Chapter History

Tau Zeta Omega Chapter History

In December 1990, Frances Cunningham began contacting local members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. regarding their interest in establishing a graduate chapter in the Webster area. On February 19, 1991 a meeting was held at 1300 Bay Area Boulevard where the group began the process of preparing an application to form a chapter. This group of sixteen Alpha Kappa Alpha members formed the Graduate Interest Group and began contacting other members who shared their same goals.

The Graduate Interest Group soon adopted the name “Ladies of the Lake” with Pearlie Hayes serving as President; Argentina James, Vice President of Membership/Advertising; Jeanette Elias, Vice President of Programs; Kimberly Tolbert, Secretary; Cherie Singleton, Corresponding Secretary; Angela Dotson, Treasurer; Jacqueline Mayo, Financial Recorder; and Gwendolyn Burns, Historian. During the next six months the “Ladies of the Lake” began addressing national programs and establishing bylaws for the new graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha.

In August 1991 the “Ladies of the Lake” presented a luncheon which was attended by Jacqueline Dansby-Edwards, South Central Regional Director. During the luncheon Fraline Castillo, a Biology/Pre-Med student studying at Texas Southern University, was awarded a scholarship.

Tau Zeta Omega was chartered on Saturday, January 18, 1992 with eighteen ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha becoming charter members. The chartering ceremony was held at Landry’s at Jimmy Walker’s in Kemah, Texas followed by a lovely reception. The charter members are Donna Anderson, Georgia Arrington, Marie Bogan, Gwendolyn Burns, Frances Cunningham, Erica Daniel, Angela Dotson, Jeanette Elias, Pearlie Hayes, Mitzi Hobdy, Arliana Humphrey, Dorothy Hutchinson, Argentina James, Deborah King, Jacqueline Mayo, Sheherazade Perkins, Cherie Singleton, and Kimberly Tolbert.

The first official meeting for Tau Zeta Omega was held with Jacqueline Dansby-Edwards in attendance, and the following offers were elected: Pearlie Hayes, President; Argentina James, Vice-President; Erica Daniel, Recording Secretary; Kimberly Tolbert, Assistant Recording Secretary; Arliana Humphrey, Corresponding Secretary; Jacqueline Mayo, Treasurer; Cherie Singleton, Ivy Leaf Reporter; and Dorothy Hutchinson, Sergeant-at-Arms.

Charter Members:  Former Chapter Presidents:
Donna Anderson* Pearlie Hayes
Georgia Arrington* Argentina James
Marie Bogan* Karen Nunn*
Gwendolyn Burns* Noreen Khan-Mayberry
Frances Cunningham* Tika Hampton
Erica Daniel Frances Cunningham-Morris*
Angela Dotson* Veronica Fahm*
Jeanette Elias* Tondra Allen* 
Pearlie Hayes Jocelyn Gilmore*
Mitzi Hobdy  
Arliana Humphrey*  
Dorothy Hutchinson  
Argentina James  
Deborah King*  
Jacqueline Mayo  
Sheherazade Perkins  
Cherie Singleton*  
Kimberly Tolbert  

* Indicates current members of the Tau Zeta Omega Chapter