Alpha Kappa Alpha

Alpha Kappa Alpha
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Name	Alpha Kappa Alpha
Founded	15 January 1908
Founder	Ethel Hedgeman Lyle
Type	Sorority
Scope	International
Headquarters	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Colors	Salmon Pink and Apple Green
Motto	"By Culture and By Merit"
Flower	Pink Tea Rose
Publication	Ivy Leaf
Chapters	1,061
Members	355,000+
Website	aka1908.com

Alpha Kappa Alpha. It is the first intercollegiate historically African American sorority, established on January 15, 1908, on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C.. Founded by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle and eight other visionary students, the organization was incorporated in 1913 and has since grown into an international sisterhood dedicated to service and leadership. Guided by its motto, "By Culture and By Merit," it has profoundly impacted communities through educational, social, and humanitarian programs for over a century.

History

The sorority was conceived in 1907 by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, who gathered eight classmates at Howard University to form a sisterhood. The official founding date is January 15, 1908, with the nine founders joined shortly after by seven sophomores, who are collectively known as the "Twenty Pearls." Key early incorporators included Nellie Quander, who successfully petitioned for a national charter in 1913, ensuring the organization's permanence. Early activities focused on supporting academic excellence and the black community in Washington, D.C., with expansion beginning with the establishment of the Beta Chapter at Chicago in 1913. Throughout the 20th century, it played significant roles in social movements, including the Civil Rights Movement, with members like Coretta Scott King and Marian Wright Edelman advocating for justice. Its international presence grew with the first chapter outside the United States established in Berlin, Germany in 1990.

Membership

Membership is granted to women who have completed at least a baccalaureate degree at an accredited college or university. The intake process involves a period of education about the organization's history and values, culminating in initiation. The sisterhood is structured into regional clusters across the United States and internationally, governed by a Supreme Basileus and an international board of directors. Graduate chapters constitute the majority of its membership, allowing for lifelong engagement and service. Distinguished membership categories include Honorary Members, such as Eleanor Roosevelt and Hillary Clinton, who have been recognized for their alignment with the sorority's ideals. The collective body of members is often referred to as the "Ivys."

Programs and initiatives

The organization's service agenda is implemented through international program initiatives focusing on five key target areas. Educational enrichment efforts include the "ASCEND" program for youth and the "HBCU for Life: A Call to Action" initiative supporting Historically black colleges and universities. Health advocacy is promoted via partnerships with the American Heart Association and events like "Pink Goes Red" for heart health awareness. Family strengthening focuses on economic security through programs like the "Childhood Hunger Initiative Power Pack." Environmental ownership includes the "AKA 1908 Playground Project" and advocacy around Climate change. Global impact is addressed through humanitarian efforts in places like South Africa and support for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Signature events include the annual "Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service."

Symbols and traditions

The official colors are Salmon Pink and Apple Green, and the symbol is the ivy leaf. The sorority flower is the Pink Tea Rose. Members wear twenty-inch pearls in recognition of the founding group and adorn themselves with pins bearing the Greek letters. The official call is "Skee-Wee," and the sorority hymn is "Hail! A.K.A." Traditional songs include "Ivy Leaf Forever." Key rituals include the "Ivy Ceremony" and the "Boule," the name for its biennial international convention. The official publication is the Ivy Leaf magazine. The organization's crest features a shield, a lamp of knowledge, and a Grecian urn.

Notable members

The sorority's membership includes pioneering figures across numerous fields. In politics and law, notable members include Vice President Kamala Harris, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, and former United States Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young's wife. In arts and entertainment, members have included author Toni Morrison, poet Maya Angelou, actress Phylicia Rashad, and singer Jill Scott. Journalism is represented by Gwen Ifill and Michelle Norris. Academia includes the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in the United States, Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander. Other distinguished members are astronaut Mae Jemison, civil rights leader Coretta Scott King, and educator Johnnetta Cole.

Category:Alpha Kappa Alpha Category:African-American sororities Category:Howard University Category:Organizations established in 1908 Category:Student societies in the United States