Downtown in Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

AKA Iota Omega

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, January 22, 2023

1. AKA Iota Omega Marker

Inscription.
On 1 Dec. 1922, lota Omega became the first graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority,Inc., chartered in Hampton Roads. Wanser Bagnall, Evelyn Lightner, and Helen Lawrence had met earlier at First Baptist Church-Bute Street and invited seven sorority sisters to become charter members. Bagnall was later president of the Virginia State Federation of Colored Women's Clubs, and Lightner was the first Eastern Regional Director of AKA, the first Greek-letter organization founded by Black women. Later chapter members included Aline Black Hicks, civil rights activist; Vivian Carter Mason, president of the National Council of Negro Women: and Joyce Gilliam Brown, international folklorist.

Erected 2021 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number KV-37.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is December 1, 1922.

Location. 36° 51.158′ N, 76° 17.064′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in Downtown. It is on East Bute Street east of St. Paul’s Boulevard, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 412 E Bute St, Norfolk VA 23510, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

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markers are within walking distance of this marker: First Baptist Church, Bute Street (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named First Baptist Church (a few steps from this marker); Bank Street Baptist Church (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. John’s African Methodist Episcopal Church (about 700 feet away); Eureka Lodge, Inc. of Norfolk (approx. 0.2 miles away); Norfolk Unit of Virginia Union University (approx. 0.2 miles away); Francis Drake, Free Black Barber (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Joseph’s Catholic Church & School (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.

Also see . . . Iota Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha honored with highway marker. (Submitted on January 22, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, January 22, 2023

2. AKA Iota Omega Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 22, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 685 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 22, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.