For several years

For several years, sorors in the Farmville, Virginia area were anxious to charter a graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. This was not possible because there were not enough sorors known in the area to meet the constitutional requirements of the National Directorate.

In July 1975, sorors met and wrote a letter to Soror Janet J. Ballard, Regional Director, and assured her that the Farmville area was ideal for sponsoring a graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., which would include membership from five surrounding counties.

Under the excellent leadership of the late Soror Letha Mayfield, and with the assistance of Sorors Jacqueline Armwood, Mamie Morris, Connie Rawlins, Helen Stiff, and Elizabeth H. Washington, plans were made to find the other nine sorors needed to charter the chapter. Through personal contacts, visits, and phone calls, the goal of fifteen members was finally achieved. In Prince Edward County, Sorors Mary Redd, Ortygia Carnette, Adelaide Griffin, and Barbara Toney would join the noble organization. Soror Pernella Mosley answered the call from Buckingham County. Sorors Rachel Brydie of Lunenburg and Jacqueline Downs of Nottoway County were eager to affiliate and give their support. Soror Marbella Johnson of Charlotte County and Soror Grace Forrest of Appomattox County helped to complete the required number. Soror Letha Mayfield was elected Basileus and Soror Elizabeth H. Washington, Anti-Basileus.

The next step was to plan the chartering ceremony, which was conducted on March 6, 1976, at Longwood College by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, Soror Janet J. Ballard. Sorors from Gamma Iota Omega Chapter, Lynchburg, Virginia; Gamma Lambda Omega Chapter, Lawrenceville, Virginia; and Upsilon Omega Chapter, Richmond, Virginia were present and participated in the activities. Soror Bernice L. Sumlin was Supreme Basileus at the time.

At the reception held at the Weyanoke Hotel, Soror Janet Ballard spoke about the objectives of the Sorority and welcomed the visiting friends and members of Greek letter organizations that were invited.

Following the chartering of Kappa Rho Omega, Sorors Helen Stiff and Barbara Toney later organized an Alpha Kappa Alpha interest group at Longwood College. This group led to the chartering of Lambda Delta Chapter at Longwood College on February 19, 1977.

Thirty-two years of excellent leadership has continued from the first Basileus, the late Letha Mayfield (76-78) to Elizabeth H. Washington (78-80); Vera A. Cooke (80-82); Theresa A. Clark (82-84); Helen R. Stiff (84-86); Linda Whitehead (86-88); Avis J. Gresby (88-90); Vera Cooke-Merritt (90-92); Angeles W. Christian (92-94); Barbara W. Toney (94-96); Jean E. Booker (96-97); Vera Cooke-Merritt (97-98) and (98-2000); Theresa A. Clark (2000-2001); Avis J. Gresby (2001—02) and (2002—04); Carolyn Cooper (2004—2006), Lalisha V. Fitchett-Bland (2006-2008) and Vera Cooke-Merritt (2008 – Current).

Past informative and inspirational LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT workshops, focused on the International Program Targets, have led to the success of the following community activities sponsored by the chapter annually: 1) FAMILY: adopt-a-family; canned goods drives; nursing home visits and donations; coat drives; workshops with area attorneys, juvenile counselors, and probation officers to increase awareness of problems of African American males and the judicial system; voter registration 2) EDUCATION: scholarships; donations to libraries, NAACP, UNCF, SEND, and AFRICARE; Girls State; Partnerships in Math and Science (PIMS) activities/contests; and tutoring and reading projects 3) ECONOMICS: economic empowerment workshops; support of black businesses 4) HEALTH: bloodmobiles; hospital volunteer duty; health fairs; and child safety sessions; 5) THE ARTS: senior citizens’ talent programs; “Ballet Hispanico”; the Richmond Boys’Choir, and community service awards.

A major highlight of the “Spirit of AKA” theme was our “Ivy Reading AKAdemy Pilot Program”. Educational activities with 5th grade students at Prince Edward County Middle School in Farmville were developed. The program was very rewarding for the chapter sorors, as well as the students. Following the ribbon cutting opening ceremony to acquaint parents and students with the goals of the program, the focus was on early learning and the mastery of basic reading skills by the end of the program. There was one-to-one or small group activities after school and Saturday tutorial/mentoring programs for primary level “at-risk” students. The sorors gave students the reading time, support, and guidance that enabled them to read at or above grade level upon their exit from the middle school grades.

Non-traditional entrepreneur, economic keys to success, economic growth of the black family, and health resource management and economics are the focus areas for the Extraordinary Service Program (ESP). These program platforms are the targets for the years 2006-2010. Both collectively and individually, sorors are participating in a variety of activities including: 1) Non-traditional Entrepreneurship: sorors and local business owners discussed the procedures for starting a business 2) Economic Keys to Success: held workshops with youth on wise spending habits and the influence of a college degree on potential earnings 3) Economic Growth of the Black Family: recognition of black male financial role models in the community; held an economic development workshop with focus on the single parent; manning a voter registration booth in partnership with a NAACP local chapter; implementing a Dr. Seuss “Read Across America Day”; 4) Health Resource Management: workshops held on stress management and anger management; health activities which include the creation of a healthy cookbook; sponsoring an annual bloodmobile; conducting a “million pound weight loss competition; participated in a local school’s field day activities; sponsored and encouraged walking as part of the “ESP 1908 Centennial Walk.”

Soror Thelma Hall became an Ivy Beyond the Wall on September 4, 1988. She was initiated into Kappa Rho Omega Chapter, Farmville, Virginia, on November 19, 1977. As an educator in the Charlotte County Public school System, Soror Hall served as elementary teacher, principal, supervisor of Special Education/Visiting Teacher. She was a dedicated chapter member who held several offices and served on many committees.

Soror Americus Harris became an Ivy Behind the Wall on January 12, 1991. She was initiated into Kappa Rho Omega Chapter when the chapter was chartered, March 6, 1976. As an educator, Soror Harris taught English, government, history, drama, choral and band music for more than 35 years in elementary and high schools in the counties of Fluvanna, Gloucester, and Buckingham. Soror Harris was an accomplished pianist, who played for many chapter activities.

Soror Letha Mayfield became an Ivy Beyond the Wall on December 11, 1994. She was initiated into Gamma Iota Omega Chapter, Lynchburg, Virginia in the spring of 1963. She served as the chartering Basileus of Kappa Rho Omega Chapter. As an educator, Soror Mayfield taught Home Economics at Robert R. Moton High School in Farmville. Later she became an Extension Agent/Home Economist in the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service where she served the counties of Bedford, Nottoway, and Buckingham until she retired in 1988.

Golden Soror Grace Ward, became an Ivy Beyond the Wall on April 25, 2003. She was initiated into Alpha Epsilon Chapter, Virginia State (College) University, Petersburg, Virginia, in the fall of 1952. Soror Ward, a librarian, retired after 27 years of service at John Paul Jones Middle School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There she also served as student advisor and mentor to numerous members of the faculty and staff. Returning to Prince Edward County in 1993, she was elected to the County Board of Supervisors for the Prospect District, 1998-2000. Soror Ward reactivated into Kappa Rho Omega Chapter in 2001. She was a faithful member until her health failed.

Golden Soror Connie Rawlins, a charter member of Kappa Rho Omega Chapter, became an Ivy Beyond the Wall on April 15, 2005. She was initiated into Alpha Epsilon Chapter, Virginia State (College) University, Petersburg, Virginia, in the fall of 1933. She taught social studies at R. R. Moton High School until the public schools closed in Prince Edward County in 1959. She then taught in Charlottesville where she was a founding member of Eta Phi Omega. Returning to her home five years later when the public schools reopened, she taught at Prince Edward County High School until her retirement in 1979. Soror Rawlins served as Historian and Hodegos for many years.

Soror Jacqueline Allen Armwood, a charter member of Kappa Rho Omega Chapter, became an Ivy Beyond the Wall on February 11, 2009. She was initiated into Alpha Upsilon Chapter at St. Paul's College, Lawrence, Virginia. Soror Armwood was a business teacher in the Prince Edward County, retiring after thirty-four years of inspirational guidance and instruction. She was a dedicated chapter member who held several offices and served on many committees.

Kappa Rho Omega Chapter sorors participate in Memorial Moments annually during the May meeting. A time is set aside to remember our “IVIES BEYOND THE WALL”. The chapter’s three annual scholarships are named the Hall-Harris Memorial Scholarship. A fourth scholarship, the Dr. Albert G. and Connie Madden Rawlins Memorial Scholarship, is given annually by the family in memory of Soror Rawlins.