HR0326 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0326 LRB101 12137 ALS 59726 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, founded on the campus of Howard University in 1908 and incorporated in 1913, has established a mandate for carrying out the vision of a new day of excellence and performance; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is the nation's oldest African-American sorority; the Sorority has never changed its mission to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, promote unity and friendship among college women, help alleviate problems concerning girls and women in order to improve their social status, maintain a progressive interest in college life, and to be of "Service to All Mankind"; and

WHEREAS, The 2018-2022 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. administration, under the dynamic and creative leadership of International President Dr. Glenda Glover, who also serves as the first female President of her alma mater Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee, continues to fulfill the service imperative of the organization's founders with the International Program "Exemplifying Excellence Through Sustainable Service"; this program concentrates on: Target #1-Historically Black Colleges and Universities-A Call for Action, Target #2-Women's Health and Wellness, Target #3-Building Your Economic Legacy, Target #4-The Arts, and Target #5-Global Impact; and

WHEREAS, Many prominent women have been or are members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., including the late First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, the late civil rights leaders Coretta Scott King and Rosa Parks, actress Phylicia Rashad, the late poet Maya Angelou, writer Toni Morrison, singer Alicia Keys, attorney Star Jones, financial expert Mellody Hobson, comedian/actress Wanda Sykes, actress Jada Pinkett-Smith, Cook County Recorder of Deeds Karen Yarbrough, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, U.S. Senator Kamala Harris, and the former President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf; and

WHEREAS, Lt. Governor Julianna Stratton and Representative LaToya Greenwood are the newest members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; seasoned members of the sorority include Assistant Majority Leader Mattie Hunter and Senator Toi Hutchinson; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha's storied history of proven leadership and extensive involvement in the world community through strategic partnerships evidence the sorority's potential to significantly contribute to the world community; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated made history and expanded its international presence when it chartered its first chapter, Omega Theta Omega, in the Middle East; the chapter's 37 women, located in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and throughout the United Arab Emirates, are business executives, attorneys, educators, and physicians, among other accomplished professionals; and

WHEREAS, Leadership development is essential to the vitality of the organization, and the sorority's continuing requirements of academic excellence, shared values, and dedication to the mission of Alpha Kappa Alpha ensure a continuous wellspring of quality leaders; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare the date of May 8, 2019 as Alpha Kappa Alpha Day in the State of Illinois in honor of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and its work; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Central Regional Director Sonya L. Bowen, International President Dr. Glenda Glover, Illinois State Connection Coordinator Kimberly Irene Egonmwan, and Illinois State Connection Chair Nia Odeoti-Hassan.