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Chapter History

EARLY BEGINNINGS

By 2018, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated had enjoyed a presence in  Arkansas for more than eighty years, but there were still areas of the state in need of service. That November, graduate members Kimberlee Eason, Regina Hampton, and Teri Todd met to discuss the expansion of the Sorority's footprint through the creation of a new graduate chapter that would allow women of Alpha Kappa Alpha to interact and engage as well as share beliefs, principles, and standards without impeding on other graduate chapters' areas of service.​​

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REGINA
HAMPTON

KIMBERLEE
EASON

TERI
TODD

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Joining Kimberlee, Regina, and Teri for an initial meeting in December 2018 were Brenda Aldridge, Ruby Ben, Frankie James, Kim Burke Mayberry, Maria Bunting Smedley, and Tonya Willingham. The larger group agreed to focus their chartering efforts in the area of Saline County, Arkansas. Ruby Ben suggested the group's name: the True Reflections of Sisterhood. The name was agreed upon by unanimous consent.

THE TRUE REFLECTIONS OF SISTERHOOD & GUIDING PRINCIPLES 

In mid-December 2018, Alpha Kappa Alpha members Frankie James, Maria Bunting Smedley, and Teri Todd submitted an official request to Alpha Kappa Alpha's 25th South Central Regional Director, Katina M. Semien (now Smothers) to charter a new graduate chapter of the Sorority in Saline County, Arkansas. The group agreed upon guiding principles in which to follow.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

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  1. Always be kind.

  2. Always be respectful.

  3. Always be inclusive.

  4. Every voice is heard, valued, and acknowledged.

  5. Compassionate during issue resolution.

  6. Use "my sister" when resolving conflict.

  7. Be authentic.

  8. Assume good intentions.

  9. Own it!

  10. Transparency

In January 2018, Marie Boone, Adrianne Cade, Daveta Davis, Kim Dean, Mia Meadows, Monitia Turner, Nefertari Sims, Stacey Smith, Karen Swinton, Sherida O’Neal Wright, and Lelia Young joined the group. During the 2018 Founders' Day celebration, Shannon Hendrix, Talesia Jasper Love, Regina Moss, Raevondalyn Rice decided to join the group. Britta Taylor-Watson, Talesia Jasper Love, Frankie Taylor and Kim Dean would eventually leave the group due to other priorities. The rest group began meeting more frequently, and continued networking in Saline County.

A VISIT TO SALINE COUNTY & PROGRESS

On September 21, 2019, the 25th South Central Regional Director Katina Semien (now Smothers) came to visit Saline County, Arkansas. Various local representatives provided insight on the community as well as the educational, economic and housing statistics for the area. The members of the interest group and Regional Director Semien then toured of Saline County, which provided a firsthand look at the group's service area.

On November 16, 2019, True Reflections of Sisterhood was presented as an official interest group of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® at the Arkansas Cluster Retreat in Fayetteville, Arkansas. True Reflections of Sisterhood continued to serve the Saline County area, becoming members of the historic Bunche Neighborhood Association and assisting at community events. Members Laida Egbosimba, LaVera Gray, Shanda Macon, Marlene Battle, Cassandra Green, Vernita Wells, Tonjuna Iverson, and Demetria Kimbrough eventually rounded out the group.

The arrival of the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic in late 2019 forced the True Reflections of Sisterhood to regroup and find new ways to serve the Saline County community. As a result, the members took the virtual world by storm. The group remained mindful of mental and physical health, and encouraged community members to vote by arming them with tools to help them make informed decisions at the polls. The group also discussed and enjoyed classic literature. True Reflections of Sisterhood continued to find ways to serve and solidify their footprint in Saline County.

OFFICIAL CHARTERING

On May 15, 2021, under the leadership of the 26th South Central Regional Director, Joya T. Hayes, the True Reflections of Sisterhood, an official interest group of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, officially became the Alpha Alpha Rho Omega Chapter. It is the 139th chapter chartered in the South Central Region, and the first four-letter chapter in the state of Arkansas. Teri Todd was elected as the chapter's inaugural president.

 

Today, the Alpha Alpha Rho Omega Chapter serves Saline County, Arkansas and the cities it encompasses, including Alexander, Benton, Bryant, Haskell, Shannon Hills, Traskwood, and the historic Ralph Bunche neighborhood.

CHARTER MEMBERS

Brenda Aldridge

Marlene Battle

Ruby Ben

Marie Boone

Adrianne Cade

Daveta Davis

Kimberlee Eason

Laida Egbosimba

LaVera Gray

Cassandra Green

Regina Hampton

Shannon Hendrix

Tonjuna Iverson

Demetria Kimbrough

Shanda Macon

Kimberly Mayberry

Mia Meadows

Regina Moss

Sherida O’Neal Wright

Raevondolyn Rice

Nefertari Sims

Maria Smedley

Stacey Smith

Karen Swinton

Teri Todd

Monitia Turner

Vernita Wells

Tonya Willingham

Lelia Young

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Inaugural Initiates - Spring 2024

On Sunday, April 21, 2024, under the direction of presiding chapter president Teri C. Todd, membership chairman Ayana Gray, and co-membership chairman Donna F. Battles, the Alpha Alpha Rho Omega Chapter initiated six women into the Sorority. These women historically represent the first women to be initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® through the Alpha Alpha Rho Omega chapter.

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Candice Bailey

Amy Howard

Termeka Hubbard

Mia Iverson

Shanndrail Polk

Shay Randolph

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(Pictured from left to right: Shay Randolph, Candice Bailey, Termeka Hubbard, Amy Howard, Mia Iverson, and Shanndrail Polk.)

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