For graduate chapters within Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, one of the highest honors a member can receive is the title of Soror of the Year. This member, chosen by other members of her chapter, exemplifies what it means to be of service to all mankind and sisterly to all chapter members.

2020 Soror of the Year: Rosa H. Wooten

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I absolutely love being a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.  I have been a member of this dynamic sisterhood for 41 years.  I was initiated into Kappa Omega Chapter in, Atlanta, Georgia in, 1979.  Ms. Marjorie Ushery was my sponsor.  I will forever remember the day Ms. Ushery asked if I was Greek.  My response was no.  I explained that I was one of the first three Black students to integrate Valdosta State College and there were no Black Greek organizations on the campus during my matriculation. 

I vividly remember the night I took my oath with the words, “to be of service to all mankind”.  Those words will forever resonate in my heart and spirit.  They drive my spirit to serve and as stated in Luke 12:48: For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.  I have heard this line of wisdom throughout my life, as many have; it means we are held responsible for what we have.  If we have been blessed with talents, wealth, knowledge, and time, it is expected that we serve others.  Our Heavenly Father holds us to this scripture as does our Sisterhood.  

Since transferring to Phi Pi Omega two years ago, I have participated in many of the Chapter’s Programs under the leadership of Basileus Mildred Skipwith Drayton, and Basileus Karol Widemon Montgomery.  My primary involvement has been in one of our Signature Programs, Pearls of Excellence at North Fayette Elementary School.  My participation in this program extends over a forty-week period.  Of the forty weeks during the last two years, I was only absent one day.  Serving as a mentor in this program has not only been an excellent learning experience for the third-grade girls we worked with, but it has been an awe-inspiring experience for me. As mentors for this program our goals are to serve as role models; to enhance students’ self-esteem and character development; inspire school leadership development; and to motivate high academic achievement.  I have led the following lessons as a mentor:  Inspirational Messages, Conflict Resolution, Table Etiquette, and Value Building.  We meet with students weekly for 20 weeks during the academic school year.  As mentors, we collaborate to develop and create our syllabus.  Working with the mentoring team of Sorors Patricia Franklin, Marilyn Taylor, Marilyn McDaniel, Theresa Pugh and April Broaders has been a life changing experience, and our friendships are priceless.  

My leadership roles in Phi Pi Omega include Hodegos, chairman of the Hospitality Committee, Program Committee and the Membership Committee.   As the Chairman of the Hospitality Committee, our number one priority is to provide services to our sisters.  Our goal is to provide our chapter Sorors with a Pink Carpet Experience. At some point, those who are asked to give so much must be on the receiving end of excellent service in order to continue to give significantly. The Hospitality Committee believes we are charged with helping to replenish our sisters with love, care, respect and good food.  This replenishing will allow them to continue to send that same energy forth in our service areas and to all mankind.         

I am leading the chapter in “Walking with Madam Supreme”, Soror Glenda Glover.    We began this challenge with Madam Supreme in January 2019.  We have a group walking in both Coweta and Fayette Counties.  I walk with the group in Fayette.  We meet each first Saturday during the summer months at 7:00 A.M. and during the winter months at 8:00 A.M.  The Saturday walks as a group are to encourage members to walk at least 8,000 steps daily.  Since I started walking, I have lost 25 pounds and feel wonderful.  Other members of the Chapter who are also getting in their 8,000 to 10,000 steps per day at least 5 to 6 days a week have also reported significant weight lost and overall improvements in their health. 

As a member of the Program Committee, I have participated in several programs and actually had the highest number of service hours for Phi Pi Omega in 2019.  I helped sew little dresses along with my sorors throughout the year and it was enjoyable and a great learning experience.  I am hopeful that I will be able to travel with members of Phi Pi Omega in October 2020 to deliver the beautiful dresses to the girls in Africa.   I volunteered in the Top 2 Toe Program in the chapter’s partnership with Bridging the Gap to distribute new clothing for school age children to assist parents in getting them prepared for the 2019/2020 school year.  I also volunteer at Brookdale Senior Living Center as we facilitate a monthly BINGO game with the residents.  

My service to all mankind spreads to The Olivet Church in Fayetteville.   I have been a member of Olivet Church for 28 years.  I am now serving in my 20 plus years as Vice President of the Usher Board.  I, along with my Honey Do Lawrence, have served as Co-Chairs for the Pastor’s Anniversary, Church Anniversary, and Pastor’s Birthday Celebration for six years. 

I am thrilled that Rev. Dr. William Holmes Robinson, Pastor of The Olivet Church, approved for the Church’s Community Outreach Program to partner with Phi Pi Omega.  We have a wonderful relationship between the church and the sorority.  Activities between the two entities include: Phi Pi Omega donations of turkeys for Thanksgiving Baskets, Care Giver’s Day 2019 Event, International Day of Prayer, and The Olivet Church Feed the Hungry Program.

I have also taken an active role in several local elementary schools to provide etiquette classes to students.  I have also helped with an etiquette class at Olivet Church.    My focus is on fine dining and teaching students how to be prepared to enjoy some of the finer things that life has to offer. 

My involvement in various leadership roles in the Region included:  
  • Metro Atlanta Founders’ Day community service project and sisterly relations activities. 
  • International Day of Prayer Worship Services and Sisterly Relations Fellowship, Saint Smyrna Baptist Church, Newnan, Georgia. 
  • Cluster V Conference, November 2019, Team Cluster 2020; Phi Pi Omega will host the 2020 Cluster. I assisted with the distribution of materials to encourage 2019 attendees to prepare for Cluster 2020 hosted by Phi Pi Omega. 
  • I had the distinct pleasure of serving Soror Carolyn G. Randolph, South Atlantic Regional Director, during Phi Pi Omega’s most recent MIP November 2019.  

​My international involvement includes: 
  • International Pink Goes RED 2019, Cascade United Methodist Church Atlanta, Georgia: Served as Protocol Assistant for Soror Kaylen Long, Undergraduate Member at Large.
  • HBCU Week - One Million Dollars In a Day contributions.

One of my greatest feelings of accomplishment is when my soror daughter and I share experiences in service projects in our community.  It is exhilarating to serve with her, who also understands that to whom much is given, much is required.,  It is also truly a pleasure to be of service to chapter members each month who are always willing to share their time, talents and gifts.  They know, as I, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required”. 

I will continue to provide service to others as an Alpha Kappa Alpha woman and a woman of God, “exemplifying excellence through sustainable services to all mankind”. 
 
 
Rosa H. Wooten
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
Phi Pi Omega Chapter 

Former Sorors of the Year:
2019 - Cynthia Culbreath
2018 - Marilyn Taylor
2017 - Lysa Ridley-Jones
2016 - Mildred Skipwith Drayton 
2015 - Veronica Jones Johnson