Lorraine Banks Gayden

The Alpha Kappa Alpha Presence in Southwest Mississippi: Timeless Service of Phi Mu Omega Lorraine Banks Gayden

Publisher Marketing: This book chronicles the timeless service of Phi Mu Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha from its humble beginnings as Ivy Omega Interest Group in 1998, to its chartering on January 15, 2000, to its present status as a thriving chapter living out the sorority's motto to be "Supreme in Service to All Mankind." This history book was a time-intensive and labor-intensive assignment for women who are already busy, career-minded, and community-service oriented, but it truly became a labor or love which International President Carolyn House Stewart requested of each chapter of the sorority. Without her directive, this book, in all certainty, would never have been written. The project has indelibly etched valuable lessons in the minds of the historian and chapter members--the need for archiving and documenting the chapter's programs, activities, events, and projects. The assignment also refocused attention on previous and current international initiatives issued by each international president. According to historian Earnestine Green McNealey, Ph. D., author of the sorority's definitive history book The Pearls of Alpha Kappa Alpha: A History of America's First Black Sorority, until the lion tells its own story, the story will always glorify the hunter. This project forced chapters across the United States and in other countries to tell our own stories from their perspectives and in the context of historical events and social issues facing the communities we serve. Hopefully, it also reinforced the raison d'etre for every member, every chapter, every region, and the international sisterhood. The beginning and evolving history of Phi Mu Omega is captured for generations of young women yet to come so that it might inspire and motivate them to become women with a desire to serve all mankind.