WS Chronicle

On Wednesday, Feb. 14, the Phi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. the oldest graduate chapter in North Carolina, officially celebrated 100 years of service.

Founding members, Adelaide Smith Turner, Audrey Williams, Maude Young Ray, Mamie Williams, and Marguerite Adams, started the chapter with the goal of providing $100 and $50 scholarships. Although a lot has changed since 1924, helping young women continue their education after high school is still a primary objective for the chapter, in addition to other programing that align with the sorority’s International Program Initiatives. 

Since its inception, members of the Phi Omega Chapter have been trailblazers for civil rights and equality. Distinguished members and local leaders include: Virginia Newell and Vivian Burke, the first Black women elected to serve on the Winston-Salem City Council; Dr. Lillian Lewis, a professor of biology; the first Black person elected to the local school board, Dr. Geneva Brown, who opened Moore Laboratory School and served as principal for 19 years’ Earline Parmon, who served as a Forsyth County Commissioner for over a decade before being elected to the N.C. House of Representatives’ and Renee Phipps, the first Black City Secretary in Winston-Salem, among others.

Phi Omega was also the home chapter for the 20th International President Dr. Barbara K. Phillips, and Clasrissa Dillard, who served as First International Vice President.

Winston-Salem native and current president of the Phi Omega Chapter, Evelyn Acree, said following in the footsteps of great women like Newell, Burke, Phillips and others, is why she wanted to become an AKA. “When I started thinking about being a part of a sorority, I knew that Alpha Kappa Alpha would be the one for me,” Acree continued. 

“I watched women in the community like Virginia Newell, Vivian Burke, and Janet Wheeler and all the ladies in the city who were really movers and shakers and doing things that had a heart for the community … I wanted to be a part of an organization that made an impact.”

To commemorate their 100th anniversary, Phi Omega has set a goal to award $100,000 in scholarships. Acree said it’s their way of honoring the past while also setting the stage for the future. 

“What we’re trying to do is make sure 100 years from now, we will have made a real impact,” Acree said. “We want to make sure that the Phi Omega Chapter in Winston-Salem will always have the funds to be able to provide scholarships.”

In addition to the scholarships, Phi Omega is also planning to host several events throughout the year, including a day of service in partnership with the other Black fraternities and sororities and a time capsule burial ceremony. “We just want our centennial to leave a lasting impact on Winston-Salem,” said Acree while discussing Phi Omega’s plans for the year. 

“In recognition of our 100th, presidents of the other fraternities and sororities have expressed an interest in coming together in unity and making a major impact in this city.” 

In honor of the Phi Omega Chapter, last week the lights on the Twin Arches over the interchange of US 52 and Research Parkway and the Green Street Pedestrian Bridge were changed to light up the sky, casting colors of pink and green, the customary colors of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. A historic marker recognizing the Phi Omega Chapter is located near the corner of Highland Avenue and N. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

For more information on the Phi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., including programs and initiatives, as well as the centennial celebration, visit www.phiomegaaka.com .