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Local AKA Chapters Celebrate Founders’ Day in Style
By Tricia Hall
Sojourner’s Truth Reporter
The local chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
Incorporated organized a collaborative Founder’s Day 2019
celebration. The sisterhood was established in 1908, and
marked as the first and oldest Greek-letter sorority that
openly welcomed African-American women.
The Zeta Alpha Omega, Alpha Lambda, and Iota Iota chapters
filled the Heatherdowns Country Club in Toledo with sorority
colors salmon pink and apple green that were surrounded by
pearl decorations and attendee attire.
This year’s Founders Day theme was "Exemplifying Excellence
Through Sisterhood and Service." The keynote address was
presented by Eva L. Evans, Ed.D, the 24th National President
of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
The February 2, 2019 program opened with the procession of
dais sorority guests while past chapter president Clara
Petty served as mistress of ceremonies. Official greetings
were then delivered by Marisa DuPree, president of Alpha
Lambda Chapter; Morgannia Dawson, president of Zeta Alpha
Omega chapter and Lisa Dubose, NOWP Cluster Coordinator.
“I’m honored to stand here, surrounded by these lovely women
and celebrate our service to mankind. We have promoted and
sponsored programs in Toledo that are based on our target
programs,” said Dawson.
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Chapter President Morgannia Dawson, Guest
speaker Eva Evans, Founders Day Committee Chairman Richelle
Watkins
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Christian-based praise dance team Total Praise of St. Paul
Missionary Baptist Church delivered a powerful dance that
was immediately followed by a spirit-filled invocation
presented by Margaret Huntley. The celebration featured Eva
Evans, The 24th Supreme Basileus, as keynote
speaker, who was properly introduced by Ann Battles, the 20th
Great Lakes Regional Director, and special recognition of
past chapter presidents, Silver Stars, and Golden Sorors.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated was founded January
15, 1908 at Howard University located in Washington, DC and
incorporated on January 29, 1913. Locally, Zeta Alpha Omega
Chapter was chartered on April 25, 1952 in Toledo.
“I personally want to thank the committee. I’m proud to
serve with these sorors. We’re here to celebrate and stand
on the legacy of our founders and those sorors who came
before us,” explained Committee Chair Richelle Watkins.
Today Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc ® has grown to include over
300,000.00 members and has become international. Some of the
places are located in the District of Columbia, South
Africa, Canada, South Korea, the Middle East, Japan,
Liberia, Germany, US Bahamas and the Virgin Islands.
As Alpha Kappa Alpha continues to give "Service to Mankind”, the
keynote speaker Evans reminded her audience that they should
remember the struggles that their forefathers fought for and
know their struggles still need to be taken seriously today.
The sorority still has work to do. They should know the
laws, know their rights, and learn about finances to help
themselves and theirr children. All people are created
equal, she emphasized. She pointed to the importance of
continuing to utilize programs like the arts,
health, science, technology and mathematics. The members
should be uplifting as they climb.
The sorority’s national programs promote: HBCU for Life, Women's
Healthcare and Wellness, Building your Economic Legacy, the
Arts, Global Impact and (CAP) College Admissions Process.
Zeta Alpha Omega officers: Morgannia Dawson, president;
Nicole Williams, vice president; Pam Green-Jones, recording
secretary; Katrina Barry, assistant secretary; Treva
Jeffries, corresponding secretary; Jacalyn Brown, treasurer;
Paula Martin, financial secretary; Denise Black-Poon, Ivy
Leaf reporter; Cheryl Wallace, Alpha Lambda advisor; Desiree
McGee, Iota Iota advisor; Felicia Dunston, parliamentarian;
Elinor Allen, historian; Mary Dawson, Sergeant at Arms;
Frances Collins, PhD, member at large; Pamela Wilson,
hostess; Marge Huntley, chaplain; and Julia Holt, attendance
registrar.
Founders’ Day Committee: Chairman Richelle Watkins;
Co-chairman Clara Petty; and members Lisa Dubose, Felicia
Dunston, Mary Dawson, Morgannia Dawson, Nicole Williams,
Lenora Barry, Malinda Prowell, Connie Okoye-Nantwi, Carolyn
Lewis, Pamela Green-Jones, and Fionne Roberts-Wright.
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