“It’s a special feeling anytime something is 100,” said Barbara A. McKinzie, international president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
“To do it here in the home of the lady who had the vision – there are really no words to describe how special it is.”
A century has passed since St. Louis native Ethel Hedgeman Lyle formed the first black sorority in the U.S at Howard University with nine sorors. This weekend, the women of the sorority’s Central Region celebrated its 74th Regional Conference in her hometown with more than 1,400 women attending. Some 200,000 women worldwide have been inspired to share Lyle’s vision.
“This is an Alpha Kappa Alpha celebration,” said Pamela Bates Porch Central Regional director. “And we are delighted to be here in the Lou.”
Members traveled from eight states to take part in the conference on behalf of the Central Region, but the local members expressed a special badge of pride in knowing that St. Louis is where it all began.
“1,400 members of Alpha Kappa Alpha gathered in St. Louis to celebrate 100 years of service and achievement and to empower our membership for the next 100 years,” said Melanie Chambers, conference chair.
“It is an awesome link for all of us in St. Louis to be able to claim and celebrate that the person who conceptualized the organization 100 years ago.”
Hundreds of pink and green umbrellas shielded the heavy rain as the conference kicked off on Thursday morning. The dreadful weather forced the ladies to reroute their health walk inside the corridors of the Renaissance Grand Hotel.
The wetness didn’t dampen any spirits. Ladies of all ages appeared to be on cloud nine as they pressed ahead, marching the halls with intention and purpose. The perseverance illustrated the dedication that has allowed the legacy of the organization to continue and set the tone of moving forward despite circumstances.
“Whether they were just initiated one month ago or 80 years ago, my hope and my prayer is that those generations between those two points of life in AKA will be enjoying and take care of each other and have the greatest moment,” McKinzie said Thursday morning, in anticipation of the forthcoming events.
Her words would prove prophetic.
Ula Barton – who will turn 100 in September – received a standing ovation at Friday’s public meeting for her more than 80 years of service to the sorority. Portia Britt – initiated on March 2 – and sorors of all stages in between drew inspiration from Barton’s decades of service.
“We had a member who will be turning 100 years old,” said Charlene Goston, who herself is celebrating her 26th year in Alpha Kappa Alpha. “To see her walk across the stage and receive recognition and knowing that she is still active – that was awesome.”
“It was awe-inspiring and great to see that many sorors live close enough to you and they are all trying to make a difference,” Britt said. “To see people come together like this was amazing.”
In addition to keeping members up to date with regard to sorority business, the annual conference helps members grow in aiding themselves and the community through service.
“Mostly what I learned was how to go about being a good AKA woman and letting your light shine,” Britt said.“I felt everybody there wanted to be a part of something bigger and help the world be a better place.”
Members were briefed on McKinzie’s platform. It includes Economic Empowerment, Health, Black Family, Education through Technology and other elements, which can be used to strengthen the communities served by their respective chapters.
“We want the ladies to attend the workshops and sessions and learn more about what we are doing so they get ideas that they can take back home and do better in their communities,” McKinzie said.
“We have to get back to the basics of knowing that we were founded in education, but more importantly educational excellence, and each generation must hold that banner high as a standard.”
The conference was not all business. Social activities including a step show, concert, gala and temporary mini-mall with nearly every type of paraphernalia under the sun. This created a fun atmosphere and allowed for networking and relationship-building opportunities.
There was also a special awards ceremony on Friday night as a part of the public meeting. Centennial Trailblazer Awards and ESP (Expecting Sensational Possibilities) were given to Pearlie I. Evans, Dr. Henry Givens Jr., Sharon Stevens, Donald M. Suggs, Audrey R. Jones, Herbert Hula Hoosman Jr., Joseph Hubbard, Alana Fields and Gloria Taylor for their service to the St. Louis community.
“Stop, absorb your surroundings, be in the moment now and experience the specialness of this event, this weekend and each other because you will not be in this place ever again,” McKinzie told her flock of sorors going into the conference.
Luckily for Britt, Chambers, Goston and other local members, the gathering will be a twice in a lifetime opportunity. In 2010, Alpha Kappa Alpha will return in an even grander scale for its 64th international meeting (which takes place every two years in a different location).
“We are expecting approximately 15,000 of this great dynamic sisterhood. St. Louis is the Central Region, and St. Lou is Ethel Hedgeman Lyle,” said Kathy Walker Steele, chairman of the 64th International Convention.
“We will be here for 2010 for nationals, and I’m excited. Just recognize what that means symbolically for us,” McKinzie said.
“Just as Ethel Hedgeman Lyle had the vision to create the institution, we are offering the vision that will be the beginning of our second 100 years in the birthplace of our founder.”
More than 100 photos from the Alpha Kappa Alpha 74th Central Regional Conference can be found online at www.stlamerican.com.
