History
ITS’ BEGINNING
On January 15, 1908, a
group of young women at Howard University caught the inspiration of a
fellow student, Ethel Hedgeman (Lyle), and initiated the movement of
Greek-letter sororities among Black women in America. Ethel Hedgeman,
who introduced the original proposal and whose efforts were greatly
assisted by Ethel Robinson, a teacher of English at Howard, was joined
in this unique venture by Lillie Burke, Beulah Burke, Margaret Flagg
Holmes, Marie Woolfolk Taylor, Lavinia Norman, Anna Brown, Lucy D. Slowe
and Marjorie Hill
Before June, 1908, a
group of sophomore girls, namely, Joanna Berry Shields, Norma Boyd,
Ethel Jones, Sara Meriweather (Nutter), Alice Murray, Carrie Snowden and
Harriet Terry, had been impressed by the new sorority. They were chosen
to complete the first group. One year later, on February 11, 1909, the
first initiation was held in one wing of the attic of Miner hall, Howard
University.
In 1913, Nellie Quander,
Norma Boyd, Nellie Pratt (Russell), and Beatrice Smith worked diligently
and succeeded in having the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority incorporated
under the provisions of Sub-chapter 3 of Chapter 18 of the Code of the
Laws of the District of Columbia. From this small nucleus, Alpha Kappa
Alpha has grown to a membership of more than 85,ooo college women
affiliated with the undergraduate and alumnae chapters located in the
leading colleges, universities, and cities throughout the nation and
outside continental United States of America.
Alpha Kappa Alpha
Sorority maintains International Headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, with
a modern, fully-equipped office staffed by an Executive Director and
staff.
Through the years Alpha
Kappa Alpha’s program has had as its chief aim “service to all
mankind.” The point of focus has shifted form time to time and will
continue to do so as a necessary part of growth and change. However,
there has always remained the constant purpose to cultivate and
encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, to promote unity and
friendship among college women, to study and alleviate problems
concerning girls and women in order to improve the social stature of the
race, and keep alive within the alumnae an interest in college life and
progressive movement emanating there from. |