Kappa Omega: Metro Atlanta's Premier Chapter
The Kappa Omega Chapter was chartered on March 1, 1923 in Atlanta, as the first graduate chapter in Georgia. The distinguished ten charter members included Marie Woolfolk Taylor (one of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc.'s Founders), Adelaide Smith (Turner), Louise D. Shivery, Madeline Smith Davis, Eva Conner, Alice L. Rucker, Hattie R. Watson, Caroline Bond Day, Ruth B. Prince, and Foy S. Brown. Originally located in the South Eastern Region, Kappa Omega was relocated in 1953 with the organization of the South Atlantic Region. From the group of ten charter members, Kappa Omega Chapter now has more than 500 members committed to Soaring to Greater Heights of Service & Sisterhood.
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Kappa Omega has had several members to serve on the cluster, regional and international levels including Lucille M. Scott (Ivy Leaf Reporter), Margaret Davis Bowen (Supreme Grammateus), Lucretia Payton Stewart (Supreme Parliamentarian) Harriet Thomas (Supreme Anti-Grammateus), Mary Shy Scott (First Supreme Anti-Basileus and 23rd Supreme Basileus); Four Regional Directors: A. Catheryn Johnson, Sujette Fountain Crank, Mary Shy Scott, Lucretia Payton Stewart; and Four Cluster Coordinators: Malinda O’Neal, Mary Carolyn Menchan, Anne Watts, Eva Stroud; and with a host of members serving on regional, and international committees. Former Supreme Basilei Margaret Davis Bowen and Larzette Hale were also members of the Kappa Omega Chapter.
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Kappa Omega has many notable accomplishments throughout its 100 years of existence. Kappa Omega has supervised the chartering of six undergraduate chapters, served as host for multiple Cluster Meetings, 6 Regional Conferences, 3 Boules, and the 97th National Founders’ Day. The Ivy Community Foundation, formerly Kappa Omega Foundation, (Willieboyd M. Saddler, Chairman) purchased the Ivy Community Center (1992), serving as a Pillar and a beacon of hope to the Atlanta Community. The Foundation sponsors fundraising activities and has awarded over $300,000 in scholarships throughout the years.
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Marjorie Young and Yvonne McBride served as architects for the AKA Day at the Capitol (1994), which became an institutional framework for all Regions. The Ethel Hedgeman Lyle Leadership Academy was established (2007) by Lucretia Payton Stewart (Deborah Sims, President). Kappa Omega celebrated its Diamond Members: Verna James Henderson (2013), Ida Wolfe Ross (2014), Willieboyd McNeil Saddler (2019); presented its First History Book in 2014 (Franka Young, President; Doris T. Stroud, Historian) at the South Atlantic Regional Conference and 66th Boule (2014), hosted the Marie Woolfolk Taylor Historical Marker Unveiling Ceremony (2018) in Atlanta (Icey Johnson, President), and served as host for the Metro Atlanta Founders’ Day (2019).
The chapter has had 42 Talented, Strong and Committed Leaders, beginning with Marie Woolfolk Taylor who served as the first chapter president, and Bridgette Grant as the current president (2022-2024). Over the decades, each president has held high the torch in leading Kappa Omega to heights of greatness. Through documented trailblazing service initiatives, Kappa Omega has received several Service Awards and Recognitions on all levels. Kappa Omega celebrated its 100th chapter anniversary in 2023. Kappa Omega recognizes the many achievements and talents of unnamed members whose wisdom, courage, strength, and faith continue to carry Alpha Kappa Alpha’s dreams to even higher heights in this 21st century.