Phi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc

Forsyth County Historic Resources Commission

Phi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Phi Omega Chapter was founded on February 14, 1924 as the first alumnae chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, in North Carolina. Alpha Kappa Alpha, the oldest Greek letter organization established for African- American women, began on the campus of Howard Univer- sity in 1908. Phi Omega was founded by Adelaide Smith, Audrey Williams, Maude Young Ray, Mamie Williams, and Marguerite Adams. The historic marker is located on Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, near the site of Maude international administration Young Ray’s home at Thirteenth Street and Ridge Avenue. of AKA. Clarissa Dillard, a Early meetings were held in the homes of members, and teacher at Winston-Salem Ray’s home was also used as a hospital by her second Teacher’s College, served as husband, Dr. Alexander Hamilton Ray. First International Vice- President from 1934-36. She As only the also served as South Atlantic third chapter Regional Director from 1946- in the South 49. Charter Member Marguerite Atlantic Region, Adams had held that position Phi Omega’s in 1940. Barbara K. Phillips, a Dr. Barbara K. Phillips, 1979 members came Winston-Salem native, was Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. from Charlotte, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director Greensboro, from 1970-74. She was elected First International Durham, and Vice-President in 1974, and she served as International Winston-Salem. President from 1978-82. Dr. Phillips is also notable for With a mission serving as assistant superintendent of Winston-Salem/ of “Service to Forsyth County Schools. During Dr. Phillips’ tenure as All Mankind”, International President, Vivian Burke served as the Inter- fourteen of the national Membership Chairman. From 1994-98, Constance fifteen early Mayor Joines, Mayor Pro Tempore Burke, and Council Members Holland served as International Parliamentarian. members of Scippio and Larson unveil the marker with members of Phi Omega, 2019. Phi Omega Members of Phi Omega have worked in education. The women set a goal to institute a also played key roles in local Chapter scholarship, which was achieved in 1934 with a and state government, holding $100 scholarship for high school students. Chapter support seats on the WS/FCS School for education continued with the establishment of schol- Board, Winston-Salem City arships for students at Winston-Salem Teacher’s College, Council, and serving in the NC now Winston-Salem State University, and the Kate Bitting House of Representatives and Reynolds Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. Today, Senate. In 1960, Dr. Lillian Phi Omega awards Pearl Scholarships to young women Lewis, a professor of biology, attending historically black colleges and universities and became the first African- unrestricted scholarships to other worthy women. American elected to the local

Dr. Lillian Lewis school board. Her swearing in In the 1930s, members of Phi Omega began a chapter CB Hauser Photograph Collection at was covered by Jet in its Winston-Salem State University tradition of holding leadership positions in the regional and December 29, 1960 issue. Dr. Geneva Brown opened Moore Phi Omega’s members helped Laboratory School in 1971 and grow Alpha Kappa Alpha’s served as principal for nineteen collegiate presence locally. In years. After her retirement, she 1949, Phi Omega sponsored the held a seat on the school board chartering of Gamma Lambda, for over eighteen years. Vivian the undergraduate chapter at Burke, an educator and guidance Winston-Salem Teacher’s Col- counselor by profession, was lege. Phi Beta chapter at Wake elected to the Winston-Salem Forest University was spon- Board of Alderman, now the City sored by Phi Omega in 1990. Council, in 1977. Ms. Burke and

Dr. Geneva Brown, 1989 Dr. Virginia Newell were both Earline Parmon, 2013 Members of Phi Omega Winston-Salem Chronicle elected that year and were the the Camel City Dispatch addressed the need for quality, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Forsyth County Board of Commissioners Board of Education (1992-2011) first two African-American wom- (1990-2002) affordable housing by develop- NC House, District 72 (2002-2013) en elected to City government. NC Senate, District 32 (2013-2015) ing the Ivy Arms Apartments Ms. Burke was elected Mayor in Winston-Salem’s East Ward. Pro Tempore in 1989, a position Planning for the complex began she held until her retirement in in 1986, and Phi Omega Inc. 2020. Earline Parmon served as a – the chapter’s development Forsyth CountyCommissioner for corporation – was established. twelve years before her election Phase I included 20 units at a to the NC House of Representa- cost of $750,000, and Phase II tives in 2002, a seat she held until added 24 units for an additional her election to the NC Senate in $1.1 million. On August 17, 2013. Renee Phillips was 1991, the Ivy Arms Apartments appointed as the first African were dedicated. The complex Vivian H. Burke City of Winston-Salem American City Secretary in also includes a community cen- Mayor Pro Tempore (1989-2020) Winston-Salem, a position she Renee Phillips ter that is available to groups Council Member, Northeast Ward Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (1977-2020) held from 1997 until her retire- for use as a meeting space. ment in 2015.

This information is also available at the Forsyth County Historic Resources Commission web site: www.ForsythCountyHRC.org