Kappa Xi Omega Chapter History

On March 9, 1975, a conscientious and dedicated group of twenty Texarkana area Alpha Kappa Alpha women organized the Pink and Green Club, for the purpose of chartering a graduate chapter of the sorority. The following sorors were in attendance: Racyne Mitchell, Lillie Lipscomb, Clara Montgomery, Erma Williams Stenson, Sheridan Shaw Stewart, Joyce Fields Brown, Alma Waller Gray, Johnnie High, Willie Belle Collins, Noeouida Walker, Phyllis Dorise, Audrey Shears, Cunnye Waller Martin, Mary Parks McGee, Leatrice Michael Haskins, Paula Wilcox Harris, Martrae Lester Poindexter, Melody Walton Berry, Gwen Moore and Gwen Nelson. Upon relocating to Texarkana in August 1975, Soror Ethel Pauley Jones joined the group and worked tirelessly with them toward the goal of chartering. These individuals were successful Black women from various walks of life, who envisioned a sisterhood and organization that would implement the programs, ideals and goals of America's first Black Sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, which was organized in 1908 at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

After much hard work, planning and many meetings, Soror Deralyn Riles Davis, South Central Regional Director, who assisted with kindness and professionalism, helped pave the way for the culmination of the chartering on March 6, 1976. With Charter members wearing long pink dresses, a beautiful banquet celebration took place at the Holiday Inn, Texarkana, Arkansas, where over one hundred fifty fellow Greeks, community leaders and family members were invited to witness the historic event of the Kappa Xi Omega Chapter Charter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 

Charter Officers

Racyne Mitchell .....................................President 

Lillie Lipscomb......................................Vice President 

Clara Montgomery.................................Recording Secretary 

Alma Gray..............................................Vice Recording Secretary 

Erma Stenson..........................................Treasurer 

Leatrice Haskins..................................... Financial Secretary

Ethel Jones ............................................. Corresponding Secretary

Willie Collins................................Membership 

Mary Parks McGee................Ivy Leaf Reporter 

Other Charter members were: Sorors Sheridan Shaw Stewart, Gwendolyn Nelson, Paula Wilcox Harris, Noeouida Walker, Gwendolyn Moore, Cunnye Waller Martin and Martrae Lester Poindexter. Shortly after chartering, Soror Fairilla S. Smith transferred to Kappa Xi Omega from Boule, joining Soror Leatrice Haskins in becoming a powerful and most valued resource for the chapter. Both, later served as Basileus and were also voted Soror of the Year.

The chapter has been very fortunate to have had exceptional leadership by electing sorors who were willing to work beyond the call of duty in implementing the ideals and goals of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc.

The chapter is a well-known service organization in the Texarkana area and continues to successfully sponsor many outstanding projects in support of the International Goals of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Kappa Xi Omega Chapter became an active member of the Texarkana Pan Hellenic Council shortly after chartering.

Soror Racyne Mitchell, the wife of a local minister, set an excellent precedent by efficiently and professionally serving as our first Basileus. She was a visionary who wanted Kappa Xi Omega Chapter to become an active entity in the Texarkana community, while meeting the goals of our national guidelines. All charter members worked untiringly with Soror Mitchell in accomplishing this goal.