The Omega Pearls are a former affilated little sister organization of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. We were founded February 6, 1914 at Lincoln University. We are also know as Essence, Gems, Sweethearts, Jewels, and in some places Dolls. We are a nongreek social service organization that supports the Brothers of Omega through community service and fellowship.
If you meet the requirements, you will be extended a membership invitation. (This varies from colleges and universities). The basic requirements are GPA (varies but must be a B average), community service, and involvement in campus activities/organizations. This organization is open to all women regardless of race, color, creed, or religion.
Just contact any Brother of Omega Psi Phi or any PEARL on your campus.
Ultimately this decision relies on the rules of your particular campus. However, there are three courses of action you can take. 1) You can join our official interest group, Charlotte's Webb; 2) You can contact any pearls you may know of in your area or state for membership; 3) Submit and interest inquiry to me at pearlwebmistress@yahoo.com. However if your campus prohibits social organization/former auxiliaries, then there will be no pearls. The Omega Pearls do operate within college/university student organizations guidelines. However it is also possible to pledge at a near by campus if they are willing to accept you
In 1990 all National Pan-Hellenic Fraternities and Sororities voted to disband their affiliations with their auxiliary organizations. The only exception to this is Iota Phi Theta, their sweethearts are recognized by their nationals but under a very strict directive. (They do not pledge, have line names, numbers, etc.) However just because we are not recognized by nationals doesn't mean that we don't exist and we are not illegal as many people seem to think. It is illegal for the undergraduate chapters to participate in our activities( i.e. pledging) but not illegal for us to exist!! Greeks stop getting it twisted!! We are our own separate entity!! All PEARL business matters, administrative and financial are handled by the pearls and not by any member of Omega Psi Phi.
In addition, auxiliary groups posed a threat to the single-sex status of Greek organizations which, under the U.S. Civil Rights Act, are allowed to discriminate against members of the opposite sex. But that status may be whittled away in the courts if Greeks maintain organizations of the opposite sex that perform many of the activities of a full member, such as paying dues and helping with the pledges, while not enjoying full membership. This fear is underscored by a Nebraska court case in which a little sister (for a white fraternity) sued for, and won, membership in her fraternity because she was engaged in the same activities as the brothers.The duties of a Pearl are to serve God first, promote unity, sisterhood to collegiate women while serving our community and campus. To build character and help our members to become well rounded women while promoting scholarship and academics. We also serve as role models to young girls in community by providing them with encouragement, guidance, and mentoring. Finally, to support and uplift Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. through fellowship.
Service is one of our principles and we take that obligation of helping the community very seriously. Some of the charities that we donate our time and service to are The Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, The American Cancer Society, The American Diabetes Association, The National Lupus Foundation, and Breast Cancer Awareness. Some of our sisters are afflicted with these illness and they give lectures and assist with fundraisers for these organizations. We also volunteer with the Boys and Girls Club, The Big Brother/Big Sister Program, and Catholic Hospices. Every year during our annual Ladies of Purple PEARLfection Reunion we conduct up to two service projects.
Membership intake is held each quarter or semester except for the summer. (This will vary from each college/university). All membership intake processes and interviews are handled by the Pearls.
ROFL at this question, but it was submitted so we will answer it. The Pearls have ALWAYS pledged as do all FORMER auxiliary groups do in their own way. Back in the day the pearls were pledged by the Omegas and the older pearls. Today the process is done by the PEARLS ONLY!! The Omegas are only present for our pin ceremony. So yes we do have a pledge process and if you want to know about it so bad...STEP UP AND TAKE THE CHALLENGE!!
NO OF COURSE NOT!! We are LADIES of Omega. We provide that balance and calmness that the brothers need from time to time. We provide them with support in serving the community and functions. They provide us with advice and guidance in preparing our activities and functions. We are the Essence of Omega, its softer side which was personified by our beloved founder, the Honorable Lottie B. Wilson.
Yes. Even though we are no longer recognized by nationals as an affiliated organization, the Brothers of Omega do acknowledge their Precious Pearls. Many chapters do not have pearls on their yard by choice or college/university restrictions but they still acknowledge visiting pearls and appreciate our support.
No. It is not a requirement, however many sisters do have brands as well as tattoos. Getting a brand is something very sacred and special. Its an honor to wear the Omega Pearl brand. LET IT BE KNOWN THAT NOT ALL OMEGAS APPROVE OF OR CONDONE THIS!!
WOO or WOOSO stands for Women of Omega Service Organization, Inc. (WOOSO Inc.) WOOSO was founded by pearls who wanted to create a women's organization that was dedicated to serving the community without the stigmas of greeklife. WOOSO is NOT AFFILIATED with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. or any former Omega auxiliary organization. You do not have to a pearl to become a member of WOOSO and just because you are a pearl doesn't make you a member of WOOSO either.
NO. Presently pearls are not automatically extended membership to WOOSO. Pearls must apply for membership to WOOSO Inc. as any other individual would. Please visit the WOOSO Inc. website for more information.
LOO stands for Ladies of Omega. Its just an affectionate term we use to refer to ourselves collectively. A pearl would not be offended if someone called her a Sweet and a Pearl wouldn't be offended if someone called her an Essence. In our eyes we are all one in the same and we love our sisters no less because she's a QT or jewel.
The true symbol or hand sign of an Omega Pearls is the two middle fingers touching the thumb with the index and the pinky in the air. The Zetas also use the sign as their Z-kitty sign. This has ALWAYS been our sign and it will continue to be our sign. Zetas, no offense but we've been using it since 1914, SO HOW ARE WE COPYING YOU?? Anywhooo...so to keep down the drama we still do this sign but without the two middle fingers touching the thumb. But the Zetas were still trippin about that, saying WE were being disrespectful to THEM. WHATEVER!! NOBODY in OMEGA LAND is trying to be KAT!! However many bruhz allow their pearls and gems to put up a half que or even full hooks. LET IT BE KNOWN THAT NOT ALL OMEGAS APPROVE OF OR CONDONE THIS!!
The Pearls and Gems say, "Que Psi"; Essence say, "Que-E"; and Sweethearts say, "Que Sweet". Old school pearls from the 1970s in some places said, "QQQQQQQQ-AHHHHHHHH".
The Gems or Gemz are mainly in the southwestern and Midwestern states (i.e., TX, IA, OK, WI, KA, MO, and NE). They are 8th and 9th D ONLY!! In the south and on the east coast you're a Pearls, Essence, or Sweetheart. The gems were never an official auxiliary of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. The are social club began by brothers in the 8th and 9th D.
NO!! A great deal of greeks love to say this but its not true. People go nongreek because they CHOOSE too!! Its that simple. Many nongreeks do eventually go greek but a vast majority choose not too so they are labeled as sorority "rejects". How can someone be a reject for something they never wanted to be a member of in the first place? Every nongreek does not harbor a desire to be in a sorority or fraternity. An individual has a RIGHT to choose which organizations he or she joins. And as far as nongreeks not making the grades to pledge is bull. There are nongreeks that are doctors, lawyers, CPAs, engineers, computer programmers, nurses, and various other professional career fields. We highlight many of our sisters here on the site for scholastic and career achievements and they definitely had to have excellent grades to gain acceptance to graduate school and maintain scholarships. For example, our Pearl of the Year and Eminent Scholar Award recipients both have a GPA over 3.0
YES!! Despite what many sorority members might say they cannot keep you from applying for memebership to their organization because you were a nongreek first. There are MANY pearls who are now AKAs, Deltas, Zetas, SGRhos, and other sororities (latin and white). So don't believe the hype. If you meet all of their requirements and you do not get selected for MEMBERSHIP INTAKE, because they don't "PLEDGE" anymore according to their national headquarters, contact their nationals and inquire as to why you were not selected.
NO!! The ONLY fraternity and sorority with a LEGAL CONSTITUTIONAL BOND is Phi Beta Sigma and Zeta Phi Beta. One of the founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., M. Edna Brown, married Omega Psi Phi founder Frank Coleman. Hence the "COLEMAN LOVE" phenomenon with the younger ques and deltas. When the founders of DST had broken from AKA, some had came to the Omega founders for advice, moral support, and guidance in their endeavor to charter a new organization since Omega had just done it two years earlier in Howard's campus. As a symbol of appreciation for the Omega founders' efforts assisting them in laying the groundwork for their foundation, they mandated the official flower of their organization to be the African Violet--which is purple and gold. This is the same flower which is the official flower of Omega Psi Phi. Those are the unwritten "bonds" between the Deltas and the Omegas.
Three of their founders also married Alphas but you don't here anything about that!! Several of the Deltas early conventions were held in conjunction with the Alphas conventions. Not to mention this famous quote by a Past National President of Delta
Yeah they just LOVE the Bruhz!! LOL
The animosity is there because 1) they do not know the history of the pearls; 2) they do not know OUR bond to the Omegas; and 3) they feel as if we are imposing on "their bond" with the Omegas. Not all Deltas have hard feelings toward the pearls and vice versa. They must realize that WE also have a bond with the Omegas and they are on two totally different levels. The animosity is mostly among the "younger" generations(1990-Present) of Deltas.
In "Crossing the Burning Sands" pledges undergo a series of trials or tests designed to
bring them from the dark into the light. When a pledge line is initiated,
the pledges are brought into the organization through the dark, not knowing what
they are getting into. When they cross they come into the light accepting the
secrecy of the traditions and history of the organization.
After crossing the burning sands newly initiated members become neophytes. Which means "new in the light" of their organizations. You remain a neophyte until one of the following situations take place: 1. your one year birth date arrives or 2. a new line is initiated. Neophyte symbolizes rebirth.
NO!! Just because you are dating an Omega that does not mean you are a Pearl now!! Apparently alot of women seem to think that but no boo, you're just an Omega's girlfriend...PERIOD!!
Traditionally the woman who is crowned Miss Omega Psi Phi is made an honorary SWEETHEART of the fraternity. However, if she is already a sweetheart for another organization she is not given this honor. No one on her court is extended the honor of being an honorary sweetheart either. There are no honorary pearls!! Many Miss Omega's are already either a pearl or a Delta but occasionally there are some who aren't. Some do eventually pledge pearl and some don't. Today this tradition varies from campus to campus, some chapters extend the honor and some don't. So for all you Miss Omega's running around claiming PEARL...please stop because you are not a PEARL of a OMEGA you are an HONORARY sweet.
YES!! On most campuses when the Pearls cross they will do a show on the yard. The pearls participate in nongreek step shows, perform during their week on campus, and perform for community service groups (i.e. The Boys and Girls Club, Big Brother/Big Sister, and The YMCA).
YES!! Apparently the Deltas, not all but a good majority, seems to think that THEY are the only ones who can hop with the bruhz but Atomic Dog is not your song!! They ain't hopped all night but as soon as THE PEARLS come in the party and start hopping with the bruhz they wanna hop. These particular Deltas are just too funny and really its not that serious people. *SHEESH*
NO. Just because you are buddies with the Ques that doesn't make you a pearl. If you truly want to be a pearl then you need to PLEDGE and take the OATH!! Apparently alot of girls seem to think that kicking it with the Ques makes them pearls...sorry boo..IT DOESN'T!! A TRUE PEARL CAN TELL SPOT A FAKE IN A MINUTE SO DON'T TRY TO FAKE IT WHEN YOU COME ACROSS A REAL PEARL...OKAY??
The Quettes is an organization composed of the wives of the Omegas. They are recognized nationally. Many Quettes are pearls and/or members of various sororities.
The Omega Squires, Preps, Pups, and Grooves are high school boys that are sponsored by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. graduate chapters. The Omegas serve as mentors to these young men and help nurture them as men. They are part of the Jr. Greeks. All the BGLO have Jr. Greek orgs.
The Omega Queens are high school girls that are sponsored by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. graduate chapters. The Omega Queens is a mentoring program like the Omega Gents but its for girls. The Queens program is located in Buffalo, NY
The Ladies of Royalty are THE REAL Omega groupies, flunkies, and plain old set out chicks for the bruhs. As we were told by a "member" of this clique, "We F*ck the Ques...that's it. We aren't pearls and we don't want to be pearls. We don't want to pledge do any of that kind of stuff." THEY ARE NO NO WAY, FORM, OR FASHION AFFILIATED WITH LADIES OF OMEGA (pearls, essence, sweets or gems). LOO actually pledge, have a purpose and goals. Now they seem to be a popular clique at colleges/universities in Georgia mainly CAU and Morris Brown. PLEASE DO NOT MISTAKE THESE CHICKS FOR THE REAL TRUE PEARLS OF OMEGA!!
