Chapter History

On December 23, 1923, twenty women chartered Xi Omega as the first Alpha Kappa Alpha graduate chapter in Washington, D.C. Most were educators in the District of Columbia who shared a common commitment to service and scholarship.

Xi Omega’s commitment to education has been a vital part of our programs of service through partnerships with area schools, college fairs at Xi Omega Center, and math and science summer camps to foster academic achievement. Our nonprofit Pearl and Ivy Educational Foundation, in association with Xi Omega Chapter, has awarded more than $800,000 in scholarships for college-bound students since its inception 35 years ago. Our service legacy has also impacted healthcare, economics, youth leadership, and community activism to include voter registration drives, civic forums and transporting voters to the polls.

Over the life of the Chapter, Xi Omega members have targeted health disparities in the African American community with specific programs for children, families and seniors.  Through health fairs, wellness screenings and informational workshops, the chapter has highlighted resources for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, breast cancer, lupus, kidney disease and mental illness. Our longest-running programs of service, Monday Activities, focuses on senior health, wellness and vitality.

Notably, Xi Omega Chapter's membership has included Alpha Kappa Alpha luminaries:

• Founders Norma E. Boyd and Carrie E. Snowden; 
• Incorporator Nellie Quander;
• International Presidents B. Beatrix Scott, Dorothy Boulding Ferebee, and Marjorie Holloman Parker; 
• International Second Vice President Nan Arrington Peete;
• International Treasurers Julia E. Brooks and Esther Garland Pollard; 
• International Recording Secretaries, Ruth Weatherless Cook and Sadie D. St. Clair; 
• International Corresponding Secretary Teresa C. Alexander;
• Ivy Leaf magazine Editor-in-Chief Jessie Hailstock Roy; and 
• North Atlantic Regional Directors Norma E. Boyd, Sadie Daniel St. Clair, Sophie Edlin Fowler, Marjorie Holloman Parker, Esther Garland Pollard and C. Edith Booker.