Special to The American
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will honor the legacy of its principal founder and St. Louis native Ethel Hedgeman Lyle in an exhibit at the St. Louis Convention Center during the sorority’s conference July 9-16..
The exhibit on her remarkable life will be a highlight of the AKA Museum, titled “Supreme Essence: Embodiments of Service and Progress,” that will be on display and open to the public during the convention.
Lyle, who was also the sorority’s only honorary president, was one of 16 visionary women who founded AKA on the campus of Howard University in 1908. The founders’ commitment to service laid the foundation for an organization that has grown from 16 women on one campus to 250,000 women in 959 chapters worldwide.
The exhibit shows the many ways in which AKA has paid homage to Lyle, from an award and endowment that bear her name to historic markers that commemorate her vision for a sisterhood that would uplift humanity. Selected writings by Lyle are also included.
In addition to the exhibit, the sorority will honor Lyle through ceremonies, rituals and other tributes during the conference.
Also included in the AKA Museum will be a display of “Supreme” gowns worn by the current living presidents of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (with the exception of Linda White, who passed as the exhibit was in its final stage of being mounted).
When coupled with the tribute to Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, the exhibit powerfully embodies the essence of the sorority’s beauty and dynamism.
Barbara A. McKinzie is the 27th International President and will preside over the conference.
For more information on the exhibit, which is beautifully depicted in a multi-colored, multi-paneled diorama, visit www.aka1908.com.
