The ladies of the Alpha Phi chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and potential candidates gathered in the New Classroom Building auditorium on Jan. 12th at 7:08 p.m. to commemorate their 97th Founders’ Day.

N.C. A&T’s Alpha Phi chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority was established Jan. 12, 1932. The sorority was founded by Murnell Graves who learned of the organization through a campus instructor, Mrs. Hall.

Her influence persuaded Graves to join the prestigious organization. To charter the chapter she recruited seven other women that exemplified grace, integrity and intelligence.

The Alpha Phi chapter became the first Greek-letter organization for women on A&T’s campus as well as the first national African-American sorority established in Greensboro.

The parent organization of the Alpha Phi chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., was established on Jan. 15, 1908 and was the first female African-American Greek organization established in the United States.

The organization was conceived with the purpose to enrich the social and intellectual aspects of college life for African-American women through Ethel Hedgeman Lyle of St. Louis.

The organization currently has a worldwide membership of more than 170,000 women exemplified by their high scholastic and ethical standards. Their contribution of volunteer services has helped to improve the social and economic conditions throughout the African-American community.

During the program, sorors paid homage to the eight founders of A&T’s Alpha Phi chapter as well as the 20 national founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha were given homage through a candle light visual ceremony presented by the Alpha Phi sorority sisters.

“This program gave us the opportunity to celebrate every sacrifice and every achievement that each individual founder contributed to this illustrious organization. It is imperative that we always keep in mind the hard work that went behind its establishment,” said Zakiya Barnette senior marketing major.

“This program also serves as a way for us to exalt the accomplishments our founders made outside of the organization to impact society on a whole,” said Jessica Hardeman senior accounting major.

According to chapter graduate advisor, Gwendolyn Highsmith-Quick, the program serves as an educational opportunity for potential candidates.

“Alpha Phi chapter presents several programs ranging from education the African American community of health disparities to financial empowerment workshops. These programs serve not only as an opportunity to help the community but also to give potential candidates the opportunity to see the unity and sisterhood that exist within the organization,” said Quick.

“Although this is not the primary goal of the programs but it is a good way to educate the others about diverse topics as well as educate then about the organization,” added Quick.

• Karina Hardy