[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.
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