By Rama K. Ramaswamy
Rho Epsilon Omega (REO) was chartered on January 23, 1988 to advance the purpose and ideals of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the oldest Black sorority for college-educated women. The chapter has rendered outstanding service to the MetroWest area (Wellesley, Framingham, Natick, Sudbury, and beyond) since its inception, and sponsors activities that address the ongoing global challenges faced by women, youth, and families.
A few week ago, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Rho Epsilon Omega Chapter, partnered with the Framingham Public Schools in its first ever Back to School Picnic at Farm Pond Park, during which members gave away backpacks and facilitated coloring and word search activities with attendees. Rho Epsilon Omega has distributed hundreds of backpacks throughout MetroWest Boston and in the last four years through its "One Million Backpacks" initiative. According to REO's leadership, "Educational enrichment is one of five programming targets that guides the service of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.”
The One Million Backpacks initiatives was launched in 2014 under the leadership of the organization’s former international president, Dr. Dorothy Buchanan Wilson. “The purpose of initiatives such as these is to promote the learning process and maximize school preparedness by providing substantial support to students in need,” said Dr. Tracey Cameron, current president of Rho Epsilon Omega Chapter. “Rho Epsilon Omega was instrumental in this endeavor. Our chapter really embraced this project. Each member pledged to donate at least five backpacks, annually, over a four year period. In addition, we also received donations from local businesses to assist in this efforts. With over 1000 chapters worldwide, AKA reached its one million backpack goal by its July 2018 deadline."
The chapter will implement its new, signature youth initiative for 11th and 12th graders, #CAPSM (College Admissions Process), later this fall.
For more information about Rho Epsilon Omega, visit www.facebook.com/RhoEpsilonOmega or www.rhoepsilonomega.com.
