Theta Rho Omega Mission Statement

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In 1968, change and movement in housing patterns were the rule in the area outside Chicago.  As the southern suburbs expanded, so did the number of Alpha Kappa Alpha women with their families.  Two of those women, Soror Emma Bakeman and Soror Josephine Franklin, found commuting to the city so intrusive into their family’s lives that they joined forces to establish a chapter in their community.

They enlisted the aid of Sorors Effie Roe, who had moved to the area from South Bend, Indiana, and Soror Winta Massey Mallory, a classmate of Soror Bakeman’s. Soror Roe was a special addition because while a resident of South Bend, Indiana, she helped charter the Eta Mu Omega Chapter. She would be an old hand for the Markham chapter’s establishment. Together the four sorors scoured the surrounding communities in search of interested sisters. Soror Ordie Roberts, Central Regional Director, was contacted, and the process began.

The chartering date was set to occur before 1968 ended. With sorors helping sorors, the ad hoc group grew to eighteen. The sorors petitioned the Boule for a charter and elected temporary officers. Soror Franklin was chosen to serve as interim chairperson. Soror Barbara Geaither served as chairperson for the community project.

Soror Geaither wrote and directed a pageant entitled "Born Free." The extravaganza was a tribute to the culture of Black people everywhere. It also created a place of renown for the sorors in the hearts and minds of the local youth.  In addition to the community project, the sorors performed two fundraising projects - a Kiddie Party at a local movie theater for the children in the community and a cards and games party. The work was started during the winter months of 1968 and was completed during the fall of the same year.

That day, when Soror Bakeman walked over to Soror Franklin’s house with the idea of forming a new chapter, neither knew what to expect. So they nurtured the idea, gaining momentum from the work and the love of other sorors, eventually bringing Theta Rho Omega Chapter to her place among the other chapters of our illustrious sisterhood on Sunday, November 17, 1968.  

Soror Ordie Roberts was joined by Soror Lauretta Naylor Thompson, Supreme Grammateus; Soror Beatrice Murphy, Basileus of Theta Omega, Chicago; as well as Sorors from Chicago and South Bend, Indiana, in chartering the chapter.