International History

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ®, was founded on the campus of Howard University on January 15, 1908. It is the oldest national Greek service for and by African American college-educated women. The sorority was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C. by nine pioneering African-American women. Since then, the sorority has grown to be the largest black women’s organization in the world with over 200,000 members. Alpha Kappa Alpha is dedicated to service and academic excellence. Members of the sorority are actively involved in numerous civic, social, and philanthropic activities. The sorority also provides women with the opportunity to develop lifelong friendships and meaningful connections with other women. Alpha Kappa Alpha’s 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”.