About - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

About Alpha Kappa Alpha

AKA History
Founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, DC in 1908, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American college-trained women. To trace its history is to tell a story of changing patterns of human relations in America in the 20th century.

The small group of women who organized the Sorority was conscious of a privileged position as college-trained women of color, just one generation removed from slavery. They were resolute that their college experiences should be as meaningful and productive as possible. Alpha Kappa Alpha was founded to apply that determination.

As the Sorority grew, it kept in balance two important themes: the importance of the individual and the strength of an organization of women of ability and courage. As the world became more complex, there was a need for associations which cut across racial, geographical, political, physical and social barriers.

Alpha Kappa Alpha’s influence extends beyond campus quads and student interest. It has a legacy of service that deepens, rather than ends, with college graduation.

The goals of its program activities center on significant issues in families, communities, government halls and world assembly chambers. Its efforts constitute a priceless part of the global experience in the 21st century.

For more information visit our national website at www.aka1908.com.

Chapter History

Iota Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, was chartered on Saturday, October 7, 1972. The chartering ceremony took place at the George Bragg School in Catonsville, Maryland, and was conducted by the North Atlantic Regional Director at that time, Anne M. Davis. Twenty-three members of the Sorority were the charter members of Iota Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Since Iota Lambda Omega Chapter was chartered, it has continued the tradition, “service to all mankind” of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, in Howard County. In the county the Chapter has provided and sponsored a broad range of service oriented programs for children and adults. The programs include: oratorical contests, careers assessment program for high school girls, tutorial, mentoring and leadership programs for girls in middle school, an annual talent show for youth, black history programs and celebrations for children and adults, Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets, clothes, food and funds for families in need, meals for the homeless shelters, voter registration drives, art shows for black visual artists, and economic, financial, safety, and disaster preparedness workshops.

To enhance its ability to provide quality programs of service in the community, in 1998 the Chapter established The Pearl Foundation, Incorporated. This Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in the form of a public charity. Funds raised by the Foundation support scholarships and Chapter programs. Annually, scholarships are awarded to high school seniors who live in Howard County and have been accepted at a university or college. One scholarship is awarded to a senior who plans to attend a historically black university or college. Most of the funds needed to support the scholarships are raised at the Foundation’s annual fashion show.

Since its chartering in 1972, Iota Lambda Omega Chapter has grown from twenty-three members to over three hundred members. In 1978 the Chapter became the sponsor of Lambda Phi Chapter, the undergraduate Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, in Catonsville, Maryland. Over the years, the Chapter has continued the tradition of the Sorority, serving the needs of the community. “Service to all mankind” is the goal and commitment that continues to motivate our sisterhood.

Iota Lambda Omega Charter Members
Barbara Bray
Roberta Briscoe
Barbara Brown
Jacqueline Ellis-Brown
Grace M. Scott Dixon
Lillian Dorsey
Sandra Edgecombe
Dorothy Greenfield
Elsie Hardwick
Joan Harris
Ethel B. Hill
Rosa Holland
Fredericka Matthews
Ann McIver
Elaine Mitchell
Edith Myers
Jacqueline Pelzer
Ruby Polley
Mary Reed
Jessie Simpson
Rosalyn Terborg-Penn
Lula Wade
Elizabeth Williams

Former Presidents

Grace Dixon* 1971-1972	Ethel Hill 1973-1974	Jacqueline Ellis-Brown* 1975-1976	Vera Hayes* 1977-1978	Marilyn Collins 1979-1980
Rayna Woodford 1981-1984	Mignonette Keller 1985-1986	Elaine White* 1987-1990	Ava Baker 1991-1994	Betty King 1995-1998
Martha Sands 1999-2003	Corrine Moody 2004-2007	Wanda King 2008-2011	Lenora Booth 2012-2013	Tracey L. Williams 2014-2017
Ruth “Peni” Webster Lewis 2018-2019

*Deceased

Chapter Officers

Sharon S. Merriweather, President	Angela L. Williams, First Vice President	Colleen Ratliffe, Second Vice President	Kimberly O’Bryant, Recording Secretary
Catina Evans, Asst. Recording Secretary	Lisa Steptoe, Treasurer	Yasmin Harris, Asst. Treasurer	Melody Johnson Morales, Corresponding Secretary
Chanele Jones, Financial Secretary	DeNeatra Barkley, Asst. Financial Secretary	Sabrina Dailey, Hostess	Vikki Bostic, Sergeant-At-Arms
Sandra Jordan, Member-at-Large	Melissa Hepburn, Ivy Leaf Reporter	Cheryl Glover, Graduate Advisor	Linda Marshall, Asst. Graduate Advisor
Cheri Truett, Archivist	Schmekia Jackson, Parliamentarian	Donna Givens, Chaplain

Membership

Welcome
Thank you for your interest in the Iota Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. For 50 rewarding years, members continue to strive for excellence in providing timeless service to citizens of all ages.

The Iota Lambda Omega Chapter offers opportunities to experience the spirit of sisterly love, develop and contribute towards leadership skills, grant scholarship awards to high school students, and build character.

Our membership is comprised of college-educated women in professions ranging from educators to entrepreneurs. We also consist of retirees and women of leisure as well. With a wide variety of choices, each member is sure to find the ideal suited area of interest. Please consider visiting or joining the Iota Lambda Omega where you will rekindle and revitalize your commitment to the legacy of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Monthly Chapter Meetings
Business attire is required for every chapter meeting. Our monthly chapter meetings (for sorority members only) are held on the third Saturday of every month (except July, August and holiday weekends) at 10:00 am. If you are new to the Howard County area, or seeking a new AKA home, we cordially invite you to join us for our next meeting! Please contact the Membership Chairman to make sure no changes have been made to the meeting date or location. For more information on the transfer or reactivation process email the Membership Chairman.

Prospective Members
By uniting individual efforts, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority has built a strong, cohesive organization that positively impacts the lives of families and communities. The Sorority’s success is based on the depth of commitment, vision and confidence of its members.

Alpha Kappa Alpha seeks women who will promote, uphold, and extend its policies and programs. In return, the Sorority is a conduit through which individuals can grow and develop, personally and professionally, while simultaneously providing “Service to All Mankind.”
Membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is generally classified as undergraduate or graduate. In both classifications, prospective members must have high ethical and moral standards.

Membership can only be obtained by completing the Sorority’s official Membership Intake Process (MIP). For more information about becoming a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, please email our Membership Chairman.