Legislation Document

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., is 111 years young and was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., and has been in continuous existence since January 15, 1908; and

WHEREAS, Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, Anna Easter Brown, Beulah Burke, Lillian Burke, Marjorie Hill, Margaret Flagg Holmes, Lavinia Norman, Lucy Diggs Slowe and Marie Woolfolk Taylor, established the first Greek-lettered organization established by and for African American, college-educated women; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. consisting of 300,000 members globally, has broken records for community service to all mankind, totaling over one million hours, particularly in the African-American neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, Zeta Omega, Epsilon Iota Omega, Sigma Zeta Omega Graduate Chapters, the Delta Lambda, Lambda Gamma and Tau Omicron Undergraduate Chapters, the MOT Pearls of Distinction, Royal Pearls of Sussex Interest Groups, and Chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., influence and civic contributions have brought about economic security, environmental sustainability and addressed issues of global poverty, social justice and spiritual change throughout Delaware, as well as nationally and internationally; and

WHEREAS, Zeta Omega, Epsilon Iota Omega, Sigma Zeta Omega Graduate Chapters, the Delta Lambda, Lambda Gamma, Tau Omicron Undergraduate Chapters, the MOT Pearls of Distinction, Royal Pearls of Sussex Interest Groups of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and their members have been actively involved in our local communities by spearheading Debutante and AKAette Life Enrichment Programs for girls, Pink goes Red promoting Heart Health Initiatives, hosting global impact days that provided clothing to students in Haiti, and sponsoring shoe drives, while partnering with like-minded organizations to host civic engagement awareness programs such as School Board Candidate Forums, advocates to eliminate educational, health and economic disparities, and relevant legislation and laws; and many other community focused contributions; and

WHEREAS, for the sixteenth consecutive year the members of Delaware’s Graduate Chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Zeta Omega, Epsilon Iota Omega, Sigma Zeta Omega have provided consistent guidance in advocacy to the Delaware General Assembly; and are joined in service by the Delta Lambda, Lambda Gamma and Tau Omicron Undergraduate Chapters and the Interest Groups of MOT Pearls of Distinction and the Royal Pearls of Sussex ,all serving Delaware communities; and

WHEREAS, today, more than ever Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority’s thoughts and interest are important to help improve, strengthen and ensure that responsible legislation and public policy is enacted to govern the great state of Delaware; and

WHEREAS, the 2018 through 2022 theme is Exemplifying Excellence Through Sustainable Service, whereby members are focusing on targeted program areas of Historically Black Colleges and Universities: A Call to Action, Women’s Healthcare and Wellness, Building Your Economic Legacy, The Arts and Global Impact. Collectively we work on our International Signature Program, The College Admissions Program (CAP) to assist students in their efforts to enter college; and

WHEREAS, through their committed talent and resources, the Tri-State Chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, our Undergraduate Chapters and Interest Groups of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. have undoubtedly provided and will continue to provide advocacy and service to all mankind.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 150th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that May 9, 2019 shall be “AKA Day at the Capitol” in Delaware.