1920's -
In Process
1920
1920s—Worked to dispel notions that Negroes were unfit for certain professions, and guided. Negroes in avoiding career mistakes (1923); pushed anti-lynching legislation (1921).
The earliest programs focused on cultural and educational initiatives, as well as providing aid to the less fortunate and addressing hunger.
All chapters organized programs centered around African American history, literature, music, and art during designated Founders’ Week or Skee-Wee Week, aiming to foster and elevate race consciousness
To facilitate the exchange of news and activities among members & chapters, the Ivy Leaf magazine, which remains in publication to this day, was established.
In 1922, national programming was advanced by the call for chapters to perform annually at least “one act of Christian, social & or civic service” for their community.
Bond Purchasing Programs
Foreign fellowships & Scholarships
The Vocational Guidance Program was launched.
Anti- Lynching Programs and Legislation
Honorary Scholarships issued: Durkee, Holmes & Miller
1st Ivy Leaf Magazine Debut!
Boule Introduced the sisters to our story in a publication .
Welcomed Zeta Phi Beta Sorority to campus!
Visual of Welcome
AI design by DnV.
Description of sorority welcome.
Charles Robert Taylor , Founder of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.
Housing HBCU
Alpha Chapter Sorority Home
1st Sorority Home for Negro women at Howard.
A.K.A's first collegiate home was in Illinois in the year 1914.
A.K.A, Jane Edna Hunter, Founder of the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA of Cleveland, OH
Culture & Arts
*AIDnV*
1921
PUBLICATIONS
In 1921, the members of the Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated released a magazine entitled The Ivy.
(Alpha chapter magazine)
OUTCOMES of CONVENTION
December 28-31 the 4th Annual Boule (National Meeting) was held in Indianapolis, Indiana
(Butler University & YWCA Community Center, Indianapolis, Indiana)
The Coat of Arms of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® was designed by Phyllis Wheatley Waters.
EDUCATIONAL AID
In the year 1921, AKAs raised at least $1500.00 in scholarships.
The equivalent of the amount $1,500 in 1921 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $24,973.07 today.
ILV19221923
EXPANSION & ADVOCACY
A.K.A. had established the first ten undergraduate chapters.
First to invite members to form the NPHC.
Launched and began THE program that would become the National Pan-Hellenic Council. (NPHC)
Advocated for the Dyer Anti Lynching Act realized 100 years later .
1922
Settling the Stage...
The charter for the Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha was granted in December 1922.
The Charity Ball raised funds for Christmas baskets for underprivileged children in the community.
This activity also shed light on the political climate that permitted the lynching of African-Americans in the United States.
(The Ivy Leaf, 1922).
Some are angered at our Non-discriminatory Policies.
( White women have been members by this time for at least a decade.)
1923
1923 Authorized History
1924
The Alpha chapter hosted Harvard & Foreign visitors to Howard University.
The Kappa chapter pledged $600 to the Bigger, Better Butler pledge at Butler University. v3n11924
In 1924, the Lambda Omega chapter made dresses for needy children in their community (The Ivy Leaf, 1924).
1925
Fundraising Fun
The Anti-Lynching Crusaders were a group of women dedicated to stopping the lynching of African Americans. Before the Anti-Lynching Crusaders were founded all these groups of Crusaders were involved with churches that helped them learn how to lead with gender problems and power.[Zackodnik, Teresa (2011). Press, Platform, Pulpit: Black Feminist Publics in the Era of Reform. United States of America: The University of Tennessee Press/Knoxville. p. 4.
The 1925 Alpha Kappa Alpha Constitution provided for Regional Conferences in April of each year, if possible. 1000 sorors, 38 chapters
War mother chapters
Purnell worked with the Rho and other chapters to become a War mother chapter.
The American War Mothers was founded in 1917 and given a Congressional charter on February 24, 1925. It is a perpetual patriotic, 501(c) 4 non-profit, non-political, non-sectarian, non-partisan organization whose members are mothers of children who have served or are serving in the Armed Services during a time of conflict.[1]
Source: http://www1.va.gov/vso/index.cfm?template=viewreport&Org_ID=29
1926
A landmark in the adoption of an action program for implementation on a national scale. There it was agreed a period to be known as Founders’ Week would be set aside each January. During this period, chapters would equally important fact that these efforts by the various chapters were educating its communities and helping to promote interracial understanding and good will. Encouragement of high scholarship and assistance to deserving students has always been of major concern to AKA chapters.
But by this action of the Baltimore Boule, the support of education and academic achievement became a major facet of national program and of internationalism, which was maintained throughout the years despite challenging diversification of national program targets. In the second quarter-century of its existence, AKA experienced a gradual but significant widening of its program activities.
site: https://newspapers.library.in.gov/cgi-bin/imageserver.pl?oid=INR19940709-01&getpdf=true
And united we’ll forge our way..
1927
3,000 members by 1927
Membership Growth
Bertha J Gaskins King , first woman pharmacist passes away.
Vocational Guidance
Vassar Rodgers, Civil Rights Pioneer dies
(Pioneer of SkeePhi/PhirstPham)
Alpha Beta Omega chartered.
1928
Fellowships & Guidance
Foreign Fellowship
Ethel C. Harris wins the first grant to Germany. $1k (equivalent 2023 - $18k)
Vocational Guidance
Gamma Incorporated.
Marian Anderson at Carnegie Hall (SkeePhi effort) benefits to go to the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Scholarship fund for the University of Pittsburgh.
Presented Anita Belle Turnpeau Anderson (ZPB) to the public.
Supporting Woodson in Negro History Cultural Affairs.
Supported Arts & Cultural affairs.
Annabelle Carey Prescott, Dean of Wendell Phillips High School.
58 chapters.
Louise Bass goes to the White House.
1929
Chicago celebrates Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, the first collegiate sorority among colored women.
$1500.00 - $3000 in local scholarships in 1929.
71 chapters
Hazel E Brown awarded a Foreign Fellowship to England. $1k (equivalent 2023 - $18k)
Far Western Region – July 29 - August 2, 1929, Los Angeles, California
Local Scholarships - 1929
edited Review by 1948 BB
Supporting Gamma house 1929
University of Illinois
