On Wednesday, March 24, members of one distinguished Black sorority will take over the state capitol and be recognized for their contributions to communities across the state.Wednesday is Alpha Kappa Alpha Day at the Capitol in Arkansas.Lawmakers made the occasion official on Tuesday, after adopting Senate Resolution 15.On Wednesday, members of the sorority from across the state will meet virtually with lawmakers to discuss issues like health equity, criminal justice reform, and education.State senator and Alpha Kappa Alpha member Linda Chesterfield (D-30) sponsored SR 15. She said voter registration and funding historically Black colleges are also issues that will be discussed.“We must make sure that we are involved in getting everyone registered to vote. I think we need to begin with those who are in high school. We also need to continue our aggressiveness toward providing funding for our HBCUs. As a matter of fact, Act 338 has been signed into law, I’m proud to have been a sponsor providing $4 million for HBCUs,” Sen. Chesterfield said.Myra McKenzie-Harris, president of the northwest Arkansas post collegiate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc., said the sorority is a service organization and its motto is “service to all mankind”.She added, members from across the state will participate in Wednesday’s events. “We’re hoping that they’ll take back a renewed sense of, a desire to advocate for things that are consistent with the sorority legislative agenda and priorities, and things that will improve the lives of the citizens of their communities, with a particular focus on women and girls of color,” McKenzie-Harris said.According to SR 15, the 113-year-old sorority has more than 300,000 members worldwide.Notable members include Maya Angelou, Coretta Scott King and Vice President Kamala Harris.
On Wednesday, March 24, members of one distinguished Black sorority will take over the state capitol and be recognized for their contributions to communities across the state.
Wednesday is Alpha Kappa Alpha Day at the Capitol in Arkansas.
Lawmakers made the occasion official on Tuesday, after adopting Senate Resolution 15.
On Wednesday, members of the sorority from across the state will meet virtually with lawmakers to discuss issues like health equity, criminal justice reform, and education.
State senator and Alpha Kappa Alpha member Linda Chesterfield (D-30) sponsored SR 15. She said voter registration and funding historically Black colleges are also issues that will be discussed.
“We must make sure that we are involved in getting everyone registered to vote. I think we need to begin with those who are in high school. We also need to continue our aggressiveness toward providing funding for our HBCUs. As a matter of fact, Act 338 has been signed into law, I’m proud to have been a sponsor providing $4 million for HBCUs,” Sen. Chesterfield said.
Myra McKenzie-Harris, president of the northwest Arkansas post collegiate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc., said the sorority is a service organization and its motto is “service to all mankind”.
She added, members from across the state will participate in Wednesday’s events.
“We’re hoping that they’ll take back a renewed sense of, a desire to advocate for things that are consistent with the sorority legislative agenda and priorities, and things that will improve the lives of the citizens of their communities, with a particular focus on women and girls of color,” McKenzie-Harris said.
According to SR 15, the 113-year-old sorority has more than 300,000 members worldwide.
Notable members include Maya Angelou, Coretta Scott King and Vice President Kamala Harris.