The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s chapter in Dallas County recently celebrated the seventh anniversary of the Women and Youth Services of Selma.

The Zeta Eta Omega Chapter honored its nonprofit foundation drive on Oct. 13 at the Ivy and Pearl Service Center.

The highlight of the program was the chapter’s mortgage burning, paying off the Ivy and Pearl Service Center Complex in only six years. The Ivy and Pearl Service Center Complex has been the location for the member’s youth mentoring groups, ranging from ages 7 to 18 offering workshops dedicated to the social, educational and cultural enrichment of the participants.

Nancy Sewell was also honored at the program. Sewell was Selma’s first African American Female Councilwoman from 1992 -2004. A commemorative bench dedication ceremony and bench unveiling was held for Sewell, who served as AKA Southeastern Regional Director (1986-1990) and International Secretary (1990-1994).

The AKA Legacy Tree was also unveiled at the ceremony. The Legacy Tree is where AKA members and families place leaves in varied colors of gold, silver, bronze and green to show their AKA membership, loyalty and lineage.

AKA Southeastern Regional Director Mitzi Dease Paige was the guest speaker. She encouraged the chapter to support its communities through service projects.

The Zeta Eta chapter also praised the leadership of former board chairman Dr. Verdell Lett Dawson and current board members, Tyise Arrington, Rosalyn Bassett, Karen Brown, Lou Dale Bryant, Mary Ann

Flowers, Juanda Maxwell, Melinda Page, Darlene Rudolph, Patricia Robinson and Mia Suggs.

‘’We were ecstatic that the community came to celebrate with us,” Robinson said. “The Alphas of the Black Belt especially made our day with their proclamation, remembrance photo of annual service project and the beautiful roses.’’