Phi Eta Omega Chapter - A Legacy of Ivy, Roses and Pearls: A History of Timeless Service of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

A Legacy of Ivy, Roses and Pearls

A History of Timeless Service of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Phi Eta Omega ChapterScotch Plains, NJ

(19992013)

Copyright 2014 Phi Eta Omega Chapter.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

isbn : 978-1-4907-5133-7 (sc)

isbn : 978-1-4907-5132-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014921579

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Trafford rev. 12/10/2014

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Contents

This book is the result of many, many hours of research, many hours of re-writes, many hours of emails, and of course, many hours of input from sorors, Phi Eta Omega Chapter members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

I wish to thank those sorors who initially agreed to work with me in this endeavor: Angela Driesbach, Joyce R. Hobbs, Michelle Lewis, Tynia Lewis, Grace Spivey Webb, and Drucilla Wiggins. An additional thank you goes to Carol Anderson-Lewis, Candace Pryor-Brown, Dewanna Graham, Jacquelynn Rhodes and Lyn Hamlin, our editor. Much appreciation goes to Kiabi Carson, Alison Bradshaw, Nicole Brightman-Beaton, Gail Reynolds, Bethany Andrade, Karen Andrade-Mims, Deana Lawson, and MaryAnn Anderson who worked to gather additional information. Finally, a special thanks to Angela Driesbach, Joyce R. Hobbs, Marjorie Hargrave, Jackie Turner and Candace Pryor-Brown for the use of their photos.

I give boundless gratitude to the chapters president, Angela Driesbach and to the Scotch Plains/Union County Interest Group president, Drucilla Wiggins. Their help and encouragement have been invaluable.

Ann Troupe Thornhill , Historian/Archivist

Phi Eta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorpor ated

Mary McLeod Bethune once said, Next to God we are indebted to women, first for life itself, and then for making it worth li ving.

This history of Phi Eta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated is dedicated to the chapters three Golden Sorors: Rosetta N. Lattimore, Drucilla Wiggins, and Marilyn Lyde. These women have for more than 50 years dedicated themselves to the promotion of the high ideals of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Reflections..

Rosetta Lattimore - Soror Rosetta N. Lattimore became a member of Beta Rho Chapter at Shaw University, Raleigh, NC in 1948. Soror Rosetta recalls clearly how she first learned about Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. As she was preparing to attend Shaw University, a cousin visited her at home and wrote in her high school yearbook that she should join Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Once on campus, Rosetta had forgotten what her cousin had written. Yet, one group of women impressed her more than others. Of course, this group was Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She admired their leadership, their concern and support for each other, and their service programs. These qualities that she recognized as a college freshman have sustained Rosetta as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. as well as in her life.

Drucilla Wiggins - Soror Drucilla Wiggins was drawn to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. on the campus of Livingstone College, Salisbury, NC in 1957. She found these women to be quite influential on campus and exemplified outstanding leadership skills. Soror Drucilla became a member of Alpha Xi Chapter at Livingstone College in 1961.

Marilyn Lyde - In 1962 Marilyn E. Lyde became a member of Gamma Gamma Chapter at Morris Brown College in Atlanta, GA. Soror Marilyn is an acclaimed lyric soprano who has performed at St. Patricks Cathedral, Carnegie Hall, and Madison Square Garden in New York City, The White House, and The Vatican for Pope John Paul. Like all sorors who bring their talents with them when they join Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Soror Marilyn has used her voice to enhance the spirituality of the sorority.

..Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? All is well.

SEPTEMBER by Rosamunde Pilcher

Remembering

Soror Jacqueline Arrington (2004) * Soror Jackie first became an Alpha Kappa Alpha member in 1991 in Nu Xi Omega Chapter. She was a charter member of Phi Eta Omega.

Soror Mary Lattimore Goldsboro (2008)* She became a member of the sorority in 1948 at Nu Chapter at West Virginia State College in Institute, WV. Soror Mary was a charter member of Phi Eta Omega.

Soror Clarie Minnis (2008)* Soror Clarie was the oldest member of Phi Eta Omega chronologically. However, you had nothing on her 90 years when she got behind the wheel of her RAV 4.

Soror Ogretta Whipper Hawkins (2009)* Soror Ogretta became a part of Psi Chapter, Benedict College in Columbia, SC. She was a charter member of Phi Eta Omega.

Soror Karen Wall ONeal (2009)* Soror Karen became a member of Gamma Theta Chapter in 1983 and later became a member of Phi Eta Omega Chapter.

*deceased (Ivy Beyond the Wall)

Ten inactive sorors of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., rekindling a desire to be of service to others, assembled at a sorors home in Plainfield, NJ in the early winter of 1998. Soon this small group grew to fourteen and ultimately, to seventeen women. Later that year these seventeen women became, officially, the Scotch Plains/Union County Interest Group of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

With the mission to promote harmony and friendship among members, to develop and implement programs to enhance the self-esteem of youth, and to assist others wherever needed in the surrounding communities, these women ventured into unknown waters.

Since its chartering on June 6, 1999, Phi Eta Omega Chapter has continued to institute and participate in the many altruistic programs: establishment of a weekly tutorial program, affiliation with the New Jersey Orators, The Angel Network, Dress for Success, financial support for two Kenyan school children, donation of filled duffel bags to Union County Division of Child Protection and Permanency and the replacement of the headstone of a Revolutionary War freed slave at Scotch Plains Baptist Church in Scotch Plains, NJ among others.

This book traces the history of the group from its inception as an official interest group of
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in 1999 until 2013.

Chapter 1
The Gathering of Sorors 1998 -1999