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Alpha Kappa Alpha Founders Day Luncheon at Westin Austin
The ceremony was reserved, refined and respectful of social history. And nobody among the several hundred guests broke ranks. Short of military honors, few Austin rituals have appeared so decorous.
Luncheon Co-Chairwomen Kenya Johnson and Tiffany Dudley, along with committee member Toya Haley
The Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority’s Beta Psi Omega chapter had much to celebrate at the Founder’s Day Luncheon on Sunday at the Westin Austin Hotel. First, the country’s oldest African American sorority, founded on the Howard University campus, turned 103 years old. And its Austin chapter is 73.
Vivian Ross-Bennett and Sandra Anderson
Now imagine this: Former State Rep. Wilhelmina Delco has been an AKA member for 54 years! She was among the longtime leaders saluted during the ceremony before a crowd dressed almost exclusively in dark suits dappled with touches of green and pink — the sorority’s colors.
Nadine Kelley and Tammi Douglas
Speeches were made on the subject of founders, including references to their glorious naivete that allows new institutions to take root. Austin City Council Member Sheryl Cole delivered a short oration that might, with some tweaking, serve as a mayoral stump speech about how Austin may be a city for the environment and economic development, but what will make it great is becoming a “people city.”
On a humorous note, I observed that, during the rather long opening ceremonies, nobody touched their salads, and only a few sipped their iced tea. “It’s a cultural thing,” explained Toya Haley, who invited me to the banquet. “Nobody eats until the pastor says the blessing.” That’s why the pastor’s moment is printed in the program. Everyone knows when to take that first bite.
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By Avis Meeks Day
February 7, 2011 10:25 PM | Link to this
Thank you for putting a spotlight on our event.
By Alicia Moore
February 7, 2011 12:19 PM | Link to this
Great article!! Thank you for attending and for sharing the highlights with readers.
By Brigid Roberson
February 7, 2011 9:57 AM | Link to this
Excellent Article. Thanks for taking time to print this for the community.