Xi Psi Omega Chapter
Chapter History
Xi Psi Omega Chapter History
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated was founded on January 15, 1908, at the historically black Howard University in Washington, D.C., by a group of sixteen students led by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle. Forming a sorority broke barriers for African-American women in areas where they had little power or authority, due to a lack of opportunities for minorities and women in the early 20th century.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority was incorporated on January 29, 1913. For more history, please visit the link to the right to visit our national website.
Golden Lion Hotel - June 23, 1982
A group of Alpha Kappa Alpha women met to discuss organizing a chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in Anchorage, Alaska. Soror Mildred Robinson, past Far Western Regional Director, presided over the meeting. The Alaskan Interest Group was formed with the following officers presiding: Effie A. Latham, President; Lynn Perkins, Vice President; Sandra Holloway, Secretary; Roena Wiggins, Assistant Secretary; Veronica Stromile, Financial Secretary; Cynthia J. Davis, Chair of Hospitality Committee; Sophia Dawson, Chair of Publicity Committee; A. Mahala Dickerson, Parliamentarian; Blanche McSmith, Member-at-Large; LaForest Clark, Chair of Program Committee; and, Ruby Austin, Chaplain.
Soror Robinson gave methods and procedures in explicit detail regarding what was to be done in order for a chapter to be established. The group followed those procedures meticulously. They kept in constant contact with the Far Western Regional Director, Soror Norma Jean Tucker and the National Headquarters. Forms and other materials were submitted in a timely manner until that great moment when they received the green light to proceed with arrangements for the chartering ceremony. In preparation for the chartering ceremony, fund raising and good public relations projects kept the sorors busy. During this time, other local sorors had an opportunity to join the Interest Group.
The day arrived. On October 21, 1983, Xi Psi Omega became the first chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in Alaska with Soror Norma Jean Tucker presiding over the chartering ceremony. Nine visiting sorors from Los Angeles and the Bay Area of California were in attendance for the chartering and other activities including a much-needed workshop on the rituals and the focus of the Sorority. The chartering members were: Effie A. Latham, Basileus; LaForest Clark, Anti-Basileus; Julie Hodge, Grammateus; Veronica Stromile, Anti-Grammateus; Sandra Holloway, Tamiouchos; Roena Wiggins, Epistoleus; Ruby Austin, Chaplain; Sophia Dawson, Ivy Leaf Reporter; and, Stacie Daniel, Cynthia Davis, A. Mahala Dickerson, Beverly Hicks, Frieda Latham Taylor, Blanche McSmith, Lynn R. Perkins, Donna G. Williams, and Mary Showers.
Charter Members
Sorors of Xi Psi Omega have and continue to participate in numerous projects/programs around
the city. These projects include: teaching Bible Study to female inmates at a local prison which
resulted in giving inmates spiritual knowledge which in turn helped them during and after their
incarceration; actively participating in the local and state P.T.A. bringing about a better
relationship between school, home and community; working with the planning committee for
the Martin Luther King Celebration and participating in the local chorus and by acquiring,
distributing and selling applicable paraphernalia; certifying registrants for voter registration;
hospital volunteers; exponents of the Just-Say-No Program's philosophy in school, churches and
community; contributing and distributing literature involving the Africare program; being
supportive and dedicated to the Negro College fund; supporting sports - coaches and players of
basketball, bowling, cross country running, tennis, track and organizing the Women's 10 K. Run;
sponsoring Brownie Troops in the Girl Scouts of America; participating in Legislative Affairs by
contacting legislators on the local, state and national levels regarding pending sensitive issues;
continuous training in crime prevention and participation on the coalition; raising the awareness
of the community of Black History, and donating to disaster victims and other community agencies.
The chartering was held at the Anchorage Northern Lights Inn with a reception held in the ballroom. Over 200 guests from Anchorage and surrounding cities of Alaska celebrated with the newly chartered chapter. Since that historic day, Xi Psi Omega has aggressively moved forward implementing programs of service both on the local, state and national levels.
Cathy Cody, Charter Member Roena
Wiggins, Thelma Snow Jackson