Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, the first Greek-letter organization for African-American women, was founded on January 15, 1908 by nine young female Howard University students. They were led by the vision of Ethel Hedgeman (Lyle); she had spent several months sharing her idea with her friends. During this time, she was dating her future husband, George Lyle, a charter member of the Beta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha.
Below are links to posts about previous #WHM profiles. I invite you to learn more about these interesting women.
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Hazel T. Nimmo became a member of the sorority at North Carolina College for Negroes (now North Carolina Central University) in Durham.
Hazel T. Nimmo, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., #NotableSororityWomen, #WHM2024
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Elizabeth Ross Haynes was a charter member of the Tau Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in New York City.
Elizabeth Ross Haynes, Alpha Kappa Alpha, #NotableSororityWomen, #WHM2023
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Dr. Bette Catoe Strudwick became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. during her medical studies.
Dr. Bette Catoe Strudwick, Alpha Kappa Alpha, #NotableSororityWomen, #
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Merze Tate, Ph.D., was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. for most of her adult life having become a member when in Indianapolis.
Merze Tate, Ph.D., Alpha Kappa Alpha, #NotableSororityWomen, #WHM2021
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Thelma Berlack Boozer became a member of the Lambda chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, as a New York University student.
Thelma Berlack Boozer, Alpha Kappa Alpha, #NotableSororityWomen, #WHM2020
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Etta Moten Barnett became a member of the sorority while a student at the University of Kansas.
Etta Moten Barnett, Alpha Kappa Alpha, #NotableSororityWomen, #WHM2019
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Althea Gibson was a member of the Beta Alpha chapter.
Althea Gibson, Alpha Kappa Alpha, #WHM2018, #notablesororitywomen
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The movie Hidden Figures features three National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) mathematicians – Katherine Coleman Goble Johnson, Dorothy Johnson Vaughan, and Mary Winston Jackson. All three were initiates of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Katherine Johnson
Dorothy Johnson Vaughan
Mary Winston Jackson
Hidden Figures on Alpha Kappa Alpha Founding Day
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Anna J. Cooper, Ph.D., was a member of the Xi Omega chapter.
Anna J. Cooper, Ph.D., on Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Founding Day
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Maudelle Brown Bousfield joined the Theta Omega graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. which was chartered on November 5th, 1922.
