In
1953, the Zeta Kappa chapter of Alpha Phi Omega, a national service
fraternity, expressed interest in forming a group much like theirs
to help them in their service endeavors. Brothers of Zeta Kappa
formed interest groups for a new organization, and many of the
attendees at these interest groups were female. The need for a
women's service sorority then became evident.
The
two groups were to be alike in objectives -- friendship, leadership,
and service. A similar name -- Omega Phi Alpha -- was chosen for
the new organization.
Two
more Omega Phi Alpha groups were formed at Eastern Michigan University
and the University of Bridgeport in 1958 and 1962, respectively.
All three groups had the intention of becoming a national sorority
together; however, it would be five more years before national
status was reached.
In
1966, plans for a national convention, at which the three chapters
could meet, were made. In the summer of 1967, the three groups
met in Bowling Green for the first time and laid the foundations
for what is currently Omega Phi Alpha. The Bowling Green group
was given the title of Alpha Chapter, University of Bridgeport
became the Beta Chapter, and Eastern Michigan was named the Gamma
Chapter.
Alpha,
Beta, and Gamma chapters continued for several years as a national
sorority until women at Texas A&M University formed the Delta
chapter in 1971. Currently, there are twenty-one chapters of Omega
Phi Alpha.
