Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Legacy of Firsts

By Arija Martin

For over a century, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated has been a quintessential example of leadership and service, embodying its mission of "Service to All Mankind."

The four icons on AKA’s shield each signify justice, peace, enlightement, and boundless power.

In 2024, they remain indispensable. In an era when opportunities for Black women were scarce, the sorority's visionary and "guiding light," Ethel Hedgemon Lyle, envisioned a network of like-minded women using their talents to empower others. On January 15, 1908, 20 visionary college women founded Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA). To ensure its protection and perpetuity, the sorority was incorporated on January 29, 1913, through efforts led by Nellie May Quander. The founders were among fewer than 1,000 Black women enrolled in higher education in 1908. AKA was the first Black Greek-lettered organization to successfully incorporate, setting the stage for its legacy of firsts.

Public service, especially political action, is integral for Alpha Kappa Alpha. Shortly after incorporation, AKA held its first political action conference in 1915. In 1921, the sorority advocated for the Dyer Anti-lynching Bill through the Ivy Leaf Journal. Most notably, in 1934, under President Ida Louise Jackson, they sponsored the Mississippi Health Project during the Great Depression, the first mobile health clinic in the U.S. The clinic, running from 1935 to 1942, revolutionized healthcare access for Black communities in the Mississippi Delta. On February 12, 1965, AKA secured funding to operate Ohio's first Federal Job Corps Center in providing education training for over 300 women. Members consistently broke barriers at a time when African American women had little power or authority, and that legacy continues.

Kamala Harris greets the audience at an AKA Convention in Dallas, TX. (Smiley N. Pool/Dallas Morning News) 

On August 6, 2024, Kamala Harris was officially certified as the Democratic nominee for the 2025 presidential election. This came as no surprise as she crossed Alpha Chapter, the first chapter of AKA at Howard University, in the late 1980s. Kamala embodies what it means to be an "Alpha" woman, coming from a legacy of trailblazers, change-makers, and community leaders who have made their mark in the sorority. Kamala's contributions to AKA extend beyond her political career. She has consistently highlighted the importance of community service and advocacy, aligning with the sorority's core values. Her journey from Howard University to becoming the first Black and Asian American woman to become Vice President of the United States underscores the sorority's impact on her path as she continues to break barriers aligning with Alpha Kappa Alpha's storied history of firsts.

As Kamala Harris embarks on her historic presidential campaign, she carries the enduring legacy of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Her journey exemplifies the sorority's mission of "Service to All Mankind," inspiring future generations and ensuring AKA's pioneering spirit continues to shine brightly.