Message from Madam
Welcome to our Undergraduate Issue:
“F.I.R.S.T. on the Yard”
The ideals cultivated during your undergraduate years often become the fabric of your membership as a graduate soror and beyond. Sorors, take a stroll with me down ivy lane as I reflect on the pearls of influence that strengthened my undergraduate journey…
Admission: The AKA BRAND
In my childhood I was surrounded by members of Alpha Kappa Alpha, many who were family and friends. They were leaders, thorough, intelligent, and friendly - impactful women whom you wanted to be around because they were excited about the mission and their work. I learned very early on that those were the ideal makings of The AKA Brand.
"...leaders, thorough, intelligent, friendly, impactful - the makings of THE AKA BRAND."
"Humble, servant-leadership positioned us as role models on campus."
Orientation:
Skee-Wee While You Work!
As a student at Wellesley College and initiate of Lambda Upsilon Chapter, we exhibited The AKA Brand through humble servant-leadership which often positioned us as role models on campus. Becoming Vice President of the Student Government Association during my senior year, alongside my fellow soror who served as President, were significant points of visibility that were vital toward encouraging other women of color to pursue those roles on campus. As African-American women, we were among the F.I.R.S.T. to achieve it!
Matriculation:
THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER!
My undergraduate chapter taught me what it meant to be a "soror"; how to move forward from disagreement and work together to affect positive change within our community. I learned about the concept of accountability, how to accept constructive criticism and the power of owning your mistakes. Only by this manner can we remain our sisters keeper.
During my time at Wellesley, one of my big sisters, Soror Nina Henderson, was elected as an Undergraduate Member-at-Large, my line sister became a Leadership Fellow, and I initiated a soror who later became a Second Supreme Anti-Basileus. It was commonplace for our members to serve on both the chapter and international level. Active membership required active participation, which was the only way to grow in AKA.
Graduation:
I SEE THE LIGHT…
Our extraordinary undergraduates have the unique task of exemplifying the ideals and standards of our organization as newly developing members, balancing the demands of academia, while executing international programming initiatives in ways that specifically meet their diverse campus needs. Our support and acknowledgment of their tenacity and capacity to SOAR in Alpha Kappa Alpha is paramount. In honor of our region's undergraduate chapters, this issue salutes YOU as F.I.R.S.T. on the Yard!