ummers presents her Alpha Kappa Alpha sisters with House resolution

Press Release

State Rep. Vanessa Summers (D-Indianapolis) proudly stood before the Indiana House of Representatives with her Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, Inc. sisters to honor them with a House Resolution.

The AKA sorority is the first Greek-letter association established by and for African-American women. There are more than 260,000 members in its over 900 chapters throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Canada, Germany, Korea, West African and Japan.

The sorority was founded in 1908 by Ethel Hedgemen Lyle in an effort to cultivate and enrich the cultural and social aspects of college life for minorities. The group helped break barriers for African-American women where they previously lacked opportunities for power or authority in the early 20th century.

[Pictured at right are Rep. Summers and some of her AKA sorority sisters at the Speaker's Rostrum on the floor of the Indiana House of Representatives.]

Today, AKA is made up of women of diverse backgrounds from around the world, including African, Caucasian, Asian, Native American, Hispanic and Indian. Through community service programs and independent initiatives, AKA members have helped improve social and economic conditions.

The sorority currently plans to accomplish their goal of "Global Leadership through Timeless Service" with initiatives like Emerging Young Leaders, Health Initiatives, Asthma Prevention & Management, Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability, Global Poverty, Economic Security, Social Justice & Human Rights, and Internal Leadership Training for Excellent Service.

"Anyone who knows me knows I am a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.," said Summers. "The sorority has improved the lives of many people throughout the years, and it is my great honor to introduce my sisters to the Indiana General Assembly and to present them with a House Resolution."

The resolution also served as a way of welcoming the 1,900 AKA members who will meet at the downtown Indianapolis Marriott this Thursday through Sunday for the Central Regional Conference.

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