About Us
History of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® was organized on the campus of Howard University in Washington, DC during the 1907-1908 academic year.
It is the oldest Greek-lettered organization established in America by women of color.
Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, a junior at Howard University, returned from summer vacation and was inspired to meet women of like mind to organize a Sorority. In Miner Hall, her and nine others began to pursue the dream and soon the reality of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® was founded on January 15, 1908 and Incorporated® in January of 1913.
The sorority now has more than 325,000 initiated members in graduate and undergraduate chapters located in 12 countries including the United States, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Dubai, Germany, Japan, Liberia, Nigeria, South Korea, South Africa and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
More information can be found on www.AKA1908.com
Marvelous Mid-Atlantic Regional History
To effectively and efficiently govern the more than 900 chapters, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is divided into ten regions, according to geographical location and density of population. Chapters were originally organized into regions in 1924 and charged regional directors as the lead officer. Prior to 1953, the states that now make up the Mid-Atlantic Region (NC and VA) were part of the South Atlantic Region.
Due to regional realignment, the Mid-Atlantic Region was born at the 1953 Boule. Dr. Rose Butler Browne, the first Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, led the region with determination and commitment to serving all mankind. Focusing on the national theme of Our Health, Our Strength, the first Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference was held in Newport News, VA with Lambda Omega serving as the host chapter. Since 1953, there have been nineteen regional directors and 130 chapters chartered (82 graduate chapters and 48 undergraduate chapters). Dr. Norma S. White, 25th international president, coined the term Marvelous Mid-Atlantic Region.
The Marvelous Mid-Atlantic Region is currently led by by 20th Regional Director, Nadine Vargas Stewart.
Sigma Omicron Herstory
12 Pearls of Wisdom - Sigma Omicron Charter Line - December 4, 2004
In September of 1996, a freshman Shani Ponteen at VWC wrote a letter to the Undergraduate Advisor at Norfolk State University stating that at least twelve young ladies were interested in starting an undergraduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporate®. The Undergraduate Advisor stated that she did not think her Chapter, Iota Omega, would be able to help since they were already sponsoring Norfolk State University and Old Dominion University.
Shani’s letter was presented to the Lambda Gamma Omega Chapter during their September Chapter meeting. The proposal to sponsor an undergraduate chapter was presented on October 12,1996. The Lambda Gamma Omega Chapter voted unanimously to pursue establishing a chapter at Virginia Wesleyan College. On October 21, 1996 a letter was sent to Dr. Greer, President of Virginia Wesleyan College, and the process began. The first undergraduate general member intake was held on April 11-13, 1997 in Hofheimer Theater at Virginia Wesleyan College. With the twelve young ladies graduating, there were not any members on campus to charter a Chapter between 1996 and 2000. Between 2000 and 2003 there were not any membership activities on the campus.
In October 2001, Mae Green, a senior wrote a letter to the Lambda Gamma Omega Chapter stating that there were several young ladies on the campus that were interested. The Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, Caroline Lattimore, gave permission to proceed. On November 19, 2004 eleven young ladies embarked on a journey that would change their lives.
On December 4, 2004 the “ 12 Pearls of Wisdom “ chartered the Sigma Omicron Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® on the campus of Virginia Wesleyan College. The Sigma Omicron Chapter has thrived since its beginnings. The Sigma Omicron Chapter had a member on the Directorate, Jasmine Motley, serving as the Undergraduate Member at Large.