South Atlantic Regional Director
AlphaKappaAlphaSorority,Incorporated® HostedbytheZetaRhoOmega, EtaEtaOmega,and AlphaGammaDeltaOmegaChapters
United United Unstoppable Unstoppableinsisterhood, inservice: Soaring Soaringfor117years.
South Atlantic Region
Graduate Cluster I Coordinator
Asia Blocker
South Atlantic Region
Undergraduate Cluster I Coordinator
During the 2025 Cluster I Founders’ Day Observance Weekend, sorors will be recognized for their contributions to their chapters and communities, exemplifying the spirit of excellence embodied by the Founders of our beloved Sorority.
Submissions are due by 11:59 EST on Friday, January 10, 2025. Please submit entries via the links included in this Awards Booklet. Questions may be sent to sarawards.cluster1@gmail.com.
PURPOSE OF AWARD: The Ethel Hedgeman Lyle Visionary Award is presented to an individual graduate soror who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and an ability to motivate others.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Ethel Hedgeman Lyle was an American educator and founder of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. It was the first sorority founded by African-American college women. Lyle is often referred to as the "Guiding Light" for the organization. To establish the sorority, Hedgeman Lyle began recruiting interested classmates in the beginning of 1907. She and eight other classmates founded Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated on January 15, 1908 on the campus of Howard University. Hedgeman served as vice-president of the sorority and designed the insignia for the sorority. She was the national treasurer of Alpha Kappa Alpha from 1923 to 1946, and helped lead the sorority through years of rapid social change, including the Great Migration of more than a million African Americans from the South to the North, the Depression and challenges of World War II.
Biographical sketch of entrant to include a demonstration of high ethical standards, leadership experience
Two specific, detailed examples of entrant’s leadership and visionary impact on a chapter program, project, or initiative.
Signature of chapter basileus. (Note: Signature of anti-basileus if the basileus is submitted for the award)
PURPOSE OF AWARD: The Lucy Diggs Slowe Undergraduate Basileus Award is presented to an undergraduate Basileus who exemplifies exceptional leadership and empathy.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Lucy Diggs Slowe was an American educator and athlete, and the first Black woman to serve as Dean of Women at an American university. Lucy Diggs Slowe was one of the nine original founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority at Howard University in 1908. She was instrumental in drafting the sorority's constitution, and she also served as the Howard University (Alpha) Chapter's first president.
AWARD CRITERIA:
Biographical sketch of entrant to include a demonstration of leadership and community service impact.
Letter of recommendation from Graduate Advisor and university/college teacher Must possess a G.P.A. of 3.5 or higher (Attached official transcript with school’s seal enclosed in a sealed envelope)
Signature of chapter anti-basileus or Graduate Advisor
AWARD: The Marie Woolfolk Taylor Pearl of Excellence Award is presented to a graduate soror who goes above and beyond as a chapter and committee member, while always exemplifying a sisterly demeanor and willingness to serve, to ensure that chapter activities, initiatives, programs and events are executed in a spirit of excellence. The entrant shall NOT be a current elected or appointed executive officer.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Marie Woolfolk Taylor was a social service worker and one of the sixteen founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. The legacy she created in establishing the sorority has continued to generate social capital for nearly 100 years. She helped design elements of the sorority in 1907. Together with Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, Woolfolk made official presentations in 1907 about the sorority to gain approval of Howard University officials. She attended the inaugural meeting on January 15, 1908, and helped draft the sorority's first constitution and bylaws. Woolfolk invited seven sophomores to participate in the sorority so they could begin expansion. On February 21, Woolfolk was elected the first secretary of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
Biographical sketch of entrant to include current active committee participation and a demonstration of the soror ’ s high-level of chapter engagement and sisterly conduct.
Letter of recommendation from a committee chairman for which the soror serves. Signature of Chapter Basileus
PURPOSE OF AWARD: The Pearl of Excellence Award is presented to a undergraduate soror who goes above and beyond as a chapter and committee member, while always exemplifying a sisterly demeanor and willingness to serve, to ensure that chapter activities, initiatives, programs and events are executed in a spirit of excellence.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Anna Easter Brown was the first treasurer of Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporate. While at Howard University, Brown was an honor student, a library aide, a member of the school choir and a passionate writer. She graduated from Howard University in 1909 and began her teaching career for more than 30 years and became the chartering president of the Chi Omega Chapter. Brown was an advocate of history and was known especially for her annual Negro History Week exhibits that received national media attention.
AWARD CRITERIA
Biographical sketch of entrant to include current active committee participation and a demonstration of the soror ’ s high-level of chapter engagement and sisterly conduct.
Letter of recommendation from a committee chairman for which the soror serves. Signature of Chapter Basileus Printed Name of
PURPOSE OF AWARD: The Ethel Jones Mowbray Pearl of Service Award is presented to a graduate soror who selflessly serves her chapter and community and does her part to encourage others to use their talent and resources to help lift their chapter and community.
BACKGROUND: Ethel Jones Mowbray was one of the seven “Sophomores” invited to join Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated while attending Howard University. She helped to incorporate the Sorority. Her legacy is remembered as being instrumental in establishing an organization that has helped African-American women succeed in college, prepare for leadership and organize in communities, and serve their communities in later life. In 1909, Ethel was the first vice-president of Alpha Kappa Alpha.
AWARD CRITERIA
Biographical sketch of entrant to include community volunteer service and the type of service provided
Examples of leadership experience at the chapter and/or community level
Signature of chapter basileus (Note: Signature of anti-basileus if the basileus is submitted for the award) Printed Name of
PURPOSE OF AWARD: The Nellie Quander Pearl of Service Award is presented to an undergraduate soror who selflessly serves her chapter and community and does her part to encourage others to use their talent and resources to help lift their chapter and community.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Nellie Quander was an incorporator and the first international president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. As president for several years, she helped expand the sorority and further its support of AfricanAmerican women at colleges and in communities. The sorority established a scholarship endowment in her name. After leading the initiative to incorporate the sorority, Quander served as president of the sorority. In 1913, at the first Boulé at Howard University, she was officially elected president. During her tenure, she wrote the organization’s preamble to the constitution and appointed fellow members to implement the sorority's expansion.
Biographical sketch of entrant to include community volunteer service and the type of service provided
Examples of leadership experience at the chapter and/or community level
Signature of chapter basileus (Note: Signature of anti-basileus if the basileus is submitted for the award)
Printed Name of Nominee Signature of Nominee
Printed Name of Basileus or GA Signature of Basileus or GA https://forms.gle/wAgfeuWsK2RH7qXi8
