Who We Are

In 1908, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority became America's first Greek-letter organization established by Black college women. Her roots date back to Howard University, Washington, D.C., where the idea for formation was conceived by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle of St. Louis, Missouri. She viewed the Sorority as an instrument for enriching the social and intellectual aspects of college life by providing mental stimulation through interaction with friends and associates. Through the years, however, Alpha Kappa Alpha's function has become more complex. After her incorporation as a perpetual body in 1913, Alpha Kappa Alpha gradually branched out and became the channel through which selected college-trained women improved the socioeconomic conditions in their city, state, nation, and the world.

In a world in which materialism is pervasive, and technology and competition have decreased the need for collaboration and cooperation, it is critical to have an association that cuts across racial, National, physical, and social barriers to help individuals and communities develop and maintain constructive relationships with others. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is that vital organization.

Alpha Kappa Alpha is a sisterhood composed of women who have consciously chosen this affiliation as a means of self-fulfillment through volunteer service. Alpha Kappa Alpha cultivates and encourages high scholastic and ethical standards; promotes unity and friendship among college women; alleviates problems concerning girls and women; maintains a progressive interest in college life; and serves all mankind through a nucleus of more than 170,000 women in the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa.

Candidacy for membership into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is open to women of high ethical and scholastic standards who are pursuing or have completed courses leading to a degree in an accredited college or university. Our official headquarters is in Chicago, Illinois.

How It Began, Our Chapter History

In 1924, Phi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority was established in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The Chapter, which was the third to be organized in the South Atlantic Region, drew its members from Charlotte, Greensboro and Durham, as well as from Winston-Salem.

Soror Marguerite Adams and Soror Mamie Williams of Charlotte were members of the Phi Omega Chapter, and journeyed monthly from Charlotte to Winston-Salem, Greensboro and Durham to meetings. In 1929, there were enough sorors in Charlotte to establish a Chapter, and Soror M. Sydney Mayo (Brown) South Atlantic Regional Director, set up Alpha Lambda Omega Day, on May 9, 1929 as the fifth chapter of the South Atlantic Region in Charlotte, North Carolina. There were six charter members: Marguerite Adams, Edith Butler, Lillie Bell Watkins Blue, Mildred Alexander, Elnora Owens, Mamie Williams. Soror Marguerite Adams was the chapter's 1st Basileus.1932.

Alpha Lambda Omega entertained the 2nd (South Atlantic) Regional Conference in 1932. At the time, there were only five chapter members in Alpha Lambda Omega. 24 delegates attended the conference. The registration fee was $1.00. The community housed and fed the delegates.

Alpha Lambda Omega Chapter meetings were conducted in different homes of sorors. As membership grew, meetings would move from soror homes to the North Branch Public Library on LaSalle Street. Other locations have been used through the years as well, including the Excelsior Club, Hotel Alexander, The Omega House and churches such as Memorial Presbyterian and First Baptist West. In the fifties, every September, the chapter's annual rededication service was held at the home of Clinton L. Blake, uncle to Soror Minnie Alma Blake. There, the sorors were well entertained outside on the lawn of Mr. Blake's home.

As the years passed, Alpha Lambda Omega continued its impact on the Charlotte Community, the State of North Carolina, nationally and internationally. The chapter increased in size and so did the South Atlantic Region, which in 1953 was divided into two regions. The states of North Carolina and Virginia comprised the Mid-Atlantic Region with the states of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida forming the South Atlantic Region. This remains so today. The 1st Mid-Atlantic Regional Director was Soror Rose Butler Brown. Alpha Lambda Omega is one of only two chapters to produce three Mid-Atlantic Regional Directors: Elizabeth Randolph, 5th Mid-Atlantic Regional Director (1960-1964) Barbara W. Davis, 10th Mid-Atlantic Regional Director (1982-1986) Doris R. Asbury, 13th Mid-Atlantic Regional Director (1994-1998). Since 1929, the chapter has had 33 sorors to serve in the position of Basileus. Alpha Lambda Omega Chapter celebrated its 75th Diamond Anniversary March 11 - 13, 2005. For 2006 to 2010, we are dedicated to the success of the International Programs of the sorority and the Centennial Supreme President, Barbara A. McKinzie, and her program, "The Heart of ESP, an Extraordinary Service Program".

Fundraisers

On October 15, 1953, the chapter presented a successful Fashionetta fundraiser entitled "A Fashion Pleasure Cruise."1957-1958, The Princess Ball (debutant) was headed by Soror Elsie Woodard. In the early 60's the chapter did a CARARAMA fundraiser that was headed by Soror Lucille Jackson Wilson. This was an operetta depicting vintage cars. The attending lucky ticket was awarded the door prize of an automobile.

In 1966 the chapter presented high school seniors in a fundraiser called "Artes Modernes." Junior high students were presented while emphasizing and presenting the works of local artists. In 1985-86, the 1st Little Miss AKA Pageant was organized. The Little Miss AKA Pageant is the major vehicle through which funds raised are donated back to the community through scholarships and community outreach organizations. Each year, sorors work with a group of girls, ages 7-12, in a series of activities that are designed for cultural enrichment. The activities range from service projects, etiquette sessions, goal setting and communication seminars. The culmination of the activities is a formal pageant where the young ladies present themselves through various forms of creative expression.

In 1995, the PEARL Award, headed by Soror Eddyce D. Hobson was established. The Pursuit of Excellence in Achievement through Responsive Leadership (PEARL) Award was designed and developed by Alpha Lambda Omega Chapter with the intent of encouraging the values, ideals and precepts that encompass our purpose of being of "service to all mankind." The PEARL Award seeks to recognize such outstanding leadership, excellence and achievement among members of our community. The first recipient of the PEARL Award was Soror Barbara W. Davis.

Alpha Lambda Omega has served the Charlotte community through its many cultural educational, philanthropic and social endeavors. In addition, our chapter has responded to the call of the national body in its concerns for the welfare of our Black population. We have supported and/or initiated projects dealing with Sickle Cell Anemia, Cleveland Job Corps, United Negro College Fund, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Scholarship Grants, Domestic and Foreign Travel Grants, Reading Experiences, The Ivy AKADEMY and the Black Family.

Alpha Lambda Omega hosted the 1959, 1976, the 1986 and the 2004 Mid-Atlantic Regional Conferences. Since 1978 we have hosted four Western Carolina Cluster Meetings and in 1994 Alpha Lambda Omega was one of the hostess chapters for the41st Regional Conference in Charlotte. In 1999 and 2004, Alpha Lambda Omega as part of the Western Carolina Cluster, helped host the 46th and 51st Mid-Atlantic Regional Conferences in Asheville and Charlotte, respectively.

Alpha Lambda Omega is proud of its representation on the regional and national levels. Three of its members have served as directors of the Mid-Atlantic Region; one has served as National Parliamentarian; one, as Editor-in-Chief of the Ivy Leaf, the Sorority's national magazine. Others have served and are now serving as members of national and regional committees.

On the local level Alpha Lambda Omega provides a strong presence in the area by sponsoring several events in Charlotte that allows for participation by our youth whom we strive to serve as well as our community as a whole. With over 250 members, Alpha Lambda Omega sorors are ready and willing to assist the community in any way possible. The chapter has been involved in several projects, which have included leadership training, political awareness, healthcare and the awarding of scholarships to local students.

Our mission is to perpetuate the dream of our founders and to carry out their legacy as we continue to be of service to all mankind.