RECOGNIZING APRIL 24, 2025, AS ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY OR "AKA DAY AT THE CAPITOL" IN DELAWARE.

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Kamela Smith & Sen. Brown

Reps. Burns, K. Johnson, Osienski, Yearick; Sens. Buckson, Hocker, Pettyjohn, Sokola, Townsend, Wilson

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 23

RECOGNIZING APRIL 24, 2025, AS ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY OR "AKA DAY AT THE CAPITOL" IN DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., is 117 years young and was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., and has been in continuous existence since January 15, 1908; and

WHEREAS, Ethel Hedgemon Lyle, Anna Easter Brown, Beulah Burke, Lillian Burke, Marjorie Hill, Margaret Flagg Holmes, Lavinia Norman, Lucy Diggs Slowe and Marie Woolfolk Taylor, established the FIRST Greek-lettered organization established by and for black college-educated women; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. consisting of over 300,000 members globally, has broken records for community service to all mankind, totaling over one million hours, particularly in black neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, Zeta Omega, Epsilon Iota Omega, Sigma Zeta Omega, Alpha Alpha Mu Omega, and Alpha Alpha Tau Omega Graduate Chapters, Delta Lambda and Lambda Gamma Undergraduate Chapters influence and civic contributions have brought about economic security, environmental sustainability and addressed issues of global poverty, social justice and spiritual change throughout Delaware, as well as nationally and internationally; and

WHEREAS, Zeta Omega, Epsilon Iota Omega, Sigma Zeta Omega, Alpha Alpha Mu Omega, and Alpha Alpha Tau Omega Graduate Chapters, Delta Lambda and Lambda Gamma Undergraduate Chapters, and their members have been actively involved in our local communities by spearheading the Debutante Ball and AKAette Scholarship Program, Life Enrichment Programs for boys and girls, Pink Goes Red promoting Heart Health Initiatives, Breast Health programs, while partnering with like-minded organization to host civic engagement awareness programs, advocate to eliminate educational, health and

economic disparities, voters registration and relevant legislation and laws; and many other community focused contributions; and

WHEREAS, for the 21st consecutive year the members of Delaware’s Graduate Chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Zeta Omega, Epsilon Iota Omega, Sigma Zeta Omega, Alpha Alpha Mu Omega, and Alpha Alpha Tau Omega have provided consistent guidance in advocacy to the Delaware General Assembly; and are joined in service by Delta Lambda and Lambda Gamma Undergraduate Chapters, all serving Delaware communities; and

WHEREAS, today, more than ever Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated interests and thoughts are important to help improve, strengthen and ensure that responsible legislation and public policy is enacted to govern the great state of Delaware; and

WHEREAS, Soaring to Greater Heights of Service and Sisterhood;

under the leadership of our International President, Danette Anthony Reed and North Atlantic Regional Director, Elicia Pegues Spearman

; and

WHEREAS, through their committed talent and resources, the current program initiatives focusing on Empowering Our Families; Enhancing Our Environment; Build Our Economic Wealth; Uplift Our Local Community; Advocate For Social Justice; Strengthen Our Sisterhood; have undoubtedly provided and will continue to provide advocacy and service to all mankind.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 153rd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that April 24, 2025, shall be “AKA Day at the Capitol” in Delaware.

SYNOPSIS

This Concurrent Resolution recognizes April 24, 2025, as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated or “AKA Day at the Capitol” in Delaware.