Our History
In April 1948, a voluntary group of determined AKA's compiled a list of twenty-five persons in Evanston who were AKA's. All were invited to a meeting. From this day on, the wheels were steadily moving which were to bring our Evanston Chapter into activation and make the dreams a realization. A charter had been granted back in 1944, and paid for by Fredrica Smith of Waukegan. Obstacles impeded the progress; however, the Regional Director indicated that the charter was still valid and all that was needed was ten members.
They were privileged to have nineteen members willing to be charter members. Their names were submitted and approved by Mrs. Lucille Wilkins, the Regional Director at that time. On June 25, 1948, Mrs. Wilkins, accompanied by Mrs. Irma Clark, and Mrs. Arlene Washington, a former Regional Director, traveled to Evanston and established the chapter in the home of one of the members. There was a ceremony, followed by a candlelight dinner.
Charter Members (Alphabetical): Margaret Allen, Jacqueline Baskin, Wilhelmina Burroughs, Leonia Burton, Doris Cunningham, Christine Evans, Audrey Fountain, Vivian Garry, Carrie Gatlin, Anna Watson, S. Ruth Haith, Elizabeth Hill, Gloria Hilliard, Arnie Johnson, Elaine Levy, Ophelia Otey, Lucile Roberts, Fredricka Smith, and Lastinia Warren.
Historic Highlights
In 1959, first African American group to host formal event in the Evanston North shore Hotel.
In June 1972, a photo of chapter's top scholars featured on the coveted cover page of The Evanston Review.
Received the Evanston NAACP's Heritage Award and the Evanston North Shore YWCA's Women Leadership Award, honoring its years of community service.
Awarded a $10,000 scholarship to a single recipient in recognition of sorority's centennial celebration.
In 2008, Delta Chi Omega became the first African American organization to serve as grand Marshall of the Evanston 4th of July parade, marching with sorority officials, including the International President and Central Region director, as well as Lorraine Morton, then mayor of Evanston.
In 2009, the chapter's Financial Literacy program was recognized at the Central Regional Conference.