CHICAGO, IL -- 01/22/08 --
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's International
President, Barbara A. McKinzie, donated $1 million to Howard University for
the purpose of preserving the Sorority's legacy. The contribution
represented the climax and culminating activity of four days of celebration
that commemorated the 100th anniversary of the founding of AKA's first
chapter, Alpha chapter. The chapter started Jan. 15, 1908, on the campus
of Howard University in Washington, D.C. The culminating activity was held
January 15, 2008.
The $1 million gift will be used to preserve the heritage of the Sorority
through a Founders' endowed scholarship in the name of Alpha Kappa Alpha's
first national president, Nellie Quander. It will also be used to maintain
the extensive collection of sorority documents already housed at
Moorland-Spingarn Research Center on Howard University's campus.
In an address before thousands of members who turned out for the birthday
celebration, McKinzie said the gift would be a first step toward a larger
contribution that will be made to the University by the end of the year. In
presenting the historic check to the University, McKinzie challenged
members to safeguard the history of the sorority.
The sorority also donated a digitized version of the Ivy Leaf, its official
magazine, to the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center. The digital archive
contains issues published from 1921 through late 2007.
The donation capped an emotional day in which over 1,500 members from
around the world returned to their "roots" to participate in this historic
gathering. In silent reverence, they linked arms and weathered the chilly
winter temperatures as they paid homage to the Founders and other members
by walking the paths and visiting the sites significant to the sorority on
Howard's campus. Members wore green scarves with pink lettering made in
Ethiopia and dark coats in tribute to the founders and others who were
among the 16 women who first joined in 1908 and 1909.
In making the donation, McKinzie challenged those assembled to continue the
record of sisterhood and service that have made the Sorority endure for 100
years. It is this commitment to sisterhood and providing "service to all
mankind" that has helped the Sorority grow from nine founders in 1908 on
one campus; to 200,000 members at 975 chapters worldwide. She said Alpha
Kappa Alpha's continued commitment to sisterhood and service would inspire
the Sorority to continued greatness as it begins its second century.
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Contact:
Melody M. McDowell
Chief Information Officer
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
773-660-2001 - Office
312-371-8917 - cell
Email Contact - e-mail
