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Creator
Johnson, Othella, 1910-1988
Call number
Sc MG 592
Physical description
0.46 linear feet (2 boxes)
Language
English
Preferred Citation
[Item], Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority scrapbook, Sc MG 592, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, The New York Public Library
Sponsor
Home to Harlem Project funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
Repository
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA) is the first African American Greek Sorority. It was founded in 1908, by nine college students on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. AKA currently have members in graduate and undergraduate chapters across the world. Their mission is to encourage high scholastics and ethical standards, promote sisterhood, and help young girls and women to improve their social stature. The Alpha Kappa Alpha scrapbook was compiled by Othella Oglesby Johnson (1910-1988), an Alpha Kappa Alpha soror and string and vocal instructor at Public Schools 119 and 129 in New York City. The scrapbook consists of historical and biographical information related to the sorority, its members and activities, including regional and national conferences, anti-discrimination drives and fund raisers. Included are news clippings, programs, photographs, letters, probation and pledge primers and booklets containing sorority poetry, songs, and yells. Letters to Johnson from the period of her pledge years with the Beta Nu Chapter in St. Pittsburg, Kansas are included.

Biographical/historical information

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA) is the first African American Greek Sorority. It was founded in 1908, by nine college students on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. AKA currently have members in graduate and undergraduate chapters across the world. Their mission is to encourage high scholastics and ethical standards, promote sisterhood, and help young girls and women to improve their social stature.

Scope and arrangement

The Alpha Kappa Alpha scrapbook was compiled by Othella Oglesby Johnson (1910-1988), an Alpha Kappa Alpha soror and string and vocal instructor at Public Schools 119 and 129 in New York City. The scrapbook consists of historical and biographical information related to the sorority, its members and activities, including regional and national conferences, anti-discrimination drives and fund raisers. Included are news clippings, programs, photographs, letters, probation and pledge primers and booklets containing sorority poetry, songs, and yells. Letters to Johnson from the period of her pledge years with the Beta Nu Chapter in St. Pittsburg, Kansas are included.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Gift, Morningside Retirement and Health Services, Inc., July 1996

Revision History

This finding aid was updated by Allison Hughes. (2022 April 11)

Using the collection

Location

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division
515 Malcolm X Boulevard, New York, NY 10037-1801
Second Floor