Historic Sorority Honors Women Leaders

HONOREES: Back (L to R) Angela Lucas (Shot Caller Award); Katrina Barry, chapter vice president; Clara Petty, event vice chair; Felicia Dunston, event chair; Richelle Watkins, chapter president; Nori Washington, Alpha Lambda chapter member; Marissa Bobo, Iota Iota Chapter president; and Elaine Page of Grace Community Center (Trailblazer Award)
– Front (L to R) Kwinlyn Tyler (Community Change Agent Award), Mariah Maddox (Young Gifted and Black Award), Mary Dawson (Sisterhood Award); Olivia Holden (Icon Award), and Anita Madison (Social Humanitarian Award).

By Tricia Hall
The Truth Reporter

The ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Zeta Alpha Omega Chapter of Toledo welcomed family members, friends and supporters to honor six local women.

The 117^th Sorority’s Founders Day celebration, titled Black Girls Rock in Exemplary Service, was held on Saturday, February 1, 2025 in Maumee, Ohio. The celebration honors the sorority’s 117^th Founders’ Day and acknowledges women and local entities that have demonstrated exemplary service.

The 2025 Honorees:

Anita Madison, Social Humanitarian Award
Olivia Holden, Icon Award
Kwinlyn Tyler, Community Change Agent Award
Mariah Maddox, Young Gifted and Black Award
Angela Lucas, Shot Caller Award
Mary Dawson, Sisterhood Award
Grace Community Center, Trailblazer Award
Queens Village of Toledo, Legacy of Excellence Award

Kristian Brown, served as the event’s mistress of ceremony and ushered guests through the agenda. The event dais was introduced by the chapter’s protocol chair, sorority members Karah Henderson and Latrice Flowers sang the Black National Anthem, Richelle Watkins, the chapter president, and two undergraduate chapter members welcomed everyone to the occasion.

“We are celebrating our 117^th Founders’ Day and also celebrating Black Girls in Exemplary Service. These are women in our community that align with the program initiatives of the sorority,” shared Watkins.

The program continued as Felicia Dunston recognized the sponsors and shared acknowledgements, Clara Petty presented the sorority’s history, the invocation was delivered and lunch was served. Katrina Barry presented the program initiatives and the chapter president closed the program with remarks.

“Thank you to our chairperson Felicia Roberts Dunston and co-chairperson Clara Petty. Thank you for your hard work and dedication that makes this a success,” said Watkins.

Black Girls Rock in Exemplary Service was also co-sponsored by local collegiate chapters Alpha Lambda and Iota Iota Chapters.

For additional information about Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Zeta Alpha Omega Chapter visit https://zetaalphaomega.org/