Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated is one of the oldest and most prestigious African-American sororities in the United States. Founded on January 15, 1908 at Howard University in Washington, D.C., the organization has grown to more than 300,000 members worldwide. The sorority has a long history of promoting leadership, scholarship, and community service among its members and has been at the forefront of social, political, and cultural issues affecting African American women. A key aspect of the history of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is the story of its founding by a group of visionary women who sought to create an organization that would uplift and empower African American women. In this article, we will explore the history of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the founding of the organization, and the question of how many Alpha Kappa Alpha founders there are.
History of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated has a rich and storied history dating back more than a century. The organization was founded in 1908 by a group of African American women at Howard University in Washington, D.C. The founding members, also known as the “Twenty Pearls,” sought to create an organization that would promote sisterhood, scholarship, and service among African American women.
In its early years, Alpha Kappa Alpha faced many challenges due to the racial and social climate of the time. Despite these challenges, the organization persevered and continued to grow in size and influence. Over the years, Alpha Kappa Alpha has been at the forefront of social, political, and cultural issues affecting African American women, including the fight for civil rights and equal opportunity.
Today, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is a thriving organization with more than 300,000 members worldwide. The Sorority continues to uphold the values and traditions established by its founders and remains committed to promoting leadership, scholarship, and community service among its members.
The founding of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
The founding of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated is a significant moment in the history of African American women’s organizations. The organization was founded on January 15, 1908 by a group of nine women who were students at Howard University. The founding members were Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, Beulah Elizabeth Burke, Lillie Burke, Margaret Flagg Holmes, Marjorie Hill, Lucy Diggs Slowe, Marie Woolfolk Taylor, Anna Easter Brown, and Lavinia Norman.
The group came together with the goal of creating an organization that would promote sisterhood, scholarship, and service among African American women. They were inspired by the women’s suffrage movement and the work of other organizations such as the YMCA and YWCA.
The founding members worked tirelessly to establish the organization and faced many challenges in its early years. They often encountered resistance from university administrators and struggled to gain recognition and support from the broader African American community.
Despite these challenges, the organization persevered and grew in size and influence in the years that followed. Today, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is one of the most respected and prestigious African American sororities in the United States, with a long history of promoting leadership, scholarship, and community service among its members.
How many founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha are there?
There were nine founding members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. who came together to form the organization in 1908. These women, also known as the “Original Nine,” were Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, Beulah Elizabeth Burke, Lillie Burke, Margaret Flagg Holmes, Marjorie Hill, Lucy Diggs Slowe, Marie Woolfolk Taylor, Anna Easter Brown, and Lavinia Norman.
In addition to the nine founding members, there were eleven incorporators who helped to establish the sorority as a legal entity. The incorporators were Norma Boyd, Ethel Jones Mowbray, Alice P. Murray, Sarah Meriweather Nutter, Joanna Berry Shields, Carrie E. Snowden, Harriet Josephine Terry, Minnie Beatrice Smith, Julia Evangeline Brooks, Nellie Pratt Russell, and Nellie Quander.
Together, the founding members and incorporators were instrumental in establishing Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. as one of the most respected and influential African American sororities in the United States. Their legacy continues to inspire and guide the organization today.
Who are the founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha?
The founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha, also known as the “Twenty Pearls,” were the nine charter members and eleven incorporators who came together to form Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in 1908.
The nine charter members were:
- Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, who served as the organization’s first president
- Beulah Elizabeth Burke
- Lillie Burke
- Margaret Flagg Holmes
- Marjorie Hill
- Lucy Diggs Slowe
- Marie Woolfolk Taylor
- Anna Easter Brown
- Lavinia Norman
The eleven charter members were
- Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, who served as the organization’s first president
- Beulah Elizabeth Burke
- Lillie Burke
- Margaret Flagg Holmes
- Marjorie Hill
- Lucy Diggs Slowe
- Marie Woolfolk Taylor
- Anna Easter Brown
- Lavinia Norman
These women came from diverse backgrounds and brought a variety of talents and skills to the organization. Together, they worked tirelessly to establish Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and to further its mission of sisterhood, scholarship, and service. Their legacy continues to inspire and guide the organization today.
The Legacy of the Founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha
The legacy of the founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha is one of resilience, perseverance, and commitment to excellence. These women were pioneers in their time, breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations of African American women.
Through their dedication to sisterhood, scholarship, and service, the founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha established a legacy that continues to inspire and guide the organization today. Their commitment to education and community service has had a profound impact on countless individuals and communities across the United States and around the world.
In recognition of their contributions, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. has established numerous programs and initiatives that honor the legacy of its founding members. These programs include scholarships, community service projects, and leadership development programs designed to empower and promote the success of African American women.
The legacy of Alpha Kappa Alpha’s founders is a testament to the power of sisterhood and the importance of community service. Their commitment to excellence continues to inspire and guide Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. as it works to uplift and empower African American women and communities around the world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated has a rich history rooted in the vision and dedication of its founding members. The nine charter members and eleven incorporators who founded the organization in 1908 were pioneers who worked tirelessly to create an organization that would uplift and empower African American women.
Today, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is one of the most respected and influential African American sororities in the United States, with a membership of more than 300,000 women worldwide. The organization remains committed to promoting sisterhood, scholarship, and service, and to upholding the values and traditions established by its founding members.
The legacy of Alpha Kappa Alpha’s founders continues to inspire and guide the organization as it works to uplift and empower African American women and communities around the world. As the organization continues to grow and evolve, it remains rooted in the vision and dedication of its founders and the commitment to excellence that has been a hallmark of the organization since its inception.
FAQs
What is Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated?
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated is one of the oldest and most prestigious African American sororities in the United States, founded in 1908 at Howard University.
How many founding members were there in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.?
There were nine founding members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. who established the organization in 1908.
Who were the Alpha Kappa Alpha Founders?
The Alpha Kappa Alpha Founders, also known as the “Twenty Pearls,” were the nine founding members and eleven incorporators who established Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in 1908. The founding members were Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, Beulah Elizabeth Burke, Lillie Burke, Margaret Flagg Holmes, Marjorie Hill, Lucy Diggs Slowe, Marie Woolfolk Taylor, Anna Easter Brown, and Lavinia Norman.
What is the legacy of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Founders?
The legacy of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Founders is one of resilience, perseverance, and commitment to excellence. Their dedication to sisterhood, scholarship, and service has had a profound impact on countless individuals and communities across the United States and around the world.
How has Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. honored the legacy of its founding members?
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. has established numerous programs and initiatives that honor the legacy of the founding members, including scholarships, community service projects, and leadership development programs designed to empower African American women and promote their success.