Honoring the 90th North Atlantic Regional Conference of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and Declaring March 4, 2021 as "Alpha Kappa Alpha Day" in the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, the City Council of Philadelphia is pleased to honor the 90th North Atlantic Regional Conference of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., which will be held, virtually, March 4 through March 7, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is the oldest Greek-lettered organization established in America by African American women. It was founded in 1908 by nine students led by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle at Howard University in Washington DC, and now counts nearly 300,000 members in the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Africa; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha is a union of thousands of college-trained women who are bound by a powerful mystique. It is a real and moving factor in the lives of students at more than 400 institutions of higher learning. It is one of the most solvent corporations in the world today that is controlled by African American women; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha is an effective channel for meaningful efforts and rewarding activities and fosters constructive relationships. Through its theme,

“Exemplifying Excellence Through Sustainable Service,”

the sorority, through its’ international leadership by Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover, is a recognized force for community service, social action and a strong ally in the continuing struggle for civil and human rights; and

WHEREAS, As Alpha Kappa Alpha has grown, it has kept in balance two very important themes: the importance of the individual and the strength of an organization of women of courage and ability; and

WHEREAS, Principal Founder Ethel Hedgeman Lyle lived with her family in West Philadelphia from 1924 until her death in 1950 and chartered the Omega Omega graduate chapter in 1926; and

WHEREAS, Mary Bentley LaMar is the 34th North Atlantic Regional Director and presides over 13,000 members who are located from Washington, D.C. to Maine; and

WHEREAS, The theme for the 90th North Atlantic Regional Conference is “Exemplifying Excellence with Perfect Pitch in Philly"; and

WHEREAS, Mary Taylor-Acree is the North Atlantic Regional Conference Chairman; and

WHEREAS,

Notable members of Alpha Kappa Alpha include Marian Anderson, Dr. Maya Angelou, Bebe Moore Campbell, Augusta “Gussie” Clark, Althea Gibson, Dr. Mae Jemison, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Alicia Keys, Coretta Scott King, Toni Morrison, Rosa Parks, Phylicia Rashad, Ruth Simmons, C. Delores Tucker, Leah Tutu, Alice Walker, and Vice President Kamala Harris, to name a few, who have embodied the mission of Alpha Kappa Sorority, Inc., which is to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, to promote unity and friendship among college women and to be of service to all mankind; n

ow, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of Philadelphia, Declares and recognizes March 4, 2021 as “Alpha Kappa Alpha Day” in Philadelphia to recognize the 90th North Atlantic Regional Conference to be virtually held from March 4 - March 7, 2021.

Further Resolved, That Engrossed copies of this resolution be presented to the representatives of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated as evidence of the sincere admiration of this legislative body.

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