Rho Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. was established on October 23, 1988 by thirty-two Alpha Kappa Alpha women who had a vision to expand and extend service to all mankind to a growing community in Jackson, Mississippi. The chartering members of Rho Lambda Omega Chapter were:
Sirrinthia ArnoldBobbie Brantley
Mae Rainey Brown
Rejohnna Brown-MitchellSandra Burch
Sudie Burnett
Ann BurtonHazel Donald
Elaine Gaddis
Deleslie GrahamMaggie Harper
Lurlene Irvin
Evelyn JohnsonCarolyn Upkins
Theresa King
Jennifer LloydDeneise Lynuel
Patricia Magee
Sylvia MartinVelma McCall
Sandra Lewis-Moffett
Leyser Q. HayesEvelyn Nicks
Tumutal Norton
Zelphia Rowe-HawkinsDeniece Mims White
Beverly Stevens
Rose StraughterPatricia Taylor
Doristeen Washington
Joel WinsleyCaroline Wright
The chartering ceremonies were conducted by then 18th South Eastern Regional Director, Mrs. Nancy G. Sewell. Ten of the thirty-two charter members remain active with Rho Lambda Omega today, while several others remain involved in chapter activities.
Since its inception, Rho Lambda Omega has experienced success by implementing many ongoing community service projects which fulfill tangible needs and make a difference in the lives of individuals in the Jackson Metropolitan Area. Many of the chapter’s initial community projects focusing on Education, Health, Government, Family, the Arts, and Economic Empowerment have been implemented continuously over the years. Other projects are added as we continue to assess and address the needs of our local community and support the Sorority’s international program initiatives. For years 2011, 2012 and 2021, Rho Lambda Omega won the Overall Program Implementation Award for the South Eastern Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha, which is comprised of chapters in Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee.
The Presidents' Council…Through the Years
Patricia Magee October 1988 - December 1990
Denise Mims White January 1991 - December 1992
Leyser Q. Morris Hayes January 1993 - December 1994
Evelyn C. Johnson January 1995 - December 1996
Linda Gater January 1997 - December 1998
Cecelia Bass January 1999 - December 2000
Patricia Magee January 2001 - December 2002
Bobbie Brantley January 2003 - December 2004
Carolyn Upkins-Jones January 2005 - December 2006
Patricia L. Taylor January 2007 - December 2008
Debra B. Sheriff January 2009 - December 2010
Erin Pickens January 2011 - December 2012
LaKeysha Greer Isaac January 2013 - December 2014
Sharon Bridges January 2015- December 2016
Shirley Wyatt-Mc Farland January 2017 - December 2018
Kimberly Smith-Russ January 2019 - December 2020
Gloria Salters January 2021 - Present
As we move forward into our next quarter century of service, Rho Lambda Omega’s unending quest to be "supreme in service to all mankind” spans across both domestic and international boundaries. Whether providing school supplies for children of incarcerated parents, donating toward the purchase of livestock to support women farmers in Kenya and Ecuador, providing over $10,000 a year in scholarship funding to college-bound young men and women, donating over $100,000 since 1988 to the American Cancer Society or developing emerging young leaders through our mentoring program for middle school girls--the ladies of Rho Lambda Omega are committed to making a positive impact.
Continuing to make positive contributions to an evolving community for a quarter of a century requires commitment, vision, and passion. Throughout the years, the members of Rho Lambda Omega have supported the underserved and provided education on a myriad of social and political issues. Early chapter programs included Adopted Assisted Living Facility (NCBA Estates) and Adopt-ed School (Brinkley Middle School). Our major fundraiser has been the Miss Calendar Girl Cotillion. Other programs supported by the chapter through the years have included Women in Politics Summit, Estate Planning & Management Clinic, Adopted School (Oak Forest Elementary), Relay for Life, My Sisters' Keeper (Domestic Violence Awareness) and many more.