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Herstory

Barbara Odom-Wesley moved to Arlington, TX from San Antonio, TX in August 1980. In San Antonio, she was active in the Alpha Tau Omega Chapter and had enjoyed being a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha since 1967 when she was initiated in Delta Rho Chapter.

She planned to affiliate with a graduate chapter upon her arrival in Arlington; however, there was not a graduate chapter in Arlington. There were, however, graduate chapters in Dallas (Alpha Xi Omega) and Fort Worth (Beta Mu Omega) that she visited. She kept meeting inactive sorority sisters in Arlington which provoked her to ask, “Why isn’t there a chapter in Arlington?

Barbara Odom-Wesley began compiling a list of sorority sisters as she met them. She then decided to lead the effort to charter a chapter for Arlington. She talked to sorority sisters and gained support for the idea. The first official meeting for Xi Theta Omega was held at the home of Barbara Odom-Wesley in June 1981. There were six sorority sisters in attendance: Barbara Odom-Wesley (formerly James), Gail Sutton-Davis, Ruth Wallace, Janice Spear, Mathia Clay, and Lareatha Clay.

The next step was to contact the Corporate Office for guidance in forming a chapter. These ladies received materials and planned regular meetings to accomplish the tasks set forth. They were ready to meet with the Regional Director, Dorothy Johnson of Shreveport, Louisiana, in October, 1981.

The coming months were busy with educational activities. Since everyone was inactive, the next plan was to bring their AKA knowledge up to date. They developed short and long range plans to implement the National Programs and meet community needs.

The first fund-raiser for Xi Theta Omega was selling World Famous Chocolate Candy Bars. The first service project was Arlington’s first Black History observance. They held a program at the Arlington Community Center in February 1982. They played Black History Bingo, which was developed by the sorority sisters. They also checked out movies from the library and showed them and engaged the audience in discussion questions.

On May 14, 1982, Xi Theta Omega was chartered with twenty active sorority sisters. Sorority sisters from Beta Mu Omega and Alpha Xi Omega were in attendance. What a glorious day! A dream became reality and Xi Theta Omega was born.

The officers who were installed by the Regional Director following the chartering were:

President

Barbara Odom-Wesley

Vice President

Gail Sutton-Davis

Secretary

Laura Maddox

Treasurer

Ruth Wallace

Reporter/Historian

Janice Spear

Corresponding Secretary

Alverta Dixon

Charter members included: Sandra Christian Bibb, Jeannine C. Brown, Lareatha Honette Clay, Mathia Lanell Clay, Carolyn Kaye, Kelly Clemons, Gloria Jean Legrande, Trudy Sanders, Elfrida Smith, Linda P. Dennis, Freya Bacote Grimes, Bonita Haynes Holloway, Iris Elaine Thompson, Regina Turner

Xi Theta Omega Timeline

1981 - 1990

1981 Barbara Odom-Wesley hosted the first meeting of inactive Sorors to discuss establishing a graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority in Arlington, Texas.

1982 Xi Theta Omega received its Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority charter.

1982 Xi Theta Omega hosted Arlington's first Black History observance at the Arlington Community Center. This annual event later evolved into the International Black Family Conference.

1982 Xi Theta Omega members became deputized and sponsored the first Voter’s Registration Drive.

1984 Xi Theta Omega began sponsoring the Zeta Mu Chapter at the University of Texas at Arlington.

1990 A.C.O.L.Y.T.E.S. (Arlington Community Of Lovely Young Teens Excelling in Service) was organized. This organization, formed by XTO, is the premier fellowship of young ladies ages 13 to 18. These teens are committed to working together to serve the citizens of Arlington and surrounding communities and to making a positive impact on other youth in order to affect change.

1990 Debutante Ball created

1991 – 2000

1991 Xi Theta Omega presents the first annual Debutante Ball and Presentation.

1996 The Xi Theta Omega Annual Family Expo was presented. This signature service project evolved from the annual International Black Family Conference to provide valuable resources that raise awareness about health issues that affect the African American community and increase community involvement

2001–2010

2002 The Mission & Vision statements of Xi Theta Omega were created and adopted by chapter members.

2003 Veda Knox Elementary School was adopted by Xi Theta Omega to provide tutoring to 1st through 3rd grade students.

2004 Xi Theta Omega Foundation was formed to provide scholarships to young men and women who plan to attend college. This organization is able to provide scholarships through funds raised from the annual Debutante Ball and Presentation.

2005 Xi Theta Omega Foundation presents the Barbara Odom-Wesley Spirit of Achievement scholarship in honor of the chartering President of the Xi Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

2007 Xi Theta Omega celebrated 25 years of service to the community and become a medium sized chapter. Xi Theta Omega currently has 114 members, 22 of whom are “Silver Sorors.”

2007 Xi Theta Omega Foundation presents the first Elzie Odom Leader of Tomorrow Scholarship in honor of the first African American Mayor of Arlington.

2007 Successfully passed the Sorority mandated evaluation/audit.

2008 The Youth Education Success Summit (YES Summit) was presented by Xi Theta Omega. This annual educational conference for students in grades 7 through 12 was formerly co-sponsored as the TNT Youth Summit (2006 – 2007). The Conference provides an opportunity for students to network with their peers, and attend a variety of workshops on leadership and self sufficiency for academic and personal success.

2008 Hosted the Northeast Texas Cluster Retreat.

2009 Developed first chapter Leadership Institute

2010 Hosted first joint chapter retreat with the Zeta Mu Chapter at the University of Texas at Arlington.

2011 - 2020

2011 In accordance with the International Initiatives, implemented the first class of Emerging Young Leaders (EYL) at Carter Junior High School, Arlington Texas. EYL is the signature program and is estimated to impact the lives of

20,000 girls worldwide in grades 6th through 8th. Over twenty 7th and 8th grade girls were selected and participated, and were provided leadership development, civic engagement, enhanced academic preparation and character building activities.

2011 Participated for the first time in the Arlington Fourth of July Parade and the Arlington Holiday Lights Parade, showcasing our Emerging Young Leaders.

2011 Successfully implemented all of the International Initiatives including EYL, Health, Economic Security, Global Poverty, Social Justice and Human Rights, and Internal Training for External Service.

2012 Celebrated 30 years of Service to All Mankind in the Arlington, TX Community.

2014 Completed the Timeless History Project

2014 Host South Central Regional Conference in Dallas Texas. Xi Theta Omega members Chaired: Thursday Night Welcome (Soror Micheala Edwards); Friday Morning Welcome (Soror Lisa Thompson and Producer Carisma Fields) SCRC Choir (Soror Cathy Conwright – Co Chairman) Protocol (Soror Linda Tezeno – Co Chairman)

2017 Xi Theta Omega 35th Anniversary

2018 Hosted NETX Cluster Conference in Dallas, Texas.

2019 Celebrated 15-year anniversary of Arlington Foundation for Excellence in Education with a VIP Champagne Reception and Gala

2020 Hosted 1^st virtual YES Summit due to global pandemic restricting in person activities

2021 - Present

2022 Xi Theta Omega 40th Anniversary