The Beginning of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated

Ethel Hedgeman Lyle

Alpha Kappa Alpha, the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American college-trained women, was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C. on January 15, 1908. Since its inception, Alpha Kappa Alpha has been a channel through which select women improve socioeconomic conditions in their city, state, nation, and the world. The visionary women who organized the Sorority recognized their privileged position as college-trained women of color, one generation removed from slavery. They believed that by organizing their talents and strengths, they could use community service as a means of self-fulfillment and improve the social stature of African Americans. Ethel Hedgeman Lyle is often referred to as the “Guiding Light” of Alpha Kappa Alpha.

Twenty Pearls

The Sorority's founders and incorporators, known as the Twenty Pearls

Founders

Ethel Hedgeman Lyle

Anna Brown

Beulah Burke

Lillie Burke

Marjorie Hill

Margaret Holmes

Lavinia Norman

Lucy Slowe

Marie Woolfolk Taylor

Sophomores

Norma Boyd

Ethel Mowbray

Alice Murray

Sarah Meriwether Nutter

Joanna Berry Shields

Carrie Snowden

Harriet Terry

Incorporators

Norma Boyd

Julia Brooks

Ethel Mowbray

Nellie Russell

Nellie Quander

Minnie Smith

The Twenty Pearls and early leaders of the Sorority succeeded in laying a firm foundation for Alpha Kappa Alpha's principles of sisterhood, scholarship, and service. As the Sorority has grown, and as its function has become more complex, it has kept in balance two important themes: the importance of the individual and the strength of an organization of women of ability and courage. Today, Alpha Kappa Alphas influence extends beyond campus quads and student interest. It has a legacy of service that deepens, rather than ends, with college graduation. Over a century after its founding, Alpha Kappa Alpha has blossomed into a sisterhood comprised of more than 300,000 women in 1,024 chapters worldwide who believe in "Service to All Mankind."

Purpose

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.