Title
Honoring the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® on the occasion of their 92nd North Atlantic Regional Conference, and declaring March 9, 2023 as “Alpha Kappa Alpha Day” in the City of Philadelphia.
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WHEREAS, The City Council of Philadelphia is pleased to honor the 92nd North Atlantic Regional Conference of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, which will be held March 9 through March 12, 2023; and
WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is the oldest Greek-lettered organization established in America by African American women. It was founded in 1908 by nine students led by Ethel Hedgemon Lyle at Howard University in Washington, DC, and now counts nearly 355,000 members in North America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Africa; and
WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is a union of thousands of college-trained women who are bound by a powerful mission. The mission of five basic tenets that have remained unchanged since the sorority’s inception are to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, to promote unity and friendship among college women, to study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women in order to improve their social stature, to maintain a progressive interest in college life and to be of “Service to All Mankind”; and
WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is an effective channel for meaningful efforts and rewarding activities that foster constructive relationships. Through its international leadership by Danette Anthony Reed, the sorority is a recognized force for community service, social action and a strong ally in the continuing struggle for civil and human rights; and
WHEREAS, As Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority has grown, it has kept in balance two very important themes: the importance of the individual and the strength of an organization of women of courage and ability; and
WHEREAS, Notable members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority include Marian Anderson, Dr. Maya Angelou, Bebe Moore Campbell, Augusta “Gussie” Clark, Althea Gibson, Dr. Mae Jemison, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Alicia Keys, Coretta Scott King, Toni Morrison, Rosa Parks, Phylicia Rashad, Ruth Simmons, C. Delores Tucker, Leah Tutu, Alice Walker, and Vice President Kamala Harris. These members have embodied the mission of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®: and
WHEREAS, Elicia Pegues Spearman is the North Atlantic Regional Director and presides over more than 16,000 members across twelve states, spanning the New England shores of Maine to the nation’s capital of Washington, DC; and
WHEREAS, The 92nd North Atlantic Regional Conference will be held in Philadelphia where they will be celebrating “F.I.R.S.T. Love in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly AKAfection” with Janelle C. McIntyre as the North Atlantic Regional Conference Chairman; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Honors Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® on the occasion of their 92nd North Atlantic Regional Conference and declares March 9, 2023 as “Alpha Kappa Alpha Day” in Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That Engrossed copies of this resolution be presented to the representatives of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® as evidence of the sincere admiration of this legislative body.
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