Through The Years

Epsilon Upsilon Omega Chapter of Trenton, New Jersey, was chartered on Saturday, March 8, 1952, with 18 members in a ceremony at the Stacy-Trent Hotel. The North Atlantic Regional Director, Lillian Parrot, presided. Epsilon Upsilon Omega became the 140th graduate chapter chartered by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 

On March 9, 1952, the officers, led by  Daisy Adams Morgan as the first President, were installed in a public ceremony at Shiloh Baptist Church.

The other officers were:

First Vice-President - Chrystine R. Shack
Treasurer - Thelma I. Goode
Recording Secretary - Mignon Shepherd
Asst. Recording Secretary - Katherine B. Solomon
Publicist- Helen Jackson Lee


Other members included:

Amy Bailey
Shirley Caffee Pindle
Betty V. Coles
Sadie Dickerson
Edith Dent
Lottie Lee Dinkins
Edna Henry Lewis
Ruby Marshall
Madeline McGruder
Bernice J. Munce
Ethel Price
Eloise Williams
Lottie Lee Dinkins, a charter member, now an Ivy Beyond the Wall, composed our chapter song, “Sisters United There's Nothing We Can't Do.”



Historic Highlights:

·         In the 1950s, Epsilon Upsilon Omega sponsored and participated in many community events and service projects, focusing on youth through its conferences, guidance, tutoring, hospital-room project and social activities.

·         In 1958, the chapter initiated three additional graduate members into Alpha Kappa Alpha: Gloria B. Gibson, Annie K. Stephens, and Vera V. Williams.

·         In the 1960s, some members joined the Freedom Rides through the south and the March on Washington.

·         In 1960, Epsilon Upsilon Omega hosted the North Atlantic Regional Conference, an event widely covered by a local newspaper, breaking new ground for a black event and underscoring the influence of the chapter.

·         In the 1970s, chapter service activities focused on the emerging nations of Africa. Members invited African college students in the area to dinner in their homes and hosted a tea for Mary Epiken, minister of finance for Nigeria, during her tour of the United States under the sponsorship of the State Department.

·         Other activities throughout the decade included a Patriots Ball, a black history program co-sponsored with the Trenton Evening Times and presentation of a drama written by Soror Dinkins and Soror Helen Jackson Lee for the national bicentennial.

·         In 1971, Epsilon Upsilon Omega sponsored the Zeta Sigma Chapter, the first undergraduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority at Trenton State College (now the College of New Jersey).

·         In the 1980s, the chapter became increasingly active in voter registration and co-sponsored rallies to encourage political participation. EUO also helped establish two new undergraduate chapters: Nu Eta, at Rider College (now University), and Omicron Nu for Princeton students. During this decade, the chapter also co-sponsored (with the Frontiers International) the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast to support the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Foundation in Atlanta, Georgia, and local non-profit organizations. The chapter continues to hold this breakfast annually.

·         In the 1990s, the chapter joined the Educational Advancement Foundation, supported fundraising efforts to improve the Alpha Kappa Alpha national office space, held workshops on economic empowerment, began an annual holiday ball to raise money for scholarships, prepared lunches for the homeless and partnered with the Red Cross on several initiatives.

·         In 1994, the chapter initiated 10 members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, under the new Membership Intake Process.

·         In October 1995, Epsilon Upsilon Omega hosted the Cluster IV Leadership Conference attended by almost 150 sorors.

·         In 1997, the chapter celebrated its 45th anniversary.

·         In the new millennium, the sorority chapter has continued the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast, which emphasizes service to our community and recognizes groups who are helping our community such as the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, Homefront, Life Ties and Mercer Street Friends. Hundreds of supporters, including leading office holders and political leaders of the city, county and state, as well as religious and other community leaders, attend the event.

·         In 2002, the chapter also celebrated its 50th anniversary with a weekend of activities to celebrate its history and reclaim inactive sorors. It also incorporated a non-profit I.R.C. 501 (c) (3) educational foundation, the Epsilon Upsilon Omega Educational Fund. The foundation received a grant from the Susan G. Komen Foundation to work on breast cancer issues.

·         In this decade, we have emphasized the AKA National Program, particularly the Black Family platform, focusing on the disadvantaged through partnerships with Homefront, which serves homeless families, with Womanspace, which assists families affected by domestic violence, and with Dress for Success, which provides clothing and other assistance to  women re-entering the work force. The chapter also re-established its Cultured Pearl program for young women ages 14 -17 who have high scholastic achievement.

·         In February 2006, EUO chapter hosted the Cluster IV Founders Day at the Trenton Marriott with about 300 sorors from 16 graduate chapters and nine undergraduate chapters.

·         In 2007, the chapter honored 100 outstanding black men through our calendar program. participated in a World Aids Day program, donated toys for needy children at Christmastime and worked to educate people about breast cancer.

·         In 2008, chapter members joined sorors from across the nation in celebrating the 100th anniversary of Alpha Kappa Alpha, attending regional events and the national Boulé in Washington, D.C. EUO chapter capped off its year with its scholarship ball at the Trenton Country Club.

·         In 2009, Epsilon Upsilon Omega chapter hosted a Founders Day event to reclaim inactive sorors.  Members were collecting clothing for Dress for Success, cell phones for battered women and prescription bottles for reuse in Haiti. They have also volunteered in the soup kitchen at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Trenton.

·         In 2010, Epsilon Upsilon Omega chapter held its first health fair, co-sponsoring it with Delta Upsilon Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and the Institute for Wonderful Women Working for Empowerment.

·          In 2011, Epsilon Upsilon Omega Chapter members contributed more than $500 to Heifer International. Members voted to forego the customary dinner for the June meeting and gave the amount usually spent on the meal to the organization. Individual members also signed pledge cards or made cash donations at the meeting.

·         In 2012, participated in the America’s Sunday Supper, a dinner for veterans as part of a national initiative to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., mobilize volunteers to serve, generate civic dialogue, and inspire continued community service. The chapter also celebrated its 60th anniversary with an elegant party at the Stone Terrace attended by the regional director, many past presidents in July and elected leaders.

·         In 2013, Epsilon Upsilon Omega Chapter created a “March Madness” casual, fun event with food, games and dancing. Chapter members chaperoned the Cultural Pearls and Emerging Young Leaders on summer trips to Washington, D.C. to see the Martin Luther King Memorial and other sites. In October, EUO chapter hosted the Cluster IV Founders Day at  Mercer County Community Collee with about 300 sorors from 16 graduate chapters and nine undergraduate chapters. Co-hosted a networking event with the Trenton Kappas for their 83rd Northeastern Province Council. Evaluated by the Regional SET Team.  The outcome of the evaluation showed we met most of the requirement Hosted a Hair Expo “Kinks, Curls and Pearls” event with over 300 members in attendance. Had a successful membership drive where 6 individuals became members of Epsilon Upsilon Omega

  • In 2014,  our youth groups, Cultured Pearls and the Emerging Young Leaders went to New York City for their end of the year trip.   We had a Sisterly Relations Oktoberfest. Hosted our first annual Hair Expo “Kinks, Curls and Pearls” event with over 200 members in attendance. We increased membership into Epsilon Upsilon Omega by successfully completing the 2013 MIP. Hosted a successful EYL Summit Implement a Mentoring program for new, reactivated or transferred Sorors. In March 2014, EUO was honored by DIVAS for our work in the community.
  • In 2015, we hosted a Sisterly Relations Activity every month and hosted a Strategic Planning Retreat. We won Small Chapter of the Year at the 2015 NARC. Received a certificate from Alpha Kappa Alpha Education Advancement Foundation, Inc. for our commitment to excellent by attaining Silver Level for the Chapter’s donation to EAF. Received a STAR AWARD for adhering to the Corporate office’s Standard requirements. We successfully cohosted NARC 2015 in Atlantic City. Epsilon Upsilon Omega was responsible for Philacters and the NARC office.. Several Sorors traveled to Washington, DC to see Soror Bonnie Watson Coleman being sworn in as  a US Congresswoman. Our youth groups, ASCEND went to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in New York City and young Cultured Pearls went to Cheyney University. Increased membership by 10 Sorors to have a total membership of over 75 Sorors!!! Co-Sponsor 2 events with other Greek letter organizations.
  • In 2016, Hattitude- The first of it's kind in the surrounding area - Hat Fashion show. We highlighted the Bronzettes who were the first organization to honor Mothers in the Trenton Area. Proceeds from this event assisted in providing services to the community. Developed a Strategic Plan that will guide the chapter for 2017-2012. Hosted a Debate Party to increase awareness about the need to  "Get out the Vote" Go Sponsored My Sister's Closet -held at the YMCA-  where we donated gently used clothing to women entering the work force.
  • 2017- AKA NJ License plates were issued- Epsilon Upsilon Omega led the charge in moving this initiative forward; Reactivated the Nu Eta undergraduate chapter at Rider University- 6 new undergraduate Sorors initiated; Chapter advisors accompanied youth group ASCEND to visit the newly constructed African American History Museum in Washington, D.C.; Technology was updated to allow for electronic payment submission through Pay Pal; The Ivy League Educational Foundation partnered with the Delta Upsilon Foundation of Omega Phi Psi Fraternity for the first annual Designer Bag Bingo; Maintained Silver level status for Chapter’s donation to Alpha Kappa Alpha’s EAF fund; Reactivated 3 Sorors; 

    2018- Received 3 awards for excellence at NARC- Medium Chapter of the Year; Basileus of the Year (Med chapter, 2nd place); Chapter Display Award (2nd place); Initiated 4 undergraduates into the Nu Eta chapter at Rider University; Maintained Silver level status for chapter’s donation to Alpha Kappa Alpha’s EAF fund; Reactivated 5 Sorors; 8 additional Sorors transferred into the chapter

    2019- Initiated 8 undergraduates into the Nu Eta chapter at Rider University; “Leveled Up” to Gold level status for chapter’s donation to Alpha Kappa Alpha’s EAF fund; The Ivy League Educational Foundation hosted Trenton’s first “Dinner Enblanc” on the landing of the War Memorial Building;Reactivated 1 Soror; 3 additional Sorors transferred into the chapter.

    2020- All chapter operations were converted to virtual beginning in March of 2020 due to an international pandemic (COVID19); Zoom platform became the mode of communication for meeting and chapter activities; Technology was updated to include “Cash App” electronic payment submission; Chapter history book was created with member information going back to the chapter’s chartering in 1952; maintained Gold level status for chapter’s donation to Alpha Kappa Alpha’s EAF fund; Reactivated 4 Sorors; 6 additional Sorors transferred into the chapter.

We are proud of our history and we are especially proud to be the recipient of multiple awards from the 

North Atlantic Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated:

2010 - C. Edith Booker Award for our collaborative interactions with Undergraduates of Rider University

2011 – Anne Mitchem-Davis Award for our Health Fair

2011 – Social Justice Award for our Domestic Violence program

2013 - Third Place Small Chapter of the Year,

2013 – Anne Mitchem-Davis Award for our Health Fair

2015 - First Place Small Chapter of the year

2016- First Place, Small Chapter of the Year

2016 - First Place, President of the Year, Small Chapter- Sherri Eure Washington

2016- Anne Mitchem Davis Award for our Health Fair

2018- First Place, Medium Chapter of the Year

2018- Second Place, President of the Year, Medium Chapter, Alicia Malone

2018- Second Place, Chapter Display of Community Programs

Yearly- STAR Awards Recipient

Yearly - EAF Silver Status Award recipient

2019 - EAF Gold Status Award recipient

2020 - EAF Gold Status Award recipient



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