Alpha Kappa Alpha Day has been celebrated on January 15 annually since the sorority’s inception more than a century ago. It is the first black female sorority and has the honor of housing many great black women in the U.S. While it has its competition, its members are quite exceptional. Did you know that Kamala Harris — the first black woman to occupy the office of Vice President in the U.S., is an A.K.A. sister? Well, don’t you think this sorority deserves a day to be celebrated? We absolutely do!
History of Alpha Kappa Alpha Day
Every year since the early 20th century, January 15 has been celebrated as Alpha Kappa Alpha Day. The history of the day’s celebration follows the history of the creation of the sorority. For over a century, this day has been consecutively celebrated.
Created on January 15, 1908, at Howard University, A.K.A. was a product of a black woman’s dream of a support network where fellow female black college students would find the necessary support they needed to live and study successfully in a complex, unfair, and racist college system. Ethel Hedgeman’s search for liberation for her fellow black college colleagues at Howard University produced the first black female Greek-letter sorority. While other female sororities existed before then, and many others sprang up after, A.K.A. has a rich history that is quite unmatched by others. On the one hand, it was the first sorority that black female college students around the U.S. related to. On the other hand, it holds a record-breaking history. It presently has an approximate membership of over 300,000 across the U.S. and other countries.
Some of the many notable alumni of A.K.A. include the famous black poet — Maya Angelou, who in 1969, published “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings;” Coretta Scott-King, the wife of the 20th-century activist Martin Luther King Jr.; Katherine G. Johnson, Phylicia Rashad, Rosa Parks, and many others. In 2021, A.K.A. became the only female Greek-letter sorority to produce a Vice President. Kamala Harris holds the position of the only woman to occupy the second-highest seat possible in the White House. These and many other achievements from the sisters of A.K.A. make the sorority widely acknowledged, not only in the U.S. but also in South Africa, Canada, Japan, Germany, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Liberia, Nigeria, and others.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Day timeline
Hedgeman creates the sorority to support black college women at Howard University.
The sorority dispels notions that people of color are unfit for certain professions and guides them in avoiding career mistakes.
A.K.A. Incorporated becomes the first organization to take out the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's life membership.
It challenges the absence of people of color in pictures used by the government to portray Americans.
It emerges as the first women's group to win a grant to run a federal job corps center.
The organization earns Africare's Distinguished Service Award for adopting over 27 African villages.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Day FAQs
Who was the first president of Alpha Kappa Alpha?
Following Hedgeman’s nomination and sisterly admiration, Lucy Slowe was the first president of the A.K.A. Sorority Incorporated.
How many founders does A.K.A. have?
A.K.A. was founded by a group of nine women, including Hedgeman.
What is Alpha Kappa Alpha known for?
Among other things, it is internationally recognized for striving to ensure the success of black college women in their pursuit of academics and future careers. Additionally, the organization has engaged in charity projects and humanitarian activities, particularly for African-Americans and Africans in general.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Day Activities
Join a black females sorority
If there's a sorority for black women in your college, join one today. It's harmless and entirely beneficial.
Read up on alumni of A.K.A.
Remember all those great black women who have been members of A.K.A? Today's a good day to read extensively about them and see how they shaped their lives from college.
Create a branch in your college
Why not contact A.K.A. H.Q. and try to form a branch in your college? Black female colleagues there will forever be grateful.
5 Facts About U.S. Fraternities And Sororities That Will Interest You
The largest sorority
Chi Omega remains the largest sorority by the number of initiates, while Alpha Kappa Alpha remains the most historical.
Members head most corporations
Over 85% of America's largest corporations are headed by fraternity men.
Presidents and V.Ps belong to one
Almost every U.S. president and vice president from the mid-19th century have been members of a fraternity.
Student leaders are members
Nearly all student leaders on about a thousand campuses belong to a fraternity/sorority.
Members have higher G.P.A.s
Fraternity and sorority members generally have a higher G.P.A. in college than non-members.
Why We Love Alpha Kappa Alpha Day
It encourages unity
Members of A.K.A. and all other sororities consider themselves sisters, making them united in all situations. We love this!
It provides support
The sorority provides academic and career support to its members. This ensures that each of them becomes successful in their various endeavors.
It makes us sociable
No one can deny that socializing opens great paths for those who engage in it. Alpha Kappa Alpha creates a forum for all its members to socialize, creating beneficial and lasting networks.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Day dates
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2025 | January 15 | Wednesday |
2026 | January 15 | Thursday |
2027 | January 15 | Friday |
2028 | January 15 | Saturday |
2029 | January 15 | Monday |