HR1583 LRB095 22842 KXB 53278 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, In 1968, the change and movement in housing
3 patterns in the Chicago area brought together a group of women
4 who shared common interests and goals; they saw the need for
5 community service programs and joined together to establish
6 Theta Rho Omega, the first south suburban chapter of Alpha
7 Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; and
 
8     WHEREAS, Emma J. Bakman, Dorothy J. Bradford, LaRuth
9 Colbert, Helene Davis, Josephine S. Franklin, Barbara
10 Geaither, Renee Green, Lita Holmes, Linda Johnson, Joyce
11 Marvel, Winta Massey, Christine Poquinette, Effie Roe, Rebecca
12 Ross, Nellie Scott, Marie Smith, and Amerike Warren were those
13 early trailblazers; Theta Rho Omega charter members planted a
14 seed that would blossom and flourish over time; early programs
15 included tutoring, scholarship awards, Sickle Cell Anemia
16 drives, "Meet the Candidate" forums, and activities focusing on
17 women's health issues such as cancer, nutrition, blood pressure
18 control, Toxic Shock Syndrome, and weight control; and
 
19     WHEREAS, Theta Rho Omega's tutoring program, entitled the
20 IVY AKAdemy, offered academic support for scores of young
21 people at the Anderson Oglesby Public Library in Markham, and
22 continued at the Grand Prairie Public Library in Hazel Crest;
23 in later years, the tutoring program expanded to include a

 

 

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1 partnership with the Hickory Elementary School in University
2 Park; and
 
3     WHEREAS, As the national programs of Alpha Kappa Alpha
4 Sorority, Incorporated were enhanced, Theta Rho Omega
5 responded; the chapter initiated programs to support area
6 nursing homes, senior citizen residences, and children's
7 hospitals; Theta Rho Omega collaborated with other
8 organizations to sponsor a variety of programs to serve the
9 needs of the Black family and the community, including
10 Back-to-School Festivals, the Cook County Sheriff's Buckle-Up
11 Project, and Collaborative Breast Cancer Forums; chapter
12 members also participated in Walk-a-thons to benefit the March
13 of Dimes, United Negro College Fund, and Y-Me; and
 
14     WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha's current international focus
15 on economic development has led Theta Rho Omega to implement
16 new programs of service such as the Financial Literacy Program
17 for Turner Elementary School in Robbins, and the Economic Keys
18 to Success, with an emphasis on young Black males, in the south
19 suburbs; and
 
20     WHEREAS, For the past ten years, the Vision Quest Awards
21 program has served as the major fundraiser for the
22 organization; during the event, outstanding business and
23 community leaders who have impacted youth and adults in a

 

 

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1 specific target area are recognized along with scholarship
2 recipient; the chapter's signature event generates thousands
3 of scholarship dollars for deserving high school graduates;
4 since its chartering, Theta Rho Omega has awarded more than
5 $150,000 in scholarships; and
 
6     WHEREAS, The seed planted 40 years ago has blossomed to
7 impact in a significant way on the south suburban community;
8 the women of Theta Rho Omega Chapter recognize that to receive
9 is a blessing, to be of service is a responsibility; therefore,
10 be it
 
11     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
12 NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
13 congratulate the women of Theta Rho Omega on this momentous
14 occasion and wish them the best in their future endeavors; and
15 be it further
 
16     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
17 presented to a representative of Theta Rho Omega as a symbol of
18 our respect.