March 22, 1943
On March 22,1943, Alpha Kappa Alpha women all over the country were doing their part to win the war through organized service. That week, a new chapter, Gamma Tau Omega, was organized in Columbus, Georgia at the Second Avenue residence of Emily Carruthers Chester. The chapter was chartered under the direction and leadership of the Southeastern Regional Director, Coley Riley.
The organization of this chapter in Columbus was the fulfillment of a dream realized through the hard work of Carrie Foster Gallimore, the first chapter President, and nine other women who helped with the creation of the chapter. Those other nine women were Cordelia Jefferson Bryant, Mary Holloway McCoo (mother of Marilyn McCoo of the 5thDimension singing group), Emily Carruthers Chester, Mildred Lane Terry, Alberta Mitchell Johnson, Lillian Sims Edmonds, Carrie King Herron, Laverna Williams Johnson and Mattie Daniels Washington.
Three new members were inducted the day of the chartering. They were Ella Willis Farley, Lillian Sconiers Pearson and Laura Mae Coleman Strickland.
The first officers of the chapter were President-Carrie Foster Gallimore, First Vice-President-Cordelia Jefferson Bryant, Second Vice-President-Mary Holloway McCoo; Secretary-Emily Carruthers Chester; Corresponding Secretary-Mildred Terry Lane; Treasurer-Alberta Jones Johnson; Dean of Pledgees-Lillian Sims Edmonds; Ivy Leaf Reporter-Mattie Daniels Washington, and Historian- Laverna Williams Johnson.
These charter members of the chapter were pillars of the Columbus, Georgia community, having already made significant impacts through their professional lives as educators, counselors and librarians. Gamma Tau Omega Chapter continues that tradition today with members who have excelled professionally in business, education, and the arts to name a few. The members all recognize that their most important commitment is to provide timeless service “to all mankind.”