Alpha Kappa Alpha Sisters Share Pride On Inauguration Of Kamala Harris

Press release from Towson University:

January 19, 2020

(Image from Creative Commons)

History will be made Wednesday as U.S. Senator Kamala Harris will be sworn in as the
first woman of color to serve as Vice President of the United States. Harris, a California
Democrat who is of Black and South Asian heritage, is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha,
Inc. from her undergraduate days at Howard University.

Founded on January 15, 1908 at Howard, Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) has chapters across
the world, including here at Towson University. It was the nation's first Black intercollegiate
Greek-lettered sorority. Through the years, the sorority has been a major service
organization through local, national and global efforts.

On January 15 of this year, Vice President-elect Harris reunited with her Alpha Kappa
Alpha sisters via a web video discussion that celebrated the sorority's 113th anniversary.

"I am home when I see you guys," Harris told her sisters.

TU's Alpha Kappa Alpha Lamda Beta chapter is a beloved institution on campus and a critical part of Greek Life. Creating a more diverse and inclusive campusis one of eight presidential priorities at TU. In Fall 2020, as part of that priority,
TU issued its first Diversity Strategic Plan. Inclusion is an ongoing, university-wide effort at TU, where diversity of the student
population has grown by 27 percent in the 15 years since 2005. Today, almost a quarter
of TU's student population identifies as Black and nearly half of the student population
identifies as a minority.

Students and staff at Towson University who are also members of Alpha Kappa Alpha
took some time to share essays reflecting on this historic moment.

Shaunna L. Payne Gold, Ed.D. Assistant Provost for Diversity & Inclusion

As a Black woman, I chose to pursue membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
as a junior [at James Madison University]. There was simply no other choice for me.
I knew that as an undergraduate student on a predominantly White campus, I needed
the support of Black women who were headed where I was going.

Joining AKA was never about pink and green, step shows or wearing paraphernalia for
me. It was about being first and undaunted as a trailblazer in any endeavor. It was
about excellence and ensuring that anything with my name on it was top notch. It was
about identity and owning my power as a woman of African descent.

I’ve been a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority for 23 years. Vice President-Elect
Kamala Harris has persisted and flourished even as she was targeted with racism, sexism,
bigotry and misogyny. She is an incredible human being; however, being first, Black,
female and excellent in the midst of these systemic challenges is not a new thing
for my sorors.

Black women founded my Black Greek-lettered sorority in 1908, before White women gained
the right to vote in 1920 and Black women gained fuller rights to vote in 1965. I
am so incredibly proud of Vice President-Elect Harris yet never surprised by what
my sorors can accomplish—especially in the face of inconceivable resistance. It’s
simply what we do. It’s who we are.

Leah Miles

President, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.Lambda Beta Chapter

The moment that it was announced that my soror and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris
would be the new vice president of the United States, I knew that history had changed
forever.

Tears came to my eyes as I was witnessing for the first time that it was actually
possible for a Black woman to occupy one of the highest and most-coveted positions
in our country.

This is a moment in history that will speak volumes to the centuries of oppression
and discrimination that Black women have faced, seeing them as less than and only
good for being at home taking care of the house and kids. However, this moment is
showing the world that we as Black women are very much more than that and very much
capable of conquering any and everything.

I am not only excited and proud just as her soror but also as a young Black woman
who will soon be pursuing my own career with the inspiration and hope to keep fighting
and breaking the glass ceiling.

Furthermore, along with Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris’ long list of accomplishments
and experiences, I am more than sure that our sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority,
Inc., has also played an intricate role in making her into the woman that she is today.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. has provided me the opportunity to grow professionally
and given me the tools for leadership and the space for an added support system with
amazing women who want to see me succeed professionally and personally. I will always
love my AKA, and I will forever be thankful for the lifelong experiences and encouragement
to work hard and break down any barriers and obstacles that come my way.

Patricia Bradley, JDAssistant Vice President of Equity and Compliance, Title IX Coordinator

The election of Vice President Kamala Harris is one of the most historic events of
our nation’s history. Our shared membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., our
graduations from Howard University and our professions in law are just a few of the
things that make this moment memorable for me.

The Biden/Harris fight for the “soul of our nation” is a fight that this country cannot
afford to lose. I believe in the commitment that Vice President-Elect Harris has made
in “service to all mankind.” That has been our sorority’s mission since 1908. Members
of our sorority have been in service to this country for well over a century.

The profound impact and visibility that VP-Elect Harris will have on future leaders
of this country, regardless of race or gender, gives me hope that we can collectively
stand against oppression and move this country forward.

This story is one of several related to President Kim Schatzel’s priorities for Towson University:

TU Matters to Maryland and Diverse and Inclusive Campus.

This press release was produced by Towson University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.