Where it all began
In June 2000, three determined sorors (Felita Carr, Sylvia Draughn and Zeely Taylor) decided it was time to move from discussion to fact finding and determine if a graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated could be a reality in Duplin County, North Carolina. Their research discovered that more than fifty Alpha Kappa Alpha women lived in the Duplin County area. With this exciting reality, Sorors Carr, Draughn and Taylor were highly motivated to begin the process of establishing a chapter and an interest meeting was planned.
With more than fifty invitations in the mail and plans to meet at a black owned restaurant in Kenansville, an afternoon of sisterly fellowship and fun was greatly anticipated. Twenty sorors met on March 10, 2001 expressing an interest and showing support for an Alpha Kappa Alpha graduate chapter. It was decided that the group would pursue the implementation of the Sorority’s national programs as an interest group. Our first step was reactivation as general members.
Seventeen sorors came together and formed the Duplin County Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority graduate interest group which became known as the Duplin County Pearls. They were Mamie Baker, Pamela Baker-Waters, Dothula Baron-Hall, Diane Best-Branch, Lillian Butler, Felita Carr (president), Sylvia Draughn, Wandra Frederick, DeSheila Hall, Rebecca Judge, Angela Mainor, Loretha McCoy, Renee McCoy, Denise Sutton, Zeely Taylor, Doris Wells and Cynthia Williams. As the process began more sorors in the Duplin County area heard of this great undertaking and joined this great cause. Sorors Edna Boone, Marcia Boone, and Janice Wynn made this a group of twenty dedicated Pearls. The process had begun as all were dedicated to initiating and supporting a wealth of community service programs and cultivating the sisterhood. Our goal to establish a graduate chapter that would permeate the international motto, “By Culture and By Merit,” was becoming a reality.
From the inception of Duplin County Pearls, until our chartering, the group took on activities that focused on the national programs of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. The targeted areas consisted of Education, Health, The Black Family, Economic Empowerment, and The Arts. Their first undertaking was establishing an On-Track program to begin mentoring and tutoring 6th grade girls at Warsaw Middle School. Additionally, the Duplin County Pearls were the first minority organization in Duplin County to participate in the county’s Relay for Life. This project raised over $800 in support of the fight against cancer. The Duplin County Pearls organized the first MLK Day celebration as a day on instead of a day off. This activity continues today in a Youth Forum format to provide an atmosphere for the youth to fellowship and discuss the issues that affect children, teenagers, and young adults while applying the principles that Martin Luther King, Jr. preached throughout his career.
Through hard work and dedication, the Duplin County Pearls interest group became the Chi Iota Omega Chapter under the direction of the 15th Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, Dr. Caroline L. Lattimore on Saturday, June 21, 2003. Soror Jennifer Congleton was the guest speaker for this memorable event held at the Country Squire Restaurant in Kenansville, NC. The theme for the occasion was “Capturing a Dream” and it was a dream come true that featured the talented sorors of the chapter. Sorors across the state of North Carolina, Virginia and Washington, D.C. were in attendance to share in the chartering of Chi Iota Omega.
With more than fifty invitations in the mail and plans to meet at a black owned restaurant in Kenansville, an afternoon of sisterly fellowship and fun was greatly anticipated. Twenty sorors met on March 10, 2001 expressing an interest and showing support for an Alpha Kappa Alpha graduate chapter. It was decided that the group would pursue the implementation of the Sorority’s national programs as an interest group. Our first step was reactivation as general members.
Seventeen sorors came together and formed the Duplin County Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority graduate interest group which became known as the Duplin County Pearls. They were Mamie Baker, Pamela Baker-Waters, Dothula Baron-Hall, Diane Best-Branch, Lillian Butler, Felita Carr (president), Sylvia Draughn, Wandra Frederick, DeSheila Hall, Rebecca Judge, Angela Mainor, Loretha McCoy, Renee McCoy, Denise Sutton, Zeely Taylor, Doris Wells and Cynthia Williams. As the process began more sorors in the Duplin County area heard of this great undertaking and joined this great cause. Sorors Edna Boone, Marcia Boone, and Janice Wynn made this a group of twenty dedicated Pearls. The process had begun as all were dedicated to initiating and supporting a wealth of community service programs and cultivating the sisterhood. Our goal to establish a graduate chapter that would permeate the international motto, “By Culture and By Merit,” was becoming a reality.
From the inception of Duplin County Pearls, until our chartering, the group took on activities that focused on the national programs of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. The targeted areas consisted of Education, Health, The Black Family, Economic Empowerment, and The Arts. Their first undertaking was establishing an On-Track program to begin mentoring and tutoring 6th grade girls at Warsaw Middle School. Additionally, the Duplin County Pearls were the first minority organization in Duplin County to participate in the county’s Relay for Life. This project raised over $800 in support of the fight against cancer. The Duplin County Pearls organized the first MLK Day celebration as a day on instead of a day off. This activity continues today in a Youth Forum format to provide an atmosphere for the youth to fellowship and discuss the issues that affect children, teenagers, and young adults while applying the principles that Martin Luther King, Jr. preached throughout his career.
Through hard work and dedication, the Duplin County Pearls interest group became the Chi Iota Omega Chapter under the direction of the 15th Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, Dr. Caroline L. Lattimore on Saturday, June 21, 2003. Soror Jennifer Congleton was the guest speaker for this memorable event held at the Country Squire Restaurant in Kenansville, NC. The theme for the occasion was “Capturing a Dream” and it was a dream come true that featured the talented sorors of the chapter. Sorors across the state of North Carolina, Virginia and Washington, D.C. were in attendance to share in the chartering of Chi Iota Omega.