In 1908, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated became America's first Greek-letter organization established by Black college women . Her roots date back to Howard University, Washington, D.C., where the idea for formation was conceived by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle of St. Louis, Missouri. She viewed the Sorority as an instrument for enriching the social and intellectual aspects of college life by providing mental stimulation through interaction with friends and associates. Through the years, however, Alpha Kappa Alpha's function has become more complex.

Famous Members:

• Mae Jemison, M.D. , Astronaut and businesswoman.

• Dr. Debbye Turner, Miss America 1990

• Marjorie Judith Vincent, Miss America 1991

• Suzette Charles, Miss America 1984

• Hazel O'Leary, US Secretary of Energy

• Dr. Marilyn Hughes Gaston, M.D. , Former Assistant Surgeon General

• Lt. Col. Anita McMiller, Deputy Legislative Assistant to Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff

• Sharon Pratt Kelly, The first woman to serve as mayor of Washington, D. C.

• Yvonne Braithwaite-Burke, Former Congresswoman from California and first woman to chair the Democratic National Convention

• Diane Watson, The first Black woman to preside over the California State Senate

• Angie Brookes, The first woman President of the United Nations

• Faye Wattleton, former President of Planned Parenthood

• Toni Morrison, Author and Nobel laureate

• Maya Angelou, Poet

• Rosa Parks, Mother of the Civil Rights Movement

• Zina Garrison, Tennis star

• Phylicia Rashad, Actress

• Yvette Lee Bowser, Producer of Hangin' with Mr. Cooper and A Different World, and creator and executive producer of Living Single

• Ntozake Shange, Writer

• Shirlee Taylor Haizlip, Author of "The Sweeter the Juice"

• Bebe Moore Campbell, Author of "Brothers and Sisters and Your Blues Ain't Like Mine"

• Jomarie Payton Noble, Humanitarian and actress; star of Family Matters

• Leah Tutu, Wife of South African activist Bishop Desmond Tutu

• Dr. Gwendolyn Goldsby Grant, Essence columnist

• Coretta Scott King, activist and director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Social Change and Civil Rights Activism and founder of The National Political Congress of Black Women, Inc.

• C. Delores Tucker, National Chairman of the National Political Congress of Black Women

• Gwendolyn Calvert Baker, PhD., President of the United States Committee for UNICEF

• Bettiann Gueno Gardner, Co-Chiarman of Soft Sheen Products, Inc.

• Lynn Whitfield, Actress

• Sonia Sanchez, Author and poet

• Ella Fitzgerald, Internationally famous jazz singer

• Janice Huff, NBC Meteorologist and St. Louis Emmy Award Winner

• Marva Collins, Founder of her own private school on Chicago's west side

• Star Jones, co-host of The View talk show, lawyer, former legal analyst for Inside Edition, Today and Nightly News.

• Alicia Keys, Singer

• Shelia Jackson Lee, Texas Representative most known for her work with decreasing the amount of abandoned babies in the state.

• Jewell Jackson McCabe, President of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women and founder of The National Political Congress of Black Women, Inc.

[Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated http://www.aka1908.com]