Embracing Sisterhood and Service in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
Aryne E. Hudson, an associate in Phelps’ Mobile office, joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority as an undergraduate at the University of Montevallo.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. was founded on January 15, 1908, at Howard University in Washington, D.C. It was established by a group of 16 African American women led by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle. The sorority was founded during a time when these women faced significant social and educational barriers. It aimed to provide a support network while promoting academic excellence and social change. The founding members emphasized the importance of sisterhood, scholarship, and service, which remain central to the sorority's mission today.
Famous members include Former Vice President Kamala Harris, Coretta Scott King, Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou and Ava DuVernay.
The National Pan-Hellenic Council, commonly known as the Divine Nine, are nine African American fraternities and sororities. Alpha Kappa Alpha is one of its members. The Divine Nine are known for giving back to the community through service and community outreach. Members of the Divine Nine organizations commit their membership to a lifetime of service that continues beyond graduation.
During Black History Month, we are proud to highlight our lawyers who are members of the Divine Nine who promote a legacy of service and equality, similar to prominent members like Martin Luther King Jr.
What sorority did you belong to in college?
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Who or what influenced your decision to become a member of the Divine Nine?
My mother is a member, and I followed in her footsteps as her legacy.
What is a meaningful experience you had with your sorority?
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. values scholarship, sisterhood, and service. My best memories while in college, were getting to meet similarly driven young women at my university and other colleges across the region and having the opportunity to serve our communities through Alpha Kappa Alpha’s initiatives. As a graduate member, I’ve maintained those relationships and still get to meet new Sorors all the time.
In what ways do you continue to serve others through your sorority?
As a graduate member, I have many opportunities to serve in my community. My graduate chapter is frequently involved in the community by serving our veterans, educating youth on economic wealth, and advocating for environmental awareness, social justice, and mental health, to name a few.
In January, we celebrated Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc’s 117th year since being founded in 1908. To commemorate our founding, our chapter undertook multiple service projects donating supplies to the Women’s Resource Center and providing gas cards for patients at the Pediatric Sickle Cell Clinic at USA to be able to travel to the clinic and receive care.
