Chapter History

In 1908, Alpha Kappa Alpha, became America's first Greek-letter organization established by and for African-American women. Her roots date back to Howard University, Washington, DC, where the idea for the formation of the sorority was conceived by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle of St. Louis, Missouri, along with eight other young women who were community visionaries. Our Founders viewed the sorority as a vehicle for enriching the social, cultural and intellectual aspects of college life.

Its current membership consists of nearly 200,000 college-trained women in over 900 chapters throughout the United States, West Africa, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Germany, Korea, Great Britain and Japan. Since its incorporation as a perpetual body in 1913, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.'s focus has expanded and through the years it has become a channel through which its members work to improve social and economic conditions in their respective cities, states, the nation and the world.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated is celebrating one hundred years of sisterhood with "Service To All Mankind."   Her heritage lives on and we salute this legacy of sisterhood and service.

Since 1966, Theta Iota Omega of Suffolk-Nassau Counties, has played an integral role in  the improvement of the quality of life for the residents of Long Island and the general New York metropolitan area. We have been participants in a myriad of programs over the 43 year history and our continuous growth now includes - but is not limited to:

the partnership with Long Island and Eastern Shore Chapters of The Links, Incorporated and
Jack and Jill of America, Suffolk County in a mentoring program and Reading with Roses book club at the Madonna Heights
• .
the management a year-long Tea Rose mentoring program with high school young women in partnership with
the Order of Eastern Stars, Deborah Chapter #31.
•
the partnership with Farmingdale State College in developing programs for the non-traditional entrepreneur.
•
the partnership with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Sigma Beta Beta Chapter’s Boys to Men mentoring program
with middle school young males.
•
lending support to the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Black College Tour
•
the partnership with the American Red Cross’ First Responders Program.
•
assisting with college mentoring programs (e.g. STEP at SUNY at Old Westbury)
•
participating in several health walks
•
developing an annual Family Fitness Fun Day, to promote outdoor health and wellness
•
encouraging a “Think Pink, Go Green” lifestyle in order to protect our planet.
•
recognizing outstanding academic and cultural arts students with scholarships
•
the development and maintenance of Young Authors programs in the
Roosevelt School District's Washington-Rose and Harry Daniels Elementary Schools
•
offering generous financial support and personal counsel to Hurricane Katrina survivors in New Orleans
as well as those who have relocated to Long Island.
•
supporting the NOAH Program at Hofstra University
•
co-sponsoring the Ebony Fashion Fair with our sister chapter Pi Pi Omega
•
showcasing our talented musicians through our annual Arts Panorama, established in 1999.
•
producing our biennial signature program, established in 1980
~ "The Greatest Love" Cotillion ~

With E.S.P., an Extraordinary Service Program , our community initiatives will focus on Economic Empowerment through entrepreneurship, Education, Health Resource Management, and Economic Growth of the Black Family, and the development of leadership qualities in the youth of our communities, as well as for our membership.

Theta Iota Omega's community outreach is strong and growing. Our financial support of programs for academic excellence and the artistically gifted young people of Long Island has far exceeded $600,000 over the past forty years . . . and the BEST is yet to come . . .

The community service-centered legacy of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. lives on and Theta Iota Omega Chapter is very proud to be a part of an organization that plays a major role in uplifting the communities in which we live on Long Island, as we fulfill our mission to be of . . . service to all mankind!

Copyright 2009
Site last modified 6.16.09