Alpha Kappa Alpha Service: 1900 - 1910
OVERVIEW (updated daily)
1900s—Promoted Negro culture, uplift and encouraged social action through service, presentation of Negro artists and social justice advocates.
Purpose & Creation 1906-1907
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority was permitted to exist by the Howard administration in November of 1907.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity was given permission to exist at Howard University sometime AFTER March of 1908..
VISION & MISSION
"[Alpha Kappa Alpha] intends to do a lot of work to make their presence felt."
-E. L. Hedgemon
CREATION
Creation & school approval of the world's first collegiate Greek organization created by African American women, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
The sorority was established with a dual purpose: to foster both service and sisterhood, thereby uplifting individuals through cultural enrichment and merit.
Making it ...
The first Greek collegiate organization was created for both service and kinship.
The first D9 organization to be created AND to exist at an HBCU.
The first meeting of the month is the business meeting.
The second meeting of the month is the social meeting.
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents that govern an organization, institution, or government. It typically outlines the structure, powers, and functions of the organization, as well as the rights and duties of its members or citizens. Constitutions can vary widely in scope and content, but they generally serve as the supreme law of the land, providing a framework for governance and establishing the rules by which decisions are made and laws are enacted. Constitutions can be written or unwritten, and they often include provisions for their own amendment or interpretation.
Individual sorors were identified with “service”—they were the leaders in organizations such as the YWCA and worked with the DC chapter of NAACP chapter soon after it was formed.
Ideal & its Ivy
for the purpose of studying and solving such problems, in order to take our place in the vanguard of civilization, do therefore form ourselves into an organization for the purpose of
cultivating and encouraging high scholastic and ethical standards among college students
establishment of unity and friendship among the more efficient college students, also among alumnae,
keeping alive their interest in college life and progressive movement emanating there from, for the avowed purpose of improving the social status of our race,
raising moral standards,
and increasing educational efficiency.
Cultural Awareness to Campus 1907- 1908
Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority performed a concert presentation to raise funds for sorority activities & to provide entertainment for the campus and friends of the community.
Helped with the bazaar that raised funds for the ladies in Miner Hall.
Lucy D. Slowe hosted the campus-wide party to introduce the ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority to the campus.
(1st probate/ new member presentation of D9 Greek world).
First African American Rush for a Sorority with Friends & Learning games.
(1st rush of D9 Greek world).
Hosted New Year's Reception for the campus.
( Catered especially for students who could not afford to go home for the holidays).
The first reception was completed by the Miner Hall Girls in 1907 school year.
Cultural Awareness & Merit to Campus 1908- 1909
Hosted a student forum on November 27, 1908/9 (Sources: Pearls of Service/ Priceless Pearls)
Masquerade ball - proceeds went to community outreach
Dean Kelly Miller credited the sorority with bringing life to the campus and called the sorority’s spirit and its enthusiasm contagious.
Dean Lewis Moore praised Alpha Kappa Alpha, not only for promoting school spirit but also for being the glue that would maintain alumni interest.
Mentioned by the Administration as the Ideal society among college women at Howard University & should be looked to by every college girl.
First National Plan
Public & Private of both literary and social work.
1st 3 presidents of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
Ivy Day Picture featuring 19 of the 22 founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated.
Ivy Vine.. a wreath for thee...
First official Ivy Day -
16 founders gathered in a ceremony symbolizing hope that Alpha Kappa Alpha would become a permanent part of Howard tradition.
Planted both a tree & Ivy in May of 1908 as a service to the university. Ivy oration enlarging upon the significant symbolism of the plant and likening then unto the ideals of the sorority.
(Campus Beautification Project)
Ivy Day was so well received we did it again in May of 1909 at Howard's invitation & included the entire school’s participation.
Ivy Day expanded to Ivy Week (in May)
(Set the "week" for all Greek organizations. )
First joint service project with Alpha's first public service project, in 1909.
Hosted Virginia Moore.
From Howard Journal
Miss Virginia Moore of Oakland California who has attracted much favorable comment as a violin artist since her appearance in the Philadelphia Colored Musical Festival, appeared in a recital in Andrew Rankin Chapel Monday evening February 1, under the auspices of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
Programs & Platforms 1908 - Present
Image captured from ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA: A LEGACY OF SERVICE
Alpha Kappa Alpha: A Legacy of Service
1908 Platform
Public & Private of both literary and social work.
Tutoring
Literary Work
Social Work
Fundraising
Athletic Support
1909 Platform
promote unity and friendship among college women.
cultivate high scholastic and ethical standards
Literary work
Tutoring
improve the social stature of the race,
Social work in the public sectors
Helped host a student forum with Kappa Sigma
promote unity and friendship among college women.
Social work in the private sessions
Banquets
Personal and Integral for bonding
Hostesses
Helped host dignitaries and guests with Deans of the University.
promote unity and friendship among college women.
Athletics
The women of Howard fighting the battle about not being allowed in the athletic venues.
Community Development & Cultural Awareness to Campus 1910 -11
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Programs
Academic Mentoring
Tutored students at the Howard Academy, Howard University, Armstrong & M street schools. (McNeil, Brooks, Slowe, etc)
*Apart of the promise we kept once the college aged girls moved to the new dorms. *
(EAF) - open to all
Community Outreach
Volunteers at Freedman's Hospital
Feeding the hungry
Clothing the needy
*Nellie Pratt Russell recalls the thrill and pride of wearing her plain gold ivy pin. She also recalled the volunteer activities to which they were deeply committed, working in different sections of Washington such as giving clothes and food to the needy.*
Community Partnerships
Focuses on work in literary & social work in public & social and athletics.
The first few members of the Washington YWCA, began with Alpha Kappa Alpha member, Anna J. Cooper.
(Club began in 1905, by Cooper)
On the advisory board for the YWCA (Meriwethers)
Helped create the NAACP & its DC chapter. (Clifford & the Alpha Chapter)
Participated in The women of Howard fighting the battle about not being allowed in the athletic venues.
Expansion & Cultural Awareness to Campus 1910-1911
Expansion
(1909 - 1910) As an undergraduate, Ms. Quander had taken several courses in argumentation and in public speaking. As a project for one of her classes, Quander made a study of the effect of Greek letter organizations on campus life.
After extensive study into the history structure and background of these organizations, she concluded that as a sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha must continue to exist and become incorporated.
Minnie Smith (Alpha Chapter, 1910) writes a letter to Gaines of Alpha Phi Alpha about an expansion plan before Nellie joins them at the Alpha convention to discuss the matter. (1910).
While Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity succeeded in being incorporated in New York in 1908 the organization it didn't cover expansion by 1910.
The organization's desire to expand was effectively completed with the incorporation of the sorority on January 29, 1913.
