Soaring F.I.R.S.T. for 115 Years!

In 1984, Soror Norma E. Boyd, our last surviving Founder, reflected on our sorority’s legacy as it approached its 75th Diamond Jubilee. Soror Boyd shared that Alpha Kappa Alpha’s original goal was to be “supreme in service,” leading in the tradition of “lifting as we climb.” That same year, Lambda Upsilon Chapter at Wellesley College welcomed me into the sisterhood, fulfilling my dream, and that of my Golden Gem mother, Soror Cheryl A. Pegues. For the last 38 years, I have strived to live up to the creed of rendering supreme service F.I.R.S.T.

For over 11 decades, from Washington, DC, to Maine, through membership, activism, servant leadership and scholarship, the North Atlantic Region has harnessed Alpha Kappa Alpha’s tradition of individual courage and collective action, turning them into life-changing and affirming realities.

Established at the 1926 International Conference (Boule) in Columbus, Ohio, the North Atlantic Region elected Thelma Berlack Boozer, its F.I.R.S.T. Regional Director, hailing from Tau Omega Chapter and Managing Editor of New York’s The Amsterdam News. Subsequently, the FIRST North Atlantic Regional Conference (NARC) was held on July 30, 1930, in New York City! Since then, “can’t stop, won’t stop” has been the rallying cry for the Notable North Atlantic!

Across our five clusters, we have understood the assignment, evidenced by award-winning community programs, structured AKA Days at the Capitol, impactful rallies for justice, longstanding scholarship programs, and life-saving campaigns for health and wellness. As we celebrate 115 years of a consistent, yet adaptive culture of sisterhood and service, let us not rest on our laurels, but continue to Soar to Greater Heights through Fellowship, Innovation, Respect, and Service, thus, ensuring Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® continues to Thrive for another 115 years—and beyond!