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 cultivate 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.

What is a Sorority?

A sorority is a sisterhood of college women which enables women with common interest and goals to live and work together and enjoy a close friendship. It differs from a girl's club in that each chapter is affiliated with the national organization which directs and assists them by sending regional and national officers to visit the chapter each year. Local alumni also work with local chapters by offering guidance and support. Friendship, scholarship, leadership, and character are common goals of every sorority. Although some of the same goals are shared, each sorority strives to preserve their individuality as it relates to their founding principles. Overall, each young woman has unique qualities derived from various backgrounds, and chooses to devote those qualities diligently in a sorority.

What is Alpha Kappa Alpha?

Alpha Kappa Alpha is first a Sisterhood. A college based organization striving to organize a channel - an 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.