UPCOMING EVENTS

Virtual Food Drive February 1-29 | To make a donation visit out site. For more information click here.

Help UEO Support National Wear Red Day February 3 | For more information click here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

UEO CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS 1994-2010

Dr. Dolores Morton Spriggs ♦ 1994

Under the leadership of Upsilon Epsilon Omega's first president, the chapter's program initiatives had an emphasis on women and children.  Highlights of some of the activities include:

  • The Sexual Assault Recovery Center - UEO members hosted food and clothing drives to benefit the women and children this center serves.
  • The House of Ruth - UEO donated clothing to children of the battered women in need of a safe place to reside.
  • St. Vincent's Center - St. Vincent's Center is a temporary residence for battered and abused children.  UEO spent time with the children of the residence and read them stories and played games.

Thetius Saunders ♦ 1995 - 1997

Under Thetius Saunders' leadership the first edition of The Vision (UEO's newsletter) was published, and the first bi-annual chapter retreat, the first Crab Feast Fundraiser and first Membership Intake Process (MIP) were held.  During President Saunders' term, UEO held voter registration drives, bone marrow drives, and participated in national program initiatives such as Buckle Up for Safety.  UEO also responded to the Sorority's national request to send shoeboxes filled with school supplies to the Ivy AKAdemy established in Africa and delivered holiday food baskets to needy families in the Baltimore County area. 

Joining the Baltimore Metropolitan Pan Hellenic Council, UEO participated with area Greeks in events such as scholarship fundraisers and walkathons and appeared in a local telecast discussing the value of Greek organizations in the Black community.  UEO also served as the graduate chapter to Lambda Epsilon Chapter located at Frostburg State University.  Additionally, UEO was formally recognized by Morning Star Baptist Church, located in Catonsville, MD, for its work with the church and surrounding community.  Highlights of other program initiatives developed under President Saunders' leadership include:

  • Black Dollar Month - Black Dollar Month was recognized in March of each year as a time to encourage the community to support black-owned businesses.  UEO held art showings by African American artists, showcases of female entrepreneurs, and economic empowerment workshops in support of Black Dollar Month.
  • National Family Volunteer Day - UEO supported this event through activities such as food drives, work with the Maryland Food Bank and collection of school supplies for children in need.
  • The Annual 6th Grade Science Bee - The Annual 6th Grade Science Bee was held at Southwest Academy in Catonsville, MD.  Each year 6th grade science classes hold mini Science Bees to select approximately 25 students to advance to the main Science Bee.  UEO awarded savings bonds and trophies to the winners, and certificates to all participants. 

Linda Davis ♦ 1998 - 2003

Under President Davis' leadership, Upsilon Epsilon Omega established the Upsilon Epsilon Omega Book Scholarship.  Additionally, UEO participated in national program initiatives such as Buckle Up for Safety, Breast Cancer Awareness and Prevention (Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer), and ON TRACK.  UEO formed a partnership with Grace AME Church in Catonsville, MD and held a drive to collect coats for those in need as part of the North Atlantic Region's Cluster I AKA Coat Day.  Highlights of other program initiatives developed under President Davis' leadership include:

  • HERO AIDS Walk - Each year that UEO has participated in this event donations of over $500 have been raised for the awareness and research to find a cure for HIV/AIDS.  In 2006, the chapter raised more than $2,900. 
  • The Ivy Reading AKAdemy - The Ivy Reading AKAdemy was launched in September 2003.  As our signature activity through 2006, every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month we tutored a group of 1st - 3rd graders in reading.  The AKAdemy was located at Grace AME Church.
  • MLK Day of Service - Started during President Davis' leadership, UEO recognizes Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday as "a day on and not a day off".  UEO has acknowledged this day through activities such as Dr. King Recognition Weekend and Dr. King Creative Writing Contest. 
  • Catonsville Commons of Genesis ElderCare - Catonsville Commons is the site of UEO's programming addressing the needs of the elderly.  At least three times a year, UEO members visit the residents of Catonsville Commons and host craft and game related activities.
  • The Black Barbie Doll Project - The Black Barbie Doll Project is a partnership with Grace AME Church in Catonsville, MD.  UEO donates over 100 black Barbie dolls to the church to be placed in Christmas baskets of families in need.

  

Pamela Fletcher Woods ♦ 2004 - 2005

Pamela Fletcher Woods created the chapter's motto, Uplifting and Empowering Ourselves, Uplifting and Empowering Others.  Under her direction, UEO accomplished the following: launched the chapter website; received Honorable Mention from the North Atlantic Region for our Ivy Reading AKAdemy; held the chapter's 10th Anniversary celebration; hosted the 2005 Cluster I Leadership Conference; achieved "Ivy Level" recognition for the retention and reactivation of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. members; received an EAF platinum membership; established the MLK/Helen Hill Library at Grace AME Church; received computer donations from the Lazarus Foundation for the Ivy Reading AKAdemy and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity for the Hillendale PAL Center; joined North Atlantic Region Cluster I's team in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure; and began development of the Chapter Manual of Standard Procedures and Chapter Operations.  Highlights of other program initiatives implemented under President Woods' leadership include:

  • Woodlawn Recreation and Parks - Under President Woods' leadership UEO established another partnership with the Woodlawn Recreation and Parks.  UEO has a seat on the board and supports several of the Woodlawn Recreation and Parks sponsored activities.  UEO received public recognition in the Woodlawn Villager and Baltimore County Times for participation in Pitch In for Progress (a ground beautification project) and the Woodlawn Holiday Celebration (an annual tree lighting ceremony co-sponsored with local businesses).
  • The Holiday Basket Give Away - Through this activity the chapter contributes canned goods collected during our Thanksgiving Food Drive to Grace AME Church for placement in baskets that are distributed to families in need.  UEO also adopted families to which we gave Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets.
  • The Hillendale PAL Center - Located in the Hillendale/Towson area of Baltimore County, UEO hosted homework study hour, chaperoned teenage sleepovers, and hosted holiday parties for the girls and boys of Hillendale PAL Center.

Dr. Tamara L. Lewis ♦ 2006 - 2009

At the beginning of her term in 2006, Tamara L. Lewis built upon the chapter's motto by adding a focus on Utilization of Effective Operations.  Under President Lewis' leadership UEO continued its partnerships with Southwest Academy, Grace AME Church, Morning Star Baptist Church, Woodlawn Recreation and Parks, the Police Athletic League, and the Baltimore Metropolitan Pan Hellenic Council.  Additional partnerships with the Maryland State Highway Administration and The Children's Home were also established.  UEO joined the North Atlantic Region Cluster I's team in the 2006 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in which UEO raised more than $1,300 in donations.  Additionally, UEO formed a team of walkers for the American Diabetes Association's 2006 walkathon and raised more than $1,400 in donations.  UEO also held its first Cotillion Program during President Lewis' term.  The chapter continued its traditional community service initiatives such as MLK Day of Service, AKA Coat Day, the Annual 6th Grade Science Bee, Genesis ElderCare and the Black Barbie Doll Project. 

At the 78th North Atlantic Regional Conference, UEO won its first North Atlantic Region Award - the 2008 Erma W. Barron Making A Difference Award.  In 2010, at the 79th North Atlantic Regional Conference, UEO received three awards - the 2009 Erma W. Barron Making A Difference Award, the 2009 Good Citizenship Award (awarded to member Janice Washington), the 2009 Small Chapter of the Year Award (2nd Place).  Also, an emphasis was placed on chapter growth and retention with UEO's membership reaching an all-time high of 70 members at the end of 2009.

 Highlights of new program initiatives developed under President Lewis' leadership include:

  • Project H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Excel) - Held in November of each year, UEO participated in this North Atlantic Region initiative through distributing food and clothing items to the homeless, volunteering at the MD Food Bank and hosting workshops for the children at The Children's Home located in Catonsville, MD.
  • The Children's Home - The chapter held activities with a group of 6-11 year old girls who reside in the facility located in Catonsville, MD.  Chapter members met with the girls several weeks before Christmas and distributed Barbie dolls and engaged in an educational but fun activity on Legends in African American History.  Additionally, UEO has participated in The Children's Home walkathon to help raise money for the facility.
  •  The AKAnomics AKAdemy - The first AKAnomics AKAdemy was held in January 2007.  As our signature activity throughout President Lewis' leadership, the AKAdemy addressed the area of economic empowerment and entrepreneurship.  The series consisted of seminars and workshops promoting economic awareness, economic sufficiency and an economic engagement for betterment.
  • Adopt A Family - This initiative involves adopting a family in need that resides in the Baltimore County area.  UEO members work with this family for one year at a minimum and help to influence family stability, build family self sufficiency, and improve their economic and social growth.
  • Adopt A Highway - UEO has adopted a one mile stretch of Liberty Road, between the intersections of Live Oak and Offutt Roads, in partnership with the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA).  UEO is responsible for picking up litter along this stretch of roadway four times a year as part of Maryland SHA Stop Waste And Trash (SWAT) campaign. 

Leslie Lyles Smith ♦ 2010 -

The theme under Leslie Lyles Smith's administration is UEO: On the Road to Greatness.  Under President Smith's leadership UEO continues its partnerships with Grace AME Church, Woodlawn Recreation and Parks, the Baltimore Metropolitan Pan Hellenic Council, the MD State Highway Administration, Morning Star Baptist Church and The Children's Home.  UEO formed a team of walkers for the 2010 NAMIWalks for the Mind of America walkathon and raised more than $1,000 in donations.  Additionally, UEO has been active with speaking out for the 2010 Census Count.  The chapter continues its traditional community service initiatives such as MLK Day of Service, Adopt A Family, Adopt A Highway, Genesis ElderCare and the Black Barbie Doll Project.  Highlights of new program initiatives developed under President Smith's leadership include:

  • Rebuilding Together - Upsilon Epsilon Omega participated in Rebuilding Day 2010 with Rebuilding Together Baltimore.  The mission of Rebuilding Together Baltimore is to keep people living in warmth, safety and independence, while helping to build better communities in Baltimore City and Baltimore County, MD.  On April 24, Upsilon Epsilon Omega members helped to beautify the St. Helena community in Dundalk, MD by planting trees and laying down mulch.
  • Mission Restoration - Upsilon Epsilon Omega Chapter will be hosting Mission Restoration: Uplifting, Empowering and Reviving Our Community on September 18. The objective of this event is to provide educational awareness and resources to those families affected by the economic crisis in America. UEO will collaborate with community leaders and local service organizations to assist in restoring our communities and the people of the Baltimore County area to economic strength.

 

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