Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority celebrates 100 years

Local members of Nu Upsilon Omega are, from left: Daisy J. Gordon, Elouise J. Wright and Betty W. Green. (Photo contributed)

On Jan. 15, the members of Nu Upsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. celebrated 100 years of service through sisterhood. Alpha Kappa Alpha is the world's oldest black Greek letter sorority. Founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., the sorority was initially organized to address the social ills of the day, and to promote scholarship and high ethical standards among girls and women.

Boasting 200,000 members strong, the sorority's national theme today is the "Heart of ESP: An Extraordinary Service Program." Nu Upsilon Omega's goal in orchestrating the international theme is to reach out to various segments of the community through non-traditional programs including, but not limited to, supporting women as non-traditional entrepreneurs and developing partnerships for community economic development.

The sorority's centennial celebration started Jan. 12, through Jan 15, with commemorations at Howard University. Many other national and international commemorations are planned culminating with the sorority's 63rd biennial celebration in Washington, D.C. Friday, July 11, through Friday, July 18.