International History
ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INC. is the first Greek letter organization established by women of color in the United States. During the school year 1907-1908, Miss Ethel Hedgeman, after a year of illness returned to Howard University, Washington, DC to begin her junior year. She had the inspiration and desire to organize a sorority of student leaders. During the fall and late winter, she discussed her idea with her classmates and a few members of the senior class during the fall and early winter.
On January 15, 1908, the group met and agreed to present their written constitution to the college President and Deans. They were granted permission to organize. In late February, 1908, seven honor students of the Class of 1910 were admitted to the group. These sixteen women are the Founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
Chapter History
In the fall of 1989, Victoria Renee Scott and Linda Caral Allen came together to discuss ways in which they could reclaim local members and utilize the many talents and experiences of Alpha Kappa Alpha women in the Metropolitan Detroit area. They sought women that were equally as passionate as they were about the sisterhood and business of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. It wasn’t long before Eleanor Manning, Joslyn DiPasalegne, and Lynette Adkins joined Victoria and Linda in discussions about the creation of a new graduate chapter in the Detroit area. With the input and support of other local members with innumerable talents and expertise to lend this effort, the interest group R.E.N.E.W. of AKA (Responsible, Experienced, Naturally Elegant Women of Alpha Kappa Alpha) was born.
