AKA is the oldest female Greek-letter organization established by African-American collegiate women. The organization was formed at Howard University, a historically black college, in Washington, D.C., in 1908. The AKAs are a featured part of the Greek community at most historically black colleges, as well as at colleges were blacks are the minority. Two themes remain prevalent to the organization: importance of the individual and strength of the organization. It runs several signature programs including an initiative to support young female leaders, grades six through eight, an initiative that supports healthy lifestyles, one that fights world hunger and seeks to empower women around the world, and a social justice and human rights initiative. The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority has more than 800 chapters around the world and more than 250,000 members.
The Zeta Phi Beta sorority, or Zeta, was founded on Jan. 16, 1920, by five female students at Howard University. The founding sisters of Zeta, also referred to as the "Five Pearls," sought to depart from the sorority elitism of the day and build an organization that dealt with many of the social issues that were prevalent during the time -- pervading racism and other social ills aimed at women and minorities. The precepts of Zeta are service, scholarship, sisterly love and finer womanhood. The Zeta Phi Beta sorority was also the first Greek-letter organization to charter a chapter in Africa and to be constitutionally bound to a male fraternity -- the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. The organization now has more than 800 chapters and 125,000 members worldwide.
The Delta Sigma Theta sorority, also known as the Deltas, was formed on Jan. 13, 1913, by 22 collegiate women at Howard University. The sorority was officially incorporated in 1930. The purpose of the organization was to promote academia and to assist people in need. The founders of the organization were involved in the Women's Suffrage March in Washington, D.C., in March 1913. The organization promotes five main points to its members: economic development, educational development, political involvement, international awareness and physical and mental well-being. The sorority currently has more than 900 chapters and 200,000 members around the world.
The Sigma Gamma Rho sorority was founded by seven teachers who wanted to promote the importance of education and high academic achievement. Members are encouraged to maintain a high grade point average and are recognized for their scholastic efforts on an annual basis. The organization was formed on Nov. 22, 1922, at Butler University in Indianapolis. The organization has more than 500 chapters around the world, including Germany and the Caribbean, and more than 90,000 members.