Remembering Local Greek Organizations
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
Contributions and histories of Opelousas’ Black Panhellenic organizations were recounted on Friday night during a series of in-depth presentations that were unveiled at the city’s museum and interpretive center.
Local fraternities and sororities affiliated with their National Panhellenic Council members described their formative years and reviewed their participation in events that impacted Opelousas socially and educationally.
The event which filled the museum meeting room, was hosted in conjunction with Black History month.
“What these organizations have done is promote goodwill in addition to making significant contributions to our community. All of them have benefited society and they have stood up for righteousness,” said Opelousas Mayor Julius Alsandor, an Alpha Phi Alpha member.
The “Divine Nine” or the nine Black Greek Letter organizations have been essential in promoting opportunities for Opelousas youths and showcasing some of the city’s most successful citizens, Alsandor said.
“When you think of the Divine Nine, you don’t want followers. We want trailblazers, who move forward and give back to the community,” Alsandor added.
Other organizations that celebrated their local influences were local chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Phi Beta and Sigma Gamma Rho.
AKA
Locally chartered as the Lambda Beta Omega chapter in 1976, AKA representatives pointed out that the organization targets education enrichment and youth leadership and mentoring.
During their local existence AKA has also participated in activities associated with the cerebral palsy clinic, early voting, the Love Fest, CASA and the Autism walk.
Kappa Alpha Psi
The local chapter has produced two national organization presidents. Members also include Richard Milspaugh, the first Black voter in Opelousas and August Terrance, the city’s first Black doctor.
Additional key members are Arthur Giron, Charles Calvin and Rober Morrison.
“There are some giants in the organization who paved the way for this city,” said representative Perry Fontenot.
The organization has emphasized financial literacy seminars and provided assistance during the Halloween Treat Trail.
Scholarships are being provided for youths attending Southern and Grambling universities.
Delta Sigma Theta
Chartered locally in 1977, the sorority features college-educated women who work with preparing and mentoring adolescent females. In 1979, the organization hosted the first Beautillian which highlighted black males.
Many of the members were also educational leaders that include Charlotte Mouton, Regina Tatum, Stella Thomas, Elinor Eaglin, Hazel Sias, Mary Doucet and Ramica Robinson.
Zeta Phi Beta
The local chapter was introduced in 2002.
Since then the sorority has partnered with a number of local agencies to provide scholarships. There has also been collaboration with the March of Dimes and providing programs that emphasize efforts to help with mental illness issues.
Sigma Gamma Rho
The sorority, organized locally in 1980, was notable for organizing and presenting the first parishwide band festivals which were performed at Donald Gardner Stadium for nine consecutive years.
Another prominent annual event sponsored by the sorority was the parishwide spelling bee for grades three through six.
Presentations sponsored by the sorority were a salute to Women’s History month and the Little Miss Sigma Rho pageant
Alpha Phi Alpha
Alsandor noted that the organization has contained a number of prominent Black men who provided important impacts locally, especially in education.
Raymond Duplechain, who attended the event, was the first Black principal at Opelousas High. Other key members have been Lawrence Simpson, Harold Mouton, Clarence Merricks, Charles James, Murphy Fisher, Cleveland Eaglin and Aaron Washington.
