Mu Omega turns 100!

As Mu Omega Chapter enters into our Centennial Anniversary we are both proud and grateful for those spirited women who as teenagers, one generation removed from slavery, bravely and with tenacity became Founders of our beloved Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. ® We are equally proud of our beloved charter members who had the determination, vision, and foresight to expand the presence of Service, Scholarship and Sisterhood in the Mid-West. With our theme: “This is our Story, This is our Song,” Celebrating Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® - Mu Omega Chapter’s First 100 Years, we are excited about all we have done to uplift and enhance “All Mankind”, within the communities in which we live, our state, region, country, and world. ​ Mu Omega was chartered under a lucky star, and we are justly proud that one of the Founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Founder Beulah E. Burke was also a charter member of the chapter. At her call, on April 23, 1924, came Carolyn and Frances Kealing (sisters), Gladys Holmes, Mae Miller, and Louise Thompson Clarke. Although not listed on the Chapter Charter, Founder Ethel Jones Mowbray joined shortly thereafter. They gathered at the home of Dr. and Mrs. H.T. Kealing, whose doors were always open for any activity of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. The Kealing home became the scene of many initiations and festivities of Mu Omega Chapter. ​ On May 10, 1924, Mu Omega was officially established as the twelfth graduate chapter within the history of our International organization by the Western Organizer, Blanche Patterson, and Supreme President L. Pearl Mitchell. By the end of 1924, the membership totaled eighteen members: Mabel Andrews, Founder Beulah E. Burke, Gladys Claggett, Louise Thompson Clarke, Carrie Daniels, Scottie P. Davis, Myra Glenn, Byrd D. Jackson, Vera G. Jackson, Carolyn Kealing, Frances Kealing, Florence Kiser, Mae Miller, Founder Ethel Jones Mowbray, Eula Oscar, Ina Thomas, Emily Vernon, and Ida Wood. Region: Mid-Western Region Location: Kansas City, Kansas Mu Omega Chapter is proud the following members have served as Mid-Western Regional Directors: 1st Founder Beulah Elizabeth Burke 3rd Louise Thompson Clarke 4th Mary E. Branch 11th Gladys Claggett Bowles 13th Esther B. Payne 29th Jan M. Carpenter Baker Mu Omega and Beta Omega chapters co-hosted the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority 1940 and 1950 Boules in conjunction with the National Conventions of Alpha Phi Alpha and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternities, touting the event as the “Tri-Fraternal” Convention in Kansas City, Missouri.  Business sessions, luncheons, banquets, and dances were given by each of the three organizations. We also had the pleasure to co-host again during the 1970 Boule’ in Kansas City, Missouri. One of the delights of the chapter was to welcome members of our sponsored Undergraduate chapters into the fold upon graduation. ​  Delta Chapter - University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas  Beta Nu - Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas  Mu Tau – Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri  Delta Upsilon Chapter, a city-wide chapter (alternating with Beta Omega Chapter) with locations covering:           - Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Missouri           - University of Missouri in Kansas City, Missouri           - Emporia State University located in Emporia, Kansas           - Baker University located in Baldwin, Kansas ​ Delta Chapter was the fourth undergraduate chapter to be chartered in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, by Supreme President Loraine Richardson Green who served as the Second National President of the sorority. In 1951, two members of Mu Omega and Beta Omega chapters suggested sponsoring a Debutante Ball as a fundraiser to help support the sorority’s Delta House in Lawrence, Kansas. Delta House was purchased and financed by the sorority to provide and ensure that Black students attending the University of Kansas, had adequate and desirable housing. The Delta House was maintained by the sorority until open housing laws were passed. With each new administration of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, come new programs focusing on Education, Economics, Health, The Black Family, and The Arts. Mu Omega has always embraced these programs and it has been the Kansas City, Kansas community that has been the beneficiary of the service provided by the members of our chapter. Mu Omega always strives for new and uplifting ways to help the community. We pride ourselves on being able to give back to the people of Kansas City in many different ways. A new and exciting avenue was the creation of our foundation the Metropolitan Leadership Institute (MLI). The Metropolitan Leadership Institute is an IRS 501(c)3 foundation that will maximize funds which provide a vehicle to solicit grants, contributions/donations and provides funding for the chapter’s programs. This will include the support of educational opportunities for the community. ​ Our History and Legacy continues………………………………….. ​ Throughout our 100 Years of Service, some of the contributions and programs of service have been: Douglass Hospital Vocational Guidance Programs Presented Marian Anderson in Concert Annual Book Reviews Sponsored Artist’ Ball Bryant Butler Kitchen and Nursing Home Non-Partisan Council on Public Affairs Cleveland Job Corps Center Mississippi Health Project Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation (UNCF) United Negro College Fund NAACP SCLC Urban League Ebony Fashion Fair Debutante Ball MLK Day of Service Happy Bottoms IVY Reading AKAdemy Scholarship Forums St. Mary’s Food Kitchen ReStart Emerging Young Leaders (EYL) Douglas Elementary School On-Track Program African Shoe-Box Project Joyce H. Williams Battered Women’s Shelter Voter Registration and Forums AKA Day at the State Capitol Summer Youth Camp/partnership with Kansas City Kansas Community College Scholarship Awards Vernon Multi-Purpose Center Hillcrest Traditional Housing Bone Marrow Foundation African Shoe-Box Project Harvesters Earth Day Health Forums Youth Leadership Institute Ronald McDonald House Kansas State School for the Visually Handicapped Lillian Taylor Orme Memorial Scholarship Toys for Dottes Self-Improvement Forums HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) for Life Numerous Walk-a-Thons