National Founders ’ Day
113th Anniversary Commemoration
AKA History
HOWARD UNIVERSITY
Washington D . C .
Confined to what she called “ a small circumscribed life ” in the segregated and male-dominated milieu that characterized the early 1900s , Howard University co-ed Ethel Hedgeman dreamed of creating a support network for women with like minds coming together for mutual uplift , and coalescing their talents and strengths for the benefit of others . In 1908 , her vision crystallized as Alpha Kappa Alpha , the first Negro Greek-letter sorority . Five years later ( 1913 ), lead incorporator , Nellie Quander , ensured Alpha Kappa Alpha ’ s perpetuity through incorporation in the District of Columbia .
AKA has since grown into a force of more than 300,000 collegiate and graduates , constituting 1,026 chapters in 42 states , the District of Columbia , the U . S . Virgin Islands , Bahamas , Bermuda , Canada , Japan , Germany , South Korea , United Arab Emirates , Liberia and South Africa . The Alpha Kappa Alpha program today still reflects the communal consciousness steeped in the AKA tradition and embodied in AKA ’ s credo , “ To be supreme in service to all mankind .” Cultural awareness and social advocacy marked Alpha Kappa Alpha ’ s infancy , but within one year ( 1914 ) of acquiring corporate status , AKA had also made its mark on education , establishing a scholarship award . The programming was a prelude to the thousands of pioneering and enduring initiatives that eventually defined the Alpha Kappa Alpha brand . AKA has enriched minds and encouraged life-long learning ; provided aid for the poor , the sick , and underserved ; initiated social action to advance human and civil rights ; worked collaboratively with other groups to maximize outreach on progressive endeavors ; and continually produced leaders to continue its credo of service .
Guided by twenty-nine international presidents from Nellie M . Quander ( 1913-1919 ) to Dr . Glenda Glover ( 2018-2022 ), with reinforcement from a professional corporate office staff since 1949 , AKA ’ s corps of volunteers has instituted groundbreaking social action initiatives and service programs that have transformed communities in cities , states , the nation , and the world for the better .
Realizing the Aspirations of Our Founders 11