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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E55]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
THE FOUNDER'S DAY OF ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY
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HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE
of texas
in the house of representatives
Friday, January 17, 2020
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Alpha Kappa Alpha
Sorority for its extraordinary legacy and work it does all throughout
the nation.
On January 15, 1908, nine college students on the campus of Howard
University in Washington, D.C. founded Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
These nine courageous women founded this sorority right before WWI
and only a few years after Reconstruction.
From the core group of nine at Howard, AKA has grown into a force of
more than 290,000 collegiate members and alumnae, constituting 1,007
chapters in 42 states, the District of Columbia, the US Virgin Islands,
the Bahamas, Germany, Liberia, South Korea, Japan, Canada, South Africa
and the Middle East.
I take great pride in my sorority's tradition of service and the many
programs that it has established to serve our communities.
One of the founders, Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, dreamed of creating a
support network for like-minded women coming together for mutual
uplift, and coalescing their talents and strengths for the benefit of
others.
What began as a small band of sisters in 1908, transformed over the
ensuing 112 years into a globally-impactful organization of nearly
300,000 college-trained members, bound by the bonds of sisterhood and
empowered by a commitment to servant-leadership that is both domestic
and international in scope.
As Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority has grown, it has maintained its focus
in two key arenas: the lifelong personal and professional development
of each of its members; and galvanizing its membership into an
organization off formidable power and influence, consistently at the
forefront of effective advocacy and social change that results in
equality and equity for all citizens of the world.
I want to salute Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover, the 30th International
President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority who is currently leading the
mission to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical
standards, to promote unity and friendship 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.''
One of our native Houstonians who led our beloved sorority was
Mattelia Grays. As National President, Grays' focus included chapter
programs designed for specific community that the chapter served,
educational grants, Job Corps and leadership training.
I would also like to acknowledge Faye Bryant, the 21st International
President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Another native Houstonian,
under her leadership the theme of the AKA Sorority became P.O.W.E.R.
During her tenure, Bryant also created the Alpha Kappa Alpha
Connection, completed construction on the Sorority's national
headquarters and initiated the African Village Development Program in
collaboration with Africare.
For over a Century Alpha Kappa Alpha has been the foundation of the
Sisterhood that helps to focus the energies and talents of African
American women on some of the most daunting social, cultural and
economic problems our communities face.
The AKA Sisterhood has empowered women to face the challenges that
are particular to girls and women of color to create something that is
greater than any individual member.
We each recognize that we are but one small part of a larger whole,
but when that whole acts as one we are impossible to defeat.
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.
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