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Sammie Tollette, Past President 1983-1986

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Sammie Tollette was the fifteenth president of Beta Pi Omega Chapter.  Her tenure was from January 1983 – December 1986.  She was inducted into the Phi Chapter at Wiley College, her alma mater.  She received her Master's in Library Science at the University of Indiana in Bloomington.  While Tolette was president, Faye Bryant was the Supreme Basileus of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Tollette expressed her privilege to implement Soror Faye’s dynamic “Programs of Power” by stating that it was her goal to make Alpha Kappa Alpha a household name on the local level.  Successful goals included: 1) The total number of scholarships and the amounts given were increased.  Beta Pi Omega became the only organization in Little Rock giving $3,000 per year in scholarships.  A scholarship was named in honor of Gwendolyn Floyd; 2) Beta Pi Omega members became graduate advisors for Theta Mu in Conway, Arkansas; 3) The Youth Services project was expanded in scope to include both male and female youth.  In 1985, its focus was inspired by Mabry’s idea of helping youth achieve beyond their present level.  The term “New Directions” was coined; and 4) Beta Pi Omega adopted a room at Philander Smith College in response to a national push to help our historically black colleges.  Tollette was able to implement the focus of collaboration since she continued to be a leader in religious, community, and professional arenas.