The History of Beta Omega Chapter

Serving Kansas City, Missouri Since 1920

The Beginning

Beta Omega Chapter was chartered as Lambda Graduate Chapter on October 20, 1920 by the 2nd International President Lorraine Richardson Green at the Paseo Branch of the YWCA in Kansas City, Missouri.  The charter members were Gladys C. Anderson, Doris R. Novel, Judith A. Syms, Irma G. Frazier, and Anne E. Jackson.  While Beulah Burke has often been regarded as being a charter member, she actually served as the organizer.  She did, however, begin working in the chapter immediately after it was chartered. Judith Anne Syms (Wisdom) was elected the first President of Lambda Graduate Chapter  

By the end of 1920, there were eleven members in the chapter. Four of the charter members were from Delta Chapter at the University of Kansas and one was from Gamma Chapter at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois.  Those who joined before the end of the year were all from Alpha Chapter at Howard University. They were: 

Two of the members were also Founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Beulah Elizabeth Burke and Ethel Jones Mowbray. Lambda Graduate was the second Graduate Chapter chartered in the Sorority. The chapter name was changed to Beta Omega in 1922 when the Boule realigned all chapter names and mandated that all Graduate Chapters end with the word “Omega”.

Since her inception, Beta Omega has been actively engaged in all aspects of the sorority including implementing the International Program Platforms, addressing local concerns, providing scholarships, fostering sisterly relationships, supporting countless civic, educational and cultural activities and hosting conferences and training sessions.

Program Implementation

One of the first programs the chapter implemented was that of Vocational Guidance which was  at that time a National program emphasis. Beta Omega has continued this through the years in various forms. It expanded from one or two hours of counseling by members of the chapter to high school senior girls to a whole day in which representatives of businesses and professional establishments set up booths, handed out informative literature and answered questions and from providing this Vocational Guidance to students in only one high school, the program expanded throughout the Greater Kansas City area.

One other early program was that of providing scholarships. During the late 1920's scholarship aid was given to high school senior girls who made the highest score on a national test which was administered and scored by a committee of three members of the chapter.  The Scholarship Loan Fund was established in the 1930's and continued throughout the 1940's.  High school senior girls were granted loans by making applications and being approved by the scholarship committee.  The loans were to be paid back after graduation from college and securing a job.  Collection of these loans turned out to be quite a task, though a number of recipients paid without being reminded. 

Beta Omega continues to award scholarships to high school seniors-female and male.  The sorority also awards scholarships to members of undergraduate chapters sponsored.  In 2005, Beta Omega awarded its first Freedom Scholarship.  Additionally, the chapter offers the Dorothy Lillard Scholarship for music; the Alvaleta Guess Scholarship for acting and arts; the Corinthian G. Nutter Scholarship and the Mary Phillips scholarship.  All of these women were members of  Beta Omega who bequeathed funds to the chapter for scholarships. 

Debutante Ball and Scholarships

One of the largest ongoing methods of awarding scholarships is through the Debutante Ball.

In 1951, Mildred Althouse (a member of Beta Omega) and Lillian Orme (a member of Mu Omega) initiated the Debutante Ball.  Initially its purpose was to raise funds to help support the sorority's Delta House in Lawrence, Kansas.  The sorority maintained Delta House until open housing laws were passed.  The first Ball, in 1951 was held at the American Legion Hall located at Linwood Blvd. and Paseo in Kansas City, Missouri.  Since the beginning of the Ball, it has been held the Friday night after Thanksgiving.   Joanne Williamson, a member of Beta Omega Chapter, was presented at the first Ball in 1951.  During the 50th anniversary of the Ball, Joanne was in attendance and recognized.

Until the early 1970's scholarships were not awarded.  The young ladies were merely presented to society.  The first young lady crowned, "Miss Debutante" was awarded $300.00.  Scholars for Miss Deb Runner Up, Miss Congeniality, Miss Scholarship, and for book awards have been added. Today, scholarships totaling between$15,000 and $50,000 are annually distributed among the Debutantes each year.  For more than thirty years Beta Omega and Mu Omega co-hosted the Debutante Ball.  Beginning in 1983 the chapters have alternated years in hosting the Ball. The Debutante Ball has awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships, has made an impact upon the lives of hundreds of young ladies and is considered one of the major social events of the year.

Fundraising

To carry out her commitment to providing scholarships, Beta Omega has implemented fund raising projects through the years.  In the early days, the chapter membership was divided into small groups and given a stated amount of money to raise in whatever way the group decided.  This brought out much ingenuity and resourcefulness and allowed the members to get to know one another better.  Later, Beta Omega joined with Mu Omega to jointly sponsor the Ebony Fashion Show.  After a few years, Beta Omega decided to promote other fundraising events. Mu Omega continued to sponsor the annual event for many years and Beta Omega supported them.

From earliest days, the chapter wanted to bring a nationally known artist or production to the city to raise money for community projects and scholarship.  In those days, Ada Crogman Franklin, a Beta Omega member and nationally known writer/producer of “Mile Stones of A Race” was asked to write a play for the chapter to present.  She did so but the play was never presented. At a later time this idea of a play written specifically for Beta Omega to present was again brought up. Octavia Wynbush, Beta Omega member and a highly talented English teacher was aked to writher a play.  She did indeed write a play but it too was never produced.

Other fundraising activities have included the presentation of the stage production of, "The Wiz," a highly acclaimed play.  It was a very successful undertaking A  presentation of “Harlem Hey Day” was also done. There have also been raffles and Carnivals. The latest was a Gospel Extravaganza which was quite successful.

Ivy Community Service and Education Foundation

During the year 2013 The Ivy Community Service and Education Foundation, Inc. (ICSEF) was organized to support the educational and charitable purposes of Beta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Inc.  The Foundation is a 501c3.

Overall, the activities of the chapter have paralleled the focus and emphasis of the international program In 1993, the chapter began working with the St. James Place Soup Kitchen.  To date, this is an ongoing community service project.  The chapter has also spent time tutoring children in reading and math; serving  residents at nursing homes and contributing to organizations and charities including the N.A.A.C.P., UNCF and HBCU.  

Great emphasis has been place on Voter Registration and Education.  The chapter has worked with the League of Women Voters to accomplish the task of registering and informing the people.  The chapter in later years has also provided voter protection at the polls.

The chapter has received countless awards and recognition for its high level of support and participation from civic, social and educational organizations. 

Conferences -  Boules, Regional Conferences and Clusters

Boules

The chapter has hosted it share of Boules, Regional Conferences, Clusters and other meetings.

In 1922, just two years after being chartered, Lambda Graduate (Beta Omega) Chapter had the honor of hosting the 5th Boule of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated®.  It was held December 27-30, 1922 at Lincoln High School in Kansas City, Missouri.  The headquarters was at Hotel Street.  Beulah Burke was the Chapter President and Lorraine Green was the International President.  Besides the name change to realign the chapters, that Boule also established  the position of “Organizer” designed to help in the sorority’s growth by organizing and assisting chapters.  The position of Organizer was the precursor to the office of Regional Director which was established in 1924. Additionally, that Boule established the observance of Founders’ Day for each chapter annually. Finally, it established the program for chapters was to hold an annual entertainment affair such as a concert for aesthetic development in the community and to perform one Christian social or civic service each year.  The members of the chapter, now Beta Omega, were so devoted to keeping the vision of the sorority alive that at the end of the Boule in 1922, four of the eleven members elected to the National Board of Directors were from Beta Omega Chapter.  They were:

The Tri-Conventions and Other Boules

The second and third Boules hosted were Tri Conventions. The first Tri-Convention was held in Kansas City, Missouri, December 27-30, 1940.  It was hosted by Beta Omega and Mu Omega (Kansas City, Kansas) Chapters in conjunction with the Alpha Phi Alpha and the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternities. Trussie Smothers was President of the chapter, Rosetta Nolan Webb, a Beta Omega member, was Regional Director and Dorothy Boulding Ferebee, International President.

Housing for the Tri-Convention, according to Gertrude Bardwell, Beta Omega member, "Was secured in the homes of local residents.  The rates were one person in the room $1.00; two persons, $.75 per person per day.  Registration fee was $.50 and the banquet fee was $1.50.  Housing for the International President and other officers was secured in the homes of prominent Negroes in the city.  Suitable escorts had to be found for those members attending the dances and parties."

The Tri-Convention proved to be so successful that ten years later, December, 1950, the second Tri-Convention was again held in Kansas City, Missouri.  Kansas City became known as "the place to go to Boules."  These were the only two Tri Conventions held with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

The 44th Boule was also held in Kansas City in August 1970.  The Muehlebach Hotel was the headquarters hotel.  It had been booked ten years ahead by the Directorate to house all delegates and social activities for the week.  The Public Meeting and the "Night with Ramsey Lewis" were held in the Music Hall of the Municipal Auditorium.  Dorothy Newman was Chapter President, Jewell F. Neal, Regional Director and Larzette Hale, International President.  This Boule was hosted jointly by Beta Omega and Mu Omega Chapters.

Regional Conferences – Host of First Alpha Kappa Alpha Regional

Beta Omega has hosted a number of Regional Conferences.   The sorority established regions in 1924.  In 1925, the Boule mandated that each region hold an annual conference. Notably, Beta Omega Chapter was the host for the first Alpha Kappa Alpha Regional Conference. The Midwestern Regional Conference was held on May 1, 1926 under the leadership of Judith Syms Wisdom, a Beta Omega member and the 2nd Midwestern Regional  Director.  It was held at Lincoln High School.

In 1934, Beta Omega hosted the 5th Regional Conference at the Paseo YMCA with the conference banquet being held at Paseo Baptist Church whose pastor was the renowned Dr. D.A. Holmes.

The chapter also hosted the 17th and the 28th conferences in 1947 and 1958 respectively.

The 49th Midwestern Regional Conference was held in Kansas City at the Adams Mark Hotel.

Beverly Warrick was conference chairman.  Jacqueline Tomlin was chapter President; Delorise Gines, a Beta Omega member, was Regional Director and Bernice Sumlin was International President. In attendance at that conference was Lorraine Green who chartered the chapter and Irma Frazier Clark who was one of the charter members of Beta Omega.  This conference saw a significant increase in the attendance at the Midwestern Conference and appears to be the beginning of the region’s continuing growth.

The 66th Regional Conference held March 14-17, 1996; the theme was, "Successful Strategies for Building the Future."  This Conference was under the leadership of Vivian Bassa, President, Alberta G. Jones, Regional Director and Eva Evans, International President.  The Conference was co-hosted by Beta Omega's undergraduate chapters - Rho Iota and Rho Alpha.

In 2004 the Mid-Western Region embraced the concept of , "Cluster hosted Regional Conferences."  Beta Omega became a part of Cluster B, which comprised Missouri and Nebraska chapters.  The 74th Mid-Western Regional Conference was the first regional conference hosted by a cluster-Cluster B.  It was held on March 25-28, 2004 at the Lake of Ozarks in Osage Beach, MO.  Helen Harrington was President, Betty Davis-Gause was Regional Director, and Linda M. White was International President.

Cluster B hosted the 79th Mid-Western Regional Conference held March 26-29, 2009 in Omaha, NE.  Susan Smith, President; Vicki Miles-LaGrange, Regional Director, and Barbara A. McKinzie, International President. 

Cluster B once again hosted the 84th Mid-Western Regional Conference held March 20-23, 2014 in Kansas City, MO.  Carla Gunner, President; Maggie W. Green, Regional Director, and Carolyn House Stewart, International President. 

In 2019, Cluster B hosted the 89th Midwestern Regional Conference in Omaha, Nebraska. Charnissa Holiday-Scott was the President; Twyla Woods-Buford (a Beta Omega member), Regional Director and Dr. Glenda Glover, International President.

Other Conferences and Meetings

After the establishment of Area and later Cluster Conferences, the chapter has hosted her share through the years.  Beta Omega was the first chapter in the region to host an Area Workshop conference in 1978.  In 2004, the cluster concept was begun Beta Omega has hosted a number of cluster conferences since then.   One of which was in 2013. October 12, 2013, Beta Omega hosted the 2013 Cluster B and C meeting.  The theme was, "Leadership: The Time Has Come!"  The meeting was held at the Kansas City Marriott-Country Club Plaza, Kansas City, MO.  Member Carolyn House Stewart, Esq. International President and Mid-Western Regional Director, Member Maggie Green were in attendance.  Hope Miller was Cluster B Coordinator and Twyla Wood was Coordinator for Cluster C.

The chapter was also host for the 1959 International Leadership Conference.  Dr. Marjorie Parker was International President; Sue Anderson Wheeler was chapter President.

International and Regional Officers

Since the early days, Beta Omega membership has served in leadership positions at the local, regional and international levels.  The commitment of the chapter’s membership was evident from the time of the 5th Boule. At the end of that Boule four of the eleven sorority members elected to the National Board of Directors were Beta Omega members:
 

Beta Omega members have served as international and regional officers through the years. They include: 
 

Undergraduate Chapters 

In 1964, Beta Omega initially sponsored Delta Upsilon Chapter which encompassed four campus in two states -  Baker University, Baldwin City, Kansas; Emporia State Teachers College, Emporia, Kansas;  University of Missouri Kansas City, Kansas City; and Central State University, Warrensburg, Missouri.  Graduate Advisor responsibilities were shared with Mu Omega. Delta Upsilon Chapter was later dissolved.  Beta Omega Chapter currently sponsors two undergraduate chapters - Rho Alpha (University of Missouri-Kansas City) and Rho Iota (Missouri Western University in St. Joseph, Missouri).  When Rho Iota was chartered in 1994, there were thirteen members,   Ozanna Obasi and Tia Alexander were Grad Advisors;  Mary Francis, President ;  Alberta G. Jones, Regional Director.

Technology Age

Beta Omega moved into the technology age when on March 2, 2005, the chapter launched into the worldwide web with its website, www.akabetaomega.org .  

Subsequently, the chapter has established a Facebook Page; a twitter account (now X);Instagram Account;  Youtube Page and a Zoom account.

Sisterhood

During the 81st Mid-Western Regional Conference, Beta Omegas' first Diamond Member was recognized, Helen Gertrude Bardwell.  Since then three other Diamond Members have been recognized: Julia  Hicks Hill,  Garnett Wilson and Lois Arnold Smith.  Sorors Gertrude, Julia and Garnett have become Ivies Beyond the Wall

The Chapter is delighted to have two Pearl members (65 years)  Louvenia  Phillips and Virginia  Potts Jones.

Notable Recognitions 

In 1929, Hazel Browne (Williams), a Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Kansas was awarded the Sorority’s second Graduate Foreign Fellowship Award to study abroad during the 1930-31 year.  She studied in Germany.   Her German instructors awarded her highest honors. In later years, Hazel Browne achieved distinction by becoming the first African American to be a tenured professor at the University of Missouri Kansas City.

During the 2012 Boule, held in San Francisco, California, July 21-27,  a historical documentation of the work of members of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Incorporated ® who became advocates of civil rights, social justice, fair labor and equality in education was presented.  The title of the exhibit was, "The Unsung Members of the Civil Rights Movement."  There were two Beta Omega members featured in the exhibit: Corinthian Nutter and Lucile H. Bluford.  Nutter was featured for her efforts in the 1940s to help desegregate Merriam, Kansas schools.  Bluford was featured for her work on the Kansas City Call and for her continuous efforts to bring awareness and achieve justice for Blacks.

Beta Omega hosted the Founders' Day Celebration 2013.  Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority,  Incorporated®  celebrated 105 years on Saturday, February 23, 2013.  This event was held at the Kansas City Marriott-Country Club Plaza.  The Founders' Day theme was, "Committed to Serve, Empowered to Lead."  Everyone in attendance was mesmerized by the powerful message delivered by keynote speaker and nationally known Attorney (and AKA) Patricia Russell-McCloud.  The theme of Patricia's message was “Lead, Follow or Get Out Of The Way”.  Maggie Green, Mid-Western Regional Director was in attendance. Gina Mercer was President, Ramona Davis, Chairman and Lisa Ellington Harris was Co Chairman.

On October 11, 2013, Patricia Finch, Global Poverty Initiative Chairman and Chapter President, Gina Mercer presented a $5,000 gift to Heifer International Senior Executive, Corporate Partnership, Suzanne Munson, while 100 in attendance looked on.  Beta Omega became the first and only graduate chapter to purchase a $5,000 Gift ark for Heifer International.  Members of Beta Omega were joined by AKA International President, Attorney Carolyn House Stewart and Mid-Western Regional Director, Member Maggie Green. The reception was held at the Grand Street Cafe-Kansas City, MO.

A Century of Service – Chapter Anniversaries

Through the years, Beta Omega has observed her anniversaries.  The 60th anniversary was special. On October 11, 1980, Beta Omega celebrated her 60th anniversary.  Three of the original charter members returned for the celebration:  Irma Frazier Clark of Chicago, Illinois;  Anne Jackson Hunter of Lexington, Kentucky;  Gladys Anderson Ervin of Los Angeles, California.  Also in attendance was  Lorraine Green of Chicago, Illinois, who was National President when the chapter was chartered.  An alumni coffee and lunch was held at the Alameda Plaza Hotel-Kansas City, Missouri; a reception was held at Ridley's Fine Foods that evening.  The next day's activity included a luncheon at the Central Exchange in Crown Center-Kansas City, Missouri. The chairman for the celebration was  Jacqueline Pierson Tomlin. The President was Beverly Warrick Dickason.

In 2020, plans to celebrate the chapter’s 100th Anniversary were hindered because of the COVID pandemic.  There had been the release of its centennial history book and a big gala planned.  The book was finally released in 2021 and is entitled  Beta Omega:  A Century of Lighting the vision of Sisterhood and Service   and was written by Delorise Gines with the layout and art work done by Ramona Davis.  The gala was never held but the chapter membership did receive souvenirs

The Pandemic and the Second Century

Beta Omega Chapter reached her 100th year in the midst of the Pandemic which took its toll on individual members, the chapter and the sorority as a whole. In spite of the challenges, the chapter weathered the storm. We pivoted and utilized the tools of technology to continue to provide service and to address the needs of the community and to enhance our sisterhood.

Beta Omega Chapter, the second oldest graduate chapter is committed to continue to stand tall while moving forward.  It is our goal to provide service to the community; to foster our sisterhood by retaining and reclaiming as many of our members as possible;  and to promote the sorority and its activities in a positive manner as we continue to be of "Service to all Mankind." 

Beta Omega knows that the bar has been set high by past members but there will be no lowering.  As we move into our second century, we are committed to keeping Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® alive and well by  STANDING STRONG IN SERVICE,  SCHOLARSHIP AND SISTERHOOD.

Past Basilei Beta Omega Chapter

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority

*Presently in another chapter

**change from Sept-June to Calendar Year around 1960 or 1961

***completed term of Basileius who died while in office