"A Call to Action"

Citing the need for the presence of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and its programs in Delaware County, the foundation of Tau Delta Omega Chapter was laid in 1988 with the formation of the Chester Gems Interest Group. Several AKAs began the process of contacting unaffiliated members within the local area. Additional AKAs joined this nucleus and the interest group grew to twenty-two members.

The Chester Gems Interest Group was chartered as Tau Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated on November 10, 1991 at the Howard Johnson Hotel in Chester, Pennsylvania by then North Atlantic Director, Erma W. Barron. Dorothy B. Cuff was elected to serve as the first president of Tau Delta Omega Chapter.

Since its chartering, the chapter has annually awarded college scholarships and book awards to graduating Chester High School students; provided financial assistance to the education departments of area churches; provided entrepreneurial opportunities to local vendors; assisted in the efforts of the Chester Upland School District, Chester Education Foundation, Crozer Keystone Health Systems, Chester AIDS Coalition, City Team Ministries and other exiting service oriented organizations. In addition, Tau Delta Omega Chapter has introduced the international programs of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. to the local community and fostered a true feeling of sisterhood among its members.

In past years, Tau Delta Omega has been awarded both first and third place recognition as the North Atlantic Small Chapter of the year. The Chester Pearls Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of Tau Delta Omega Chapter. In addition to fundraising, this 501(c)(3) foundation assists the chapter in improving the lives of others through its programs and scholarships. Tau Delta Omega Chapter currently supervises Tau Alpha Chapter, an undergraduate chapter at Widener University.

Through sustained leadership and adherence to the goals set forth by our founders, Tau Delta Omega has established itself as an icon for community service, sisterhood and leadership development with a real commitment to the city of Chester, Pennsylvania.

Charter Members (22): Constance Brown*, Deborah Camper, Dorothy Cuff*, Valerie Cuff*, Denise Davis, Dorothy Draper*, Georgette Dukes, Sarah Finley, Adrienne Gordy, Farela Howie, Anne Jenkins*, Cheley Johnson, Merle Jones, Jocelyn Keeve Crawford, Geraldine Mayo, Adrienne McDuffy, Michelle Meekins-Davis, Lois Smith*, Vickie Strong, Iesha White, Zelda White and Stephanie Wilson (* Deceased Members)

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Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® (AKA), an international service organization, was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1908. It is the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American college-educated women.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® was founded on a mission of five basic tenets that have remained unchanged since the sorority’s inception. Our mission is to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, to promote unity and friendship among college women, to study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women in order to improve their social stature, to maintain a progressive interest in college life, and to be of “Service to All Mankind.”

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated® is comprised of more than 325,000 initiated members in graduate and undergraduate chapters located in 12 countries including the United States, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Dubai, Germany, Japan, Liberia, Nigeria, South Korea, South Africa and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Led by International President & CEO Danette Anthony Reed of Dallas, Texas, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, often is hailed as “America’s premier Greek-letter organization for African American women.”

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