In the early 1900s Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, a student at Howard University, inspired by two of her professors, saw the need for an organization that would provide sisterhood among its members, service to the community and provide academic advancement. As a result on January 15, 1908 in Minor Hall the first African American Sorority was founded by 16 phenomenal women. The perpetuity of this wonderful organization was then secured on January 29, 1913 by a movement for incorporation led by Ms. Nellie Quander.

Through the years, the sorority's goals have become more complex and today Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated strives to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards; promote unity and friendship among college women; studies to help alleviate problems concerning girls and women; maintain a progressive interest in college life; and to be of service to all mankind. The national program targets five areas: education, the black family, health, economics, and the arts.

Since its inception in the early 1900s, the sorority has been  instrumental in developing programs to benefit the African American community. From its participation in the 1913 Women's Suffrage March to the establishment of the Educational Advancement Foundation (EAF) to the Ivy Reading AKAdemy, the organization has held fast to its purpose.

Ninety -eight years after the birth of this organization its members have grown to over 900 chapters and numbers of over 170,000 women nationwide and internationally. The sisterhood is composed of women who have consciously chosen to affiliate as a means of self-fulfillment through volunteer service.

Some Famous members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated include Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King, Dr. Maya Angelou, Leah Tutu, Jada Pinkett Smith, Alicia Keys, Phylicia Rashad, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Ella Fitzgerald.

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