The Alpha Kappa Alpha Presence in Southwest Mississippi

About the Book

This book chronicles the timeless service of Phi Mu Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha from its humble beginnings as Ivy Omega Interest Group in 1998, to its chartering on January 15, 2000, to its present status as a thriving chapter living out the sorority's motto to be "Supreme in Service to All Mankind". This history book was a time-intensive and labor-intensive assignment for women who are already busy, career-minded, and community-service oriented , but it truly became a labor or love which International President Carolyn House Stewart requested of each chapter of the sorority. Without her directive, this book, in all certainty, would never have been written. The project has indelibly etched valuable lessons in the minds of the historian and chapter members--the need for archiving and documenting the chapter's programs, activities, events, and projects. The assignment also refocused attention on previous and current international initiatives issued by each international president. According to historian Earnestine Green McNealey, Ph.D., author of the sorority's definitive history book The Pearls of Alpha Kappa Alpha: A History of America's First Black Sorority, until the lion tells its own story, the story will always glorify the hunter. This project forced chapters across the United States and in other countries to tell our own stories from their perspectives and in the context of historical events and social issues facing the communities we serve. Hopefully, it also reinforced the raison d'etre for every member, every chapter, every region, and the international sisterhood. The beginning and evolving history of Phi Mu Omega is captured for generations of young women yet to come so that it might inspire and motivate them to become women with a desire to serve all mankind.

About the Author

Lorraine Banks Gayden, a native of McComb, MS, became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha on November 19, 1966, while a student at Jackson State College (now University) in Jackson, MS. During summer breaks, she attended the Harvard-Yale-Columbia Intensive Summer Studies Program at Columbia in 1967 and Yale in 1968. She received her B.A. degree in English from Jackson State in 1969. She earned her M.A. in English from Purdue University, W. Lafayette, IN in 1971 on a graduate teaching assistantship. Gayden was an English instructor at Alcorn State University in Lorman, MS, from 1971-1973. She then worked as an evaluation specialist, quality control supervisor, and Director of the Pike County Department of Public Welfare (now Human Services) from 1976-1988. She was the third African-American county welfare director in the State of Mississippi and the first and only one in Pike County to date. When she resumed her career in education in 1988 as an English teacher at McComb High School, she enrolled at the University of Southern MS and earned her Education Specialist degree in secondary education (English) in 1996. She retired from McComb High in 2002. Gayden is a true community activist as a member of the Boards of Directors of the McComb Interdenominational Care Association (MICA) and Pike County Habitat for Humanity. She was a charter member of Mission Pike County, an interracial, interdenominational organization promoting racial reconciliation; charter president of the Omicron Federated Club, an affiliate of the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs, Inc., and Phi Mu Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha where she has held numerous offices including president. She is a life member of the sorority. She also serves as president of the McComb Association of Education Employees. She is an active member of her church in the Sunday school, mission, music, and education ministries. Gayden enjoys traveling for relaxation.