M essage From the Supreme Basileus
Greetings Sorors :
I am excited to greet you as we prepare for our historic virtual 69th Boule Part II / 2021 Leadership Seminar . Our Corporate Office Staff has been working around the clock , along with our Boule Committee and our Leadership Development Committee , to deliver an engaging , informative conference experience . And the South Louisiana Cluster is pulling out all of the stops to re-create that distinct New Orleans culture and flavor as we convene virtually to exemplify excellence in the Pink Easy .
This year also represents another significant milestone for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority . It was 100 years ago that the first Ivy Leaf ® magazine was published . Significantly , our sorority publication has been in continuous circulation since its first publication a century ago . I commend all of the former editors-in-chief , and I extend a special commendation to our current Ivy Leaf ® Editor , Soror Connie Cochran , who is the magazine ’ s longest-tenured editor having served as editor-in-chief for the last six administrations . One hundred years later , our signature magazine continues to be a coveted j0urnal chronicling sorority news and events , chapter and personal accomplishments and life transitions of our dearly departed sorors . I continue to find new reasons to be in awe of our incredible founders and the amazing women who charted the path we all now share . The Ivy Leaf ® is simply another reason to be awed which you will witness in this issue ’ s centennial anniversary feature .
Speaking of milestones , I offer commendations to the ten regional directors who serve alongside me on the Directorate for picking up the mantel and pressing forward with the business of Alpha Kappa Alpha despite the pandemic during the 2021 regional conference season . The year 2020 introduced the virtual regional conference first in the South Atlantic Region followed by the Great Lakes Region . This year , each of the regions convened virtually for its regional conference , and I could not have been more pleased with the creativity , sisterliness and excellence on display in each and every conference . Our 2021 regional conference season was appropriately kicked off in the first region established in Alpha Kappa Alpha , the North Atlantic Region , and was fittingly bookended by the last region established , the International Region . Each region in between rose to the challenge and executed hyper-technical productions demonstrating our collective commitment to exemplify excellence under any circumstance , including a global pandemic the likes of which most of us have not seen in our lifetimes . I salute each Regional Director for a job well done .
Finally , if you have not yet done so , please take a moment to watch our feature-length documentary , Twenty Pearls : The Story of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority , Incorporated ® , which premiered nationwide on March 30 . Writer-Director- Producer , Soror Deborah Riley Draper , is a priceless pearl whose talent abounds . This documentary allows the story of our incredible sisterhood to be shared for generations . You can read more about Soror Draper in this issue .
Sorors , I cannot thank you enough for your continued adherence to pandemic protocols and for your sisterly patience as we gradually phase in more in-person activities . As more and more of our members get fully vaccinated combined with other precautions , prayerfully , we will soon be able to safely and responsibly get back to normal .
Sisterly Yours ,
Soror Glenda Glover Supreme Basileus
Celebrating 100 Years of Ivy Leaf ® Magazine
Spring 2021 I vyL eaf ® 3