[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 11 (Friday, January 17, 2020)]
[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

                                 ______
                                 

                        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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