A senate RESOLUTION

TO HONOR THE THETA GAMMA CHAPTER OF ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INC., AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA FOR THE STELLAR CONTRIBUTIONS ITS MEMBERS HAVE MADE TO THEIR COMMUNITY, TO CONGRATULATE THEM UPON THE OCCASION OF THEIR CHAPTER'S FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY, AND TO DECLARE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2023, "THETA GAMMA DAY" IN THE PALMETTO STATE.

Whereas, the Senate is pleased to learn that the Theta Gamma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., at the University of South Carolina will celebrate fifty years of fellowship with like-minded women in service to their community on November 3, 2023; and

Whereas, Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) is the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American college-educated women, and AKA's Theta Gamma Chapter, sponsored by the Gamma Nu Omega Chapter, serves the Greater Columbia area of South Carolina; and

Whereas, the chartering of AKA's Theta Gamma Chapter at the University of South Carolina (USC) began in 1972 with a meeting between Mary Soloman and Olivia Johnson of the Gamma Nu Omega Chapter and an interested USC student, Ernestine "Tena" Walker. Miss Walker became a general member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and in the fall of 1972 she formed an interest group after making an announcement during a student organizational meeting. The young women of this group would become initiated into AKA after a year of learning information and creating a community service project. Through the hard work and dedication of Gamma Nu Omega member Edna Young, Theta Gamma was chartered on November 3, 1973. The twenty-four illustrious charter members were Dimitri Battles, Linda Beaty, Gwendolyn Buggs, Brenda Crosby, Clarice Doctor, Hope English, Gerti Floyd, Deanna Gant, Gail Garvin, Deborah Graham, Juanita Hall, Peggy Harrison, Cheryl Moore Adamson, Cynthia McLeod, Sephronia Presley, Naomi Rice, Margaret Riley, Doris Starks, Connie Sumpter, Loretta Tailfair, Bettye Ware, Cynthia White, Rose Williams, and Corretta Wright; and

Whereas, over the years, Theta Gamma Chapter members have gone on to reach greater acclaim. Some noteworthy members are Sharon Brown Harriott, the eighteenth South Atlantic regional director of AKA; the Honorable Mia McLeod, a South Carolina state senator; Barbara Hickman Whye, Apple's head of diversity; Rhonda R. Mims, executive vice president, chief public affairs officer, Wellcare Health Plans, Inc.; Tiffany Mitchell, a player for the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA); and Aja Wilson, a player for the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA; and

Whereas, more recently, the Theta Gamma Chapter has received several University of South Carolina fraternity and sorority life awards, including being named 2021 National Pan-Hellenic Chapter of the Year (third year in a row). Other honors include Annual Chapter Expectations (ACE) Excellence in Leadership Development & Officer Training Distinction, ACE Excellence in Community Engagement Distinction, ACE Expectations With Distinction, Excellence in Harm Reduction, and Outstanding Chapter Advisor (Bridget Leslie). Also, Theta Gamma won first place in the 2022 USC National Pan-Hellenic Council Homecoming Step Show; and

Whereas, Theta Gamma continues to have an impact on the community and reflects the values of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, while living up to the theme "Soaring to Greater Heights of Service and Sisterhood"; and

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate values the long and productive service of the members of the Theta Gamma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and wishes them much continued success and fulfillment in the years to come. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, honor the Theta Gamma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., at the University of South Carolina for the stellar contributions its members have made to their community, congratulate them upon the occasion of their chapter's fiftieth anniversary, and declare Friday, November 3, 2023, as "Theta Gamma Day" in the Palmetto State.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Theta Gamma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

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