Dedicated women to be honored

Black women with terminal degrees will be recognized by the sorority.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Epsilon Mu Omega and Delta Delta chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will hold their 56th annual Founders Day luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the DeBartolo Stadium Club, Fifth Avenue, on the campus of Youngstown State University.
The guest speaker at the fund-raiser will be Dr. Pamela L. Redden from Cleveland, a physician and Great Lakes regional director of AKA Sorority.
The event will focus on "The struggles and contributions that black women have made in pursuit of a terminal degree." In keeping with that theme, women from Mahoning and Trumbull counties who have attained terminal degrees will be honored.
Cost is $25 and checks are to be made payable to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Epsilon Mu Omega Chapter.
Reservations are required by Monday and can be made by calling or mailing checks to Mary Lois Gross, (330) 782-7961, 72 Lake Shore Drive, Youngstown, OH 44511, or Alnita Bryant-Russell, (330) 759-1949, 1295 Will-O-Wood Drive, Hubbard, OH 44425.
Dorothy Davis is the graduate chapter president, and the Founder's Day committee is Dr. Joan L. Boyd, chairwoman; Alnita Bryant-Russell, co-chairwoman; Mary Lois Gross; Mary Moody; Denise Johnson; and Brenda Moore.
Background
Founded in 1908 at Howard University, AKA Sorority is the first black sorority to be established in this country. Its purpose is to inspire and support young women in obtaining their educational goals and to encourage them to become involved in community activities.
Epsilon Mu Omega, the graduate chapter, has given scholarship money to students at various universities throughout the country, including YSU. It has received many national service awards and awards for tutoring students. Members also participate in such community service projects as Tod Children's Cancer Ward, cancer awareness, prostate screening and other health functions.
Delta Delta, AKA's undergraduate chapter at YSU, recently received special recognition for high honors in academic excellence. Students in the chapter have been actively involved in sending financial aid and other items to the Katrina disaster area.
Upcoming
The sorority is planning an annual "Women for a New Millennium in Transition," fund-raiser to be held May 13 to raise funds for scholarship programs and service projects.