For three decades, a group of local women have made it their commitment to serve the community. This month, they are celebrating that commitment.

The Mu Xi Omega chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

“That’s saying that we’ve been active in this community for 30 years,” said founding member Santa Carpenter, an Alcorn State University graduate. “We’ve contributed in our actions.”

The Vicksburg chapter was actually chartered 31 years ago, on Dec. 17, 1978. But the group held off celebrating its 30th anniversary until this year because of the national AKA centennial celebration last year in Washington, D.C.

“We reached our first 100 years as the first black sorority in the United States,” Carpenter said. “We attended ceremonies, collaborative workshops and workshops to redirect our services to the community.”

The local arm of the sorority will kick off anniversary festivities today with a fundraiser for historically black colleges and universities. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., for every test drive at Vicksburg Ford, Ford Motor Company and the Tom Joyner Foundation will donate $25 to one HBCU. Up to $250,000 will be distributed to schools.

The Vicksburg chapter started with 15 members, most of whom were a part of AKA while at Alcorn. Today, it has grown to 70 graduate members, with four of the founding members — Carpenter, Zelmarine Murphy, Helen Martin and Thelma Winston — still active in the group.

“To be a member is a privilege,” said Murphy, an Alcorn graduate and a member of the Vicksburg Warren School District board. “We are simply a service organization. It does delight me to know we’ve been around for 30 years and will be around for 30 more.”

Through the decades, the women have led the Reading is Fundamental program and health fair, the Beautillion scholarship event, the Pearls Girls club and voter registration drives. This holiday season, AKA members will provide Christmas dinners to about 12 needy families.

“Our signature is the RIF program, and we still maintain that grant,” Carpenter said. “We go out to underprivileged children and give out books. We also give workshops on different things for kids,” depending on the need. “Every time we put out a flier (for an event), there’s standing room only.”

The Beautillion scholarship program for young black men was introduced in 1987 by the late charter president Bertha Flagg. It’s a lot like a debutante ball. More than 200 young men have participated, and more than $175,000 in scholarships has been awarded.

Pearls Girls was organized in 1991 as a mentoring program for girls in elementary through high school.

The women will conclude 30th anniversary festivities a week from today, with an invitation-only dinner.

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Contact Manivanh Chanprasith at mchan@vicksburgpost.com