The Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority was founded at Howard University in 1908. The newest chapter of the traditionally African American sorority was recently established on the campus of Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. The only other Black sorority affiliated with Washington and Lee is Delta Sigma Theta which has a joint chapter with Hollins University and Roanoke College. No members of Delta Sigma Theta are currently enrolled at Washington and Lee.
Washington and Lee University is named after George Washington, a slaveowner, and Robert E. Lee, the Confederate general whose remains are buried on campus. Blacks are 4.4 percent of the entering class at Washington and Lee this year.
The new chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha at Washington and Lee had it origins in 2005 when three students became general members of the sorority. But the sorority requires new chapters to have at least 12 members. Finally in 2011, 12 members were recruited and a chapter was installed on campus. Two of the first 12 members are White.
Congratulations to Washington and Lee and my sorors! Welcome to the sisterhood of AKA.
Congratulations on the new chapter at Washington and Lee and congratulations to my new Sorors. The fact that two of the 12 members are white, is nothing new for the sorority, as other chapters have initiated white members.
Warm congratulations to my new sorors. The diversity is not surprising given the high esteem of our sisterhood. All of these women recognize what many of us saw in AKA many, many years ago when we were initiated.