Willie Elizabeth Rose was born on July 11, 1919 in Kingfisher County, Oklahoma. She married Major William York Rose and to their union, they parented two daughters; Saundra L. Rose and Mildred M. Rose.
On December 7, 1937 Willie Rose became a charter member of the Lambda Alpha Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. at Langston University. Soror Rose was the 20th Basileus of Chi Zeta as well as receiving the Distinguished Soror Award from the Graduate Chapter of Chi Zeta. She became a Life Member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and served as a National Trustee on the National Executive Board of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
During Soror Rose’s lifetime, she had many “Firsts”:
1. 1st female charter member of Lawton Northside Chamber of Commerce
2. 1st African American Notary Republic
3. 1st African American President of the OKC Chapter of Zonta International
4. 1st African America hired in a classified position at Ft. Sill Army Base
5. 1st African American Supervisor in Accounting and Finance
Soror Willie Rose had many other accomplishments such as being the President of the Urban League Guild, Docent of N.T.U. Art Assoc., State President of Colored Women’s Club for 5 years, president of the OKC Federation of Colored Women’s Club for 14 years. She was recognized for being a 60-year member of the Order of Eastern Stars and Daughters of ISIS. In 2010, she obtained a Platinum Membership in the Links, Inc. Soror Rose was featured in the book “Uncrowned Queens: African American Women Community Builders of Oklahoma”. She was a member of the Mayors Committee on Physical Disabilities for 35 years and received the OKC Public Service Award for hiring handicapped individuals.
Soror Rose loved to welcome you into her home and could talk for hours about historic moments in Oklahoma City history.
Soror Willie Rose became a Triumphant Zeta on June 6, 2013, having been a Soror for 76 years.
On December 7, 1937 Willie Rose became a charter member of the Lambda Alpha Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. at Langston University. Soror Rose was the 20th Basileus of Chi Zeta as well as receiving the Distinguished Soror Award from the Graduate Chapter of Chi Zeta. She became a Life Member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and served as a National Trustee on the National Executive Board of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
During Soror Rose’s lifetime, she had many “Firsts”:
1. 1st female charter member of Lawton Northside Chamber of Commerce
2. 1st African American Notary Republic
3. 1st African American President of the OKC Chapter of Zonta International
4. 1st African America hired in a classified position at Ft. Sill Army Base
5. 1st African American Supervisor in Accounting and Finance
Soror Willie Rose had many other accomplishments such as being the President of the Urban League Guild, Docent of N.T.U. Art Assoc., State President of Colored Women’s Club for 5 years, president of the OKC Federation of Colored Women’s Club for 14 years. She was recognized for being a 60-year member of the Order of Eastern Stars and Daughters of ISIS. In 2010, she obtained a Platinum Membership in the Links, Inc. Soror Rose was featured in the book “Uncrowned Queens: African American Women Community Builders of Oklahoma”. She was a member of the Mayors Committee on Physical Disabilities for 35 years and received the OKC Public Service Award for hiring handicapped individuals.
Soror Rose loved to welcome you into her home and could talk for hours about historic moments in Oklahoma City history.
Soror Willie Rose became a Triumphant Zeta on June 6, 2013, having been a Soror for 76 years.