®

Odessa B. Talley was the seventeenth Basileus of Beta Pi Omega Chapter.  She obtained her B.A. at A M & N College (now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff).  She completed additional studies at Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee, University of Illinois, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, and Fourah Bay College in Freetown Sieria Leone, West Africa.  She was initiated into Beta Pi Omega Chapter.  Her tenure as president was from January 1991-  

December 1994. Talley, an intelligent, articulate, and compassionate leader, worked diligently to promote a strong bond of sisterhood, upholding the ideals and principles of the sorority. Because of the support and cooperation of Beta Pi Omega members, the chapter was able to implement the international program targets and continue to perform worthwhile community service projects that informed the community and improved the quality of life of senior citizens and young people.  Some of the programs included conducting health seminars, becoming Partners in Education with the Little Rock School District, tutoring, adopting a kindergarten class, parenting workshops, hosting a summer youth clinic, and sponsoring voter registration drives.  Due to successful fundraisers, the chapter increased its contribution to the United Negro College Fund from $500 to $1,000 per year. The chapter increased its scholarship fund from $3,000 to $6,000 per year. Additionally, the chapter gave a sizeable contribution to the Philander Smith College Fence Project that was memorialized by a permanent plate with the inscription of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Beta Pi Omega Chapter.  During Talley’s tenure, Beta Pi Omega was always well represented and received community service awards, recognitions, and grants.