Alpha Kappa Alpha: 100 Plus Years of the Ivy "Spreading and Climbing"

[Little32]

Sorors,

I wrote several Centennial Moments for my chapter over the past year, and as our Centennial approaches, I want to share with you the fruits of my research.

Sisterly,

Little32


The fall semester of 1915 was an eventful time for the Alpha chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Newly incorporated and under the leadership of basileus, founder, and incorporator Norma Boyd and with the encouragement of Supreme Basileus Nellie Quander, Alpha Kappa Alpha achieved another of many organizational firsts. One Sunday afternoon that fall, the Alpha Chapter inaugurated its public meeting practice by hosting its first public political awareness meeting on the campus of Howard University. The speaker for the event, Martin B. Madden, was an Illinois congressman (1905-1928) and a champion of global human rights. Attendance of the event was so large that the organizers were forced to move from Rankin Chapel to Howard Theater, so that all could be accommodated.

This event solidified, in the infancy of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a dual interest in impacting positively issues of human and civil rights and increasing public awareness about those matters. These concerns echo throughout the history of our illustrious organization with programs such as the American Council on Human Rights organized by 11th Supreme Basileus Beulah Whitby and the Health Resource and Management platform, which is a part of our centennial “The Heart of ESP” programming.