UAO Celebrates 25 Years of Service in Gwinnett

Lawrenceville, GA – March Upsilon Alpha Omega (UAO) has a lot to be excited about this year. They are celebrating their Silver Star year by serving Gwinnett County for 25 years and 111 years of service as an International Organization with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. On January 29, 1994, thirty aspiring professional women
chartered the Upsilon Alpha Omega Chapter in Lawrenceville, Georgia. The group gathered to implement and support the international programs of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. as they pertain to the needs of Gwinnett County, Georgia. Today, Upsilon Alpha Omega, the first African-American Greek-letter organization in Gwinnett County has over 300+ members and has made a significant impact on the community. To celebrate this milestone occasion, UAO hosted a formal affair, “Through the YearsChanging Communities and Lives” on March 2nd at the Infinite Energy Center. There
were over 500 guests that attended the affair. The Mistress of Ceremony was TV personality Rashan Ali, host of Sister Circle. The event included a program, dinner and entertainment by the William Green Band and dancing to the melodies of Pretty Tammi
the DJ. Many very special guests also attended the event. Bishop William L. Sheals, Senior Pastor of Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church did the meditation; Judy Jordan Johnson, Mayor of City of Lawrenceville and Melanie Key Bales, South Atlantic Region
Cluster V Coordinator of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. delivered the greetings. After
the greetings, UAO charter members Beauty P. Baldwin and Theresa Dove Waters reflected on the past 25 years and what is to come.

During the program UAO also acknowledged their corporate sponsors and local community partners who have supported them through the years. They were as follows:
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, Baldwin Elementary School, Gwinnett County
Public Schools, Gwinnett Public Schools Foundation, Gwinnett Relay for Life, Hopewell
Missionary Baptist Church, Rainbow Village, Summerour Middle School, United Ebony
Society of Gwinnett, Enterprise Holdings Foundation, Infiniti of Gwinnett and Sip with
Tracey. Last, but not least, the event would not have been complete without the
acknowledgement of the 30 women who chartered the chapter and recognition of the
past and current Presidents who have led the chapter in service.

Since its inception, UAO has given $400,000 in scholarships and raised over $80,000
for Gwinnett Relay for Life. They also do adopt- a-road clean-ups, provide events that bring awareness to women’s health and wellness, support Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs) and all societal issues that directly impact Gwinnett County citizens such as voter registration drives. UAO has partnered with many corporate sponsors, community partners, the Gwinnett County Public Schools, and other Greek letter organizations in Gwinnett County to carry out these events. UAO definitely has a lot to be proud of. UAO chapter president, Nicola McIntyre best sums it up by saying the following, "I am honored and humbled to lead Upsilon Alpha Omega chapter during this significant moment in time! As we celebrate 25 years of service in Gwinnett County and beyond, I applaud the women of this chapter who have planted firm roots, created a solid foundation, and passed the torch to those who have served significantly with unwavering dedication as women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.! We have built strong bonds of sisterly love, positively impacting many lives. We will continue to make a difference, UNITED in a SPIRIT of EXCELLENCE!"

For more information on Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and its programs, visit www.aka1908.com .
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For more information on UAO, go to our website www.upsilonalphaomega.com, Follow UAO on Facebook @UpsilonAlphaOmega, and on Instagram @Gwinnettakas and Twitter @AKAinGwinnett. #UAOUnited #UAOStrong #UAOcelebrates25