CHAPTER HISTORY

In the fall of 1989, Sorors Victoria Renee Scott and Linda Caral Allen came together to discuss ways in which they could reclaim local sorors and utilize the many talents and experiences of Alpha Kappa Alpha women in the Metropolitan Detroit area. They sought Sorors that were equally as passionate as they were about the sisterhood and business of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. It wasn’t long before Sorors Eleanor Manning, Joslyn DiPasalegne, and Lynette Adkins joined Victoria and Linda in discussions about the creation of a new graduate chapter in the Detroit area. With the input and support of other local sorors with innumerable talents and expertise to lend this effort, the interest group R.E.N.E.W. of AKA (Responsible, Experienced, Naturally Elegant Women of Alpha Kappa Alpha) was born.

While considered a small group, they made great strides in forwarding the principles of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. RENEW always focused on service to all mankind and bettering the communities in which they lived. Some of RENEW’s first projects included:

• 1990 as R.E.N.E.W. of AKA
• SARAFINA (fundraiser)
• RETREAT (in house/recruitment activity at HPCC)
• Food Drive (monthly) to Mayflower Community Church
• Clothing Drive (My Sister’s Place)
• Collected food for Thanksgiving Meals
• 1991 as R.E.N.E.W. through Tau Alpha Omega
• UNCF contributions
• AKA Waterday collection to the homeless
• Job Corp Contribution
• World Community Reception at HPCC
• Clothing Drive
• Food Drive (monthly)

On March 23, 1991, the Tau Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated was chartered in Redford, Michigan. Great Lakes Regional Director, Soror Phyllis Robinson, conducted the ceremony. In attendance for the event was Soror Lorraine Green, Second Supreme Basileus of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® She was 102 years old at that time!

The strength of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.®, is maintained through the ability of its’ Chapters to progress and remain abreast of what’s going on in our communities as well as in the workplace. Tau Alpha Omega is one of those chapters. By remaining a small, yet personable chapter, we have been effective at leveraging the talents and backgrounds of our Sorors, be they medical, educational, technological, business, or social. When talking with the first President of Tau Alpha Omega, Soror Victoria Scott, she exclaimed that one of her visions for the Chapter was that it would “evolve technologically and change with the times to meet the social needs of our communities.” Tau Alpha Omega has exceeded that vision.