The local alumnae chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. capped off its 65th anniversary year celebration on Jan. 30 by donating archives that illuminate the organization’s history and service to the Evanston community. The event was held at the Shorefront Legacy Center’s new facility in the historic Sherman United Methodist Church, 2214 Ridge Ave.
Among the items given to Shorefront for preservation and research are the chapter’s recently published history, historic photographs, an oral history video and transcript, and a news clipping dated 1950 about a ground-breaking social event the sorority held at a previously segregated downtown Evanston hotel.
Founded at Howard University in 1908, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. is an international service organization as well as the nation’s first Greek-letter organization founded by and for college-educated African American women. The local alumnae chapter (Delta Chi Omega) was founded June 25, 1948, in Evanston.
Initiated in 1995 and established in 2002, Shorefront collects and preserves items of historical import and interest and educates people about black history on Chicago’s suburban North Shore.
Information about the Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Chi can be found at
www.akaevanston.org; about Shorefront, at www.shorefrontlegacy.org.