In February of 1989,  seven members entertained the idea of a second graduate chapter in Charlotte, NC. Donna Y. Bailey, Savannah Clay, Karen Davis-Dixon, Rosemary Lawrence, Beverly Glover Logan, Bettie Glenn, and Mamie Murrell were the visionaries who formed the Core Group. They saw in the establishment of the 95th chapter of the Mid-Atlantic Region, the possibility of expanding “the presence of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® in the Charlotte Metropolitan area with a direct focus on community service.”

June 25, 1989 marked the establishment of “A Strand of Pearls” as an official interest group of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® with a visit from the current Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, Marye Jeffries. After the establishment of “A Strand of Pearls” and a lot of hard work, Rho Psi Omega was chartered on November 12, 1989 with 50 charter members. Donna Y. Bailey, formerly president of “A Strand of Pearls” was elected as the first chapter president

Charter Members

Betty Alsbrook  *  Donna Y. Bailey  *  Vivian B. Beamer  *  Evelyn J. Blackwell  *  Karen E. Breach  *  Donna S. Brown  *  Savannah Clay  *  Valencia P. Covington  *  Karen M. Davis Dixon  *  Mary D. Daniel Dobly  *  Velma D. Falls  *  Rachelle D. Funderburke  *  Deborah M. Gibbs  *  Patricia Goings  *  Edith C.M. Graham  *  Bettie Glenn  *  Jacqueline C. Green  *  Lori A. Grier  *  Deanna S. Highe  *  Melissa Y. Holmes  *  Calenia G. Ivory  *  Laura A. Johnson  *  Cynthia M. Kennedy  *  Barbara S. Kitchen  *  Rosemary L. Lawrence  *  Beverly Glover Logan  *  Bonnie R. Lucas  *  Fentress O. Martin  *  Trina A. McCorkle  *  Christil V. McKenzie  *  Brenda Y. McKoy  *  Clara M. Mitchell  *  Minnie L. Mitchell  *  Cynthia N. Mobley  *  Mamie Lou W. Murrell  *  Wanda B. Owens  *  Carmaine L. Page  *  Elysee J. Phillips  *  Carolyn D. Reeves  *  Doris Smalls Reid  *  Gwendolyn D. Roberts  *  Pamela M. Robinson  *  Berdell Brown-Rowell  *  Elizabeth A. Simmons  *  Donna J. Parket-Tate  *  Joyce D. Waddell  *  Rubye B. Wallace  *  Doris G. White  *  Hycena Williams  *  Sherry D. Young

Chapter Accomplishments

We have accomplished a number of things over these past 30+ years. Some of our programs, fundraisers, and events include:

• Pearls of Culture (Mentoring Program)

• Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

• Pink Groove Tournament Party

• Graduate Greek Step Show

• Salvation Army

• MLK Day Parade

• B.R.I.D.G.E. Jobs Program

• Political Forms (partnership with Alpha Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ®)

• Original Girl Talk (partnership with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated Charlotte Alumnae Chapter

• Senior Morning Out with McCrorey YWCA

• Political Forums (partnership with Alpha Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ®)

• My Mother’s Hats (at the Mint Museum of Art)

• Debutante Cotillion (partnership with RPO, Inc.)

• Tutoring at local elementary schools

• Graduate Greek Picnic

We have also supported other organizations with their endeavors:

• Bowling for Babies (Delta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated)

• Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (Metrolina AIDS Project)

• Tots on Parade (Charlotte NPHC)

• UNCF

• Sisters on the Square (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Charlotte Alumnae chapter)

• Centennial celebrations of fellow NPHC organizations

Scholarships for High School Students

Rho Psi Omega continued its community support by giving out scholarship to high school seniors.  We started in 1989 by awarding a $500 scholarships.  Since then, we have awarded over $180,000 in scholarships to African-American high school seniors attending colleges / universities; with our top recipients receiving as much as $5,000 each.

For more information about the Mid-Atlantic Region , visit our Mid-Atlantic page at: https://aka1908.com/midatlantic/home/