Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is the oldest Greek-letter organization established by and for African American college-trained women, where the idea for formation was conceived by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle. Alpha Kappa Alpha was founded on Wednesday, January 15, 1908 on the campus of Howard University in Washington, DC.
The purpose of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, to promote unity and friendship amongst college women, to study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women, to maintain a progressive interest in college life, and to be of service to all mankind.
The Original Group
Anna Easter Brown, Beulah Burke, Lillie Burke,
Marjorie Hill, Margaret Flagg Holmes, Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, Lavinia
Norman, Lucy Slowe and Marie Woolfolk Taylor.
Led by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, the nine Howard University students who came
together to form Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority were the scholastic leaders
of their classes. Each also had a special talent or gift that further
enhanced the potential of this dynamic group.
The Sophomores
Norma Boyd, Ethel Jones Mowbray, Alice Murray, Sarah
Meriweather Nutter, Joanna Berry Shields, Carrie Snowden and Harriet
Terry.
To ensure the continuity of the organization, seven Class of 1910 honor
students who had expressed interest were invited to join without
initiation.
The Incorporators
Norma Boyd, Julia Brooks, Ethel Jones Mowbray, Nellie
Quander, Nellie Pratt
Russell and Minnie Smith.
Nellie Quander was elected president in 1911. Under her visionary
leadership, Alpha Kappa Alpha initiated a dynamic plan of expansion.
The first step of establishing a national body in perpetuity was
taken in 1913 when Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority was legally incorporated.
On January 29, 1913 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority was incorporated to
perpetuate the lifelong rituals and traditions of sisterhood.
The Kappa Pi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. was chartered May 1, 1976 on the campus of Kansas State University, and was created as a forum for African American college women to promote unity, friendship and to cultivate and encourage high scholastic achievement and ethical standards.
The chief organizers of the Kappa Pi Chapter were: Dorene Belton, Loranda Breckenridge, Sheri Carter, Juanette Foster, Cheryl Hill, Montrula Johnson, Emily Levell, Sherry Londo, Cheryl McAfee, Terry Revels, Robin Walker, Martha Wilson and Dore Woodson.
Current members are extensively involved in campus activities which include, the Black Student Union, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Residence Hall Boards and Staff, Multicultural Student Ambassadors, Mortar Board, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Multicultural Student Honor Society, Developing Scholars Program, Work Study Programs & the Ronald McNair Scholars Program.
Recent service programs: Kappa Pi has an annual Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, "Think Pink" along with a breast cancer awareness program. Kappa Pi has implemented service programs that are a part of the ESP Undergraduate Service Programs, such as Entrepreneur Workshop, Healthy Days with the AKA's, DedAKAted Black Man, Technology 101 and AKAnomics program. We have also put on forums such as a Pillow Talk Forum and a Phenomenal Womanhood Forum.
