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The oldest Greek letter sorority in America, Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA), is celebrating its 100-year anniversary. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is America's first Greek-letter organized at Howard University in Washington, D.C., in January 1908 by, and for, African-American college women. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, it is one of the world's leading service organizations. The sorority launched its Centennial with a birthday celebration at its founding home Howard University in January 2008; and continues with its Centennial Conference from July 11-18, in Washington D.C., where more than 20,000 members are expected to converge to celebrate its 100-year milestone.

The current president, Barbara A. McKinzie, is the Centennial National President because her term coincides with the 100-year anniversary. McKinzie noted that the convention is the second of two Centennial milestone events. The first was held in January 2008, when over 2,000 members returned to Howard University for the Founders’ Day salute to Alpha Chapter, which was Alpha Kappa Alpha’s first chapter. The solemn and celebratory event, held on January 15, 2008 on the exact 100-year-milestone day of its founding featured a pilgrimage across the campus to points of historic significance to the Sorority.

"Since 1908 when Alpha Kappa Alpha was founded, its members have made an impact during the Suffragette movement, during the civil rights era and throughout history. Alpha Kappa Alpha women have been in the forefront of effecting change as trailblazers, champions and history makers," Said McKinzie.

She further noted that Alpha Kappa Alpha women have recorded many firsts in their 100-year history including:

• Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia and the first female to serve as head of The Republic of Liberia, West Africa.

• Phylicia Rashad, the first African-American woman to win a Best Actress Tony Award for a dramatic leading role.

• Dr. Mae Jemison, the first African-American female to be launched into space

Other remarkable AKAs include the late Coretta Scott King; Peggy Quince, a member of the Florida Supreme Court; vocalist and musician Alicia Keys; actress Jada Pinkett Smith, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee; poet Maya Angelou and many more.

The high point of the convention will be a Unity March where 30,000 members from the nine predominantly Black Greek fraternities and sororities will link arms as a unified force and march to the Capitol. The march will send a “powerful message” to the outgoing administration and a declaration to the next U.S. president about important issues of their constituencies.

During this biennial international meeting, the Sorority will celebrate its founding while working to achieve its business goals. It will also focus on mobilizing an informed and educated populace about the significance of the upcoming 2008 elections.

Toy maker, Mattel Inc. in partnership with Alpha Kappa Alpha unveiled the AKA Centennial Barbie Doll during its international convention in Washington, DC.. The limited-edition, AKA Centennial Barbie series is based on the oldest black sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha. The AKA Centennial Barbie is outfitted in a pink and green evening gown, matching jeweled shoes and gold jewelry.

Artisans conceived and crafted the doll with creative input from AKA. According to International President Barbara A. McKinzie, the finished product is beautifully fashioned to reflect the grace, elegance and beauty of Sorority members and captures the symbolism of the organization.

The doll's unveiling culminates a process that began when Mattel learned of AKA's Centennial. As a show of pride, a representative approached the Sorority with an idea that would be memorable, capture the imagination of its members and be a keepsake that members would cherish for a lifetime. Inspired by these criteria, the company suggested the memorable doll.

 

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