History - Gamma Sigma Omega
Savannah Chapter
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Alpha Kappa Alpha - Gamma Sigma Omega
On May 29, 1943, a group of dedicated college graduates, ladies, in Savannah,
Georgia banded together and chartered Gamma Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha
Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. These ladies were guided and directed in their chartering
efforts by Collye Riley, then Regional Director of The South Eastern Region, of which
Georgia was a part at that time.
There were seven charter members. Six were listed on the charter. They were Irene
Pope Alexander, Frances Clarke Dye, Juanita Fogg Jennings, Mattie Beverly Payne,
Mayme E. Hubert Russell, and Martha Wright Wilson, first President of the Chapter.
The Chapter immediately began to seek a project, a way to be of “Service To
Mankind.” In June of 1943, a well-known Savannah white woman, Adeline Graham,
died and left a sizable portion of her estate to local charities. At the September 1943
meeting of the Chapter, Frances Dye told the other members that she had learned
from a newspaper notice that the deceased woman had left property and funds “to
whoever might start a movement to establish an Orphanage for Negro Children.” A
committee composed of Dye, Martha Wilson, and Dorothy Jamerson investigated the
bequest, reported to the Chapter their findings, and thus the Chapter’s first project
was undertaken.
With Gamma Sigma Omega’s members at the helm, community support was sought
and received, the provisions of the deceased woman’s will carried out, and an
institution for orphaned and destitute Negro children began to take organizational
shape. On June 8, 1944, Greenbriar Children’s Center, Incorporated came into
being, just one year after the Chapter was chartered. On July 15, 1949, the Center’s
first building opened for occupancy, all through the efforts and leadership of Gamma
Sigma Omega’s members. Thus for many years, Gamma Sigma Omega Chapter of
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Greenbriar Children’s Center, Inc. were almost
synonymous. Greenbriar was the Chapter’s primary project, which included fund-
raising, leadership, personal involvement, and service from the beginning until
approximately 1966 when Federal, State, and City funding became more readily
available to the Center. Today, the Center is a viable one in the Savannah community,
meeting the needs of all races of children, and Gamma Sigma Omega Chapter
makes yearly donations.
There have been other significant service projects in 1970 and 1980: the
Ogeecheeton Project, A Tutorial Program, The Yamacraw Project, and the Cuyler
Community Project held at St. Mary’s School. Significant service projects in the 1990s
were the Hitch Village Project, The Precious Gems Mentoring Program for Middle
High School girls, and PIMS (Partnership in Mathematics and Science), an after
school program held at St. Pius Community Center.
The members today continue in the legacy of service to many charitable causes,
financially and physically. AKAs tutor children in grades K-3rd at Robert W. Gadsden
Elementary, Saturday mornings. This tutorial service is called the Ivy Reading
AKAdemy. To attend the Ivy Reading AKAdemy, first choice is given to children who
live in Frazier and Kayton Homes. In partnership with Esther F. Garrison Elementary,
students, in grades K-3rd who live in Yamacraw Village, are invited to be participants
in the Ivy Reading AKAdemy. In partnership with First Student school bus
transportation and Savannah Leisure Services, children who live in Yamacraw are
bussed to and from the AKAdemy. The AKAdemy provides lunch, tutorial and
enrichment activities that include field trips in and out of town. In addition, the Chapter
recognizes children K-3rd grades at Gadsden and Garrison who read the most books
on grade level. Each Marking Period, these students are recognized at their school
as Top Readers, and each is given a plaque with his or her engraved name. During
the school day, AKAs read to classes at Gadsden and Garrison. The Chapter has
been in partnership with Gadsden since 1999 and with Garrison since 2001. Some
additional service projects are financial literacy seminars for Middle School students,
The Precious Gems Mentoring Program, grades 5-8, Relay for Life, health awareness
seminars, free tax preparation for Kayton Homes, Frazier Homes, and Yamacraw
residents, a minimum $500 scholarship to a graduating senior for community
service, and over $10,000 yearly in donations to other charitable causes.
Georgia banded together and chartered Gamma Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha
Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. These ladies were guided and directed in their chartering
efforts by Collye Riley, then Regional Director of The South Eastern Region, of which
Georgia was a part at that time.
There were seven charter members. Six were listed on the charter. They were Irene
Pope Alexander, Frances Clarke Dye, Juanita Fogg Jennings, Mattie Beverly Payne,
Mayme E. Hubert Russell, and Martha Wright Wilson, first President of the Chapter.
The Chapter immediately began to seek a project, a way to be of “Service To
Mankind.” In June of 1943, a well-known Savannah white woman, Adeline Graham,
died and left a sizable portion of her estate to local charities. At the September 1943
meeting of the Chapter, Frances Dye told the other members that she had learned
from a newspaper notice that the deceased woman had left property and funds “to
whoever might start a movement to establish an Orphanage for Negro Children.” A
committee composed of Dye, Martha Wilson, and Dorothy Jamerson investigated the
bequest, reported to the Chapter their findings, and thus the Chapter’s first project
was undertaken.
With Gamma Sigma Omega’s members at the helm, community support was sought
and received, the provisions of the deceased woman’s will carried out, and an
institution for orphaned and destitute Negro children began to take organizational
shape. On June 8, 1944, Greenbriar Children’s Center, Incorporated came into
being, just one year after the Chapter was chartered. On July 15, 1949, the Center’s
first building opened for occupancy, all through the efforts and leadership of Gamma
Sigma Omega’s members. Thus for many years, Gamma Sigma Omega Chapter of
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Greenbriar Children’s Center, Inc. were almost
synonymous. Greenbriar was the Chapter’s primary project, which included fund-
raising, leadership, personal involvement, and service from the beginning until
approximately 1966 when Federal, State, and City funding became more readily
available to the Center. Today, the Center is a viable one in the Savannah community,
meeting the needs of all races of children, and Gamma Sigma Omega Chapter
makes yearly donations.
There have been other significant service projects in 1970 and 1980: the
Ogeecheeton Project, A Tutorial Program, The Yamacraw Project, and the Cuyler
Community Project held at St. Mary’s School. Significant service projects in the 1990s
were the Hitch Village Project, The Precious Gems Mentoring Program for Middle
High School girls, and PIMS (Partnership in Mathematics and Science), an after
school program held at St. Pius Community Center.
The members today continue in the legacy of service to many charitable causes,
financially and physically. AKAs tutor children in grades K-3rd at Robert W. Gadsden
Elementary, Saturday mornings. This tutorial service is called the Ivy Reading
AKAdemy. To attend the Ivy Reading AKAdemy, first choice is given to children who
live in Frazier and Kayton Homes. In partnership with Esther F. Garrison Elementary,
students, in grades K-3rd who live in Yamacraw Village, are invited to be participants
in the Ivy Reading AKAdemy. In partnership with First Student school bus
transportation and Savannah Leisure Services, children who live in Yamacraw are
bussed to and from the AKAdemy. The AKAdemy provides lunch, tutorial and
enrichment activities that include field trips in and out of town. In addition, the Chapter
recognizes children K-3rd grades at Gadsden and Garrison who read the most books
on grade level. Each Marking Period, these students are recognized at their school
as Top Readers, and each is given a plaque with his or her engraved name. During
the school day, AKAs read to classes at Gadsden and Garrison. The Chapter has
been in partnership with Gadsden since 1999 and with Garrison since 2001. Some
additional service projects are financial literacy seminars for Middle School students,
The Precious Gems Mentoring Program, grades 5-8, Relay for Life, health awareness
seminars, free tax preparation for Kayton Homes, Frazier Homes, and Yamacraw
residents, a minimum $500 scholarship to a graduating senior for community
service, and over $10,000 yearly in donations to other charitable causes.
