One Hundred Years of Excellence: A History of Delta Omega Chapter, The Centennial Edition

By Dr. Renee Escoffery-Torres and Dr. Germaine Fauntleroy

100 Years of Excellence: A History of Delta Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® 1921-2021
The Centennial Edition, chronicles and places the history of the 4th oldest chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority in historical and cultural context, amid a backdrop of changes occuring in the African American community. Viewed by decade, this book details the intersection of the chapter's history with the National and International viewpoints of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, as well as the histories of Virginia State University, the City of Petersburg, and what was occurring as African Americans living in the United States for the last 100 years.
On February 26, 1921, Delta Omega became first graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated® chartered on the East Coast, the fourth oldest graduate chapter chartered in the United States, and first Greek-lettered organization on the campus of Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute (later VSU). Six VNII faculty members, Pauline Puryear, Louise Hunter, May Seabrook, Lucy Bullock, Edna Colson, and Pearl Richardson, along with National President Lorraine Green, formed Nu chapter (graduate). The chapter name was changed to Delta Omega in 1922. Four dormitories, one archives building, two auditoriums, and library located on VSU and in Ettrick, are named for Delta Omega legends. This is their story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Feb 26, 2022
• ISBN: 9781667806037

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Copyright © 2021

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Printed in the United States of America

Printed by Book Baby

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ISBN: 978-1-66-780603-7

Library Control Number: 2014930116 (2014)

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Forward

It was not long after the Delta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated was chartered February 26, 1921, the first graduate chapter in the South Atlantic Region, did members of the chapter sponsor and help charter the oldest undergraduate chapter of the Mid-Atlantic Region, Alpha Epsilon chapter, at what is now known as Virginia State University, on May 15, 1926.

Given the importance of education to the members of the sorority at that time, it wasn’t surprising that Virginia State College became an integral part of the sorority, as the two institutions grew in the area. Many of the professors were members of the sorority. Therefore, it was not surprising that the two quickly developed a strategy to assist with many projects for the college and sorority.

As each institution grew, so did the towns and communities around the college. Soon the college had to expand, and when that happened, facilities were erected. Many of them were named for members of the sorority.

Delta Omega chapter gained prominence within the larger sorority with the election of presidents on the regional and national levels; members have served in several key positions within the sorority. What follows is the story of the women of Delta Omega chapter, of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Inc. and the events that helped to shape the sorority.

Germaine S Fauntleroy, Ph.D.

44th Chapter President 

Delta Omega Chapter 

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ©

Preface

In her beginning statements, Dr. Louise Stokes Hunter, chapter Charter member, 8th President and author of The History of Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, 1921–1978 indicated that the motivation for writing this history… is derived from four main sources: 1) Members of the chapter approached her; 2) Two of the three original charter members still living (Mrs. Mae Hatchette Seabrook and Dr. Hunter herself), could relate some interesting historical facts concerning Delta Omega; 3) The history had remained unwritten after 55 years, despite a wealth of materials housed in the Johnston Memorial Library, which could provide underpinning for such an endeavor; and 4) The chapter had discussed writing the history for years without producing such record, so as the last surviving charter member still on the chapter’s rolls, she volunteered to complete the effort herself (Hunter, 1979, page vii).  Thus begin the journey which led to the publication of a small, hunter green paper text, approximately 100 pages, which chronicled the time-honored history of a beloved chapter to which I felt I was not only destined to be a member, but possibly lead into the next 100 years.

My older sister Denise and I lived and were raised in a very unique, wholly segregated environment of academic and cultural strivers, in our cherished, incubated world on the campus of Virginia State College during the 1950s and 1960s. The beliefs, values and principles of my family were attached to a larger educational community focus—that of functioning as the Black intelligentsia, The Talented Tenth, whose mission centered on enlightening the student population in Southeastern Virginia, as well as those who came from all across America for a higher education.

This had been the College’s mission since 1882; their collective vision was to achieve racial parity, provide race uplift, and fully embody the striving in the Souls of Black folk while achieving the dream of a beleaguered, yet promising America (Dubois, 1903 [reprinted 1994], p.11). The Virginia State College campus was literally our home, our playground and safe haven, as it was to other children born to faculty and staff members. We played in the dormitories named for Delta Omega chapter icons Branch, Whiting and Howard. We attended Gandy Hall Nursery school, whose teachers Mrs. Ida Scott and Miss Eleanor Owens nurtured our brains and cultivated our sensibilities. And most importantly, we matriculated in the hallowed halls of The Matoaca Laboratory School, the training ground for early childhood education majors, whose Principal, Mrs. Elizabeth Anderson Cooper, cultivated in us an undying love of and passion for scholarship and achievement.

It was from these erudite beginnings, shaped and crafted by powerful Black women whom I sought to emulate, that the seeds of my desire to become an Alpha Kappa Alpha woman took root at age 5, and blossomed. Sadly, Dr. Hunter’s little book published in 1979 received scant acclaim, as it was published primarily for chapter members only, and few copies have survived the dark attics and dusty sheds of these never forgotten women who shaped me, and so many others. Wisely and paradoxically, however, there is a copy safely housed in the archived collection of Delta Omega chapter artifacts, on the third floor of a building partly named to honor one of AKA‘s most devoted members Anna Laura Lindsay.

Yet it is Dr. Hunter‘s little book which has provided the genesis and solid foundation for a revised, enduring history, and an updated, Centennial edition. In 2013, our chapter was compelled to write its history under the sagacious wisdom and leadership of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated’s® 28th International President, Carolyn House Stuart, Esq. How judicious and prudent was she, to propel us all into action, leaving her rich legacy in the collective histories of every chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Incorporated®, worldwide! Thank you for being the impetus for retelling and updating our story.

In 2021, in celebration of our chapter’s 100th anniversary, and as Centennial President, it was my desire to provide anupdated edition of our illustrious, enduring chapter history as a gift to each member of our chapter, as well as to those who would find this compelling story of interest. As a historian by passion, and Life member of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), our Centennial celebration was this call to action, to continue to ensure that our story is told by us, for us.

Just as it was for Dr. Hunter and the Delta Omega chapter Archives Committee of 1974–1978, this endeavor, under my direction as chapter President (and with the assistance of Dr. Colita Fairfax, past chapter Archivist Mrs. Doris Ridley, and current chapter Archivist Mrs. Felecia Irving), has been an assiduous labor of love. And it remains of particular joy and significance for one little girl of long ago, whose divine providence and honor it continues to be, to pay homage and tribute to the dazzling women of Delta Omega chapter of our past, present and future. For it is in the compendium of their lives, their achievements, and their time-honored and service of Excellence, that the Delta Omega story continues to inspire all of us, and stands as a testament to the ages.

Renee Nicole Escoffery-Torres, Ph.D.

47th and Centennial President

Delta Omega Chapter, Petersburg Virginia

August 2, 2021

Dedication

This book is dedicated with respect, admiration and love to all members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, especially the members of Delta Omega Chapter, past, present, and those sisters to come, as they continue to serve the Greater Tri-Cities community, and beyond…Thank you for all that you do, to make our world a better place!

Acknowledgments

In a Herculean effort such as this, there are many individuals to acknowledge and thank for their time, effort and assistance. First, we wish to acknowledge our current Leadership—30th International President Dr. Glenda Glover, and 19th Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, Jennifer King Congleton, for inspiring us to Excellence, as we Do A New Thing in the Mid-Atlantic Region. You are consummate motivation and inspiration, personified! We also acknowledge the tireless and distinctive efforts made by the Centennial Committee, chaired by the incomparable sisters of service, Arlene and Yvonne Williams, who led the charge for the creation of a year of magic for our sorority sisters and the greater Petersburg community, through 5 exciting virtual programs, in celebration of our 100th year. Thank you, for all that you do consistently, and in Excellence!

As this book is an update, we must also thank the original individuals who completed the 2014 edition— Archivist and History Book Committee Chairman extraordinaire Mrs. Doris Ridley, who continues to inspire and guide; current Archivist Mrs. Felecia Irving and Vice Presidents Dr. Ahkinyala Cobb Abdullah and Dr. Kimberly Hollemon, who assisted with the historical marker application process and spearheaded the commemorative Yearbook, Co-chairman Mrs. Delores Bland and Mrs. Ruby Carrington (Archives and Welfare Committees) who always provided accurate information for chapter members to craft Resolutions and Commendations, and all members who served as readers, reviewers, editors, designers and creative assistants—especially Mrs. Tempestt Griffin— your help was invaluable.

To Dr. Colita Fairfax and Ms. Sheila Carrington, historical researchers extraordinaire, thank you for your continued assistance in securing archived information, and especially for your formatting expertise. To Mr. Lucius Edwards, Virginia State University Archivist Emeritus, thank you for your priceless time and talents in securing and making available Delta Omega‘s collection of materials, which unfortunately, we were unable to access for this latest effort, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To my line sister and unwavering supporter Mrs. Evelyn Avery, who continued to keep up a relentless pace to ensure that all was consistent, all was formatted correctly, and the final touches on the book were in place— thank you for every late-night call you took in 2013, and your words of encouragement at each step along the journey. To our Delta Omega chapter contributors, those chapter members who took the time out of their incredibly busy schedules, to provide information for the Appendix, your contributions added much to the substance of our history and we are truly appreciative of all of your hard work.

To our Diamond member Mrs. Evelyn Jemison, and Pearl member the late Dr. Janice Mack, your love of Delta Omega and in-depth input provided background and continuity we would not have received from anyone else, and for the love and support of our most recent members who have transitioned to the larger life during this Centennial administration: Diamond member Henrietta Whitehurst, Pearl member Dr. Janice Mack, along with Diamond Dr. Margaret Crowder Johnson, Silver member Mrs. Annie Henderson, Golden members Mrs.