The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Sorority celebrates 110 years of ‘sisterhood and service’
The Philadelphia Metropolitan Area chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. ® recently celebrated the sorority’s 110th anniversary with a Founders’ Day celebration at Presidential Caterers in East Norriton. One of the nation’s oldest Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), Lincoln University (PA), was spotlighted – the Mistress of Ceremonies of the event was the newly installed 14th President Dr. Brenda A. Allen, an esteemed member of the sisterhood of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® and the chapters made a donation in the amount of $3,000 to the university to support its programs.
The more than 550 members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® who gathered for the joint Founders’ Day program primarily consisted of members of the area graduate chapters including: Omega Omega Chapter, President Carol Parkinson-Hall (Philadelphia); Iota Tau Omega Chapter, President Yolanda George Turman (West Chester); Rho Theta Omega Chapter, President Robyn R. Jones (Philadelphia); Tau Delta Omega Chapter, President Karen SmithThomas (Chester); Phi Beta Omega Chapter, President Nia N. Campbell (Montgomery County); Omega Zeta Omega Chapter, President Gia James (Bucks County) and Omega Mu Omega Chapter, President Jacqulynn Hugee (Philadelphia). The North Atlantic Regional Director of the sorority, Meredith L. Henderson, led the rededication ceremony at the event.
Educational Enrichment is a target service program of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.® and supporting HBCUs is a nationwide priority. Alpha Kappa Alpha’s “Think HBCU” campaign highlights HBCU’s and their contribution to the sorority and society through education, engagement, and advocacy for students nationwide. The Philadelphia Metropolitan Area graduate chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® collectively donated over $166,028 to fund grants, scholarships and community programs in 2017.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® is the first Greek-lettered sorority established by African American women, on January15, 1908, on the campus of Howard University, Washington, D.C. Our illustrious Founder, Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, was a charter member of Omega Omega Chapter in Philadelphia. Driven by its dedication to service and sisterhood, the sorority has evolved into a global organization with more than 290,000 members with 1000 + chapters nationally and internationally in the United States, Canada, Caribbean, US Virgin Islands, Liberia, South Africa, Germany, Korea, Dubai, and Japan. Our programs and services are driven by our dedication to service, sisterhood and scholarship and fulfill our timeless motto of “Service to all Mankind”.