Chapter History

It all began with a concept that more residents of several more communities would be better served with the establishment of a third Graduate Chapter on Long Island.

This Graduate Chapter is named Sigma Psi Omega and was chartered June 23, 1990 in Hauppauge, NY under the leadership and direction of the former 26th North Atlantic Regional Director, Idell S. Pugh.*

The twenty seven Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority like-minded, visionary women for our charter members are: Gwenetta Batchelor, Sadie R. Boone, Pamela L. Boswell, Patricia Brown, Hughette N. Clarke, Naomi G. Clarke*, Miriam D.Couch, Karis Davis, Rachel Lee Davis, Jacqueline Fludd, Michelle Harris, Alber Joy Jones, Denise M. Lane, Carolyn W. Martin, Lorna Martin, Alicia McIlwain, Joelyn McIlwain, Gladys G. Merritt, Monica Miles, Constance L. Nichols*, E. Sacia Pandley, Dorcas J. Rogers*, Minnette Stevenson, Myrna F. Taylor*, Lizette Washington, Charlotte Wickliffe*, and Beverly Williams.

* Deceased

The torch of leadership has been successfully passed to the dedicated, hard-working and capable hands of these former Chapter Presidents:

• First (1990-1994) - Rachel Lee Davis
• Second (1995-1998) - Carolyn Williamson Martin
• Third (1999-2002) - Odelphia H. Pierre
• Fourth (2003-2006) - Dr. Hughette N. Clarke
• Fifth (2007-2010) - Cheryl L. Goodridge
• Sixth (2011-2012) - Jayashri Srinivasan Cuffey
• Seventh (2013-2016) - Pleshette N. Shelton
• Eighth (2017-2020) - Dr. Michelle Richards
• Ninth (2021-Present) - Felicia H. Crawford

Throughout our thirty year old existence, our Chapter has partnered and collaborated with other local Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Chapters and numerous community groups as well as national organizations.

The Chapter's limitless contributions, outreach and countless volunteer hours or "Service to All Mankind" has been shared, while participating in the various listed activities:

• Providing healthy meals and educational activities, and mentoring through Kids Club to the children of the Family Service League South Shore/Brentwood and TriCYA Huntington


• Participating annually with WALKS:
  • The Witness Project® of Long Island"(May)
  • American Cancer Society® (October)
  • American Heart Association (February)


• Collecting daily personal necessities for homeless Long Island residents through the INN (Interfaith Nutrition Network)


• Sponsors of the Holiday Community Outreach Celebration for men, women and children in need who reside in the Bay Shore, Brentwood, and Central Islip Communities


• Conducting seasonal wraps, coats and winter clothing drives for families


• Supporting Long Island Youth through scholarship, incentive awards totaling over $50,000


• Conducted self-esteem building workshops, STEM/Career Fair, and recognition programs such as
  • YLI - Youth Leadership Institute
  • C.H.I.P.P.™ - Childhood Hunger Initiative Power Pack and
  • Mental Health Awareness


• Sponsored an HBCU College Fair for High School students and parents


• Collecting non-perishable food items and supplying meals for Long Island Soup Kitchens for weekend distribution and serving guests in a local Church sponsored Soup Kitchen


• Donating school supplies, book bags and toys during the Holiday Season for children of incarcerated and drug dependent parents with the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug and Dependency (LICADD)


• Presenting parenting and financial workshops to residents of Momma's House of Hempstead, Jericho, and Glen Cove


• Partnering with the Islip Town NAACP's Back to School/Stay in School Rally


• Adopting Wyandanch Park and seasonally maintaining it.

Sigma Psi Omega Chapter will customize and align the "Targets" of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's International program, "Soaring to Greater Heights of Service and Sisterhood", to continue to serve and meet the needs of our local Long Island Communities.