![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/900240_c0e72d39ce2741f7aeab01fa0e347224~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_1920,h_927,al_c,q_90,enc_auto/900240_c0e72d39ce2741f7aeab01fa0e347224~mv2.png)
A L P H A K A P P A A L P H A S O R O R I T Y, I N C O R P O R A T E D ®
NEWARK, DELAWARE
OUR HERSTORY
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.
Ready To Lead
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.
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
Former Chapter Presidents
Sigma Zeta Omega Charter Members
Yvonne Barnett
Irene Burke
Sonya Cross
Barbara Duncan*
Leslie Esdaile*
Ann Hodges*
Cynthia Fairwell
Patricia Floyd
Joan Holden
Norma Jackson*
Styna LeCompte
Sandra Maness*
Eula Oliver
Olivia Roane
Sylvia Roberts
Gloria Penn
Frances Potts*
Debra J. Spence*
Linda West-Olds
Brenda Wilson
Phyllis Wooley
Norma J. Jackson
Debra Spence
Jacquita Wright-Henderson
Yvonne Barnett
Sylvia R. W. Roberts
Kimberly M. Collins
Tiffany Matthews
Tamika Davis-Cannon
Shealese P. Russell-Reams
Styna LeCompte
1990-1992
1993
1994-1998
1999-2002
2003-2006
2007-2008
2009-2012
2013-2014
2015-2018
2019-2022