When you have a little girl, you want her to grow up with friends/sisters that empower her, have similar goals and want to take the world by storm. When she gets to be in high school and is preparing for the college life, she may want to join a sorority.
The first thing some young ladies look forward to in joining a sorority is of course all the parties and the cute guys! (I know that would be my reasons lol) If you watch Lifetime you know exactly what I’m talking about ladies!
So for me to get some knowledge as to what a sorority is and what they represent, I did a Q&A with my girl AmberHarris to get the 411 and her take on being a AKA(AlphaKappaAlpha). Something Eva and/or many young girls may want to experience once they reach that stage in their life…
Soror Amber Harris
What is AKA and can you give us a brief history?
In 1908, AlphaKappaAlpha Sorority, Inc. became the first Greek-letter organization established by and for Black women. Her roots date back to Howard University, Washington, D.C. where the idea for formation was conceived by EthelHedgemanLyle of St. Louis, Missouri. She viewed the Sorority as an instrument for enriching the social and intellectual aspects of college life by providing mental stimulation through interaction with friends and associates.
Through the years, AlphaKappaAlpha‘s functioning has become more complex. After her incorporation as a perpetual body in 1913, AlphaKappaAlpha gradually branched out and has grown from one undergraduate chapter to an international organization with a membership of more than 175,000women in over 900 chapters. Our membership consists of ladies of distinction and exemplary character who excel in scholarship, leadership and service. Our undergraduate and graduate chapters are located throughout the United States, West Africa, the United Kingdom, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands and Germany. AlphaKappaAlpha Sorority, Inc. is the epitome of class, grace, and finer womanhood.
AlphaKappaAlpha Sorority, Inc. is a wonderful sisterhood committed to community service. Solving the problems of our community is a very serious matter, and nothing is more rewarding than doing this with the love, cooperation and support of the many talented members of our sorority.
@melanin_aka
What inspired you to want to become an AKA?
I was inspired to want to become a member of AlphaKappaAlpha Sorority, Incorporated because the AKA‘s stood for cultivating and encouraging high scholastic and ethical standards, to promote unity and friendships among college women, to study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women in order to improve their social stature, to maintain a progressive interest in college life, and to be of “Service to All Mankind”.
What would you say are some of the benefits from joining this sorority?
The benefits of being a member of AlphaKappaAlpha Sorority, Incorporated is that you will be apart of a sisterhood and develop lifelong bonds with other women who share the same interests for the sorority and support one another.
How important is it to you to be apart of this movement?
This movement is important because I am able to continue the legacy my founders established.
I know you have nieces (including Eva) so what advice would you give a young girl wanting to join AKA?
The advice I would give to my niece Eva and other young girls wanting to be future AKA‘s would be to do research about the sorority and to truly understand why you want to become a member of this organization. I would also participate and be activate in the sorority’s youth programs if available to show support. Most importantly, know how you can add value to the organization and continue the legacy of AlphaKappaAlpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Thank you so much Amber for giving us some insight on the AlphaKappaAlpha Sorority. If Eva decides to join this sorority in the near future, you’ll be the first person she calls. If all the women are half as wonderdul as you, I’m all for it. We love you!
