Chapter History

From 1934 to present, there was a steady growth in Beta Alpha Omega. Numerically the Chapter grew from 14 to over 200 members.

As Beta Alpha Omega grew, there was a growing sense that chapters in other areas were needed. Sorors ventured out of Beta Alpha Omega to form chapters in Trenton, Montclair, Orange/ Maplewood. In as much as Beta Alpha Omega gave birth to these chapters, she is affectionately known as “The Mother Pearl of New Jersey”. In 1947, Beta Alpha Omega sponsored Gamma Zeta Chapter which was the first undergraduate chapter chartered in New Jersey.

For years, the women of Beta Alpha Omega chapter have worked together in sisterly love to fulfill the goals of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®.  Beta Alpha Omega has awarded hundreds of thousands in annual scholarship dollars to graduating high school seniors to attend college. Dedicated to community service, programs were developed by the chapter that reflected the international programs of the sorority as well as met the needs of the communities in which Beta Alpha Omega served – Newark, Hillside and Irvington.

Over the years, these programs included but not limited to:  health awareness programs and events including Mammography in Motion (University Hospital of NJ), Making Strides against Breast Cancer Walk (Newark Pacesetter Winner) and free health fairs.  The chapter has financially supported NAACP (1956 Lifetime Membership), United Negro College Fund, Urban League, Sickle Cell, SCLC, Polaris Project (Human Trafficking Community Awareness) , American Heart Association( Pink Goes Red For Heart Health), American Red Cross,  Alzheimer Association (Longest Day Walk), NAMI, Angel Tree (Prison Fellowship) and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). In addition, Beta Alpha Omega coordinated programs for senior citizens , sponsored “On Track” mentoring program and implemented economic literacy programs like Economics Success for Pupils, Kid$ for Bi$ and financial aid workshops.