The Diamond State Pearls were officially chartered as the Sigma Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® in Newark, Delaware, on Saturday, January 27, 1990.

At that time, North Atlantic Regional Director Idell Pugh welcomed the Newark, Delaware graduate chapter into the North Atlantic Region with the blessings of International President Janet Ballard.

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Ready To Lead

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The first President of Sigma Zeta Omega Chapter was Norma J. Jackson. Norma planted the seed that would be watered with sisterhood and become the chapter of today. Her tireless efforts and dedication to Sigma Zeta Omega still live on in our daily commitment to bettering communities throughout Delaware. In addition, Norma was also the chapter’s first Ivy Beyond the Wall. Her dedication and perseverance was at the forefront of founding Sigma Zeta Omega Chapter. Each year, a scholarship is presented to a deserving local student in her honor. Her legacy shall live forever.

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Down to Business

Having met all the strict qualifications and guidelines for beginning a new chapter, the ladies of Sigma Zeta Omega wasted no time getting down to business. Members undertook dozens of chapter projects. They awarded monetary scholarships to college-bound students in the Newark, Delaware, area. The chapter also participated in community service projects that would eventually become annual endeavors:

• volunteering at the Newark Senior Center
• supporting the Emmaus House for the Homeless
• supplying educational materials to local and South African schools
• sponsoring youth educational contests and programs to foster creativity

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Former Chapter Presidents

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