ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY HERSTORY
The Founders' Window was produced by an Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority member and internationally renowned African-American artist, Lois Mailou Jones (1905-1998). Dedicated in 1978, the three-paneled stained glass window commemorates the sorority's founding and memorializes its founders.
On January 15, 1908 on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® was established as the first Greek-lettered organization for black college women. Founded by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle and fifteen other ambitious and dedicated women at Howard University, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority was formed to foster high scholastic and ethical standards, promote unity and sisterhood, and improve the social stature of African-Americans.
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Alpha Kappa Alpha's influence extends beyond college campus quads and student interest. It has a legacy of service that deepens, rather than ends, with college graduation when members join graduate chapters. The overarching goals of Alpha Kappa Alpha's program activities center on significant issues in families, communities, government halls and world assembly chambers. Its efforts constitute a priceless part of the global experience in the 21st century.
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​Over one hundred years after its establishment, Alpha Kappa Alpha has blossomed into a sisterhood comprised of over 300,000 college-trained women in over 1,000 undergraduate and graduate chapters throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Bermuda, Africa, Canada, Europe and Asia who believe in "Service to All Mankind."
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Its membership is comprised of distinguished women who boast excellent academic records, proven leadership skills, and are involved in the global community through advocacy and service. Alpha Kappa Alpha has dedicated itself to improving the quality of life for citizens worldwide and promoting peace.
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Through the years, Alpha Kappa Alpha has used the Sisterhood as a grand lever to raise the status of African-Americans, particularly girls and women. AKA has enriched minds and encouraged life-long learning; provided aid for the poor, the sick, and underserved; initiated social action to advance human and civil rights; worked collaboratively with other groups to maximize outreach on progressive endeavors; and continually produced leaders to continue its credo of service.
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Guided by twenty-nine international presidents from Nellie M. Quander (1913-1919) to Glenda Baskin Glover (2018-2022), with reinforcement from a professional headquarters staff since 1949; AKA’s corps of volunteers has instituted groundbreaking social action initiatives and social service programs that have transformed communities for the better— continually emitting progress in cities, states, the nation, and the world.
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OUR MISSION
Alpha Kappa Alpha’s mission 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".
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OUR COMMITMENT
Alpha Kappa Alpha’s mission 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".
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