Message from Madam
Welcome to our Winter Issue:
“F.I.R.S.T. and Foremost”
The Notable North Atlantic Region has upheld the enduring vision of sisterhood, scholarship, and service by enacting a timeless vision and innovative leadership. This commitment from generations of innovators, trailblazers, and pathbreakers whose work has encapsulated our motto, "By Culture and By Merit," has endured for 116 years. As the home of our birthplace, the North Atlantic Region has pioneered imaginative initiatives, addressing socal justice, health, business, the Black family, education, and economic empowerment.
This issue, F.I.R.S.T. and FOREMOST, highlights the visionary, innovative tradition of the North Atlantic Region. This issue tells the stories of sorors and chapters upholding the original vision of our founders and the pillars of the F.I.R.S.T. Administration by enabling, driving, and forging innovations that are not only game-changing, but paving the way for trajectory-changing work of future generations.
Advancing the Vision
The FIRST Administration has soared to new heights, guided by the pillars of Fellowship, INNOVATION, Respect, Serve, and Thrive, inspiring sorors throughout the region to heed the call. As dedicated members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s FIRST region, we embrace the honor and responsibility to advance the vision initiated by our Founders 116 years ago. In the FIRST year of my administration, significant strides have been made, yet the journey continues as we tirelessly implement innovative programs and initiatives that strengthen our communities. Our hallmark of service has distinguished the North Atlantic Region, with a legacy spanning 116 years. Under the FIRST Administration, a spotlight on innovation has taken center stage, placing creativity, inventive thinking, and disruptive solutions at the forefront. In our inaugural year, pioneering programs and initiatives have included…
...innovation has taken center stage, placing creativity, inventive thinking and disruptive solutions at the forefront.
"...inspire others to create first-rate experiences and programs that serve to uplift and move our communities forward."
Soaring FIRST in the Motherland!
by Soror Adrienne Parkmond-Dean,
Chief Operations Officer to the Regional Director
Madam Regional Director, sorors from Theta Epsilon Omega, across the North Atlantic Region, and across the US traveled to South Africa to celebrate Psi Tau Omega’s 10th anniversary in the trip of a lifetime! We set out with service on our minds and sisterhood in our hearts to Soar to Greater Heights to Service and Sisterhood in the motherland.
Strengthening Our Sisterhood
To support our foundational initiative, Strengthening Our Sisterhood, we made cross-regional connections with sorors from the International, Central, South Atlantic and Great Lakes Regions! We shared meals, worshiped, learned, and laughed with our new AKA Pals.
Empowering Our Families
We Empowered Our Families as sorors, along with family members, friends, and members of the Divine Nine, as we partnered with Rise Against Hunger to package 26,000 meals for those living in poverty in South Africa. We also donated books by Black authors and toiletries to the children of Diepsloot Combined School.
Sorors also attended and supported Psi Tau Omega’s annual wine-tasting fundraiser, which supports their CHIPP™ program. Sorors enjoyed traditional African dancing and bid on items at the silent auction.
Supreme in Service
Sorors of Psi Tau Omega also Enhanced the Environment by planting trees in each of the soror attendees’ names. We all look forward to returning to South Africa to visit our trees!
Sorors of Theta Epsilon Omega greatly contributed to Building Economic Wealth in South Africa through our generous shopping endeavors at local markets. We especially supported women entrepreneurs by purchasing hand-made necklaces from Psi Tau Omega.
We educated ourselves and advocated for Social Justice through visiting many museums in Johannesburg and Cape Town. We visited the Apartheid Museum, where we experienced segregation based on our museum tickets; the Hector Pieterson Museum, which commemorated a youth uprising against forced use of Afrikaans in schools; and Nelson Mandela’s home in Soweto. In Cape Town, we traveled to Robben Island, the prison island where Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years; it is now a World Heritage Site where the tour guides are ex-political prisoners who were incarcerated there.
Our trip was educational, rewarding, and a testament to the impact of Alpha Kappa Alpha across the world!
