Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

"By Culture and By Merit"

Founding and History

Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) was founded by nine visionary young women seeking to create an organization that would cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, promote unity and friendship among college women, and be of service to all mankind. These founders, led by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, included Anna Easter Brown, Beulah Elizabeth Burke, Lillie Burke, Marjorie Hill, Margaret Flagg Holmes, Lavinia Norman, Lucy Diggs Slowe, and Marie Woolfolk Taylor.

Incorporated in 1913 to ensure its perpetuity, the sorority has grown from a small group at Howard University to an international organization with over 300,000 members and more than 1,000 chapters worldwide. This remarkable expansion reflects the enduring relevance and appeal of Alpha Kappa Alpha's mission across generations and geographical boundaries.

Nellie Quander, elected president in 1911, spearheaded the movement to incorporate the sorority, extending its life beyond the college chapter and ensuring a permanent structure for future growth. Under her leadership, Alpha Kappa Alpha became a perpetual organization, setting the foundation for its continued development into the 21st century.

Mission and Values

The mission of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, to promote unity and friendship among college women, to study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women in order to improve their social stature, to maintain a progressive interest in college life, and to be of "Service to All Mankind."

The sorority's guiding principles emphasize scholarship, leadership, service, and sisterhood. These core values have remained constant throughout its history, providing a firm foundation upon which generations of members build their individual and collective contributions to society.

Notable Members

Throughout its distinguished history, Alpha Kappa Alpha has counted among its members some of the most prominent African American women who have made significant contributions in various fields:

• Coretta Scott King Civil rights activist and wife of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• Maya Angelou Renowned poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist
• Katherine Johnson Mathematician whose calculations were crucial to NASA's early space missions
• Toni Morrison Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize-winning author
• Phylicia Rashad Award-winning actress and stage director
• Kamala Harris Vice President of the United States and U.S. Senator
• Eleanor Holmes Norton Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from the District of Columbia
• Rosa Parks Civil rights pioneer known as "the mother of the freedom movement"
• Johnnetta Betsch Cole Anthropologist, educator, and museum director
• Jada Pinkett Smith Actress, singer-songwriter, and producer

Programs and Initiatives

Alpha Kappa Alpha has a long history of addressing critical issues through strategic programs focused on social action, economic development, health, education, and the arts. The sorority's current international program continues this legacy with targeted initiatives designed to make meaningful, sustainable impacts in communities worldwide.

Structure and Chapters

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is organized into eight regions covering the United States and international areas, each led by a regional director. The organization's international headquarters is in Chicago, Illinois, which provides administrative support and coordination for the entire sorority.

The sorority consists of both undergraduate chapters located on college and university campuses and graduate/alumnae chapters in communities worldwide. Chapters engage in service projects, leadership development, social activities, and fundraising that advance the sorority's mission and extend its impact in local communities.

An international board of directors governs the sorority, with elected officers including the international president, vice presidents, secretary, and treasurer. Leadership development remains a cornerstone of the organization, preparing members for roles within the sorority and in their professional and civic lives.

Impact and Legacy

For over a century, Alpha Kappa Alpha has made significant contributions to communities around the world. The organization's impact includes:

• Establishing numerous scholarship programs that have helped thousands of students pursue higher education
• Contributing millions of dollars to charitable causes and research initiatives
• Developing and implementing programs addressing education, health, economic empowerment, and social justice
• Supporting disaster relief efforts domestically and internationally
• Mentoring countless young women and providing leadership development opportunities
• Promoting African American arts, culture, and heritage
• Advocating for civil rights, voting rights, and equal access to education and healthcare
• Building strategic partnerships with corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies

The sorority's influence extends beyond its membership through collaborations with other organizations and initiatives that benefit underserved communities. AKA has been particularly impactful in areas such as STEM education, financial literacy, health disparities, and youth development programs.

Symbols and Traditions

Alpha Kappa Alpha's colors are salmon pink and apple green. The sorority's flower is the pink tea rose, and its symbols include the ivy leaf, representing growth and endurance, and the mirror, representing truth and self-knowledge. The organization's coat of arms features these and other elements that represent the sorority's ideals and values.

The sorority's official publication, The Ivy Leaf, has been documenting the activities and achievements of members since 1921. Additionally, AKA hosts biennial conferences that bring together members from around the world for business meetings, leadership development, educational sessions, and fellowship.

Other cherished traditions include initiation ceremonies, chapter anniversary celebrations, community service recognition events, and the signature "pink and green" attire worn by members at sorority functions, symbolizing unity and sisterhood.

Membership and How to Join

Membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is by invitation only and is extended to women who have completed at least one semester at an accredited college or university, with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent). Candidates must also demonstrate good moral character, leadership potential, and dedication to community service.

Potential members may be invited to participate in the Membership Intake Process (MIP), which includes learning about the sorority's history, programs, and expectations of membership. Undergraduate membership is offered to women currently in college, while graduate membership is open to women who have completed at least a bachelor's degree.

Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha are expected to uphold the sorority's high standards, participate in chapter activities, contribute to the organization's service initiatives, and maintain loyalty to the organization. Membership offers opportunities for leadership development, personal growth, lifelong friendships, and the ability to make meaningful contributions to society through collective service.

Continuing the Legacy

As Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. moves into its second century, the organization continues to adapt its programs to meet evolving needs while remaining true to its founding principles. By addressing contemporary issues through innovative initiatives while preserving rich traditions, the sorority connects new generations of members to the vision and legacy of those who came before them.

Through the dedication of its members, Alpha Kappa Alpha maintains its position as a leading service organization, positively impacting communities and shaping the next generation of leaders. The sorority's commitment to scholarship, sisterhood, and service ensures that its influence will continue to grow, making a lasting difference in the world for years to come.

With more than 300,000 initiated members and over 1,000 chapters worldwide, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. continues to exemplify the vision of its founders, creating a legacy of service that improves the lives of others and advances the common good. From the halls of historically black colleges to communities across the globe, the sorority's distinctive pink and green represents excellence, service, and enduring sisterhood.