History of Eta Mu Omega

Eta Mu Omega began as the dream of Soror Ruby Jarrett, who was initiated in Tau Chapter, Indiana University - Bloomington. She relished the benefits of sisterhood and service to the community and wanted to continue the same in her hometown. After attending the 1950 Boule in Kansas City, Missouri, she began her journey of establishing a chapter in South Bend, IN. With perseverance, Soror Jarrett obtained the commitment of fifteen members who were college graduates and desired to establish a chapter.  On March 26, 1960 in the Morris Inn at the University of Notre Dame the chartering ceremony was officiated by Central Regional Director, Soror Annetta Moten Lawson.

 

Eta Mu Omega’s first major service project was an outreach to women, who lived in the South Bend Housing Authority apartments. Soror Josephine Curtis served as the director of the Housing Authority at the time. Since the inception of the chapter, Eta Mu Omega incorporated international programs in areas such as Educational Enrichment, Women’s Health, Global Impact, The Arts, Economic Legacy, and supporting HBCU’s. Eta Mu Omega’ implementations occured at St. Margaret's House in South Bend, IN. This excellent space allows for women and children, who face economic poverty, to receive  a variety of services. Members of Eta Mu Omega have served in various manners with this organization, such as initiatives for children, providing workshops to mothers, and participating in the yearly “Walk a Mile in My Shoes’ event to raise more awareness on the challenges facing women with children. Since 1962, the chapter biennially hosted a debutante scholarship cotillion, where members work closely with high school students to provide information and resources on the college application process with workshops on career exploration, financial aid, and maintaining good academic standing.   Eta Mu Omega collaborated with the 100 Black Men of Greater South Bend to address high blood pressure in the African American Community in their Barbershop initiative.   Eta Mu Omega is looking forward to our continued service to the South Bend Community through our international programs with Excellence and strengthening our bond through sisterhood. Soror Gloria E. Bond was the Central Regional Director 1978 - 1982. Soror Virginia Calvin was the first African American female South Bend Community School Corporation Superintendent.