Eta Xi Omega Chapter was chartered on November 11, 1961, in the city of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It was the first “baby” chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated since the 1961 International Conference. The South Eastern Regional Director, Member Julia Brogdon Purnell of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, conducted the chartering ceremony which was held at the Benjamin Barnes Branch of the YMCA. Immediately following the ceremony she installed the first officers of the chapter, conducted an operations workshop, toured the city, and met with 17 students at Stillman College who were interested in the organization. A reception open to the public was also part of the chartering activities.
Since our chartering in 1961, the members of Eta Xi Omega have been diligent in the growth and expansion of Alpha Kappa Alpha, and are responsible for the chartering of four undergraduate chapters. The Delta Sigma Chapter at Stillman College was chartered on March 23, 1963, and Member Ophelia Underwood served as the first graduate advisor. Theta Sigma was chartered at the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa) in 1974, and Member Nancy Williams served as their first graduate advisor. On February 5, 1977, the Eta Xi Omega charted a new undergraduate chapter at Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS with Member Dora Hughes serving as the first graduate advisor. Mu Eta, at the University of West Alabama (formerly Livingston University), was chartered in May 1978, with Memberr Audrey Hughes being appointed graduate advisor.
Currently, our chapter consists of over 100 members from various professions who are committed to “service to all mankind”. Since our chartering in 1961, the members of Eta Xi Omega, have been an impressive organization in Tuscaloosa and the surrounding areas. Through various community service venues we’ve demonstrated our commitment to improving the quality of life for African Americans, through education, civil rights, health, wellness, children, and economic responsibility.
Eta Xi Omega Chapter Officers 2013-2014
President - Etta Felton
Vice President - Robbie Washington
Secretary - Essie Parker
Assistant Secretary - Calondra White
Corresponding Secretary - Angela Jenkins Wright
Financial Secretary- Takesha Shannon
Treasurer - Shonta' Ezell
Ivy Leaf Reporter - Joyce Coffey Grant
Hostess - Pamela Hudson Pruitt
Sergeant at Arms - Denise Bonner-Smith
Parliamentarian - Caryl Cooper
Historian - Irene Byrd
Chaplain - Ciara Abrams
Graduate Advisor - Delta Sigma Chapter
Shante Morton
Campus Advisor - Delta Sigma Chapter
Veronica Clark
Graduate Advisor - Theta Sigma Chapter
Donna Winn
Campus Advisor - Theta Sigma Chapter
Joyce Stallworth
(Chapter History researched and submitted by Members Lula Hudson, Melanie Eddins and Josephine Dantzler)
The South Eastern Region consists of 55 Graduate and 48 Undergraduate Chapters with Omicron Omega in Birmingham, Alabama holding the honor of the oldest graduate chapter in the region. It was established in 1924. Pi Chapter, located at Meharry Medical College, is the oldest undergraduate chapter.
Founder Harriett Josephine Terry resided in this region and taught English at Alabama A&M College for over thirty years. There have been five international presidents of AKA from this region and this region has hosted three international meetings!
We, in the South Eastern Region, are honored to serve Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and have embraced the program initiatives for 2010-2014 under the guiding theme: Global Leadership through Timeless Service.
The Region is under the leadership of our 24th South Eastern Regional Director, Memeber Adrienne P-K Washington of Normal, AL.
The members from Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi (the ATM) through service continue the legacy of leadership! We invite you to browse our website to learn more about the South Eastern Region and our excellent programs of service to our communities.
For more information about the South Eastern Region, please visit www.akasoutheastern.org.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated was founded on the historical campus of Howard University, in Washington, DC in 1908. We are the oldest sorority established for and by African American college educated women.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. celebrated its Centennial Anniversary in 2008. For more information, please visit our national website, www.aka1908.com.