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TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR MARY ROBERTA MATTISON HENDERSON, A CHARTER MEMBER OF ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED, EPSILON BETA OMEGA CHAPTER, WHO HAS SERVED THE SORORITY AND CHAPTER ACTIVELY FOR SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS.
Whereas, Mary Roberta Mattison Henderson made a wise decision to become a member of the esteemed organization, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the nation's first Greek letter organization established by African American college women; and
Whereas, founded January 15, 1908 on the campus of Howard University, the sorority's purpose was to promote and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, promote unity and friendship among college women, study and alleviate problems women encountered in order to improve their social stature, maintain a progressive interest in college life, and to be of "Service to All Mankind;" and
Whereas, Mary Roberta Mattison Henderson matriculated from her hometown of Belton to Rock Hill to attend high school. After her graduation from Friendship Junior College at the age of sixteen, she began university studies in Orangeburg at what is now South Carolina State University; and
Whereas, as an undergraduate student in 1945, she was inspired by the professionalism of the ladies on her college campus in "pink and green" and possessed a strong desire to become a woman of distinction, courage, and honor, and was proudly initiated into Beta Sigma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; and
Whereas, upon her graduation from college in 1948, Mary Roberta Mattison Henderson left Orangeburg to begin a career in the educational field, serving as a home economics teacher and special education teacher in Spartanburg County; and
Whereas, on March 5, 1949, she and fourteen other members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority from across the Upstate followed their dreams of continuing to perform the works of the sorority with excellence by chartering the Epsilon Beta Omega Chapter, centered in the City of Spartanburg, to continue acts of kindness and deeds of service to the community; and
Whereas, still a resident of Spartanburg, Mary Roberta Mattison Henderson is the last surviving charter member of the Epsilon Beta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. At the age of ninety-four, she remains an active member, attending meetings and serving on numerous committees; and
Whereas, on January 10, 2021, she reached a significant milestone, having been a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., for seventy-five years, earning Diamond status. The first and only charter member of Epsilon Beta Omega Chapter to reach Diamond status, she is the epitome of what an Alpha Kappa Alpha woman should be: loyal, service-oriented, committed, and faithful, as well as a mentor, role model, confidant, and friend. She has set the standard for others to follow; and
Whereas, as a charter member and torch bearer for greatness, her active participation over the decades has ensured that Epsilon Beta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., remains committed to enriching the quality of life for the community through educational, cultural, and global alliances, remains dedicated to implementing programs of service that enhance the social and economic well-being of the community, and improves the quality of life for all who reside with the chapter's service area. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Mary Roberta Mattison Henderson, a charter member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Epsilon Beta Omega Chapter, who has served the sorority and chapter actively for seventy-five years.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mary Roberta Mattison Henderson.
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