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OUR HISTORY
In February 2001, four dynamic general members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, incorporated recognized an opportunity to serve the residents of the North Broward County area. With this opportunity in mind, Sorors Barbara Thomas, Revertha Grace, Veronica Phillips and Mildred Hightower began formulating, organizing, and planning.
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Later that same year, these same community leaders had a meeting with the South Atlantic Regional Director, Sonja Garcia, at the Cluster I Conference in Miami, FL. At that meeting, our Sorors presented their case for a fourth Broward County chapter. But, despite their outstanding efforts it was determined that another chapter was not practical. Despite this setback, the ladies continued meeting monthly. They also continued their service to the community by distributing backpacks, creating Thanksgiving food baskets, hosting brain bowls, judging science fairs, donating toys to families they adopted, and holding voter registration drives. Most importantly, they also assisted the other three Broward chapters with community projects.
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Three years later, in 2004, the Cluster I Conference was held in West Palm Beach, FL. Seeing another opportunity to charter a new chapter, the members met with the 15th South Atlantic Regional Director, Irene Westbrooks McCollom, to discuss the idea of chartering the group. This time, during the March 2005 meeting, the Directorate said yes! It was that year that the general members became an interest group named "Pearls of Distinction".
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Finally, on June 12, 2005, almost 4 years after the dream began, the distinguished Chi Psi Omega Chapter was chartered in Coral Springs by the15th South Atlantic Regional Director, Irene Westbrooks McCollom. The thirty-four sorors chartering the chapter included Margarita Alamo, Andrea Bailey-Dowling, Gloria Battle, Ernestine Bobb, Arnetta Davis, Cheryl Fields, Sonya Fields, Aletha Foxworth*, Revertha Grace, Michelle Green, Daise Greenland, Mildred Hightower, Sydney Hodge*, Darlene Hudson, Karena Ivey, Genita Jackson*, Sharon Jordan, Emma Kurtz, Ann Burnett, Gwendolyn Lewis, Debra McCray, Bettye McDonald*, Mary McDuffie, Gloria Myrick, Josetta Patterson, Veronica Phillips, Vonetta Rachels William, JoAnnethier Ritter, Yulanda C. Smith, Betty Somerset, Leona Sturrup, Barbara Thomas, Taffie Turner and Anita Washington. (*Denotes Ivy Beyond the Wall)
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Dr. Barbara J. Thomas was elected the chapter’s first Basileus. Over the chapters 15-year history, Chi Psi Omega has had six Basilei: Dr. Barbara Thomas, Revertha Grace, Andrea Bailey-Dowling, Veronica Phillips, Venetta McCullough, Joel McCray, and currently serving is Tracy Roach.
Chi Psi Omega Chapter serves the cities of Coral Springs, Tamarac, Margate, North Lauderdale, Coconut Creek and Parkland.
Service in Action Chi Psi Omega supports the community through chapter events and activities, and programming simultaneous with its non-profit A Plus Foundation, and other community partners. A few Chapter activities include Relay for Life/American Cancer Society, Walk to End Alzheimer's, and Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes. CPO also, commemorates Veterans' Day by collecting and donating feminine hygiene products to low socio-economic status women and girls locally. The Chapter also distributes backpacks and toys at the annual Back to School Fair and Light Up Sistrunk Holiday event in Fort Lauderdale.
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In additional to all of the above, Chi Psi Omega Chapter implemented signature fundraising events that include Fifty Shades of Pink, Running for the Innovative Visionary Youth (I.V.Y.) 5K Run/Walk and SeKure the Bag virtual fundraiser. Funds raised from these events resulted in more than $120,000 in scholarships to deserving college-bound graduating seniors.
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Since its inception, Chi Psi Omega Chapter has provided stellar service to its communities and has been recognized at Cluster Meetings, Regional Conferences and Boules. The Chapter most recently received awards at its 2019 South Atlantic Regional Conference which included: 1st Place Carolyn G. Randolph AKA Connection Award, 1st Place Women's Health and Wellness, Sustainable Standards of Operational Excellence Award, Reactivation Best of the Best Recognition and Platinum EAF Status. Additionally, phenomenal chapter members have served and continue to serve on regional and international committees such as: Time and Place Committee, Standards Committee, Regional Gathering Committee, International Investigative Team, Boule Tellers' and International HBCU Task Force.
The Chartering Members
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Margarita Alamo, Andrea Bailey-Dowling, Gloria Battle, Ernestine Bobb, Arnetta Davis, Cheryl Fields, Sonia Fields, Alethea Foxworth*, Revertha Grace, Michelle Green, Daise Greenland, Mildred Hightower, Sydney Hodge*, Darlene Hudson, Karena Ivey, Genita Jackson*, Sharon Jordan, Emma Kurtz, Ann Lee, Gwendolyn Lewis, Debra McCray, Bettye McDonald*, Mary McDuffle, Gloria Myrick, Josetta Patterson, Veronica Phillips, Vonetta Rachels, JoAnnethier Ritter, Yulanda Smith, Betty Somerset, Leona Sturrup, Barabara Thomas, Taffle Turner, and Anita Washington.
General members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated saw a specific need to provide community service in the cities of Coconut Creek, Coral Springs, Margate, North Lauderdale, Parkland and Tamarac Florida. They immediately began contacting members in the area to join their efforts. Thirty-four members formed an interest group called Pearls of Distinction, which operated for three and one-half years. This group sponsored numerous activities in the community.
Chi Psi Omega was chartered on June 12, 2005 in Coral Springs, Florida under the leadership of 26th International President Linda M. White and 15th South Atlantic Regional Director Irene W. McCollom.
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