Chapter History

In February of 1989, seven sorors entertained the idea of a second graduate chapter in Charlotte, NC. Sorors Donna Y. Bailey, Savannah Clay, Karen Davis-Dixon, Rosemary Lawrence, Beverly G. Logan, Bettie Glenn, and Mamie Murrell were the visionaries who formed the Core Group. They saw in the establishment of the 95th chapter of the Mid-Atlantic Region, the possibility of expanding "the presence of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in the Charlotte Metropolitan area with a direct focus on community service."

June 25, 1989 marked the establishment of "A Strand of Pearls" as an official interest group of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated with a visit from the current Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, Soror Marye Jefferies.  After the establishment of "A Strand of Pearls" and a lot of hard work, Rho Psi Omega was chartered on November 12, 1989 with 50 charter members. Soror Donna Y. Bailey, formerly president of "A Strand of Pearls" was elected as the first chapter president.

We have accomplished a number of things over these past 20+ years.  Some of our programs, fundraisers, and events include:

Pearls of Culture (Mentoring Program)	Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
Graduate Greek Step Show	Pink Groove Tournament Party
Salvation Army	MLK Day Parade
B.R.I.D.G.E. Jobs Program	Senior Morning Out with McCrorey YWCA
Political Forums (partnership with Alpha Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated	Original Girl Talk (partnership with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporate Charlotte Alumnae Chapter
My Mother's Hats (at the Mint Museum of Art)	Debutante Cotillion (partnership with RPO, Inc.)
Tutoring at local elementary schools	Graduate Greek Picnic

We have also supported other organizations with their endeavors:

Bowling for Babies (Delta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated)	Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (Metrolina AIDS Project)
Tots on Parade (Charlotte NPHC)	UNCF
Sisters on the Square (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Charlotte Alumnae chapter)	Centennial celebrations of fellow NPHC organizations

Rho Psi Omega continued its community support by giving out scholarship to high school seniors.  We started in 1989 by awarding a $500 scholarship.  Since then, we have awarded over $135,000 in scholarships to African-American high school seniors attending colleges / universities; with our top recipients receiving as much as $5,000 each.