History
Gamma Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
The purpose of Gamma Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority,
Incorporated is to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, to promote unity
and friendship among college women, to study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and
women in order to improve their social stature, to maintain a progressive interest in college life,
and to be of service to all mankind (Constitution and Bylaws of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority,
Incorporated).
Gamma Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. was
chartered May 29, 1943. There were seven charter members. Six were listed on the charter.
They were Irene Pope Alexander, Frances Clarke Dye, Juanita Fogg Jennings, Mattie Beverly
Payne, Mayme E. Hubert Russell, and Martha Wright Wilson, first President of the chapter.
These ladies were guided and directed in their chartering efforts by Collye Riley, then Regional
Director of the South Eastern Region, of which Georgia was a part at that time.
The chapter immediately began to seek a project, a way to be of “Service To Mankind.”
In June of 1943, a well-known Savannah white woman, Adeline Graham, died and left a sizable
portion of her estate to local charities. At the September 1943 meeting of the chapter, Frances
Dye told the other members that she had learned from a newspaper notice that the deceased
woman had left property and funds “to whoever might start a movement to establish an
Orphanage for Negro Children.” A committee composed of Dye, Martha Wilson, and Dorothy
Jamerson investigated the bequest, reported to the chapter their findings, and thus the chapter’s
first project was undertaken.
With Gamma Sigma Omega’s members at the helm, community support was sought and
received, the provisions of the deceased woman’s will carried out, and an institution for
orphaned and destitute Negro children began to take organizational shape. On June 8, 1944,
Greenbriar Children’s Center, Incorporated came into being, just one year after the chapter was
chartered. On July 15, 1949, the Center’s first building opened for occupancy, all through the
efforts and leadership of Gamma Sigma Omega’s members. Thus for many years, Gamma
Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Greenbriar Children’s Center,
Inc. were almost synonymous. In addition to Gamma Sigma Omega’s other service projects,
Greenbriar was the chapter’s primary project, which included fundraising, leadership, personal
involvement, and service from the beginning until approximately 1966 when Federal, State, and
City funding became more readily available to the Center. Today, the Center is a viable one in
the Savannah community, meeting the needs of all races of children, and Gamma Sigma Omega
Chapter makes yearly donations to it.
In the 70s and 80s members served in the Ogeecheeton Project, Tutorial Program
at Butler Presbyterian Church, the Yamacraw Project, the Cuyler Community Project held at St.
Mary’s School, Hitch Village Project, the Precious Gems Mentoring Program for Middle School
girls, PIMS (Partnership in Mathematics and Science, an after school program held at St. Pius
Community Center).
The SCANA/AKA Homework Center in partnership with Robert W. Gadsden
Elementary School, beginning in 1999, members “blazed new trails” and with ON TRACK
programs, nurturing 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders at Gadsden. Thereby, the chapter implemented
PROJECT AKA, a collaboration among Gamma Sigma Omega Chapter, Gadsden, the Housing
Authority of Savannah, and other community partners. From this impetus, the Ivy Reading
AKAdemy anchored by the Spirit of Alpha Kappa Alpha shone as a beacon of resources for
Gadsden and Esther F. Garrison Elementary students, in 2001. In partnership with First Student
school transportation, Savannah Leisure Services, and local churches, children were transported
from Yamacraw Village to attend the Ivy Reading AKAdemy and field trips. To encourage
reading,
Top Readers were recognized at Gadsden and Garrison Elementary schools, and
members volunteered to read to classes during the school day and after school.
Under the captivating ESP Icon, GSO performed the Extraordinary Service Program of
Economics, Sisterhood and Partnership: ESP Kids Club (Earn, Save Prosper), Economic Smart
Fair, and the Non-Traditional Entrepreneur.
Preparing to meet the challenges of the 21st
Century, 2013 ushers in the international emphasis of “Global Leadership through Timeless
Service.” Gamma Sigma Omega nurtures Emerging Young Leaders (EYL), promotes Health
Initiatives, Global Poverty Initiatives, Economic Security Initiatives, Social Justice and Human
Rights Initiatives.
Due to the growth in the number of chapters, they were realigned. In 1953 Gamma
Sigma Omega Chapter became a member of the new South Atlantic Region, comprising the
states of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.
Gamma Sigma Omega supervises two undergraduate chapters: Gamma Upsilon Chapter,
chartered November 26, 1949 on the campus of Savannah State University and Sigma Tau
Chapter, chartered April 24, 2005 on the campus of Armstrong Atlantic State University.
M.A.R.T.H.A., Inc., Moving All Races to Higher Achievement, the chapter’s foundation
became a 501(c)(3) August 25, 2006, organized to support the charitable, educational and
community programs and initiatives of Gamma Sigma Omega Chapter. Fundraising through
M.A.R.T.H.A., Inc, has permitted the chapter to make financial donations to many charitable
causes, in addition to Greenbriar Children’s Center, Inc., notably, the United Negro College
Fund, Economic Opportunity Authority (EOA) of Savannah, Scholarships at Savannah State
University and Armstrong Atlantic State University, scholarships to graduating high school
seniors, recipients of oratorical contests, Boys and Girls Club, West Broad Street YMCA, the
American Cancer Society and many, many more.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, founded on the campus of Howard University
in 1908, celebrated 100 years of Sisterhood and Service, July 2008, in Washington, D.C at the
Centennial Boule.
Former Chapter Basilei
Soror Tarangula Barnes Scott……………………………………. 2013
Soror Zena E. McClain…………………………………………… 2011-2012
Soror Clemontine F. Washington………………………………… 2009-2010
Soror Emma Jean Conyers……………………………………….. 2007-2008
Soror Patricia J. Clark…………………………………………….. 2005-2006
Soror Carolyn H. Bell…………………………………………….. 2003-2004
Soror Vanessa M. Kaigler………………………………………… 2001-2002
Soror Virginia M. Parham………………………………………… 1999-2000
Soror Johnye W. Gillans………………………………………….. 1997-1998
Soror Emily C. Williams………………………………………….. 1995-1996
Soror Charlene Jones……………………………………………… 1993-1994
Soror Marilyn Taylor……………………………………………… 1991-1992
Soror Albertha E. Boston…………………………………………. 1989-1990
Soror Marjory Varnedoe………………………………………….. 1987-1988
Soror Dorothy B. Wilson…………………………………………. 1985-1986
Soror Rebecca J. Cooper………………………………………….. 1983-1984
Soror Johnye W. Gillans…………………………………………... 1981-1982
Soror Jessie C. DeLoach………………………………………….. 1979-1980
Soror Lydia S. Young…………………………………………….. 1977-1978
Soror Clemontine F. Washington…………………………………. 1975-1976
Soror Margaret C. Robinson………………………………………. 1972-1974
Soror Carolyn Gantt………………………………………………. 1971-1972
Soror Mozella G. Collier…(deceased)…………………………….. 1969-1970
Soror Eudora Allen………………………………………………... 1967-1968
Soror Emma L. Preer……………………………………………… 1965-1966
Soror Virginia Parham…………………………………………….. 1963-1964
Soror Hettie Copeland…………………………………………….. 1961-1963
Soror Leila Braithwaite (deceased)………………………………..
Soror Quida Thompson……………………………………………
Soror Violet Singleton…(deceased)……………………………….
Soror Inez B. Williams…(deceased)………………………………
Soror Mary McDew……………………………………………….
Soror Jane Parker………(deceased)……………………………….
Soror Kathryn Bogan Johnson…………………………………….
Soror Mary McDew……………………………………………….
Soror Mattie B. Payne (deceased)………………………………...
Soror Dorothy B. Jamerson……(deceased)……………………….
Soror Martha W. Wilson (Charter Basileus)……………………...
1959-1961
1958-1959
1956-1957
1954-1956
1953-1954
1952-1953
1950-1952
1949-1950
1946-1949
1945-1946
1943-1945
GAMMA SIGMA OMEGA CHAPTER OFFICERS
2013
Basileus – Tarangula Barnes Scott
Anti-Basileus – S. Renee Grant
Grammateus – Mary Coleman
Anti-Grammateus – Virginia Parham
Epistoleus – Diann Scott
Tamiouchos – Emma Conyers
Anti-Tamiouchos/EAF Captain – Charlene Jones
Pecunious Grammateus – Sheila Hutcherson
Member-at-Large – Annie Mahone
Parliamentarian – Johnye Gillans
Philacter – Melinda Pippen Miller
Ivy Leaf Reporter – Eudora Allen
Hodegos – Tara Scott-Brown
Historian – Nicole Williams
Chaplain – Henrietta Gray
Graduate Advisor, SSU – Patricia Clark
Assistant Graduate Advisor, SSU – Clemontine Washington
Graduate Advisor, AASU – Audrey Singleton
Assistant Graduate Advisor, AASU – Sharon Stallings
Pan-Hellenic Representatives – Hope Johnson & Courtney Eaton