ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY INCORPORATED

- Alpha Kappa Alpha Is The First Greek Lettered Sorority, Established And Incorporated By African American College Women. Membership Is Primarily For College Educated Women, But Not All Members Have Attended College. The Sorority Was Founded On January 15, 1908 At Howard University In Washington, D.C., By A Group Of Twenty Students Led By Ethel Hedgeman Lyle. Forming A Sorority Broke Barriers For African American Women In Areas Where Little Power Or Authority Existed Due To A Lack Of Opportunities For Minorities And Women In The Early 20th Century. Alpha Kappa Alpha Was Incorporated On January 29, 1913.

- Consisting Of College Educated Women Of Many Diverse Backgrounds From Around The World, Including But Not Limited To African, Caucasian, Asian, Native American, Hispanic And Indian Descent, The Sorority Serves Through A Membership Of More Than 250,000 Women In Over 900 Chapters In The United States And Several Other Countries. Women May Join Through Undergraduate Chapters At A College Or University Or They May Also Join Through A Graduate Chapter After Acquiring An Undergraduate Or Advanced College Degree.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- After The Organization's Establishment Over A Century Ago, Alpha Kappa Alpha Has Helped To Improve Social And Economic Conditions Through Community Service Programs. Members Have Improved Education Through Independent Initiatives, Contributed To Community-Building By Creating Programs And Associations, Such As The Mississippi Health Clinic, And Influenced Federal Legislation By Congressional Lobbying Through The National Non-Partisan Lobby On Civil And Democratic Rights. The Sorority Works With Communities Through Service Initiatives And Progressive Programs Relating To Education, Family, Health, And Business. In Spring 1907, Ethel Hedgeman Led Efforts To Create A Sisterhood At Howard University. Howard Faculty Member Ethal Robinson Encouraged Hedgeman By Relating Her Own Recollection Of Sorority Life At The Woman's College At Brown University. Hedgeman Was Also Inspired By Her Mentors At Howard University.

- To Implement Her Idea, Hedgeman Began Recruiting Interested Classmates During The Summer Of 1907. Eventually, Nine Women Including Hedgeman Were Instrumental In Organizing Alpha Kappa Alpha In The Fall Of 1907. With Hedgeman Serving As The Temporary Chairperson, The Women Wrote The Sorority's Constitution, Devised The Motto, Chose The Favorite Colors, And Named The Sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha. Later In 1908, Seven Sophomore Honor Students Expressed Interest In Joining And Were Accepted Without Initiation. The First Initiation Was Held In A Wing In Minor Hall On Howard University On February 11, 1909. On May 25, 1909, Alpha Kappa Alpha Held It's First "Ivy Week", A Celebration That Included Planting Ivy At Minor Hall.