) 1985 (7 yrs) 1954 from Beta Pi (12 yrs) 1975 (11 years) 1983 (15 yrs)

56 47 54 69 65 49 49 54 49

Year Initiated in DIO Chapter Charter Member 1948 (1 yr)?

Charter Member Charter Member

1986 (12 yrs) 1990 (10 yrs) 1991 from Gamma Zeta Omega (11 yrs) 1986 (18 yrs) 1984 from Beta Zeta (22 yrs) 1980 from Beta Pi (28 yrs) 1990 (20 yrs) 1986 from Lambda Rho (26 yrs)

*Ivy Beyond the Wall (12 deceased as of 12/26/13)

THE DATA Youngest who took office – E velyn Dubose at 27 in 1956 O ldest who took office – L illie James F razier* at 72 in 1986 Most terms served – L illie F razier* 3, Ruby Gainer* 3, Sarah Haynes 3 Longest single term served – Ruby Jackson G ainer* four years (1974-1977) 4 C harter Members as Past Basilei Shortest time from transfer/initiation to taking office – L ula Mae Hawthorne* 1 14 Basilei Undergrad T ransferees, 9 D I O Initiates

143

12 L iving Past Basilei as of 12/26/13 32 two-year terms 1 four-year term 1 three-month term 23 Past Basilei Most popular age at time of taking office – 35 A verage age at time of taking office – 49

A L Y C E W I L L I A MS H E N D E RSO N DELTA IOTA OMEGA CHAPTER’S F I RST C E N T E N A R I A N L AST L I V I N G C H A R T E R M E M B E R D I A M O N D SO R O R O F 81 Y E A RS

Pictured A bove: Soror G loria C lay, 2013 Basileus (right), and Soror M amie W ebb H ixon, 2013 A rchivist/H istorian (left), presenting a proclamation from the A K A International O ffice and a wrist corsage to Soror A lyce W illiams H enderson (center) on her 100th birthday, Sunday, June 9, 2013, Pensacola, F lorida

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Our Time, Our History TODAY'S MOMENTS TOMORROW'S MEMORIES TIMELESS HISTORY PROJECT Edition

"GREATER TASKS TO BEGIN" . . . THE NEXT 67 YEARS 2014 AND BEYOND