Iota Iota History

On December 4, 1972, three women from Bowling Green State University were initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. These women were Barbara J. Williams, Jeanette Ball, and Kimberly Parker. At the time, there was one Soror attending Bowling Green State University; Michelle Watts. These four Sorors pledged through Alpha Lambda Chapter at The University of Toledo. The goal of these Sorors was to see Bowling Green have its own chapter before they graduated. During the 1973-1974 school year, these Sorors worked on the formulation of the chapter. They were in constant touch with Soror Eva Evans, Regional Director of the Great Lakes Region, at the time, to find out the criteria for a chapter at Bowling Green. Also, during the 1973-1974 school year, five more women became interested in becoming a part of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. These women were Martha A. Moore, Karen Carter, Vondra Small, Charlene Truitt, and Patrice Toles. These Sorors were initiated May 25, 1974. They also pledged through Alpha Lambda Chapter. There were now nine Sorors at Bowling Green. Coming back in the fall of 1974, two of the Sorors had graduated and one did not return. The six remaining Sorors met with Soror Madelyn Hairston, Great Lakes Regional Director after the 1974 Boule. She informed them that the ground work had been laid and all they needed were six interested women. Instead of six, ten were chose to become part of the Sorority. The initiation of these women and the Chartering Ceremony were held on the same day, March 15, 1975; in the University Union.

Iota Iota Charter Members

Jacquelyn L. Bailey Kimberly Parker Bonita Y. Gamble Carletta Railey Crystal Gooch Berene Ramey Karen Jackson Vondra Small Tonia Kates Dianthia Smith Paula M. Moody Patrice E. Toles Martha A. Moore Charlene Truitt Karen L. O'Bryant Barbara J. Williams

THE FOUNDING Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is the oldest Greek-letter organization established in America by Black college women. Founded on January 15, 1908 under the direction of Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, Alpha Kappa Alpha has since grown well beyond her birthplace of Howard University. She has now expanded to her international home, which includes a network of over 150,000 women in the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa. Alpha Kappa Alpha cultivates and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards; promotes unity and friendship among college women; studies and helps alleviate problems concerning girls and women; maintains a progressive interest in college life; and is of service to all mankind.

THE PEARLS OF OUR SORORITY

The Original Group: Marjorie Hill, Lucy D. Slowe, Lillie Burke, Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, Anna E. Brown, Marie Woolfolk Taylor, Beulah E. Burke, Margaret Flagg Holmes, and Lavinia Norman The Sophomores of 1908: Norma Boyd, Ethel J. Mowbray, Alice P. Murray, Sarah M. Nutter, Joanna B. Shields, Carrie E. Snowden, and Harriett J. Terry The Incorporators: Norma Boyd, Julia E. Brooks, Ethel Jones Mowbray, Nellie M. Quander, Nellie Pratt Russell, and Minnie B. Smith

WHAT IS ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA? Alpha Kappa Alpha is first a Sisterhood. A college based organization striving to organize a channel - a organization - established to promote unity. A spiritual need for an organization to cut across racial, national, physical and social barriers to help individuals to develop a constructive relationship with others. It is an organization - a union of thousands of unique college educated African American women who are founded by a powerful mystique. It is a society controlled by African American women - a business. It is finally, a composition of women who have chosen their pledge as a means of self-fulfillment through service.

The National Program Theme for 2002-2006 is “The Spirit of Alpha Kappa Alpha”

Sisterhood, Scholarship, and Service Partnerships Innovation Respect Involvement Technology

Target I: Education Our goal is QUALITY EDUCATION for all. This initiative will focus on A.K.A., the acronym for "AKA KIDS ALERT." We feel that A.K.A. KIDS must enjoy and excel in learning. Parents of A.K.A. KIDS must be involved in the education of their children - A.K.A. KIDS must become responsible adults. The IVY AKAdemy will continue to serve as the umbrella for all educational training and human resource development experiences provided by local chapters and will stress reading, writing, speaking, listening, mathematics, science and technology. Target II: The Black Family The world we seek in the new millennium is one where a child's need for time with his or her parents is a top priority; where family's togetherness is prized; where family ties are reestablished; where parents consider the well-being of their children; and where homelessness does not exist. This program will focus on issues that divide the black family, at-risk youth, family values for middle and high school youth, and AKA Coat Day for homeless families. Also as a part of The Black Family is a Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service " A Day on Instead of a Day Off". Target III: Health Healthy bodies make healthy minds; therefore, we must encourage youth and adults to take good care of themselves, eat well, exercise and enjoy good physical and mental health. Parents must be inspired to help their children make healthy choices. This program target will focus on health issues that disproportionately affect minority populations, especially African Americans, as well as health issues specified in the President's Race Initiatives. The Alpha Kappa Alpha Health Net will be developed Target IV: Economic Empowerment We can only prosper if we are prepared for the work force, if we get the high paying jobs, and if we promote black businesses. It is important that the Black community gain empowerment. Ownership remains the key to wealth and power in America. We must arm African Americans with the information and encouragement they need to become successful entrepreneurs. This program will focus on financial planning and management, employment, entrepreneurship in the 21st Century and Black Dollar Days. Target V: The Arts Alpha Kappa Alpha, throughout her rich heritage, has continually focused her attention on the arts. In many of our schools, the arts are no longer included in the curriculum. Alpha Kappa Alpha can fill this void, for we know that the arts can improve the quality of life for all mankind. The arts can be a meaningful vehicle for communication and education. Therefore, we must continue to heighten awareness of the arts, support arts education, promote potential artists, augment appreciation of the arts, and make the arts available to a larger public.

Iota Iota Chapter Lines November 20, 1971 Michelle Watts

December 4, 1972 Barbara J. Williams Jeanette Ball Kimberly Parker (Pledged through Alpha Lambda Chapter at University of Toledo)

BLOOD FIVE: May 25, 1974 Martha A. Moore Karen Carter Vondra Small Charlene Truitt Patrice Toles (Pledged through Alpha Lambda Chapter at University of Toledo) THE CHOSEN FEW: March 15, 1975 Jacquelyn L. Bailey Bonita Y. Gamble Crystal Gooch Karen Jackson Tonia Kates Paula M. Moody Karen O'Bryant Carletta Railye Berene Ramey Dianthia Stith

FIRST GENERATION: January 24, 1976 Diane Robinson Lorna Lee Sharon Babb Marilyn Meriwether Yvonne Eaton Devore Nixon Kimberely Jackson Sharon Williams

SOULFUL SWEET SIXTEEN: June 6, 1976 Wanda Anderson Stephanie Gleason Mary Fedrick Rosemary Pye Judi Jones Judy Wofford Kimberly Bunch Roxanne Davis Sharon Booker Pamela Henderson Loretta Stiles Jasmine Russell Sandra Jones Sherry Sanders Cheryl Borden Denise Black

UNLIMITED EDITION: June 4, 1977 Lynn Avery Crissie Usher Patricia Andrews Cherine Hill

DYNAMIC DUO: 1978 Estina McNeal Wendy Williams

EIGHT IS ENOUGH: February 10, 1979 Deborah Moore Arlene Holcomb Gail Alexanders Tondalaya Watkins Brenda Brooks Allison Walker Jennifer L. Morrow Jackie West

SWEET HONESTY: June 2, 1979 Dorothea Feimster Celeste Bland Mary Lucas Paula Green

THE THIRD EDITION: May 17, 1980 Janet Miller Mary Houston Judy Potter

REFLECTIONS: April 13, 1981 Rochelle Dixie Deborah Bass Carol Brock

EMERALDS OF ELEGANCE: January 16, 1982 Teena Wood Patricia Stokes Marie Johnson Telanie Ware Cheryl Dodd Sherry Smith

THE JADES OF PERFECTION: June 5, 1982 Anglea Dukes Tanya Simmons Sharon Ogletree

SUPREME DETERMINATION: December 10, 1983 Laurell Perkins Eileen Cook

WOMEN OF INTRINSITY: December 8, 1984 Anginise Moore Kathy Thompson Linda Beaver Lorretta Pittman

NEW APPROACH: December 16, 2001 Santwinaa "Silent Night" Nunez Crystal "2Cute" Cruz Marla "Knowledge" Nichols Monica "Kolgate" Young Esther "Temperance" Reese Dawn "From Dusk Till" Betts Tamika "Komplete" Lawson Heather "F.L.I.P." Holmes Angela "Kodak" Yancy Sherie "'10'derness" Myrick Paris "Kameleon" Tyler Caira "Tail It Like It Is" Williams

DESTINED 2 B: March 28, 2004 Jayme "Am'ace'zen" Loper Lynette "Virtuous" Roberson Kiandra "Mystique" Graham Patricia "Prodigy" Perry Vanessa "Dominant Diva" Malone Veronica "Metamorphosis" Malone Leah "Mission AKAmplished" Shaw Tierney "Grand Finale" Grayson