Alpha Kappa Alpha is the first Greek sorority that was established and incorporated by African American women. Alpha Kappa Alpha, or AKA, started on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. Nine women led by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle started the sorority in 1908 due to the lack of opportunities available for minority women at the time. Founders also include Anna Easter Brown, Beulah Burke, Lillie Burke, Marjorie Hill, Margaret Flagg Holmes, Lavinia Norman, Lucy Slowe and Marie Woolfolk Taylor.
Alpha Kappa Alpha is open to women of all races and membership is open to both undergraduates and graduates. Alpha Kappa Alpha is a member of the National Panhellenic Council and works strongly through community service to improve social and economic conditions. At the time the sorority was formed, there were no plans to nationalize the organization. In 1912, twenty-two of the newly appointed members of Alpha Kappa Alpha were disappointed in the progress that the sorority was making and called for reorganization.
Those members went on to form sorority Delta Sigma Theta.
The sorority philanthropy is the Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation.
“By Culture and By Merit.”
- Sorority colors are salmon pink and apple green
- Sorority flower is the pink tea rose
- Sorority symbol is the ivy leaf
- Sorority publication is the Ivy Leaf Magazine
- Members are often referred to as AKAs
- Sorority headquarters is located in Chicago, Illinois
- First African American sorority
- Gladys Knight (Singer)
- Alicia Keys (Singer)
- Mae Jamison (Astronaut)
- Coretta Scott King (Civil Rights Leader, wife of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.)
- Rosa Parks (Civil Rights Leader)
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