Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority celebrates 113th anniversary
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. celebrated their Founders’ Day on Jan. 15. The sorority was founded 113 years ago on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C.
The Founders’ Day 2021 celebration was historic in so many ways. It was the first virtual event instead of in-person; it was the first to feature eight U.S. House of Representatives, all sorority members; and the first to feature the Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. On Friday morning, C-Span aired U.S. Representative Terri Sewell (D-AL-7), who was honored to present the Opening Gavel in Congress as a tribute to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
The evening event began with a prayer and greetings from regional directors and national sorority president Dr. Glenda Glover. Songs were rendered by two choruses who gathered by way of Zoom. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris shared words of encouragement and special sorority memories.
On Jan. 20, Kamala Harris was sworn in as the Vice President of the United States, with Joseph Biden being sworn in as President. She is the first female and first person of color to hold this high-ranking office. The Phi Omega chapter of Winston-Salem celebrated with thousands of other sorority members across the nation who gathered online to reflect on this historic milestone.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority has a long history of providing service to all mankind, a tradition that continues through service of the local chapter. The Phi Omega Chapter has had a steadfast presence in the Winston-Salem area since its establishment in 1924.
During the past year, Phi Omega members have been busy in the community throughout the pandemic. Even though in-person activities were halted in March 2020, their work did not stop to help others. The Phi Omega chapter held a weeklong Community Day event online last fall in place of the annual back-to-school event, during which donations were given to various local schools, N.C. Black Rep, IFB Solutions, and Center of Hope. Numerous workshops were presented to the public safely in an online platform. The chapter also participated in the Shalom Project ice cream fundraiser, held an annual scholarship check presentation to high school seniors, and encouraged everyone to continue to support Black businesses. The Connection committee worked tirelessly with voter registration and encouraged citizens to vote. Chapter members viewed local plays and movie presentations, attended leadership seminars online, promoted fitness and continued to exercise, and learned in town halls about the coronavirus and precautions.
The sorority is committed to our community and to service to others.
