Resolution 210849

..Title Recognizing, honoring, and congratulating Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated(r) Omega Omega Chapter on its 95th Anniversary. ..Body WHEREAS, From its humble beginnings as the vision of nine college students on the campus of Howard University in 1908, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated(r) has flourished into an organization with worldwide impact. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated(r) now has nearly 300,000 members bound by sisterhood and empowered by a commitment to servant-leadership; and WHEREAS, Philadelphia City Council traditionally recognizes significant contributions to our community, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated(r) Omega Omega Chapter is one such contributor and prepares to celebrate its 95th Anniversary on December 10, 2021; and WHEREAS, On December 10, 1926, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.(r) Omega Omega Chapter was the first graduate chapter established in Philadelphia; and WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.(r) Omega Omega Chapter was established by 22 accomplished women: Irene C. Baxter, Florence Beck, Geneva W. Blake, Irene Marie Bowser, Valeria B. Caldwell, Ann Comegys, Ursula Curd, Bertha W. DeShields, Daisy Frazier, Hazell Fugett, Marie Gould, Evangeline Hall, Bertha W. Henry, Bertha King, Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, Agnes B. Montier, Alberta Norwood, Rosa V. Rodgers, Marguerita Scott, Ruth A. Scott, Jessie Marie Watkins, and Charlotte Crogman Wright; and WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc's founder, Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, served as the first president of Omega Omega Chapter; and WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.(r) Omega Omega Chapter's early history was based on three major program areas: scholarship, community betterment, and general welfare; and WHEREAS, Since its establishment, the Omega Omega Chapter has provided for the Philadelphia community in a number of ways. During the late 1920s, the Chapter was awarded a Local Scholarship Cup for its efforts in awarding scholarships to students. Omega Omega Chapter has continued to award students with scholarships and provide the community with programs since the its founding; and WHEREAS, The Omega Omega Chapter has always helped in aiding the world with health awareness through programs such as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.'s Mississippi Health Project, the Suehn Industrial Academy in Suchatown, Liberia, annual Health and Wellness Fair, and implementing new programs during the pandemic; and WHEREAS, Over the past 95 years, Omega Omega Chapter has preserved African-American culture by making it a priority in chapter meetings and programs. The chapter established a week-long Black History program series, sponsored performances of Charles Fuller's "Zooman and the Sign" at Philadelphia's Freedom Theater, established Annual Day of Sharing, and the HBCU Tour which transports high school students to prominent and historical campuses; and WHEREAS, Omega Omega Chapter has helped not only our community, but communities all over the country and the world. The chapter created programs and donated materials and monetary aid to help those in times of need throughout their 95 years; and WHEREAS, Omega Omega Chapter has always valued a bond between its members, adults in the community, and the children in the community. Omega Omega Chapters's newest initiatives include continuing the tradition of addressing educational, health-related, economic, arts-related, and global issues, while attending to the needs of the young and the elderly; and WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.(r) Omega Omega Chapter claims over 500 members and currently supervises three undergraduate chapters: Gamma Epsilon (Philadelphia City Chapter), Delta Iota (Cheyney University), and Delta Mu (Temple University). Omega Omega Chapter provided support to the Delta Gamma Chapter (Penn State University), and once supervised the Epsilon Nu Chapter (Lincoln University); now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we recognize, honor, and congratulate Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated(r) Omega Omega Chapter on the occasion of its 95th Anniversary. FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to representatives of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated(r) Omega Omega Chapter, as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. ..End