Ethel Hedgemon (Lyle)
Ethel Hedgemon was the visionary and principal founder of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Her warmth and outgoing personality combined with a strong desire to interact with other collegians with like minds and exceptional talents for the betterment of themselves and mankind, propelled her to spearhead the movement that led to the founding of the nation’s first black sorority.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® (AKA), an international service organization, was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1908. It is the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American college-educated women.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated® is comprised of more than 360,000 initiated members in graduate and undergraduate chapters located in 12 countries including the United States, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Dubai, Germany, Japan, Liberia, Nigeria, South Korea, South Africa and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Led by International President & CEO Danette Anthony Reed of Dallas, Texas, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, often is hailed as “America’s premier Greek-letter organization for African American women.”
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® was founded on a mission of five basic tenets that have remained unchanged since the sorority’s inception. Our mission is
- to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards,
- to promote unity and friendship among college women,
- to study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women in order to improve their social stature,
- to maintain a progressive interest in college life,
- and to be of “Service to All Mankind.”
For more information about the Sorority’s history, please visit Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.