Charter Date: June 3, 1933
Charter Members: Ray Willard; Hattie Roberts; Theobyrda Adams; Americke Click; Juanita Fisher
In the beginning….
In 1931 several young women residing in Beaumont, TX, who had been initiated in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., sought to establish a chapter in Beaumont. They began meeting alternately in homes and discussed matters of importance they had learned in their undergraduate chapters respectively. Two members from the Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter in Houston, TX met with the members in Beaumont. After all requirements were satisfied per the Constitution and Bylaws, they informed the Regional Director. Although the membership was small, an exception was made to set up the chapter since the size of the city afforded many possibilities. Also, there were enough members in the interest group to elect officers to carry out the business of the organization. In the Spring of 1933, these members from the interest group ( Arthurine “Raye” Willard, Hattie Roberts Horton, Theobyrda Adams, Americke Click and Juanita Fisher), Lois Davis, the Southern Deputy Regional Director, and three members from Alpha Kappa Omega chapter met at St. Paul A.M.E. Church and set up this chapter. On June 3, 1933, Alpha Omega Omega Chapter was chartered in Beaumont, TX. The following officers were elected: Basileus, Ray Willard; Grammateus, Hattie Roberts Horton; Epistoleus, Theobyrda Adams; Tamiouchos, Americke Click; Ivy Leaf Reporter Juanita Fisher.
The Early Years
The next year sorority members Addie Mae Limbrick and Louise Patton were the first transfers. These members strived to make this chapter very vibrant in the city. During the early 40’s, they initiated the first probates: Jewel Cleveland, Maxine Fowler and Helen Valien. After World War II, this chapter began to grow through transfers from college graduates and Membership Intakes with others who qualified for membership. Meetings were held on the 3rd Tuesday night in the home of a chapter members. As the chapter grew, members were divided alphabetically into groups who would host chapter meetings. After the meeting, the group would socialize with a repast.
Through their efforts, the undergraduate chapter, Zeta Beta, was established on the campus of Lamar University in 1970.
Participation
The chapter participated fully in all programs set up by the Corporate administration. The programs were Fashionetta, Vocational Guidance, voter registration, college preparation, awarding scholarships, attending regional conferences, Boules, and Retreat Clusters. Alpha Omega Omega Chapter previously hosted three Regional Conferences. Alpha Omega Omega Chapter hosted the 8th South Central Regional Conference which was attended by the International President, Beulah T. Whitby. This was the first time in the history of the region. In 1953, the 23rd South Central Regional Conference was held at the new Charlton Pollard High School. The last was held in the 1980’s at the Red Carpet Inn.
Since its initiation, Alpha Omega Omega has participated fully in all programs. Fashionetta was a biennial event for many years. It returned in 2007, chaired by Golden Member, Joan F. Stewart presented at the former Harvest Club. Denise Spooner chaired the 2010 Fashionetta at the MCM Elegante. In 2019, Alpha Omega Omega hosted the Emeralds of Excellence Cotillion chaired by Dr. Japera Levine where seven young ladies received scholarships.
Golden Member, Mary Agnes Dages served as 1985 Regional Retreat Chairman, Regional Philacter from 1996-2000, Regional Rules Co-Chair in 2003, and Regional Time and Place Chairman in 2007. She also served as the 1998 Boule Philacter Co-Chair. In 2020, three Alpha Omega Omega chapter members were appointed to the South Central Regional committees: Chapter President, Gwendolyn Lacy - Protocol Committee, Karen Thomas - Undergraduate Activities Committee, and Sherralyn Fields - Technology Committee.
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Several chapter members have been recipients of Regional awards: Gwendolyn Lacy, Faye B. Bryant Human Relations Award;
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Lisa Crochett , Jewel M. Thomas Visionary Award;
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Antionette Kelly, Carmelita Carruth Smith Spirit of the Ivy Award;
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Brenda Reynolds, Outstanding Initiate Award.
The chapter’s efforts to be of service to our community were recognized at the 89th South Central Regional Conference in April 2021.
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Dr. Porchanee' White - 1st Place - Medium Chapter - Graduate Member of the Year
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Georgine Guillory- 2nd Place - Mary Louise Williams Public Service Award
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Alpha Omega Omega Chapter - 1st Place - Medium Chapter - Chapter Attendance Award
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International Programs
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Target 1 HBCU 2nd place Medium size chapter
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Target 2 Women's Healthcare and Wellness 2nd place Medium size chapter
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Target 3 Building your Economic Legacy 2nd place Medium size chapter
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Target 5 Global Impact 1st place Medium size chapter
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Denise Spooner and Georgine Guillory - Elected Public Official Recognition
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Alpha Omega Omega was recognized on the BEST of the BEST list for Member Reactivation.
Alpha Omega Omega Chapter's Technology Committee was awarded the "Best Chapter Website" award by the National Pan-Hellenic Council of the Golden Triangle in December 2021.
Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded every year to a student at each of our local high schools. Beginning as early as the 1930s, Alpha Omega Omega members would host dances, teas and other social events to help raise scholarship funds. Golden Member Audrey White donated a $1,000 scholarship and Golden Member Sandra Faye Bailey's family donated $7000 for a yearly scholarship of $1000. Another member of the Bailey family, Sorority Member, Theresa Bailey, donated $3000.00 for a scholarship in her name.
Service to All Mankind
Alpha Omega Omega is a charter member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council of the Golden Triangle and a Lifetime Member of the NAACP. Chapter member and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park Commissioner, Denise Spooner was instrumental in the development and design of the park. Alpha Omega Omega Chapter's support of the park has been memorialized a with brick located within the park walkway. During the annual M.L. King, Jr. Parade, chapter members have participated in the parade, and distributed bottled water to the parade participants. After Hurricane Harvey, we donated more than 500 backpacks to area schools.
Alpha Omega Omega Chapter has awarded a monetary contribution of $500 yearly to a local charity to assist them with helping the underserved members of the community and to develop the arts in our community. This award is presented at our Founders' Day Celebration. Award recipients include The Southeast Texas Resource Center, Nutrition and Services for Seniors, Jonathan Williams Center for the Performing Arts and Gift of Life Program.
We have collected over 400 pairs of shoes for Soles 4 Souls, 300 eyeglasses for the Lions Club International and 50 dresses for the Pillowcase Project. In 2018, Alpha Omega Omega Chapter was recognized at the South East Texas Cluster for collecting the largest number of shoes for a small chapter.
In 2020, more than 100 women of all ages participated in "Pink Goes Red for Healthy Hearts". Our "Power Up" Goals included a brisk walk/run around the track, and an exercise routine led by a certified instructor. The routine included tips for mind and body. A variety of healthy snacks were served and tips for healthy meals were shared. Chapter members were available for blood pressure checks as well as distributing information on the dangers of high blood pressure. Attendees donated 76 pairs of eyeglasses for the Lions Club and 89 pairs of shoes for Soles for Souls.
Throughout the year, chapter members deliver meals to seniors three times a year in our partnership with Nutrition and Services for Seniors. Our plan is to expand our partnership by assisting in other areas where volunteers are needed. We have also adopted a local nursing home where we play bingo and bring prizes for all the residents who participate in the games. Toiletries are given to the other residents. Students in our local schools participated in the Salute to Black Arts Movement by drawing pictures depicting black artists or black life during the Harlem Renaissance era. Chapter members judged the submissions and the winners were presented with gift cards.
In 2020 Alpha Omega Omega transitioned to serving our community virtually. From movie nights to financial empowerment seminars, we continued to meet the needs of our local and global community. We held virtual sewing classes for Dresses for Haiti. We hosted the following health and wellness activities: Virtual Bingo and Mind Your Health , and Self Care is not Selfish Zumba. Page Turners, the chapter book club was started and continues to meet monthly. During the 2020 Election season, we held a “Get Out the Vote: Voter Information Forum”. Guests included State Representative Joe Deshotel, the Jefferson County Clerk and the Retired National Officer of the American Postal Workers Union.
Alpha Omega Omega will continue to serve our community with programs, service and scholarships.