I'm shocked at the number of replies there are to this thread, I thought that there would be more. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/confused.gif

I would have to say Incorporator Minnie Beatrice Smith. She showed an unparalled commitment to Alpha Kappa Alpha with her efforts during the incorporation period. She personally rallied up a lot of support to preserve Alpha Kappa Alpha. She showed a lot of initiative and that is admirable to me.

I admire Soror Nellie Quander for the age at which she entered into the sorority. I consider her the one I am most like for that reason and for the fact that she acted so quickly when the perpetuity of the sorority was threatened. She reminds me of how I am concerning the things I love. I could go on and on about the continuous accomplishments of our beloved Soror but this would take all day! Much Love

I would say Norma Boyd... ... definitely http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif
God Bless Ladies! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif

Soror Ethel Hedgeman-Lyle-trailblazer,funny, spontaneous
Soror Lucy Diggs-Slowe-English teacher,talented singer,gracious
Soror Marie Woolfolk Taylor-tasteful dresser,astute,outspoken, persuasive,talented-drama/music

Reflecting back has truly brought back fun memories. Thanks I needed that.

------------------
You are the master of your own destiny!

Why have people stopped posting to this??

Ok..I feel I'm a little like Anna Easter Brown b/c I'm "solid, reliable, gentle & sweet". I'm a little like Sarah Meriweather b/c I'm pretty much always in a hurry. I'm a little like Lavinia Norman b/c if I had a dollar for every dream I've had, I'd be able to fulfill every single one of them. I'm a little like Carrie Snowden b/c I was very anxious to join AKA & b/c I have been touted by interests-turned-sorors as being "most gracious & lovely". I'm a little like Nellie Quander b/c I will agree to disagree with your ideals-but, it will take hell & high water for me to let anyone destroy & disband an ideal that I KNOW is right & should be preserved, namely, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Let me stop here b/c this will become too long...& I'll get emotional...but, I guess (in truth) I can find something in every one of them that I find also in myself.

That's the beauty of the whole thing. Some interests may see memorizing the founders & who they were as a torturous chore that AKA's demand be done just for the heck of it...but, sisterfriends, these were REAL people...REAL people that have shaped America. They did, indeed, and that's deep b/c if you try to imagine America without AKA, or any of the other BGLO's...I can't even imagine it..not even in my mind's eye.

So, sisterfriends learn the history b/c it is good & it is important...and, now you have no "excuse" for not being familiar with our illustrious founders...and, let's keep this thread going.

------------------
If you don't know what we say about "excuses", then you ain't ready...

AMEN!
http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif

Alright now yall former Ivies, don't make Big Sis Vivacious come out now! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif Our lovely Soror Nellie Quander, of the storied Quander family of DC, was an incorporator, not a founder.

As for the founder(s) I am most like, I've always found myself drawn to Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, because she was "the originator of the idea," and a charter member of more than just the Alpha chapter. My path to AKA was sort of a singular journey in that no one in my family supported Greek orgs., my school didn't allow Greek organizations and I had to literally dig up interest on my campus from other women and petition the local graduate chapter to consider us for membership. This made me cling to the idea of Soror Ethel as a pioneer whose focus laid the foundation of something spectacular.

My journey into AKA has always felt like a pioneering one too, because after my line sister and I were initiated, we set about chartering a chapter. Though we didn't end up with a charter, we ended up with several collegiate sorors whom we helped make (and who are still my GIRLS to this day, by and large); leadership skills learned from drafting bylaws and creating programs; diplomacy skills from working with our Regional Director, graduate chapter, other undergraduates and our universities; event planning skills from producing the first step shows known to our school/surrounding area; and the strengthening of my "let me be the first to do it" nature.

It's funny, but I never had much exposure to black Greeks coming up, but once read an article about AKA when I was about 12-years-old that talked about this pioneering group of women were the first to start the sorority movement for black women at a time when their kind was being raped, beaten and oppressed. Hell, many of the black men on Howard's campus resented the presence of women, according to my research. That one article was all I needed to convince me that I would one day be one of those "trailblazing" women. And here I am!

I've also always loved Anna Easter Brown, because she was born on Easter Sunday. Other early pioneers I admire are Sorors Lorraine Richardson Green and Nellie Quander. As a history buff, I REALLY admire Soror Majorie Parker. But most of all, I love and admire those good old-fashioned sorors who brought me in "the right way", with reverence, love and devotion, especially Soror Gloria E. Bond (yes, she emphasized that E.).

Sorry for the book.


[This message has been edited by Discogoddess (edited January 24, 2001).]

Well, they all hold some quality(ies) I hold dear... But all in all I would have to say I most identify with Founder Lucy Diggs Slowe b/c she was BUSY!!!!! I get the impression that she HAD to keep herself busy in order to have a good day... Very much like myself.
She was very organized and was prevailed upon consistently throughout her life to help prepare, organize, and maintain various organizations and projects. She LIVED the art of multi-tasking, wearing many hats while maintaining her career and involvement in the community. She was always willing to do... I will even assume that she had a hard time NOT taking on a new project... She said "Yes I will" just b/c the need was there and she knew she could do it. That's me to a "T". I love to read her profile just a teeny bit more than I do the others http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif But as we all know, they are ALL SPECTACULAR women!!!

I have thought long and hard about this one. After much consideration, for all of the founders were indeed admiral--and there are several, namely Ms. Quander (whom, as Discogoddess noted was not a founder, but an incorporator--I stand corrected) for her sheer dedication and Ms. Taylor for her scholarship and humanity, whom I identify with--I have come to the conclusion that I fancy myself to be most like Lucy Diggs Stowe.

Like her, I am an educator and a champion of education for our people. As I reread about her illustrious and ground breaking career, I see a woman who fulfilled many of the goals that I set for myself--graduate studies, professor of English, college dean--having done all of this during a time when these things were far more difficult to accomplish. She coupled all of this with a dedication to the goals of the sorority. As drafter of the sorority constitution, I imagine that she was a women with a way with words. I fancy myself to have a silver pen (please, don't tell me I am delusional http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif). I hope to have the opportunity follow the trails that she "blazed" (if you all don't mind me borrowing the phrase) both in her career and her choice in a sisterhood.

[This message has been edited by Little32 (edited January 26, 2001).]

Sorors,
This email was sent to me in another forum, and I thought I would share....(it is quite lengthy)...

i was searching the net came across this i hope that it inspires a
sisterfriend and uplifts a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc


REMARKS BY : DR. ROBERT B. INGRAM

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
by
Robert B. Ingram, Ph.D., Board Member
Miami Dade County Public Schools
District 1

August 26, 2000


WHO CAN FIND A VIRTUOUS WOMAN?

Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.
(Proverbs 31:10). That was the proverb I reflected upon in preparation for
todays salute to the SOPHISTICATED WOMEN OF ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY,
women, whose price is far above rubies. Your lives are personified in the
words, "Sugar and spice and everything nice".

Because, to me, you evidence the strength of women like Sojourner Truth
(1795 1883), because you, too, are pilgrims of God whose mission is to
liberate our people. To me, you evidence the quintessence of women like
Queen Nzinga (1582-1663), for you too accept your role as astute
diplomatic and political servants whose generosity of the spirit motivates
and inspires others to do the best than can with The tools they have.

To me, you demonstrate the tenacity of women like Harriet Tubman because
of your lion-hearted spirit drives you to practice what you profess. You
do not pretend to be what you do not intend to be. You are my "sheroes".

You are the scintillating, splendid, shining brilliance of people like:

1 Marjorie Hill
2 Lucy D. Slowe
3 Lillie Burke
4 Ethel Hedgeman Lyle
5Anna E. Brown
6 Marie Woolfolk Taylor
7 Beulah E. Burke
8 Margaret Flagg Holmes
9 Lavinia Norman

You are the enticing elegance and exquisite charm of some of the most
revered women in our history. You evidence the brilliance and judgement of
a:
1 Norma Boyd
2 Ethel Jones Mowbray
3 Alice P. Murray
4 Sarah M. Nutter
5 Joanna B. Shields
6 Carrie E. Snowden and a
7 Harriett J. Terry

You have the resolution and patience of a:

1 Norma Boyd
2 Julia E. Brooks
3 Ethel Jones Mowbray
4 Nellie M. Quander
5 Nellie Pratt Russell and a
6 Minnie B. Smith

Your courage, your strength and your knowledge. Your mastery, your wisdom
and your energy are nothing less than sugar and spice an everything nice.

ECCLESIASTICAL LESSONS

When I think of the AKA'S I draw spiritual lessons from your service. Let
me pass along a story from the Bible that illustrates what I mean. The
story of Esther details, in my mind, the sacrifices of people like
yourselves. You know the story.

Esther, was an orphan that became a queen. Esther was a Jewish girl whose
parents were both dead. Esther lived and was raised by her cousin
Mordecai.

Through Mordecai, Esther learned to love, to trust and to obey a mighty
God.

DOWN BUT NOT OUT

Esther's people, like many of the people AKA represents have been:

* Marked down
* Knocked down
* Backed down
* Put down
* Cracked down, and
* Held down

Without Esther's help not only would her people be down, they would be
out. Esther was faced with a choice, to save her own life or save the
lives of her people. She knew the law. To speak to the King meant instant
peril to her own personal safety. And not to speak to the King meant
instant death to her people. In today's vernacular Esther was in a double
bind; caught between a rock and a hard place.

In the 4th chapter and the 16th verse of the book named after her, we find
her coming to grips with her destiny. Devotion to her people was far
greater than the duty to herself. So it is with AKA'S who are devoted to
our people. ALL of our people. You serve because of your love, not because
of any law. To continue the legacy of your FOUNDERS THREE THINGS MUST
OCCUR:

I. First you must continue being: ABOLITIONISTS

Being an ABOLITIONISTS is the precondition for self-determination. Our
destiny is largely in our own hands. Our Bible tells us to seek and we
shall find. Knock and the door shall be opened to us. If we are to make
good in this race called life, we must do so through organized, unified
strategies.

Whatever our strategies they must emancipate ourselves and our people from
the media's powerful practice of perpetuating negative, violent images
that encourage irresponsible thoughts, behavior and activities. It appears
to me that the majority media delights in portraying African Americans as
pimps, pushers and prostitutes, using inflammatory words to portray
negative propaganda with such intensity that subconsciously African
American people are embracing and acting out these destructive
stereotypes.

What that says to me is this, when we fail to be ABOLITIONISTS our people,
we continue to allow their fertile minds to be inculcated with violent
thoughts, guided by violent sights, trained by violent sounds, instructed
by violent words, directed by violent things, schooled in violent places,
and therefore, too many of our people continue to be violent outlaws, who
live violent, dehumanizing lives.

Secondly, you must continue imparting KNOWLEDGE

Occasionally, your heartfelt fervor may decline and your devotion may
subside, but despite an occasional misstep you must continue keeping the
lamp of KNOWLEDGE burning.

o Forgetful AKA'S, need to open their minds up.
o Lazy AKA'S, need to pep up.
o Sleepy AKA'S, need to wake up.
o Angry AKA'S, need to make up.
o Stingy AKA'S, need to give it up, and
o Gossiping AKA'S, need to shut up.

No matter which way the winds of controversy blow, remember success will
not come from holding a good hand, but from playing a poor hand well.
There is a higher power that will help you to make a way out of no way.

When you impart KNOWLEDGE, you may not be what you wish to be, you may not
be what you're going to be, but by the Grace of God, you will not be what
you used to be!

III. Finally, you must continue being an: ACTUALIZER

To be a ACTUALIZER is to provide a synthesis between being an
ABOLITIONISTS and Imparting KNOWLEDGE. Without that balance, one could
embark on something called "divine insanity".

Divine Insanity" is the confusion in doing something, and not knowing if
it right or wrong. Confusion like the young sister I saw outside of the
church pulling and empty dog chain. I asked her "What was the matter?" and
she answered I don't know, I am so confused I don't know if I found this
chain or lost my dog!"

Implicit in imparting KNOWLEDGE is that you are not confused. You are
doing what you are doing according to a standard not according to a birth
right. Who you are, and not who your father and mother is or was, is
what's important. Knowing yourself, liking yourself and being yourself is
the cornerstone of being imparting KNOWLEDGE.

Just like the words to the song says, "Your mother may have, your father
may have, but God bless the child that has got his own". AKA'S I've
stopped by to invite you to continue your ABOLITIONIST activities,
continue imparting KNOWLEDGE, and continue ACTUALIZING. Continue pledging
your good name, your fortune and your life for the uplifting of our
people.

One of the life qualities I admire most about the AKA's I know, is how
they vigorously resists tyranny and champion truth.

The AKA's I know confront seemingly unsurmountable odds, such as
illiteracy, drug use and drug abuse, single parent households, child
abuse, inadequate health care, gang-related violence, low self-esteem,
aids, unemployment and under employment.

The AKA's I know are constructive and positive individuals who are ready,
willing, and able to lift their people from:

o Criticism to Compliment.
o Self-pity to Self-reliance.
o Resentment to Contentment.
o Hate to Love.
o Fear to Faith.

We can never relive today, therefore, it behooves us to give a good
account of ourselves, every moment of this day. We need not be
overwhelmed. They realize that a journey of a thousand miles begins with
one step. I've stopped by to invite you to keep making that one step at a
time:

o Children are precious, teach one.
o Parents are needed, reach one.
o Educators are people of distinction, salute one.
o Goals can be achieved, have one.
o Philosophies inspire, create one.
o Cultural partnerships promote diversity, join one.
o Obstacles are surmountable, move one.
o Prejudices prevent growth, conquer one.
o Coalitions are necessary, build one.
o Positive role models, are crucial, be one.

I'm only one, But I am one
I can't do everything, But I can do something,
And by the Grace of God, What I can do, I will do

By now you may have gleaned that Abolitionist, Knowledge and Actualizing
conforms to your call letters "AKA".

AKA, to me represents is a sorority of high regard, a sorority of
self-sacrifice, a sorority that evidences the true measuer of a person's
giving.

LILY


Let me put may remarks in a frame using a story I once heard about a
"Lily".

One day, the story goes, a beautiful "Lily" was observed growing in the
middle of a garbage dump.

The question was asked the Lily, "How can yiou grow with such beauty in
the middle of such salacious and satology mees?"

The Lily replied, "Because my roots, strive, thrive and are alive below
the mess,

My head rises above the mess,

My slender stem grows and glows through the mess,

So even though I am in the mess, I am not a part of the mess!"

I've stopped by to thank you for not being a part of the
APATHY, ABHORRENCE, or ABOMINATION. You are "Sugar and Spice and every
thing nice.

You are women who are admired, acclaimed and adored by individuals,
families and nations--not only here in AMERICA but around the world as
well.

Ancient records show that your ancestors served as queens, goddesses,
scholars, diplomats, scientists, icons, prophetess and freedom fighting
women-warriors exalted sometimes above their fathers, their husbands and
their brothers.

You share those attributes, and that is why I can say without equivocation
you are "Sugar and Spice and everything nice".

You have been blessed with the blood of women who have administered great
and mighty nations, led determined and capable armies into battle and
founded splendid and enduring royal dynasties.

Indeed, no other human of any racial or ethnic type has been so widely
venerated as has the African woman.

Thank you for inviting me to share these small tributes of historical
recognition, for I am honored to salute the prominence, grandeur and
majesty of members of your AKA Sorority. You are "Sugar and Spice and
everything nice".

My prayer is that you hold on as your ancestors and founders held on and
say with determination:

"I don't feel no ways tired,/

I've come to far from where I started from/

Nobody told me that the road would be easy/

But I've come too far for God to leave me!"

So go forward AKA'S and remember ESTHER, she too was "Sugar and Spice and
everything nice".

Hello,

Out of all the founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. I would have to say that I identify with Majorie Hill. Though little is known about Ms. Hill due to her untimely death, she was quoted as always saying "my mother says..." which I also say quite often.
http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif:

Beulah Elizabeth Burke because she was such a dedicated an active member...she put in the work and founded other chapters and was known to be there when needed.:)

Re: Question for Sorors and Astute Sisterfriends
 

The founder of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority that I find MOST appealing is Ethel Hedgeman Lyle. She had a vision that was so profound and so beautiful. She had to have God on her side, true strength, and dedication to be able to break the barriers of discrimination against women. Women were no longer looked at as the lesser sex(although,sometimes we still are),they were looked at as beautiful creations of God that were created for a higher purpose that was far above what any man could understand. She was created for the service of ALL mankind through high academic,moral,and personal standards. This to me is AWESOME enough to make any one admire, Ethel Hedgeman Lyle.

Anna Easter Brown. I always identified with her due to her love of African American history. Also, her words that are in my signature serve as a source of constant inspiration for me.