February 9, 2015

Greetings Sorors,

It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of our 17th Supreme Basileus, Larzette G. Hale. Soror Hale, who served as Supreme Basileus from 1966 to 1970, became an Ivy Beyond the Wall on Thursday, February 5, 2015.

Born in Idabel, Oklahoma, Soror Hale was a charter member of Alpha Zeta Chapter at Langston University. As the first African American woman to obtain a doctorate in accounting, Soror Hale was a trailblazer on many fronts.

She held undergraduate and graduate degrees from Langston University and the University of Wisconsin. She worked as an accountant, accounting and business administration professor, and college development officer. She was honored by Utah State University as Professor Emeritus, with academic chairs in her honor at both Utah State and Langston. A former president of the American Woman’s Society of Certified Public Accountants, Soror Hale was the first African American to serve on the Utah Board of Regents of Higher Education.

During her term as Supreme Basileus, she established the foreign tour for one outstanding undergraduate soror from each region and the domestic travel tour for high school students who won regional essay contests. She launched the sorority’s Heritage Series to chronicle African American achievers. Drawing on her professional expertise, she coordinated the national office’s central accounting system among many other accomplishments during her tenure.

Soror Hale was the first Supreme Basileus-Elect and served as Supreme Tamiouchos. In addition to being a charter member of Alpha Zeta, Soror Hale also affiliated with Alpha Upsilon Omega, Gamma Mu Omega, Kappa Omega, and Upsilon Beta Omega, where she held various leadership positions. Soror Hale was honored as one of our newest Diamond Sorors in 2014.

The family has setup a scholarship fund for Soror Hale’s alma mater, Langston University. They are asking that in lieu of flowers individuals send donations made payable to the Larzette G. Hale Scholarship Fund

Larzette G. Hale Scholarship Fund
Columbia Credit Union
PO Box 324
Vancouver, WA 98666

More information pertaining to the Ivy Beyond the Wall services are forthcoming. Until then, please keep her family, including her daughters, Sorors Gina Hale (Zeta Sigma Omega) and Janis Hale Baker (Gamma Upsilon Omega), in your thoughts and prayers.

Sisterly,

Soror Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson
Supreme Basileus