HERstory

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Pi Alpha Omega Chapter was chartered on September 21, 1985 as the fourth graduate chapter in metro Atlanta, and the third in the city of Atlanta. The process began when Erma Jean Thomas gathered twenty-five members together with diverse potential and interest in community affairs who had expressed their desire to enhance service to all mankind. By the time the North Atlanta Georgia Interest Group was formed under the direction of South Atlantic Regional Director Mary Shy Scott, the group included thirty members.  The Interest Group held meetings, formed committees and developed projects, becoming actively involved in community activities, voter registrations and funding for historically black colleges and universities.

The thirty charter members included: Marilyn Arrington, Jamilla Bell, Ora Bohannon, Patricia Budd, Janice Christian, Mary Currie, Mary Joyce Flournoy, Margaret Gamble, Bonnie Gillion, Bonnie Gissendanner, Billie Greenwell, Marilyn Vincent Holmes, Cathy Hope, Margaret Crawford Howell, Lucille Jackson, Cherlyn Mitchell, Elsie Morris, Deborah J. Myles, Carol Lewis Osborne, Gloria Patterson, Janet Payne, Lisa Piersaw-Greenwell, Marjorie Smith, Margaret Beale Spencer, Erma Jean Thomas, Althea Turk, Charlotte Turk, Barbara Yarn, Renee Zeigler and Muriel Zeigler. 

Pi Alpha Omega's first official chapter meeting was held on September 21, 1985. South Atlantic Regional Director, Mary Shy Scott, presided over the installation of the thirty members and  presented a workshop on leadership. The first chapter officers were: Ora Bohannon (President), Erma Jean Thomas (Vice President), Carol Osborne (Secretary), Margaret Howell (Financial Secretary), Cathy Hope, (Corresponding Secretary), Charlotte Turk (Treasurer),  Jamilla Bell (Parliamentarian), and Jewell Harper(Hostess).

Approximately 10 years after its chartering, Pi Alpha Omega was commissioned by the 13th South Atlantic Regional Director, Lucretia Payton-Stewart, to explore the possibility of establishing an undergraduate chapter at Clayton College & State University (now Clayton State University) in Morrow, Georgia. Then-President Carol Osborne initiated efforts to pursue this goal. Subsequently, Patricianne Hurd became President and continued the process.  In 2001, Pi Alpha Omega obtained approval from the 14th South Atlantic Regional Director, Sonja Garcia, to initiate Clayton College & State University students as general members. From 2001 through 2004, under the stewardship of Pi Alpha Omega, sixteen young women were inducted as general members. These members were mentored by the Chapter to pursue partnerships with other campus organizations to begin implementing service programs reflective of Alpha Kappa Alpha ‘s international programs, including breast cancer, AIDS, and black history awareness campaigns, clothing drives, and care packages to members of the military who were serving abroad. As a result of these efforts, interest in membership into Alpha Kappa Alpha increased on the campus. On April 24, 2005, Pi Alpha Omega presided over the chartering of Sigma Sigma, initiating thirteen young women under the leadership of President Jackie Baker and Graduate Advisor Kelly Green.  Since its chartering, Sigma Sigma has been recognized for its many achievements on campus and in the Sorority. 

In 2003, the Ivy and Roses Community Fund, Incorporated (IRCF) was founded by the members of Pi Alpha Omega. As a 501 ©(3) non-profit foundation, the mission of the IRCF was to acquire resources to support and promote programs and services to meet the changing needs of Atlanta residents. A biennial signature program, “Through the Years…” which showcases various aspects of the Arts is a collaborative effort of Pi Alpha Omega and IRCF. Featured signature program themes have included, A Tribute to Nina Simone, A Tribute to Motown, The Harlem Renaissance, All That Jazz, Honoring Atlanta’s Pearl – Pearl Cleage, Celebrating HBCU Artists and Black to Broadway. These original fundraising events have generated thousands of dollars to support the community as well as award scholarships and grants. In recent years, IRCF adopted a new annual signature event, Roses and Rose' to raise funds to support community programming. To date, IRCF has awarded over $125,000 in scholarship funds to deserving students. 

Pi Alpha Omega has made a significant impact throughout metro Atlanta via the collective efforts of its members, the Sigma Sigma Chapter, and IRCF.  Represented by a diverse group of women with a wide range of backgrounds, accomplishments, careers, talents, resources, expertise and interests, in a span of 40 years, Pi Alpha Omega has increased in size from 30 to over 400 members.  To date, the Chapter has been under the leadership of 12 Presidents, including: Ora Bohannon (IBTW), Patricia L. Budd, Billie Hicks, Carol L. Osborne, M. Patricianne Hurd, Jacqueline Baker, Melanie Key Bales, Marilyn Arrington, Francine O. Greer, Nicole M. Adams, and Brianca Martin. Erika Walker-Cash serves as the current President.