[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 150 (Tuesday, August 24, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E925-E926]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE PI CHAPTER OF ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INC. ON ITS 
                         CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FREDERICA S. WILSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 24, 2021

  Ms. WILSON of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
Pi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA) on its 
Centennial Anniversary and for a century of service to the Fisk 
University students, community and the state of Tennessee.
  Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's Pi Chapter at Fisk University celebrates 
its 100-year Anniversary. In addition, I am humbled that they chose to 
honor me, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson, as the University's First 
AKA Congressional member. I was initiated into the Pi Chapter in the 
Fall of 1960. Congressional representatives participating include 
Congressional Black Caucus Chair Congresswoman Joyce Beatty and seven 
AKA Congresswomen--Eddie Bernice Johnson, Sheila Jackson Lee, Terri 
Sewell, Alma Adams, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Lauren Underwood, and Nikema 
Williams.
  Fisk Graduate and Pi Chapter initiated Chairperson Kimmie Jackson and 
current Pi Chapter President Taylor Woodard graciously welcomed and 
thanked the audience for joining this inaugural and auspicious occasion 
while inspiring all to take action and uphold the sorority's purpose of 
being ``Service To All Mankind.''
  Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (TX) noted that Pi Chapter was the 
first undergraduate chapter in the South Atlantic Region and that the 
women of Pi Chapter are known for their honor, academic prowess, and 
leadership skills. She compared Rep. Wilson to Sojourner Truth who 
never stepped away her vision and served as a leader in education and 
civil rights. Rep. Wilson founded the 5000 Role Models of Excellence 
Project and was a leader in the demand to find the 276 Nigerian girls 
kidnapped by Boko Haram.
  Representative Alma Adams (NC) praised Pi Chapter as being the most 
civically engaged women of goodwill and good work beyond measure. She 
noted that Honoree Wilson the 5000 Role Models founder has always been 
a champion of the underserved and that like her fellow Pi Chapter 
graduates illuminate the opportunities available to women across the 
country and the world.
  Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX) sent congratulatory wishes 
to Pi Chapter and notes that it stands on the shoulders of many 
trailblazers. She acknowledged Congresswoman Wilson's visionary 
leadership and service as an undeterred true champion for black girls 
and boys.
  Representative Terri Sewell (AL) congratulated Pi Chapter on its 
Centennial and reminded members that AKA Coretta Scott King famously 
observed ``struggle is a never-ending process . . . we earn it and win 
it in every generation.'' Representative Sewell praised Centennial 
Honoree Wilson for expanding opportunities for all Americans, founding 
5000 Role Models Project, and sponsoring legislation to create the 
Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys.
  Representative Lauren Underwood (IL) remarked that Pi Chapter has had 
a tremendous

[[Page E926]]

impact on the Fisk University community and that its Centennial 
Anniversary coincides with the release of the documentary film TWENTY 
PEARLS about Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the first black Greek letter 
organization founded in 1908. Representative Underwood also celebrated 
Honoree Wilson's AKA legacy as the 11th South Atlantic Regional 
Director and First Pi Chapter alumnae to serve in the United States 
Congress.
  Representative Nikema Williams (GA) honored Pi Chapter for reaching 
its 100-year milestone, its success, strength and courage, and for 
showing what leadership looks like and changing the world. Rep. 
Williams who now holds the seat vacated by the passing of Fisk graduate 
and civil rights icon, the Honorable John Lewis, praised Congresswoman 
Wilson for her decade of service fighting for civil rights and voting 
rights in Congress and holding America to its promise.
  Representative Joyce Beatty (OH), current Chair of the Congressional 
Black Caucus, which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary and is known as 
the ``conscious of the Congress,'' saluted and applauded Pi Chapter's 
organizers, board members, executive staff and all involved in the 
Centennial Celebration. She saluted Alpha Kappa Alpha for blazing a 
trail of excellence for over 100 years. CBC Chairwoman Beatty 
highlighted Congresswoman Wilson's great successes in establishing the 
Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys, founding of the 
5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, and efforts to fight for and 
assist the young girls in Nigeria kidnapped by Boko Haram. 
Representative Beatty also noted Representative Wilson's crucial 
ongoing service on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; 
chairs the Education and Labor Committee's Higher Education and 
Workforce Investment Subcommittee and serves on the Early Childhood, 
Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee of the United States 
Congress and the Biden Administration's economic recovery plans for the 
American people.
  On April 6, 1921, Pi Chapter was chartered at Meharry Medical College 
by Pauline Kigh Reed, Druceilla Barnadanoe, Clarise Bartlett, Georgia 
Blackmore, Wihelmina Bowles, Mildred Harper, Lelia Lyon and Marie 
Williams. Pi Chapter was the first undergraduate chapter chartered in 
the South Eastern Region. The chapter was later moved to the historic 
Fisk University in 1927.
  Over the past 100 years, Pi Chapter has initiated more than one 
thousand sorority sisters who wear the beautiful colors of salmon pink 
and apple green. The chapter's motto is ``The Fine Light of Pi.''
  Today, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and the sisters of 
the Pi Chapter proudly stand firm in the sorority's 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.''
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues and all Americans to please join 
me in congratulating Pi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, 
Incorporated on its Centennial Anniversary and commend it for its 
contributions to education and for its commitment to the community, 
state of Tennessee and our country.

                          ____________________