About ABAΩ - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® Alpha Beta Alpha Omega Chapter

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(Pictured above: Charter Members of Alpha Beta Alpha Omega Chapter on December 5, 2021)

On June 18, 2018, ten Fairfax County women met at Pohick Regional Library to discuss chartering a local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. Sorors Rhonda Luss, Leslie Dey, Katrina Anwar, Ruby Smalls, DeAnni Smalls, Minda Hunter, Christina Mason, Bonnie Kellem, Melissa Perryman, and Michelle Wesley attended this meeting. These ladies discussed the potential impact such a chapter would have on Springfield and Lorton communities and the necessary procedures for organizing a new chapter.

During the height of the pandemic in July 2020, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Directorate approved the establishment of the Springfield Pearls Interest Group. Under the Exemplifying Excellence Administration, the Interest Group reached over 2,000 community members with over 100 quality and effectual program activities. Additionally, Interest Group members raised over $27,000 for the Lorton Community Action Center, provided several scholarships to high school seniors, and earned 31 certifications to enhance operations. The Springfield Pearls Interest Group members provide high impact activities, successfully navigating the needs of both local and global communities and achieving significant accomplishments during a global pandemic.

On December 5, 2021, under the leadership of the 19th Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, Soror Jennifer King Congleton, the Interest Group was officially chartered as the Alpha Beta Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, becoming the 134th chapter in the Mid-Atlantic Region with 85 dynamic charter members. Alpha Beta Alpha Omega (ABAΩ) proudly serves Lorton and Springfield, Virginia and has grown exponentially to 124 members.

Under the Soaring to Greater Heights of Service and Sisterhood Administration, ABAΩ successfully implemented programs under each of the six program initiatives. Alpha Beta Alpha Omega has quickly soared to greater heights, becoming an award-winning chapter, receiving several local, regional, and international awards. At the 70th Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference, ABAΩ received the Strengthen Our Sisterhood Award for implementing the Chapter's First Friday and Soror Squad programs. During the 71st Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference, ABAΩ won the SOAR International Program Award for Programs (mid-sized Chapter) for exemplary Chapter programs supporting five program initiatives: Empower Our Families, Build Our Economic Wealth, Enhance Our Environment, Advocate for Social Justice, and Uplift Our Local Communities. ABAΩ placed second for the International GenNext Award, programming that effectively engaged chapter members 40 years old and under and received an EAF Platinum Certificate.

Making a difference by “Uplifting Our Local Community,” ABAΩ has served over 400 program participants, developed over 20 new community partnerships, hosted over 150 programs and provided over 30,000 supplies to local organizations.

As the chapter grows, we continue to support the communities of Springfield and Lorton through Service and Sisterhood, and we look forward to working together.

Past Chapter Presidents
Meet the past presidents of Alpha Beta Alpha Omega Chapter

Rhonda Luss

Chartering President, 2021 - 2024

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®
Founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, DC in 1908, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American college-trained women. The small group of women who organized the Sorority was conscious of a privileged position as college-trained women of color, just one generation removed from slavery. The Original Group: Anna Easter Brown, Beulah Burke, Lillie Burke, Marjorie Hill, Margaret Flagg Holmes, Ethel Hedgemon Lyle, Lavinia Norman, Lucy Slowe and Marie Woolfolk Taylor. Led by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, the nine Howard University students who came together to form Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority were the scholastic leaders of their classes. Each also had a special talent or gift that further enhanced the potential of this dynamic group.

The Sophomores:

Norma Boyd, Ethel Jones Mowbray, Alice Murray, Sarah Meriweather Nutter, Joanna Berry Shields, Carrie Snowden and Harriet Terry. With the exception of Ethel, the original group of women was comprised of college seniors. To ensure the continuity of the organization, seven Class of 1910 honor students who had expressed interest were invited to join without initiation.

The Incorporators:

Julia Brooks, Nellie Quander, Nellie Pratt Russell and Minnie Smith. Nellie Quander was elected president in 1911. Under her visionary leadership, Alpha Kappa Alpha initiated a dynamic plan of expansion. The first step of establishing a national body in perpetuity was taken in 1913 when Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority was legally incorporated.

These women became what are known as the 20 Pearls of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

To learn more about Alpha Kappa Alpha, please visit our corporate website.

Danette Anthony Reed

International President and CEO

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®

Marvelous Mid-Atlantic Region

To effectively and efficiently govern the more than 900 chapters, Alpha Kappa Alpha is divided into regions, according to geographical location and density of population. Chapters were originally organized into regions in 1924 and charged regional directors as the lead officer. Alpha Beta Alpha Omega is a proud chapter of the Marvelous Mid-Atlantic Region.

To learn more about the Marvelous Mid-Atlantic Region, please visit our regional website.

Nadine Vargas Stewart

Regional Director, Mid-Atlantic Region

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®