Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is the first Greek-letter organization established by and for Black women. Her roots date back to Howard University, Washington, DC, where the idea for formation was conceived by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle of St. Louis, Missouri. In 1908, Ethel Hedgeman Lyle shared her vision to form the sisterhood of Alpha Kappa Alpha with eight other young ladies at Howard University. 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.

To Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, we owe our beginning. It was her idea to bring young women together in a bond of friendship, character, mutual respect and academic achievement. We honor with deep and abiding appreciation, all our founders and incorporators. Forever, they live in our hearts. . . our precious, Twenty Pearls.

NATIONAL PROGRAM

Under the leadership of National President Barbara A. McKinzie, the 2006-2010 international program theme for Alpha Kappa Alpha is "The Heart of ESP: An Extraordinary Service Program". The ESP vision embraces a five-pronged program designed to excite, galvanize and ignite the passions of more than 180,000 members worldwide. The goal is to transfer this enthusiasm into a collective resolve to parlay members' talents, energy and creativity to realize Alpha Kappa Alpha's enormous potential for empowerment, security and progress.

The following platform areas are included in the International Program:

Platform I - Non-Traditional Entrepreneur
Platform II - Economic Keys to Success
Platform III - Economic Growth of the Black Family
Platform IV - Undergraduate Signature Program:
Economic Educational Advancement Through Technology
Platform V - Health Resource Management and Economics

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