“We strive and we do” Alpha Kappa Alpha business. We had beautiful well-planned and executed “Fashionettas” in the 50’s, which provided us with some funds to support community efforts. It became an annual affair that was well received by Portsmouth and was the chapter’s main fundraiser for almost 10 years.

In the 60’s, we sponsored three annual afternoon teas that featured ceramic exhibits. This further entrenched us as a good, positive, innovative organization with a goal of exposing Portsmouth citizens to the best in the arts and all areas. The chapter took the leadership in organizing the first Pan-Hellenic Council in Portsmouth, and Soror Vera S. Wilson was its first president. In the 60’s we hosted the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference. Soror Clarine Roberts was chapter basileus and Soror Barbara B. Watford, anti-basileus; Soror Elizabeth Randolph was Mid-Atlantic Regional Director. It was the first time male guests were invited to the banquet, and many commented that it was like a “mini-boule.” Gamma Delta Omega established the Undergraduate Achievement Award that was named the Mamie S. Vick Regional Undergraduate Award – a plaque awarded annually to the college chapter with the most improved grade point average.

The 70’s and 80’s were the years of Broadway shows and the theater. Thus, Gamma Delta Omega – keeping in step – brought Broadway to Tidewater by jointly sponsoring “Your Arms Too Short To Box With God” with the Portsmouth Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and “Ain’t Misbehavin’” with Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

Ever supportive of the National Program goals, the chapter sponsored young ladies for the Domestic Travel Grant Program in the 70’s. In the 80’s we had ongoing service programs encouraging voter registration, working with senior citizens, supporting battered women, tutoring children, and others. The Debutante Cotillion was also started in the 80’s and to this day continues to highlight this important milestone in the lives of young ladies across the Tidewater area.

In the 90’s, International Program goals were realized in the opening of Ivy AKAdemy under Simonetta Wright and Regional recognition was received. Ladies Edna Atkins and Annette Brown Boyce were 1996 Regional Community Service awardees. We also co-hosted the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference in 1998; chapter basileus was Soror Marie Fuller. Soror Debra Jones was appointed co-chair for a 90’s Regional conference and Ladies Debra Jones and Wendy A. Hunter also served as Regional Cluster Coordinators.

Moving into the 21st century, Gamma Delta Omega continues its commitment to Alpha Kappa Alpha’s International program. Basilei were Ladies Sylvia E. Hill, Fannie M. Chamblis, Wendy Hunter, Saundra Copeland, Celestine Twitty, Julia Avery Muse; Eartha Garrett is presently serving. The new millennium ushered in the technology age with chapters having websites, Regional and International officers communicating electronically, and members doing the same, using the internet liberally. In fact, on August 20, 2011, with the technical efforts of Aurelia T. Williams, Gamma Delta Omega was the first chapter to communicate through online streaming video with the International Standards Chairman, Joyce Henderson.

The Sorority’s 100th birthday was celebrated in its birthplace, Washington, D.C., at the 2008 Boule, with Past Supreme Basileus Barbara A. McKinzie beginning the second term of her reign with the theme “Extraordinary Service Program (ESP) with emphasis on becoming more knowledgeable and understanding of our sorority documents. At the 2010 Boule, the incoming Supreme Basileus, Carolyn House Stewart, JD, unveiled the new theme “Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Global Leadership Through Timeless Service Initiatives” with 2010-2014 programs requiring Alpha Kappa Alpha to work “SMART.” Each initiative is Strategic, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Transferable for enhanced impact. Gamma Delta Omega’s first undertaking at working ”SMART” was to form a charitable arm, Twenty Pearls, Inc., which will enable us to increase funding and render greater service to mankind.