Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
Ethel Hedgeman Lyle (born Ethel Hedgeman, February 10, 1887 - November 28, 1950) was instrumental in founding Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, America's first Greek-letter organization established by Black college women.
A rare 1910 photo of seven of the Founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority taken on the Howard University campus. Left to Right: Ethel Jones Mowbray, Norma Boyd, Alice Murray, Joanna Berry Shields (in the hat), Sarah Meriweather Nutter (center), Carrie Snowden, and Harriet Terry.
Nellie Quander was elected president in 1911. Under her visionary leadership, Alpha Kappa Alpha initiated a dynamic plan of expansion resulting in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority being legally incorporated in 1913.
Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover, Ph.D, JD, CPA, of Nashville, Tennessee is the International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African-American college women. Professionally, Dr. Glover serves as President of Tennessee State University, her beloved alma mater, and is the institution’s eighth and first woman president.
Professionally, Dixon is a highly respected and revered human resources executive in the technology field. She is currently Vice President of Global Human Resources for Sphere3D, a hi-tech virtualization and data management storage company headquartered in San Jose. She is also an adjunct professor at Golden Gate University in San Francisco, where she teaches Human Resources Information Systems.
Founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, DC in 1908, Alpha Kappa Alpha ​Sorority, Incorporated 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.​​​
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The Far Western Region
The ​Far Western Region​​ of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated consists of chapters ​​in nine states (Alaska, Arizona,California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and ​Washington), which constitute the Sorority's largest ​geographic region.​ Alpha Kappa Alpha members who comprise the Far Western Region are a microcosm of the nation and of the organization at large. The region is fantastic, not only because of its unparalleled natural beauty and cutting-edge ideas and achievements, but of its phenomenally creative and talented members who are well-noted for their avante-garde spirit and accomplishments.​