2010 Biennial International Convention - Photo Gallery

Enduring the Sustaining Presence of Alpha Kappa Alpha

The journey which began on January 15, 1908—when nine visionary women at Howard University founded the first sorority of college-educated primarily African-American women—continued in St. Louis, MO, where Alpha Kappa Alpha ushered in its second century of sisterhood. Held July 9-16, 2010, the 64th International Convention was about renewing the spirit of service and working to fulfill the organization's purpose.

St. Louis has special meaning to members, since it was the home of founder Ethel Hedgeman Lyle.

Driven by the theme of "Second Time Around," the highlight of the convention was a visit from Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, president of Liberia and Africa's first woman elected as a head of state. She received the Sorority's most prestigious honor, the International Service Award.

In addition, more than $1 million was distributed to worthy causes and organizations to empower women and communities around the globe, including a start-up program in Liberia.

The Sorority made a $500,000 donation to help jumpstart efforts to rebuild the nation, which has been wracked with sectarian violence for decades. The funds will be used to build a global market village—the Omega Market Project; so named because the market is located in an area adjacent to the Omega Tower in Wehn Town—that will give women a permanent space to sell food, goods and other items.

"I'm here as a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, who just happens to be president of the republic of Liberia," Johnson Sirleaf said. "I bring you greetings from the thousands of women marketers that through this gift, you will help empower and help to prosperity."

President Sirleaf is a charter member of Eta Beta Omega in Liberia—home of the first chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha's international initiative.

The organization also contributed $500,000 to the African American Museum of the Smithsonian Institution.

And, during its 30th anniversary luncheon, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation, Inc. (EAF) presented a $25,000 scholarship to Quiana Childress. A summa cum laude graduate of the University of Arkansas, Childress was once homeless and forced to live out of a car. Since 2007, she has worked as a licensed nurse and will use the scholarship to help defray the costs of attending medical school in 2011, concentrating on lung transplantation research.

The history-making odyssey of America's first Greek-letter organization founded by, and for, African-American college women continued at its first conference in its second centennial.