chapter history
Theta Omega Omega Chapter was chartered in Montgomery County, Maryland, November 22, 1969, at the Sheraton Hotel in Silver Spring, Maryland, by 32 members under Regional Director Esther Pollard and International President Larzette Hale. Currently, the Chapter’s membership has grown to over 220 with four chartering members remaining active.
Twenty presidents have led the Chapter through a wide array of programs that focused on the Sorority’s national themes. In the 1970’s the focus was on chapter development, establishment of a scholarship program, initiating philanthropic efforts, and forming coalitions with other community and Greek-letter organizations. The Opal Ball and Fashionetta were developed and held for the first time in 1971, and 1976, respectively. Credit for the vision of Fashionetta goes to Freddye Davy, a charter member. From these two endeavors, the Chapter financed program efforts, including scholarship. As a member of the Montgomery County Pan Hellenic Council, Theta Omega Omega began to co-sponsor the annual bus tour to five HBCU’s – a worthwhile service through the years for African American students in Montgomery County. In the 1980’s with expanding resources and talents, and the Sorority’s “Power” and “Service with a Global Perspective” themes, the
CHARTER MEMBERS
Janice Bailey
Dorothy Baker
Louise Brown
Shirley Catalan
Marjorie Coleman
Shirley Daniels
Freddye Davy
Savannah Gibson
Agnes Gill
Jeannette Gray
Jewel Greer
Carol Harris
Yvonne Harris-Smith
Clara Harvey
Katie Hatchel
Neda Hawkins
Lois Hoston
Beulah Jackson
Cynthia Lawson
Mary Lyles
Catherine McKenzie
Dorothy Madison
Dora Martin
Lois Tyus Martin
Ortharea Pitts
Geneva Ruffin
Ann Walker
Loretta Webb
Sherene Webb
Nadine Williams
Jane Windrow
Sadie Yette
program offerings and community service projects were greatly expanded and began to impact on a more global level – locally, nationally, and internationally. In 1986, the $4000 Jane Windrow Memorial Scholarship began to be awarded to a student attending a Historically Black College or University, in support of the Sorority’s program focus. Through Africare, the Chapter adopted a well project in the Village of Tscheriba in Burkina Faso, Africa, and sponsored the first International Conference in Montgomery County. The Conference’s advisory represented by highly acclaimed persons in the international are including Ambassador Walter Carrington. In 1988, Theta Omega Omega hosted the Sorority’s North Atlantic Regional Conference in Crystal City, Virginia.
The 1990’s brought the establishment of five Ivy AKAdemies, 100% membership in the Educational Advancement Foundation, the establishment of Theta Omega Omega Charities, Incorporated (currently known as Ivy Vine Charities, Incorporated). History was made when Theta Omega Omega became a mentoring chapter of Mu Delta undergraduate chapter, located at George Washington University. In addition, the Lois Tyus Martin Undergraduate Assistance Fund was established to support the Mu Delta chapter members. Lastly, in keeping with technological advances of the time, the chapter created and instituted within its by-laws a technology committee, and created the chapter’s website.
Theta Omega Omega marked a new century with strength and endurance. Theta Omega Omega chapter instituted a Leadership Development Task Force, which trained membership about the tenets of the Sorority, and established a mentoring partnership between less seasoned and more seasoned members to serve as committee co-chairs. In addition, mentoring programs and reading initiatives were established at Wheaton High School and William Tyler Page Elementary School, as well as, ties were reestablished with local churches.
The Chapter’s history is rich and noteworthy, however; there is more work to be done in the community that the chapter membership will seek to support through its programmatic initiatives and activities.
CHAPTER PRESIDENTS
Yvonne Harris Smith
Loretta Webb
Jeannette Austin Gray
Jean S. Hughes Windrow
Frances Brock
Marion Hayes Hull
Delores D. Willis
Johnnie C. Searcy
Valeria Anita Ford
Kimberly McLurkin-Harris
Donna Chatman Owens
Laura A. Wilkinson
Sharlyn A. Grigsby-Queen
Claudine McDonald
Blondie Awkard
Valerie Evans-Harrell
Anjelious P. Farmer
Angela Anglin
Pamela Monroe
Sharon V. Burrell
Michelle McNeil Gill
1969 - 1971
1972 - 1973
1973 - 1977
1978 - 1979
1980
1981-1985
1986 - 1988
1989 - 1990
1991 - 1992
1993 - 1994
1995 - 1998
1999 - 2000
2001 - 2002
2003 - 2004
2005 - 2006
2007 - 2010
2011 - 2012
2013 - 2014
2015 - 2016
2017 - 2020
2021 - PRES
