National History
In 1908, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority became America’s first Greek-letter organization established by Black college women. On January 15, 2008 Alpha Kappa Alpha became the first African American Sorority to reach the centennial mark. Her roots date back to Howard University, Washington, D.C., where the idea for formation was conceived by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle of St. Louis, Missouri. She viewed the Sorority as an instrument for enriching the social and intellectual aspects of college life by providing mental stimulation through interaction with friends and associates. Through the years, however, Alpha Kappa Alpha’s function has become more complex. After her incorporation as a perpetual body in 1913, Alpha Kappa Alpha gradually branched out and became the channel through which selected college-trained women improved the socioeconomic conditions in their city, state, nation, and the world.
In a world in which materialism is pervasive, and technology and completion have decreased the need for collaboration and cooperation, it is critical to have an association that cuts across racial, international, physical and social barriers to help individuals and communities develop and maintain constructive relationships with others. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is that vital organization.
Alpha Kappa Alpha is a sisterhood composed of women who have consciously chosen this affiliation as a means of self-fulfillment through volunteer service. Alpha Kappa Alpha cultivates and encourages high scholastic and ethical standards; promotes unity and friendship among college women; alleviates problems concerning girls and women; maintains a progressive interest in college life; and serves all mankind through a nucleus of nearly 300,000 women in the United States and abroad. Our official headquarters is in Chicago, Illinois.
Chapter History
After much deliberation and many conversations expressing their desire to establish a graduate chapter in the greater Georgetown Area, Mrs. Josephine C. Howard and Mrs. Charlesann H. Buttone began to pursue their goal. On January 21, 1979, a group of Alpha Kappa Alpha women were called to meet at the home of Mrs. Charlesann Buttone. At this meeting, plans were made to move forward with procedures for chartering a graduate chapter.
On February 2, 1979, the interest group of Alpha Kappa Alpha members in Georgetown County was formally organized and elected the following officers:
President………………………………………….Charlesann H. Buttone
Vice President…………………………………Margie Vernon
Secretary………………………………….Ruthena Barron Ford
Assistant Secretary…………………………..Evelyn Scott
Treasurer……………………………………Esther Beck
Parliamentarian………………………………Carolyn Reid
These officers along with Glendora Brown, Doris Greene, Patricia Green, Margaret Hughes, Cleotha Alford, Patricia Matthews, Josephine Howard, Marian Nelson, Bertha Smith, Anna Thompson, Lizzie Reed, Velma Langley, Claudia Wright, Carol J. McKnight and Mary Wright renewed their spirit of sisterhood and bonded together to fulfill the ideals and aims of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
Having successfully met all requirements for chartering on September 15, 1979, Deloris Ham Oliver, South Atlantic Regional Director conduced the chartering ceremony at the Holiday Inn, Georgetown, South Carolina. Thus Mu Phi Omega, the 93rd chapter in the South Atlantic Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated came to be.
The following officers were installed at the chartering ceremony:
President………………………………………….Charlesann H. Buttone
Vice President…………………………………….Margie Vernon
Secretary…………………………………………..Ruthena Barron Ford
Assistant Secretary………………………………..Evelyn Scott
Treasurer…………………………………………..Esther Beck
Parliamentarian……………………………………Carolyn Reid
Corresponding Secretary…………………………..Lizzie Reed
Ivy Leaf Reporter…………………………………..Velma Langley
Sargeant-at-Arms………………………………….Claudia Wright
Hostess……………………………………………..Cleotha Alford
Membership Chairperson…………………………Josephine C. Howard
Other Charter Members included: Glendora Brown, Patirica Green, Doris Greene, Margaret Hughes, Patricia Matthews, Marian Nelson, Zena Parson-Reddick, Bertha M. Smith, Anna Thompson and Mary Wright.
Mu Phi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated held its first membership intake on April 10, 1981. The following candidates were initiated on May 15, 1981:
Julia Green, Mattie Hemingway, Edna Knox, and Peggy Pyatt.
Since its existence, the chapter has made an impact on the community through its involvement in educational projects, human relations activities and community service.
