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 (10) Fairfax County women met at Pohick Regional Library with a desire of chartering a local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. The following members of Alpha Kappa Alpha attended this meeting: Rhonda Luss, Leslie Dey, Ruby Smalls, Katrina Anwar, DeAnni Smalls, Minda Hunter, Christina Mason, Bonnie Kellem, Melissa Perryman and Michelle Wesley. These ladies discussed the potential impact a chapter in the Springfield/Lorton area of Fairfax County could have in the community and the necessary actions for organizing and establishing a new chapter.

On July 14, 2020, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Directorate approved the establishment of the Springfield Pearls Interest Group to serve Springfield and Lorton, VA. And on December 5, 2021, the Springfield Pearls Interest Group, with a membership of 86, was chartered as the Alpha Beta Alpha Omega Chapter.

Today, 119 dynamic women have affirmed our continued commitment to service and sisterhood as members of Alpha Beta Alpha Omega Chapter. During our first two years as a chapter, the members have overwhelmingly participated in Alpha Kappa Alpha’s leadership training, seminars, and conferences. With the Founders’ vision in their sights, ABAΩ has soared to greater heights in service and sisterhood, hosting more than 100 high-impact community-facing activities addressing the needs of our local, national, and global communities. Some of our accomplishments include:

Reached over 2,000 community members through more than 100 dynamic and impactful program activities.
Fundraised more than $27,000 for the Lorton Community Action Center, a local 501(c)(3) organization that provides food, clothing, and emergency support for families in the Lorton-area community.
Donated 3 scholarships totaling $1,500 to a high school senior in the Springfield and Lorton, VA who had a financial need, plan to attend HBCUs, and/or who have excelled academically.
Provided nearly 1,000 supplies and $3,700 to Second Story, a local 501(c)(3) organization that provides safe havens and opportunities to children, youth, and their families through donations of goods and services.
Attended conferences in record numbers with 80% of Interest Group members attending the 68th Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference, 2021 Boule/Leadership Conference, and the Springfield Pearls Interest Group’s Back to Basics training series.
As an Interest Group, participated in the 2020 and 2021 Mid-Atlantic Leadership Institute sessions in high percentages, further deepening their knowledge in sorority operations.
Earned 31 Certifications in 2021, including the Basileus Certification, Directorate Certification, Financial Certification, and Graduate Advisor Certification; and
Donated 1,000 snack packs to the Lorton Community Action Center through a partnership with the Target Corporation.

As the women of the Alpha Beta Alpha Omega Chapter look ahead to 2024, our resolve has never been stronger: to continue to strengthen our sisterhood; to supporting families as the backbone of healthy communities; to implementing strategies that build personal, organizational, and community economic wealth; to improving and protecting our environment at scale; to galvanizing, empowering, and mobilizing communities through social justice and advocacy; and continuing to be of service to all mankind. We will continue the dedication, diligence, persistence, and commitment to the intrinsic values of Alpha Kappa Alpha in the communities of Springfield and Lorton, VA.

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®