Hide Article Text (OCR)
BY SIMEON BOOKER, JR. CLEVELAND — You are dead wrong if you believe— AKAs are career fanatics and not husband-loving, home making wives; AKAs are socially-conscious, head and shoulders above the less fortunate members of its people; AKAs are color-struck, money mad; AKAs are school teachers whose idealism is in the realm of silver tongued clouds. The above statements are the common definitions of sorority women by the men and women on the street. They are often the popular labels. However, the rec ord and the individuals within the framework of the Alpha Kap pa Sorority debunk the state ments. Home Loving Mrs. Leonora C. Lane, a psy chologist of Wilberforce Univer sity, the organization’s first anti basileus, was quick to tell us, “I wish you would make it clear that we are not a group of career women who have no con ception of home making.” Mrs. Lane pointed out that many people had the conception that sorority women were a group of professional people whose main idea of existence is to have suc cessful careers. “That is incor rect,” Mrs. Lane stated. “Take a look at our officers and members and you will find that we are as competent in making a home as we are in developing a first class sorority.” To bear out her point, we checked. Mrs. Edna Over Gray, of Baltimore, the supreme basileus, is the wife of Victor Gray, out standing editor. Mrs. Norma E. Boyd, of Washington, the origina tor of the Non-Partisan Council, is the mother of some successful sons. Mrs. Clarissa K. Dillard, the director of the South Atlanta re gion, is a faculty member of Vir ginia Union University and the wife of an outstanding medical man. The sorority emphasizes the righ ideals and character which it would seem would make its members more suitable as success ful mates in marriage. Not Society Conscious The prevalent belief that soror ities are social conscious and look down on less fortunate segments of its people is also debunked by the AKAs. Their health service, aimed at relieving the acute health found in rural conditions areas in the South and its na tional health program designed to improve conditions throughout the country are certainly arguments against the popular belief of the masses. No better example of the en trance of sororities in political ac tion is there than the AWaAs. Their successful national lobby in the nation’s capital should inspire other groups to do an effective civic job. This project has done more to erase the fallacy than a thousand tea room arguments. Not Color Struck The AWAs are known for their liberality and foresightedness. Their constitution was amended at the last national house so that women of all races could be ad mitted. There is a white soror, Miss Mary Ann Richardson, of Chicago. Neither does the sorority have a color line.ere is no talk in AKA ranks of light skinned or dark skinned members, since col or has no place in their activit ies. Its cosmopolitan attitudes, its progressive views have kept the AKAs in the forefront in the fem inine fraternal world. Their honorary membership is certainly no racial issue. The late Miss Jane Adams, of Chicago, the founder of the world famed Hull Homes, was cited for this honor along with other prominent wom en. Attempts were made to schedule Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt and Miss Pearl Buck as the main speakers at this year’s house. Not Confined To School Teachers The membership of the soror ity is not confined to school teachers, as is often said. Within the ranks are lawyers, nurses, doctors, social workers but the majority of the members are housewives. The best attitude of the philos ophy is expressed by the founder, Mrs. Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, in her message in this year’s house annual,—It is always an occasion to renew the friendships of our dear Lords and friends scatter ed throughout the nation. How happy we are when our paths again meet and become one for a few, too few, short days. Yet, when those days have passed, we still shall be joined in thoughts and ideals shared. God bless you—each of you—and give you strength and courage to continue to carry forward the ideals of Alpha Kappa Alpha as you so nobly have done in the years.”
Newspaper Details
Call and Post
Cleveland, Ohio, US
Sat, Aug 23, 1947
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Lily G.
USA 08 Sep 2026
Other Publications Near Cleveland, Ohio
The Cleveland Leader
Call and Post
Cleveland Morning Leader
Cleveland Svet World
Cleveland Daily Leader
