On January 31, 1971, 17 Sorors from Bergen County, New Jersey gathered at the Marriott Hotel in Saddle Brook, New Jersey for their chartering
ceremony, thus becoming the first graduate chapter of any black Greek-lettered organization in the county. For more than 18 months prior to this
date, these Sorors met under the leadership of Soror Gene-Ann Polk Horne, laying the foundation for this newly formed chapter, Iota Epsilon
Omega. Soror Horne later became the first elected President.
The ceremony was conducted by Soror Anne Mitchum who was the North Atlantic Regional Director during that time. Soror Davis was assisted by
Soror Esther Pollard, a past North Atlantic Regional Director. Over 60 Sorors from around the region came to share good wishes for this long
awaited event.
The 17 charter members continued to meet on a monthly basis in each other’s homes to set standards of procedures and by-laws that would govern
the newly formed chapter. From the beginning scholarships have been a major focus of the chapter. Over the years Iota Epsilon Omega has given
over $250,000 in scholarships to deserving young men and women.
In addition to scholarships, the chapter has been a leader in community efforts such as sickle cell screening programs, preservation of slave burial
grounds in the county, Africare and the African Village Program, Contributions to Shelter-Our-Sisters, a shelter to support abused women, voter
registration and get out the vote campaigns and many programs promoting African American history and African American speakers.
The chapter is the sponsor of the undergraduate chapter Nu Kappa located at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck.
ceremony, thus becoming the first graduate chapter of any black Greek-lettered organization in the county. For more than 18 months prior to this
date, these Sorors met under the leadership of Soror Gene-Ann Polk Horne, laying the foundation for this newly formed chapter, Iota Epsilon
Omega. Soror Horne later became the first elected President.
The ceremony was conducted by Soror Anne Mitchum who was the North Atlantic Regional Director during that time. Soror Davis was assisted by
Soror Esther Pollard, a past North Atlantic Regional Director. Over 60 Sorors from around the region came to share good wishes for this long
awaited event.
The 17 charter members continued to meet on a monthly basis in each other’s homes to set standards of procedures and by-laws that would govern
the newly formed chapter. From the beginning scholarships have been a major focus of the chapter. Over the years Iota Epsilon Omega has given
over $250,000 in scholarships to deserving young men and women.
In addition to scholarships, the chapter has been a leader in community efforts such as sickle cell screening programs, preservation of slave burial
grounds in the county, Africare and the African Village Program, Contributions to Shelter-Our-Sisters, a shelter to support abused women, voter
registration and get out the vote campaigns and many programs promoting African American history and African American speakers.
The chapter is the sponsor of the undergraduate chapter Nu Kappa located at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck.
Iota Epsilon Omega History
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| *Alice L. Benekin Gloria Howard Beverly Cannon Wilma Jones *Ethel McGhee Davis *Barbara Kay Elizabeth Graham *Virginia Lathen Elaine Gunthorpe Louise Porter *Olive Hazel Barbara Wood Joanne Wynne * Deceased |
