About Us

On December 21, 1961 at King Solomon Baptist Church in Helena, Arkansa, a loud clear bell rang out for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated as a result of the foresight of Lois R. Anderson and Helena Funches Williams. This bell was heard by all Alpha Kappa Alpha women in the Marianna and Helena area, and thus, Eta Sigma Omega was born.

 

Eta Sigma Omega was the first Greek letter organization in North East Arkansas and one of only three graduate chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in the state.The only other graduate chapters were being Delta Omega Omega of Pine Bluff and Beta Pi Omega of Little Rock. 

 

In 1963, Eta Sigma Omega became a part of the Arkansas Tri-Council with Delta Omega Omega of Pine Bluff and Beta Pi Omega of Little Rock. The Arkansas Tri-Council was formed as a tool for members within the state of Arkansas to foster fellowship and the exchange of ideas. With the chartering of other graduate chapters across the state, the organization was renamed the Arkansas Area Cluster Retreat. The Cluster Retreat is held annually and its location is rotated among the chapters of the state. Eta Sigma Omega members have attended cluster retreats in large numbers over the years and as a result have won many attendance awards.

 

Eta Sigma Omega sponsored its first undergraduate chapter in 1973. The chapter was Eta Upsilon on the campus of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. Eta Sigma Omega members helped to initiate the young ladies and assisted them in the chartering of the chapter. Through the years, Alpha Kappa Alpha has used Sisterhood to raise the status of African Americans particularly girls and women.

 

Through adversity, strife, struggle, and joy, our beloved Eta Sigma Omega has stood the test of time. With growth comes change and with change, we learn to adapt and survive. On March 20, 1976, Eta Sigma Omega helped to sponsor its second undergraduate chapter - Kappa Iota on the campus of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. In 1979, Eta Sigma Omega Chapter of Marianna-Helena became the Marianna chapter when the Helena members were granted their own chapter.

 

Eta Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated continues to encourage life-long learning, high scholastic achievement, provide aid for the poor, sick and underserved. We initiated social action to the advancement of civil rights, worked collaboratively with other groups to maximize outreach on progressive endeavors to foster change in healthcare, global awareness, feed the hungry and help our Historical Black Colleges and Universities.