The Beta Phi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. was organized on March 23, 1938 with a ceremony conducted by Regional Director N. Viola Butler, assisted by Mattie Bradford and Zatella Turner, Ivy Leaf Editor-in-Chief. Nettie C. Anderson Langston was installed as the first Basileus and Lois T. Davis as Anti-Basileus. Other officers were Ruby Bryant, Grammateus; Bernice James, Epistoleus; E. Goldie Hunter Smith, Tamiouchos; and Dellee Armstrong Curtis, Reporter. Members were Olivette L. Jones Morgan and Myrtle D. Thomas.

1938-1948

From 1938 through 1948, the following charter members served as Basilues of the Beta Phi Omega Chapter: E. Goldie Hunter Smith, Dellee Armstrong Curtis, Ruby Bryant, Lois T. Davis Martin, and Olivette L. Jones Morgan. During this same period of time, two of the chapter members, Olivette L. Jones Morgan and Lois T. Davis Martin held the office of Regional Director of the South Central Region. The Beta Phi Omega Chapter has hosted three South Central Regional Conferences -- April 19, 1940; April 14, 1950, and March 29, 1984. During the first years of existence, the sorority presented VIP's such as Jackie Robinson, Duke Ellington, and Etta Moten. Other activities included Vocational Guidance Conferences, Charity Balls, and Anti-TB Christmas Sales.

1948-1962

Beginning in 1948 through 1962, the following sorors served the chapter as Basilei: Frankie Sheppard, Nettie Anderson Langston, Evelyn Debruhl, Natalie Glover Douglas, Sarah L. Harris, and Charlotte Verna Humphrey. Special projects included an Annual Children Theater Party and a health project, at which time Dr. Herman Barnett from the University of Texas Medical Branch vaccinated elementary school children in preparation for the beginning of school. One of the other annual events held included the Fashionetta.

Unusual Situations

During 1963, Sorors Irene Dillon and Ester Blick were faced with unusual situations during their teaching positions that caused them to serve as Basileus for short terms that ended in 1964.

Increase in Membership for Beta Phi Omega

Soror Bernice Hightower was elected Basileus in 1965. Membership increased, financial conditions were improved, and scholarships and awards were increased. The Fashionetta, health project, Christmas Party for Senior Citizens, and assistance with the Job Corps were the main activities sponsored by the sorority.

1969-1973/1975-1978

Soror Gloria Haywood served as Basileus from 1969-1973 and returned to office in 1975 after Soror Laurice Bolden, who succeeded her, resigned due to the illness of her mother. Soror Haywood was extraordinarily involved in service to mankind in the sorority and the community. The sorority was now at a peak with community participation. Special projects included participation with the Cultural Arts Council, the Council of Greeks, the Fashionetta, Voter Registration, Career Week, scholarships, awards, and health projects.

1979-1982

Soror Maggie Williams accepted the challenge of Basileus from 1979 through 1982. Along with the regular project participation, she had the task of preparing for the 1984 South Central Regional Conference to be held in Galveston. Soror Williams served as General Chairman for the Regional Conference. Under her leadership, the sorority continued to sponsor a Christmas party for Senior Cititzens, Black History presentations, Career Day, Voter Registration, a reading project with tutorial services, and the annual Fashionetta.

1983-1984

Soror Ann Simmons was elected Basileus in 1983 and served through 1984. Soror Simmons served as Basileus during the successful 1984 South Central Regional Conference. Other projects were participation with the Cultural Arts on the Strand, Festival on the Strand, reception for the Arthur Mitchell Dance Group, Black History presentation, Texas Women's Programs, political forums, Girls in Community Service, and the Juneteenth celebration.

1985-1986

Soror Vera Dever ushered in the 1985 year as Basileus for Beta Phi Omega. Soror Dever continued the community work of the chapter with the following projects: Sickle Cell Screening, Girls in Community Service, Senior Citizens Christmas Project, career guidance, and scholarships. To increase chapter interest, she initiated a special project for officers and members categorized by Nationals as the Renewal-Retreat Workshop, and a special award was given to the chapter at the South Central Regional Conference in 1986. The Mardi Gras Fundraiser was initiated.

1987-1988

In 1987, Soror Barbara T. Myles was elected as Basileus of the chapter. During her tenure as Basileus, the following programs were initiated and continued by the chapter: Teenage Pregnancy Presentation, Mardi Gras and Las Vegas Night fundraising projects, Girls in Community Service project, career directions workshops, Thanksgiving project, and Reading is Fundamental program in the Galveston Independent School District. The chapter also adopted a village in Africa, received a contribution from the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and continued to award scholarships to high school female graduates. During this tenure, the chapter celebrated its 50th anniversary.

1993-1996

Soror Maggie Williams again heeded the call to service by accepting the office of Basileus 1993 through 1996, and the chapter's projects continued to expand. During her tenure, the national program goals became fiscally responsive and purchased the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. National Office. New programs institutued under the leadership of Soror Williams were the Teen Parent Roundup as well as a mentoring program. Soror E. Goldie Hunter Smith was instrumental in implementing the mentoring program. Regional Director Polly Sparks Turner appointed Soror Williams Area Coordinator for the South Central Region. She began serving her appointment in September 1996.

1997-1999

Soror Barbara McIlveen was nominated Basileus as the December 1996 meeting. She began serving her duties in January 1997. Projects initiated by previous Basilei continued to be emphasized, while she initiated several new projects of her own; a monthly newsletter, the Beta Phi Omega Connection was published. All sorors received a copy to keep the lines of communication open and to encourage inactive sorors to reactivate. Sorority members were also provided with a Sorority Handbook that provided information to keep them abreast of sorority protocol, rules, regulations, and chapter information. The SSSRAKA (Sincere Sensitive Sisterly Random Acts of Kindness Award) was introduced to reward sorors for their sisterly acts of kindness -- thus emphasizing sisterliness as a foundation for the chapter.

2000-2004

Soror Cornelia Harris Banks, former Far Western Regional Director, returned home from California and was nominated to complete the term when Soror Barbara McIlveen became ill. Soror Banks served from January 2000 to December 2004. She was a dedicated worker who continued programs of the chapter and encouraged all to dedicate themselves to making our community a better place through political and economic empowerment. She served on the Galveston City Council and was the first African-American female Mayor Pro-Tem.

2005-2008

Soror Loretta Penrice Branch served as Basileus of the chapter. She promoted sisterly relations; Martin Luther King Day of Service; Health Awareness; improvement of reading skills through Reading is Fundamental; leadership workshops; Mardi Gras fundraisers; and scholarships.

2009- Present

Soror Jackie Williams is currently serving as Basileus of the chapter. Her tenure thus far she will bring along with the Regional Director, Gwen Brinkley, the Cluster Retreat in October 2009 and many more events during a post-Hurricane Ike recovery.

In keeping with the national goals and local chapter programs, all Basilei have enforced the ideals on which the sorority and chapter were founded. Beta Phi Omega continues to receive compliments, accolades, and awards for their attendance at Retreats, Regional Conferences, and Boules. We are very proud of the outstanding contributions that charter members have made on the local, state, and national levels. We pause to commemorate, celebrate, and pay tribute to the founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the charter members of the Beta Phi Omega Chapter.