About Her
Her Story: The Chapter
The Kappa Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated was chartered on the grounds of Valdosta State College by fourteen educated, classy and sophisticated women on May 23, 1976.
Beverly Alexander, Linda Altson, Jermaine Anderson, Shernia Yates Brown, Pat Cam, Patricia Dennis, Cornelia Perry Dolphus, Constance Graham, Ivy Warren Harbert, Mildred Knight, Fluffy Cynthia Morgan, Carolyn Mitchell, Lillie Rayford, and Rosa Horne Thompson were to be recognized as the first line, "The Fourteen Doves." These women established life on the campus of Valdosta State University by carrying out the national purposes and targets of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Since then, over 330 women have joined the ranks of the Kappa Upsilon Chapter. All of these women are of high ethical standards and have proven themselves by their dedication and undying love for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
We, the members of the Kappa Upsilon Chapter at Valdosta State University, willingly dedicate our time and service to uphold the name and legacy of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and continue to make her SUPREME IN SERVICE TO ALL MANKIND.
Her Story: The Organization
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated is the oldest Greek letter organization established by African American college women. She was founded on January 15, 1908 in Minor Hall on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D. C. Alpha Kappa Alpha chronicles itself in the growth from a group of nine college women in 1908.
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. Established during the academic school year of 1907-1908, the original nine founders were Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, Beulah Burke, Lillie Burke, Margaret Flagg Holmes, Marjorie Hill, Lucy Diggs Slowe, Marie Woolfolk Taylor, Anna Easter Brown, and Lavinia Norman. In February of 1908, seven sophomores were admitted. Those members were Joanna Berry, Norma Boyd, Ethel Jones, Sarah Merriweather, Alice Murray, Carrie Snowden, and Harriett Terry.
The movement for incorporation led by one of the sorority's incorporators, Nellie Quander. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority became incorporated in 1913. The sorority is committed to serve in every community in which she is located with 403 undergraduate and 556 graduate chapters; with over 260,000 members in the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa.
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.
The purposes of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated are:
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To cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards
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To promote unity and friendship among college women
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To study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women
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To maintain a progressive interest in college life
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TO BE SUPREME IN SERVICE TO ALL OF MANKIND
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.
Motto: "By Culture and By Merit"
Symbols: Enameled Green Ivy Leaf & Twenty Pearls
Colors: Salmon Pink & Apple Green
Flower: Pink Tea Rose
Valdosta State University Chapter: Kappa Upsilon
Chartered Date at Valdosta State: May 23, 1976