Who was the first aka?

Led by Ethel Hedgemon (Lyle), the nine Howard University students who came together to form Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority were the scholastic leaders of their classes.

Who was the first honorary AKA?

Nellie Quander becomes the 1st Supreme Basileus of Alpha Kappa Alpha. The first Honorary membership—the highest honor that the Sorority can pay—is given to Jane Addams, the legendary founder of Chicago's Hull House and a pioneer in professionalizing social work as a field of study.

What is the origin of the AKA?

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ^® (AKA), an international service organization, was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1908. It is the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American college-educated women.

Did Michelle Obama become an AKA?

Michelle Obama has accepted an invitation to become an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, ending weeks of speculation on historically black college campuses about which, if any, sorority she would join. Ms.

Can you join AKA if you're white?

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated^® does not discriminate in its membership selection practices on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, creed, marital status or disability.

This Week in Black History: Alpha Kappa Alpha

Can you wear pink and green without being AKA?

Pink and Green are universal colors and can be worn while participating in political activities as long as the symbols and sorority name are not printed, referenced or displayed in any way.

Can you pledge AKA without a degree?

There is neither “pledging” nor a Rush. General Requirements for Membership Include: High ethical and moral standards; Completion of at least a baccalaureate degree with a cumulative average of at least C+ or a graduate or professional degree from an accredited senior college or university.

Is Serena Williams in a sorority?

Serena is a native of the Bronx, New York and her community engagements include work with her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated. She resides in Washington, DC with her husband and two sons.

Which president was expelled from AKA?

In July 2009, eight members of ΑΚΑ sued the sorority to have McKinzie removed as president. They alleged that she spent hundreds of thousands of dollars of organization funds on personal items, including jewelry and clothing.

Why did the Deltas leave AKA?

The twenty-two Delta Sigma Theta (DST) founders were not pleased at the lack of progress of Alpha Kappa Alpha to move beyond organizing the affairs of campus society at Howard and wanted to reorganize the sorority to address topics like public service and women's advancement.

What do AKAs call themselves?

Nicknames. AKAs, Alpha Women, Pretty Girls, Ivies.

Did Deltas come from AKA?

On January 13, 1913, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated was founded by twenty-two women at Howard University. Some of the founders were former members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority who wanted to change the sorority's name, color, and symbols. In 1912, they proposed a vote to change the organization's name.

What is Beyonce sorority?

Beyonce Delta Kappa Sorority,inc. @BDKNATIONALSINC. Beyonce Delta Kappa was founded on the principles of black excellence unity and power to educate empower and embrace the world.

Who was the last living founder of AKA?

Norma Elizabeth Boyd, the last surviving founder of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA), died in Washington, D.C., on March 14, 1985.

What are the 4 top black sororities?

There are four major sororities, all of which were established in early twentieth century, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (Howard University, 1908), Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (Howard University, 1913), Zeta Phi Beta Sorority (Howard University, 1920), and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority (Butler University, 1922).

Who are the newest members of AKA?

The new honorees include Erica Campbell, gospel artist and host of “Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell, Grammy-winning artist Patti Labelle, Track and Field Olympian Allyson Felix and Delaware Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester. They were all inducted at a ceremony over the weekend in Washington, DC.

Who is the current president of AKA?

Danette Anthony Reed, International President & CEO of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated^® , proudly introduces her 2022-2026 theme Soaring to Greater Heights of Service and Sisterhood.

How many founders did AKA have?

Nine juniors and seniors who constituted the initial core group of founding members and seven sophomores who were extended an invitation for membership without initiation comprised what are acknowledged as Alpha Kappa Alpha's original 16 founders.

What sorority does Gladys Knight belong to?

Original Dreamgirl and actress Loretta Devine was initiated into the Epsilon Lambda Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc at the University of Houston. During the sorority's Diamond Jubilee Celebration in 1984, powerhouse singer Gladys Knight, who performed with the Pips, was inducted as an honorary member.

Which sorority is most exclusive?

They are called the seven sisters. These are considered the most elite of all sororities in the US and even in Canada. They have been known to be extremely selective with their potential members. Membership in one of the seven sisters is indeed a privilege.

Which sorority has the most money?

Alpha Delta Gamma's property amounts to $1.74 million, making it the sorority with the highest property value in the United States (Flanagan, 2021). Tau Kappa Epsilon is the largest fraternity in the United States with 226 active chapters and over 293,000 initiated members.

Can you join a sorority in your 40s?

There really isn't an official age limit restricting membership to a sorority. However, most sororities target freshman as their primary focus for members.

Who are the 20 pearls of AKA?

MINER HALL. HOWARD UNIVERSITY, 1908

Murray, Carrie Snowden, and Harriet Josephine Terry along with the incorporators Julia Evangeline Brooks, Nellie Quander, Nellie Pratt Russell, and Minnie B. Smith. These women became what are known as the 20 Pearls of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Can you join AKA as a freshman?

Membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is generally classified as undergraduate or graduate. In both classifications: Prospective members must have high ethical and moral standards. Membership can only be obtained by completing the Sorority's official Membership Experience (ME).