HISTORY OF SIGMA OMICRON ZETA CHAPTER
March is a special month in Zeta. It is the month when we celebrate Finer Womanhood Month (a founding principle). For Sigma Omicron Zeta Chapter, it is the month of our birth.
On March 3, 2002, seven Zeta women met to discuss the feasibility of forming a chapter of the Sorority in Gwinnett County, Georgia. The consensus was that there was a need for a chapter in the area.
At that meeting and two subsequent meetings, plans were laid out to charter a new chapter. Sorors outlined ideas and plans for the new chapter. It was decided that one of the first projects would be to organize a Storks Nest. Other proposed projects included an Archonette group, Amicae group, and investment group.
Five members of the initial group decided to form the new chapter, each holding an elected office. The charter members/officers are:
Soror Trenace C. Pyles Basileus
Soror H. Felicia Conway First Anti-Basileus
Soror Katie R. Mitchell Grammateus
Soror Natalie Williams Tamias
Soror Cornecia Harper Phylacter
On March 24, 2002, Soror Bettye Shelling presided over the ceremony that chartered Sigma Omicron Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Sigma Omicron Zeta Chapter became the ninth graduate chapter chartered in the metropolitan Atlanta area, and the first Zeta chapter to be chartered in the northeastern suburbs of Atlanta.
The members of the new chapter immediately began to work on projects proposed during the planning meetings.
During the summer of 2002 we worked to establish an Archonette group. Interested girls met at the Boys and Girls Club in Lawrenceville, developing plans for the upcoming school year. In September 2002 the Archonettes of Sigma Omicron Zeta Chapter were formally organized. The group was active during the 2002-03 school year. In November 2002 they attended the Southeastern Region Leadership Conference in Greenville, South Carolina.
In July 2002 the 82nd National Grand Boule was held in New Orleans, Louisiana. Sorors Felicia Conway, Katie Mitchell and Trenace Pyles attended the Boule, with Soror Conway and Soror Mitchell serving as voting delegates for the chapter.
Through the years Sigma Omicron Zeta Chapter has worked to be active in various joint functions of metropolitan Atlanta Zetas. In 2002 the chapter joined the Joint Founders Day Planning Committee, which plans the annual Sigma-Zeta breakfast/brunch celebrating the founding of our organizations. In 2007 Soror Conway served as chair of this committee. The chapter has also been involved in planning committees for the Joint State Leadership Conference as well as the Southeastern Region Leadership Conference. In 2009 our chapter served as the host for the Joint Rededication Service, uniting more than 50 sorors from 12 graduate chapters and three undergraduate chapters in reconfirming ourselves to the Sorority.
Sigma Omicron Zeta is also active within the community. Since 2005 we have won awards at the state and regional levels for our work with Z-HOPE. Soror Katie Mitchell was one of two sorors chosen to represent Georgia sorors and participate with the Black Womens Health Initiative in their national campaign to raise awareness of various health concerns.
Beginning in 2003 Sigma Omicron Zeta Chapter participated in AIDS awareness activities on World AIDS Day, December 1st. Each year we participate in the March for Babies, sponsored by the March of Dimes. In April we collect funds and walk in the Gwinnett County march. In 2006 the chapter became a member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council of North Metro at Lawrenceville. Through this association of Greek-lettered organizations, we began to participate in the Relay for Life, sponsored by the American Cancer Society.
In April 2005 Sigma Omicron Zeta Chapter chartered their first undergraduate chapter. The chapter was named Iota Sigma Chapter which was chartered at Clayton State University which is located in Morrow, GA. The chapter continues to serve as advisors to the chapter.
Sigma Omicron Zeta Chapter continues to strive for leadership. We are proud to have members who serve on the Sorority's State Executive Board. Soror Katie Mitchell served as the Assistant Secretary for the State of Georgia from 2009 - 2011. And On February 26, 2011 at our State Conference held in Savannah, GA she was elected as the Georgia State Newsletter Editor. She is joined by Soror Tammy Parker who was elected as the Georgia State Assistant Secretary. Congratulations SOZ Sorors!
HONORABLE MEMBERS
LIFE MEMBER
Katie Mitchell (2008)
SOUTHEASTERN REGION LEGACY CLUB
Felicia Conway (2006)
