Delta Mu Omega Chapter
Delta Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. ® (AKA) was installed in 1947. Recognizing the need for a cultural and service organization that would work to improve the welfare of the black community and promote its history and achievements, four local college-trained women: Marian Hughes, Evelyn Nelson, Bernice Marion and Doris Yarborough, met in 1944 to plan the chartering of an Albany chapter. The original group of four women increased to six when Paxton Green and Mabel Johnson joined them.
On February 15, 1947, Delta Mu Omega Chapter (DMO) was installed at the home of Doris Yarborough with the late Sophie Fowler, then-Regional Director, officiating. Approximately 6,000 blacks lived in the Capital District area during this period. Most blacks were non-professionals; few college-trained blacks lived in the area, and there was not a large enough population from which the chapter could draw for membership. Some members left the area to seek employment elsewhere, and Delta Mu Omega began to dwindle in size. Local members became general members by joining the Boulé, and the chapter soon became inactive.
By 1964, new members who were interested in interacting with other AKAs began to move into the area. One such member was Ernestine McElvene, who moved to the Capital District after graduating from Wilberforce College, and finding a position as a cancer researcher at Albany Medical Center. Ernestine subsequently met the AKA who would join her focused effort to travel the Capital District, searching for members. As fate would have it, one day when Ernestine was shopping at David’s Clothing Store, she made eye contact with Alvania Hill. Ernestine eventually approached her and introduced herself to Alvania, and asked if Alvania knew any AKAs in the area. “I’m an AKA!” Alvania exclaimed. The two women hugged, and thereafter became inseparable in their journey to find the 15 members the national office required for chapter reactivation.
Over the next couple of years, Ernestine and Alvania spread the word throughout the black community that they were looking for “sorors.” Their strong determination and spirit soon paid off. Slowly, the number of members who joined the group increased. Eventually, other members joined the reactivation effort: Estelle Avery, Nida Thomas, Margaret Simmons, and Janet Matthews.
On January 29, 1966, the chapter was reactivated, officiated by the late Aloncita Flood, then-North Atlantic Regional Director. The 15 original members of the reactivated DMO Chapter were: Daisy Alstork, Marion Armory, Anne Brown, Claramarie Cannon, Sylvia Ebanja, Muriel Griffin, Alvania Hill, Gloria Hill, Geraldine Jefferson, Janet Matthews, Ernestine McElvene, Paula Rollins, Margaret Simmons, Nida Thomas, and Doris Yarbrough. The reactivation was strengthened by a bond of sisterhood; the women shared the goals of fostering their sisterhood and performing community service. The reactivated chapter, committed and proactive, hosted several community service events, and sometimes collaborated with local churches, schools and other community organizations. Delta Mu Omega Chapter has remained active since 1966 and continues to thrive today.
On February 15, 1947, Delta Mu Omega Chapter (DMO) was installed at the home of Doris Yarborough with the late Sophie Fowler, then-Regional Director, officiating. Approximately 6,000 blacks lived in the Capital District area during this period. Most blacks were non-professionals; few college-trained blacks lived in the area, and there was not a large enough population from which the chapter could draw for membership. Some members left the area to seek employment elsewhere, and Delta Mu Omega began to dwindle in size. Local members became general members by joining the Boulé, and the chapter soon became inactive.
By 1964, new members who were interested in interacting with other AKAs began to move into the area. One such member was Ernestine McElvene, who moved to the Capital District after graduating from Wilberforce College, and finding a position as a cancer researcher at Albany Medical Center. Ernestine subsequently met the AKA who would join her focused effort to travel the Capital District, searching for members. As fate would have it, one day when Ernestine was shopping at David’s Clothing Store, she made eye contact with Alvania Hill. Ernestine eventually approached her and introduced herself to Alvania, and asked if Alvania knew any AKAs in the area. “I’m an AKA!” Alvania exclaimed. The two women hugged, and thereafter became inseparable in their journey to find the 15 members the national office required for chapter reactivation.
Over the next couple of years, Ernestine and Alvania spread the word throughout the black community that they were looking for “sorors.” Their strong determination and spirit soon paid off. Slowly, the number of members who joined the group increased. Eventually, other members joined the reactivation effort: Estelle Avery, Nida Thomas, Margaret Simmons, and Janet Matthews.
On January 29, 1966, the chapter was reactivated, officiated by the late Aloncita Flood, then-North Atlantic Regional Director. The 15 original members of the reactivated DMO Chapter were: Daisy Alstork, Marion Armory, Anne Brown, Claramarie Cannon, Sylvia Ebanja, Muriel Griffin, Alvania Hill, Gloria Hill, Geraldine Jefferson, Janet Matthews, Ernestine McElvene, Paula Rollins, Margaret Simmons, Nida Thomas, and Doris Yarbrough. The reactivation was strengthened by a bond of sisterhood; the women shared the goals of fostering their sisterhood and performing community service. The reactivated chapter, committed and proactive, hosted several community service events, and sometimes collaborated with local churches, schools and other community organizations. Delta Mu Omega Chapter has remained active since 1966 and continues to thrive today.