Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
®
Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter
Miami, Florida | Est. 1940
About Us
Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter
Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter was chartered on April 27, 1940, in Miami, Florida, by eight civic-minded, professional African-American women. The chapter has the signal single honor of being the first graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha chartered in the state of Florida and the first graduate chapter of a Black Greek- lettered organization chartered in Miami. For more than eight decades, our members have provided educational, health, social, and cultural services to the residents of Miami-Dade County without interruption. Presently, more than 400 members continue to fulfill Alpha Kappa Alpha's mission to render “service to all mankind” through volunteerism and by partnering with other community-based organizations and businesses in the north central and northern areas of Miami-Dade County.
A Message From
Our President
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Janice Spann-Givens, President 2024-2025
Greetings,
It is my esteemed pleasure to serve as the 47th President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ®, Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter.
Trailblazing a rich legacy, Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter has the distinct honor of being the sorority’s first graduate chapter in the state of Florida and the premiere graduate chapter of a Black Greek-letter sorority in Miami. Chartered on April 27, 1940 in the Brownsville home of Charter member Dorothy Edwards, the chapter was established by eight professional civic-minded women who committed themselves to uphold the principles of Alpha Kappa Alpha through their service programs in the Miami-Dade County area. Nearly 84 years later, the chapter continues to make a positive impact on the communities we serve.
In our Chapter, we promote sisterhood and provide impactful programming and services as outlined in our six International initiatives. Sisterhood is our foundational initiative and providing “service to all mankind” is our mission.
On behalf of the members of our Chapter, we are excited that you are visiting our website and hope that you find the content to be informative and insightful. Take a few minutes to peruse our calendar and come back often to stay abreast of our upcoming program events and community service offerings. We also invite you to follow us on our social media platforms. To be added to our mailing list, please provide us your email address.
Feel free to contact us with your questions or concerns. We look forward to interacting with you and your families.
If you are a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha and interested in reconnecting with a graduate chapter, the members of Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter would love to have you join us.
Thank you again for visiting our website, and we hope to meet you soon!
Leading in Service and Sisterhood,
Janice Spann-Givens
Her
Story
Chapter
Leadership
Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter was chartered April 27, 1940, in Miami, Florida. Charter members were Dorothy Wright Edwards, Jeanetta A. Gill, Ethel A. Grice, Harriet Twine Hart, Madeleine Douglas Portier, Ida Taylor Ratcliffe, Dolores Bethel Reynolds and Sara Scott Stewart.
In 1935, Ida Taylor Ratcliffe had a burning desire to form a graduate chapter in Miami. She contacted national headquarters and learned that eight graduate sorors with credentials were needed to form a chapter. Ida, an efficient leader, began working to locate sorors.
Five years later, Gamma Zeta Omega became the sorority’s first graduate chapter in the state of Florida and the first graduate chapter of a Black Greek-letter sorority in Miami. The dynamic charter members pushed Gamma Zeta Omega forward despite stinging obstacles, such as segregation and discrimination.
Now, forward eight decades, presently entering its 82nd year and 45 chapter Presidents later, Gamma Zeta Omega is supported by an invigorated membership exceeding 400, which continues to provide outstanding service to the Miami-Dade County community and beyond.
The Chapter and several members have distinguished themselves locally, regionally and nationally:
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