American University’s racial issues over the last two years have recently been brought to the media’s attention. On Monday, May 1st, bananas abbreviated with the letters “AKA” were found hanging from nooses on campus. This racial incident made students aware of the sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, which many were not familiar with prior to incident on campus. The Lambda Zeta chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. was established on AU’s campus on February 26, 1977.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA) is the first Greek letter sorority in the United States established by Black college women. Established January 15, 1908 at Howard University, the organization has now grown to a membership of more than 283,000 women with graduate and undergraduate chapters located in every state and several foreign countries.
The sorority was founded by sixteen students, led by Ethel Hedgemen Lyle. At the time, forming a sorority broke barriers African American women faced due to lack of opportunities for minorities and women in the early 20th century. Since the organization’s establishment, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. has worked to improve social and economic conditions through community service programs. The sorority works with communities through service initiatives and progressive programs relating to education, family, health, and business.
Here are some quick facts about the sorority:
Founded: January 15, 1908 at Howard University
Nickname: AKA
Official Colors: Salmon pink and apple green
Official Symbol: Ivy Leaf
Notable AKA alumni: Coretta Scott King, Rosa Parks, Dr. Maya Angelou, Jada Pinkett Smith