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The Gainsboro History Project

Civic Organizations

Civic & Social Organizations

Gainsboro boasted dozens of civic and social organizations. Some were chapters of national organizations and others were created within the community. Many of these historic groups still meet today and have a proud history serving the Gainsboro and greater Roanoke community.

Greek Letter Associations

Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta

A number of fraternal and sororal organizations were and remain available for African American residents. Popular sororities included the Beta Chi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the Roanoke Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.  The Beta Chi Omega chapter of AKA was chartered in December of 1938 and serves the Roanoke Valley by offering scholarships and recognizing the community’s “unsung heroes.” The Roanoke Deltas received their charter in 1939. The group is active in community service and awarding scholarships, and each year they host a Jabberwock celebration.

Photo of sorority members
The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Courtesy Roanoke Public Libraries

Omega Psi Phi and Alpha Phi Alpha

Fraternities have also provided brotherhood and service to the African American community. The Gamma Alpha chapter of Omega Psi Phi has encouraged members to serve their community by upholding the fraternity’s four Cardinal Principles: manhood, scholarship, perseverance, and uplift. The Alpha Kappa Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity was chartered in 1928. These Greek chapters remain active today and continue to provide valuable service to the Roanoke community.

Secret Societies

Many of Gainsboro’s residents were members of local chapters of national secret societies, including the Freemasons, the Odd Fellows, the Elks, and the Knights of Pythias. These societies were incredibly popular in the twentieth century, connecting members with projects to serve and enrich their communities.

Photo of Freemasons outside prince hall in roanoke
The Freemasons Outside Prince Hall. Courtesy Roanoke Public Libraries

Roanoke-Based Organizations

Ladies United Aid Society

Among the clubs started in Roanoke was the Ladies United Aid Society. Founded in 1893 and chartered in 1899, the group aimed to address the lack of medical resources for Roanoke’s Black residents by providing mutual aid during sickness, misfortune, and death. The society divided the community street by street and assigned areas to each member, who was responsible for taking care of the sick individuals there. More than 20 years before the establishment of Burrell Memorial Hospital, the women of the Ladies United Aid Society were available for sick residents, providing them comfort and companionship during their weakest moments of illness and death.

The original chartered members of the society included:

  • Mary L. Brooks
  • Susie Oliver
  • Mary Evans
  • Jennie Thomas
  • Rachel Harth

Margaret Burrell, wife of Dr. Isaac D. Burrell and owner of Burrell Pharmacy after her husband’s death in 1914, was an early president of the society. Nurse Daisy Schley served as first chairman of the sick committee. The Ladies United Aid Society is still active today.

The Bings Club

Founded in 1923, the Bings Club was credited by the New Journal and Guide as the oldest social group for Black men in Roanoke. The club threw a lavish ball to celebrate their anniversary each year, attracting hundreds of guests. The Bings are no longer active.

Photo of members of the Bings Club
The Bings Club. Courtesy Roanoke Public Libraries.

Garden Clubs

Several garden clubs formed in Gainsboro and Northeast Roanoke, beautifying the community and winning awards for their efforts. One example was Big Lick Garden Club, the first Black garden club in Roanoke. Under the leadership of its first president, Ethel Early Clark, the club converted an old post office into a community center and partnered with the Gainsboro Library to host several flower shows. Another garden club that had Gainsboro residents as members was the Ideal Garden Club.

The Altruist Club

Formed in 1951, the Altruist Club recognizes the achievement of local Black students at its annual debutante ball. It has awarded more than $140,000 in scholarships and grants to college-bound students since its inception. Originally called the Young Adults, the group renamed themselves the Altruist Club. The original cabinet included:

  • Joseph Finley, President
  • Marionette Sprawe, Vice President
  • Elizabeth Romby, Secretary
  • Augusta Bailey, Correspondence Secretary
  • Janice Hale, Financial Secretary
  • Serena Hale, Chaplain
  • Emma Haynes, Treasurer
  • Leonard Salter, Sergeant at Arms
Photo of well-dressed attendants of the Debutante Ball
Debutante Ball, with the Aristocrats, on stage. Courtesy of Roanoke Public Libraries.

Omnia Bona

Roanoke’s Omnia Bona got its start in 1948 when a group of Lucy Addison High School seniors gathered as a social club under the name Orange Blossom Sorors. They disbanded when the students went to college, but four years later they reorganized as the Omnia Bona Club and dedicated themselves to promoting the social, civic, religious, and political aspects of life. The group incorporated in 1957, and several more chapters were opened in Eastern seaboard states.

Chapters of National Organizations

Girl Friends, Inc.

The Roanoke chapter of Girl Friends, Inc., was founded in November 1948. One of the oldest social groups for Black women in the country, Girl Friends focuses on friendship as well as community and charitable service at the local and national level. The group is still active in Roanoke and around the country. The Roanoke chapter’s first cabinet included:

  • Georgia Brown, President
  • Malena Law, Vice President
  • LaVerne Fuller, Secretary
  • Evelyn Skipper, Corresponding Secretary
  • Letitia Penn, Treasurer

Continental Societies

The Roanoke chapter of Continental Societies was organized by Florence Prunty and Florine Fulford, and received its charter in 1965. In 1967 Florence Prunty served as national president of Continental Societies. The group, still active, provides funding and programs to serve the needs of children and youth. Founding members included:

  • Ruth Anderson
  • Maxine Deskins
  • Florine Fulford
  • Anna Johnson
  • Gertrude Logan
  • Edna Prunty
  • Florence Prunty
  • Ruby Reeves
  • Laura Spurlock
  • Maxine Thomas
  • Dorothy Walker.

The Links, Inc., and Jack and Jill of America

Other social groups for Black Roanokers were the city’s chapters of the Links, Inc. and Jack and Jill of America. The Links, whose Roanoke chapter was founded in 1950, is a volunteer service organization for Black professional women. Jack and Jill of America offers a platform for adults focused on the development and welfare of children within local communities.

William A. Hunton Branch YMCA

An important civic institution organized by Gainsboro’s citizens was the William A. Hunton Branch YMCA, founded in 1928. The YMCA was a center for social life in the community, serving as a meeting place for many social groups and hosting programs that brought community residents together.

See Also

  1. Gainsboro Becomes Business and Cultural Center
  2. William A. Hunton Branch YMCA

Sources

Alpha Kappa Lambda Chapter. (n.d.). Our chapter. Retrieved, February 3, 2022 from https://www.alphaakl.com/our-chapter

The Altruist Club. (1992). 41st Annual Debutante Ball! [Event booklet]. Gainsboro Branch Library Vertical Files, Roanoke, VA, United States.

Brief history of the Ladies United Aid Society. (n.d.). [Document] Gainsboro Branch Library Vertical Files, Roanoke, VA, United States.

Brown, H. (2004, April 8). Sorority encourages students through writer’s awards. The Roanoke Times.

Continental Societies, Inc. chapter histories. (2016, June). Continental Societies, Inc.

https://mpaccontinentals.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/CSI-Chapter-Histories-2016.pdf

Diplomat honored by Alpha Chapter in Roanoke. (1951, Feb. 10). New Journal and Guide.

Gamma Alpha Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. attends 72nd Grand Conclave. (2008, Aug. 29). The Roanoke Tribune.

Girl Friends form third state chapter. (1948, Nov. 20). New Journal and Guide.

The Girl Friends, Inc. (n.d.). Our history. Retrieved, February 3, 2022 from https://www.thegirlfriendsinc.org/who-we-are/our-history/

The Girl Friends, Inc.. (n.d.). Who we are. Retrieved, February 3, 2022 from https://www.thegirlfriendsinc.org/who-we-are/

Historic AKA: An Overview. (2008). Beta Chi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority: AKA Pink Ice Ball: Honoring Unsung Heroes at Hotel Roanoke, Crystal Ballroom, Friday, November 14, 2008, Seven O’clock Post Meridiem [Event program]. Gainsboro Branch Library Vertical Files, Roanoke, VA, United States.

Historic Beta Chi Omega Chapter: An Overview. (2008). Beta Chi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority: AKA Pink Ice Ball: Honoring Unsung Heroes at Hotel Roanoke, Crystal Ballroom, Friday, November 14, 2008, Seven O’clock Post Meridiem [Event program]. Gainsboro Branch Library Vertical Files, Roanoke, VA, United States.

Jabberwock 1991 Escapades. (1991). Roanoke Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority [Brochure]. Gainsboro Branch Library Vertical Files, Roanoke, VA, United States.

Jones, D. (2018, Feb. 15). Deborah Jones of the Ladies United Aid Society to Roanoke City Library. [Letter]. Gainsboro Branch Library Vertical Files, Roanoke, VA, United States.

Ladies United Aid Society celebrates 98th anniversary. (1991, Apr. 18). The Roanoke Tribune.

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity National Achievement Week honorees. (1998, Dec. 3). The Roanoke Tribune.

Poindexter, J. (2007, Dec. 14). Club rolls out changes to debutante ball. The Roanoke Times.

Roanoke’s Omnia Bona Club incorporates. (1957, Sept. 21). The Roanoke Tribune.

Roanoke writings. (1939, May 13). New Journal and Guide.

Shareef, R. (1996). The Roanoke Valley’s African American Heritage: A Pictorial History. The Donning Company Publishers.

Society celebrates 125th anniversary. (2018, Apr. 5). The Roanoke Tribune.

Virginia: Roanoke. (1930, May 3). Afro-American.

Wheaton, A. M. (2002, Nov. 14). AKA Sorority honors unsung heroes. The Roanoke Tribune.