The twenty-two began to be dismayed at the progress of the sorority and wanted to reorganize. Seven officers were elected into the sorority: Myra Hemmings, president Ethel Black, vice-president, Edith Young, secretary Jessie Dent, corresponding secretary, Winona Alexander, custodian Frederica Dodd, sergeant-at-arms, and Pauline Minor was the treasurer. In October 11, 1912, twenty-two members were initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha.

To expand the sorority at Howard, new members were initiated. No plan of nationalizing or incorprorating the organization existed. Almost two months later, on May 25, 1909, some members of the sorority planted ivy at the southern part of Miner Hall in celebration of 'Ivy Day.' Cession and formation of Delta Sigma Theta: 1912–1913 File:AKAcertificate.jpgĪ 1921 Certificate of Membership from the Gamma Chapter at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Īt the time, Alpha Kappa Alpha existed as one chapter at Howard University with only a ritual and sponsored social events. The first initiation was held in a wing of an attic in Miner Hall on Howard University during February 11, 1909. Later in 1908, seven other sophomores expressed interest in the sorority and were accepted without initiation. The nine also organized the sorority's motto, colors, constitution, as well as the name. As the main founder, Hedgeman was also the temporary chairperson of the sorority in the organizational phases. Įventually nine women, along with Hedgeman were involved in the instrumental phases in organizing the sorority in fall 1907. In order to proliferate her idea in forming a sorority, Hedgeman began recruiting interested classmates throughout the summer of 1907. Hedgeman was also inspired by her then high school and college sweetheart and soon to be husband George Lyle, a charter member the Beta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity at Howard in 1907. Hedgeman was persuaded by Ethel Robinson, a faculty member at Howard who also shared her sorority experiences with Lyle at Brown University. The efforts into creating the sisterhood of Alpha Kappa Alpha were led by Ethel Hedgeman beginning in Spring 1907 at Howard University. Miner Hall was the site of Alpha Kappa Alpha's founding on January 15, 1908. Students gathering near Miner Hall at Howard University in 1870. (Partnerships in Mathematics and Science) 2.2 Leadership: Founders and Executive Directors.1.6 Centennial Celebration: January 15, 2008.

1.5 Bridging Towards the Twenty-first Century: 1980–2007.

1.4 Civil rights, technology and educational training: 1950–1970.

1.3 Expansion and initial implementation of programs 1920–1940.

1.2 Cession and formation of Delta Sigma Theta: 1912–1913.

Alpha Kappa Alpha will celebrate a centennial anniversary on January 15, 2008.

The sorority is a member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and the current International President is Carolyn Stewart. Īlpha Kappa Alpha works with communities through service initiatives and progressive programs relating to education, family, health, and business that have a direct impact on the world community. Chapters consisting of Alpha Kappa Alpha women can be found nationally and internationally. An interested member can join through undergraduate chapters at a college or university, or through a graduate chapter, after acquiring a college degree. Ĭonsisting of women of African, Caucasian, Asian, and Hispanic descent, the sorority serves all mankind through a nucleus of more than 200,000 women in over 950 chapters. The sorority's document and pictorial archives are located at Moorland-Spingarn Research Center. After a schism occurred between undergraduate and graduate sorority members, the group expanded to twenty when the organization was incorporated on January 29, 1913. Led by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, Alpha Kappa Alpha was founded on January 15, 1908, in Miner Hall on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. Template:USA, Template:GER, Template:JPN, Template:BAH, Template:LBR, Template:JAM, Template:VIR, Template:BER, Template:CAN, Template:KORĪlpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (ΆΚΆ) is the first Greek-lettered sorority established and incorporated by African-American college women.

Alpha kappa alpha sorority