AlphaKappaAlphaSorority,Incorporated AlphaKappaAlphaSorority,Incorporated
AKA Day at the Capitol AKA Day at the Capitol
Host Chapter - Delta Upsilon Omega (Seattle, WA)
Host Chapter - Delta Upsilon Omega (Seattle, WA)
Monday, February 17, 2025
Washington State Capitol - Legislative Building
Olympia, Washington
Washington State Connection Coordinator
Greetings to my fellow Washington State Sorors!
Thank you for registering for the 2025 Washington State AKA Day at the Capitol It is my esteemed honor to serve as your Washington State Connection Coordinator under the leadership of Madam Regional Director, Soror Nichole Starr Jordan and Far Western Region Connection Coordinator and Committee Chairman Soror Berna Rhodes-Ford I am pleased to announce Soror Lydia Berhanu, Beta Theta chapter soror, will serve as our Honorary Far Western Region Connection Committee, Washington State Undergraduate Representative Soror Lydia is pursuing a Law, Societies, and Justice degree as well as a minor in Informatics at the University of Washington (Seattle Campus) She serves as the ASUW Director of Diversity Efforts and serves as Beta Theta’s chapter Treasurer Congratulations, Soror Lydia Berhanu on your honorary appointment
For over 90 years, Alpha Kappa Alpha women have been making and undeniable impact here in Washington State Beta Theta Chapter sorors mobilized AKA women in the Summer of 1933 and our state’s AKA legacy has continued with the Delta Upsilon Omega Chapter (Seattle, WA), Zeta Omega Omega Chapter (Tacoma, WA), Kappa Sigma (Pullman, WA), and Psi Nu Omega (Eastern, WA and Northern Idaho)
Under the 2022 - 2026 Soaring to Greater Heights of Service and Sisterhood administration, under the direction of Madam Supreme Basileus, Soror Danette Anthony Reed, AKA sorors world-wide are encouraged to Advocate for Social justice Our organization’s purpose mandates that we “study to help alleviate problems ” Moreover, our purpose mandates we be of “service to all mankind”
I am thrilled to stand alongside Washington State sorors, led by the Delta Upsilon Omega Chapter’s Connection Committee, as we advocate for the elimination of childhood hunger for K-12 students The need for healthy meals during school hours is great I am enthusiastic that Govenor Bob Ferguson, Representatives and AKA Sorors April Berg and Jamila Taylor, along with Senator Marcus Riccelli and others will approve legislation and budgets that support our youth We can do this through the power of ‘Connection Rooted in Service, Advocacy, and Justice!
Finally, I’m grateful for the A Philip Randolph Institute (Seattle, WA) and the Washington State Commission for African American Affairs for creating a space for African American youth and community members to engage with state legislators during the annual Charles Rolland African American Legislative Day
Sisterly, Soror Ada C Hardy
Soror Ada C Hardy
Washington State Connection Coordinator
Connect, network, and bond with Washington State AKA sorors at a sisterly send-off ahead of the 2025 AKA Day at the Capitol.
Sunday, February 16, 2025
2PM - 4PM
Water’s Table Edge Restaurant (inside the Hyatt Regency - Lake Washington) 1053 Lake Washington Blvd N., Renton, WA 98056
RSVP Required (tinyurlcom/2025AKADayAtTheCapitol)
Individuals are responsible for their tabs Additional fees may be applied by the restaurant 2-hour complimentary parking is available for all restaurant guests
Soror Lydia Berhanu
University of Washington
Beta Theta, Spring 2024
Honorary Far Western Region Connection Committee, Washington State Undergraduate Representative
At the recommendation of the Washington State Connection Coordinator, Soror Ada C Hardy, and approval of Madam Regional Director, Soror Nichole Starr Jordan, Soror Lydia Berhanu has been extended the opportunity to serve as the Honorary Undergraduate Representative to the Far Western Region’s Connection Committee for Washington State.
Soror Lydia is a student at the University of Washington where she is pursuing a BA In Law, Societies, and Justice and a minor in Informatics She is committed to intertwining her interests in the legal profession and her passion for DEI to create impactful and equitable solutions that drive systemic change Soror Lydia is a member in excellent standing with the Beta Theta chapter where she serves as the chapter's Treasurer. She also serves at the Far Western Regional level as an Undergraduate Faculty Member to the Ida L Jackson Leadership Institute
Providing Soror Lydia with this honorary experience to serve as the Washington State Connection Committee's Undergraduate Representative aligns deeply with her personal passions and career interests “Personally, I believe an experience like this lays the groundwork for future AKA leaders especially in the area of Connection,” said Soror Ada Kudos and pink tea roses to Soror Lydia Berhanu!
Soror April Berg
WA State House Representative
District 44 - Position 2
A common thread throughout my entire life and career has been a commitment to equity, inclusion, and results Today, I am the first Black woman to represent the 44th District of Washington It’s a district that I know well My family and I have lived in Snohomish County for more than 20 years Our children attend Western Washington University and Jackson High School in the Everett School District Two of our children have graduated from the University of Washington
The education of our children and all of our children is an incredibly important value to me A passion for quality schools for all kids is why I served on the Edmonds School Board and Everett School Board, pushing for updated textbooks, better technology for our kids, vocational education, and helping families get through the COVID school closures
I’ve also served as a planning commissioner for the City of Mill Creek, where I formed partnerships to support existing and future businesses, improve transit connectivity and develop solutions to accommodate growth and encourage more affordable housing choices
Our district is growing and changing quickly, which has brought great opportunities along with tremendous challenges Schools are overcrowded and housing is overpriced Expenses are rising faster than our incomes I was drawn to service in my local school, my city, and now the House of Representatives because everyone deserves a voice in the direction of Washington state Young people, seniors, small business owners, veterans, blue collars machinists, and professionals
We are all in this together Every person deserves to be heard and respected I draw inspiration and energy from the people I work with and learn from and am honored to represent the 44th District of Washington in the State House.
Soror April Berg is a proud Silver Star and Life Member of the Delta Upsilon Omega Chapter (Seattle, WA) of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
Soror Jamila Taylor
WA State House Representative
District 30 - Position 1
Jamila (“jah-mee-lah”)is anattorney,youthadvocateand small business ownerwith a passion for community service and a commitment to serving the public good She holds a bachelor’s degree from Virginia State University and a law degree fromthe University of Oregon. The daughter of a retired history professor and a retired Girl Scout office administrator, she was raised to value educationand service values thatcontinue toshape her work today
After moving to King County in 2007,Jamilaworked asthe central area network coordinatorfor theSeattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative,where sheoversawcommunity interventions and supportedyoung peoplefacing family, peer or gang conflict;court involvement; school suspension or expulsion;homelessness or other risk factorsfor youth violence
Jamila launched a legal practice and nonprofitconsulting businessin 2014,before later joining Northwest Justice Projectin 2017 As NJP’sstatewide advocacy counsel, she manageda network ofattorneysrepresentingdomestic violence survivors and other crime victims
A Federal Way resident, Jamila was elected to the Legislature in 2020 She serves as Chair of the Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee and serves on the Transportation and the Early Learning & Human Services Committee She chairs the Developmental Advocacy Caucus and is the First Vice Chair of the Members of Color Caucus. Jamila is alsoa member of the Legislative Black Caucus
Soror Jamila Taylor is a proud Silver Star and Life Member of the Delta Upsilon Omega Chapter (Seattle, WA) of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
WashingtonStateAKA’sGroupPhoto
Washington State Photograpy House Chamber
Greetings&Acknowledgements
Soror Ada C. Hardy
Washington State Connection Coordinator
Soror Lydia Berhanu
Honorary Far Western Region Connection Committee, Washington State Undergraduate Representative
Soror Ayanna Colman
Delta Upsilon Omega Chapter (Seattle, WA) Connection Committee Chairman
Soror April Berg Representative, District 44
Soror Jamila Taylor Representative, District 30
The Legislative Building will serve as our hub location. The Legislative Building will serve as our hub location
House Chamber - Legislative Bldg Third Floor Columbia Room - Legislative Bldg Ground Floor
WASHINGTON STATE WASHINGTON STATE AKA Day at the Capitol AKA Day at the Capitol
Madam Regional Director, Soror Nichole Starr Jordan
Far Western Regional Connection Coordinator & Committee Chairman, Soror Berna Rhodes-Ford
Washington State Connection Coordinator, Soror Ada C Hardy
Delta Upsilon Omega Protocol Chairman, Soror Brittney Pettway
Delta Upsilon Omega Chapter PR Committee Representatives, Soror Adrienne Holmes
Delta Upsilon Omega Chapter PR Committee Representative, Soror Monica Brown
Graduate Advisor - Beta Theta Chapter, Soror Jai Anana Elliott
Washington State AKA Sorority, Incorporated
Chapter Basilei and Connection Committee Chairmen
A. Philip Randolph Institute (Seattle, WA)
Washington State Commission on African American Affairs
Beta Theta Chapter (Seattle, WA)
Soror Korshina Tover, Basileus
Soror Lydia Berhanu, Honorary Far Western Region Connection Committee, Washington State Undergraduate Representative
Soror Jai Anana Elliott, Graduate Advisor
Zeta Omega Omega (Tacoma, WA)
Stephanie Croom Williams, Basileus
Carolyn Patton, Connection Committee Chairman
Delta Upsilon Omega Chapter (Seattle, WA)
Soror Saunjah Brantley, Basileus
Soror Ayanna Colman, Connection Committee Chairman
Psi Nu Omega (Eastern Washington & Northern Idaho)
Leah Mays, Basileus
Kappa Sigma (Pullman, WA)
Supervising Chapter - Psi Nu Omega Chapter
AlphaKappaAlphaSorority,Incorporated AlphaKappaAlphaSorority,Incorporated