History

  • 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 Arnoldhttp://www.clker.com/cliparts/S/Z/8/X/G/n/ivy-leaf-big-green-2-th.pngBobbie Brantleyhttp://www.clker.com/cliparts/S/Z/8/X/G/n/ivy-leaf-big-green-2-th.pngMae Rainey Brown

    Rejohnna Brown-Mitchellhttp://www.clker.com/cliparts/S/Z/8/X/G/n/ivy-leaf-big-green-2-th.pngSandra Burchhttp://www.clker.com/cliparts/S/Z/8/X/G/n/ivy-leaf-big-green-2-th.pngSudie Burnett

    Ann Burtonhttp://www.clker.com/cliparts/S/Z/8/X/G/n/ivy-leaf-big-green-2-th.pngHazel Donaldhttp://www.clker.com/cliparts/S/Z/8/X/G/n/ivy-leaf-big-green-2-th.pngElaine Gaddis

    Deleslie Grahamhttp://www.clker.com/cliparts/S/Z/8/X/G/n/ivy-leaf-big-green-2-th.pngMaggie Harperhttp://www.clker.com/cliparts/S/Z/8/X/G/n/ivy-leaf-big-green-2-th.pngLurlene Irvin

    Evelyn Johnsonhttp://www.clker.com/cliparts/S/Z/8/X/G/n/ivy-leaf-big-green-2-th.pngCarolyn Upkinshttp://www.clker.com/cliparts/S/Z/8/X/G/n/ivy-leaf-big-green-2-th.pngTheresa King

    Jennifer Lloydhttp://www.clker.com/cliparts/S/Z/8/X/G/n/ivy-leaf-big-green-2-th.pngDeneise Lynuelhttp://www.clker.com/cliparts/S/Z/8/X/G/n/ivy-leaf-big-green-2-th.pngPatricia Magee

    Sylvia Martinhttp://www.clker.com/cliparts/S/Z/8/X/G/n/ivy-leaf-big-green-2-th.pngVelma McCallhttp://www.clker.com/cliparts/S/Z/8/X/G/n/ivy-leaf-big-green-2-th.pngSandra Lewis-Moffett

    Leyser Q. Hayeshttp://www.clker.com/cliparts/S/Z/8/X/G/n/ivy-leaf-big-green-2-th.pngEvelyn Nickshttp://www.clker.com/cliparts/S/Z/8/X/G/n/ivy-leaf-big-green-2-th.pngTumutal Norton

    Zelphia Rowe-Hawkinshttp://www.clker.com/cliparts/S/Z/8/X/G/n/ivy-leaf-big-green-2-th.pngDeniece Mims Whitehttp://www.clker.com/cliparts/S/Z/8/X/G/n/ivy-leaf-big-green-2-th.pngBeverly Stevens

    Rose Straughterhttp://www.clker.com/cliparts/S/Z/8/X/G/n/ivy-leaf-big-green-2-th.pngPatricia Taylorhttp://www.clker.com/cliparts/S/Z/8/X/G/n/ivy-leaf-big-green-2-th.pngDoristeen Washington

    Joel Winsleyhttp://www.clker.com/cliparts/S/Z/8/X/G/n/ivy-leaf-big-green-2-th.pngCaroline 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.