LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Tau Omega
Chapter, upon the occasion of receiving the Al Wilks Award from the
Pan-Hellenic Council of Greater New York on June 7, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend those
illustrious organizations within the State of New York whose focus and
intent have made a substantial impact on the quality of life in their
communities; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Tau Omega Chapter, upon the occasion of
receiving the Al Wilks Award from the Pan-Hellenic Council of Greater
New York at its 19th Annual Founders Day Celebration to be held on
Sunday, June 7, 2009, at Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn, New
York; and
WHEREAS, The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. (NPHC), also referred
to as the Divine Nine, is the umbrella organization housing nine black
Greek-letter organizations; it was founded at Howard University in Wash-
ington, D.C. on May 10, 1930, and incorporated under laws in Illinois in
1937; all together, its membership exceeds 1.5 million individuals
around the world; and
WHEREAS, A part of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), Alpha
Kappa Alpha is the first Greek-lettered sorority established and incor-
porated by African American college women; the sorority was founded on
January 15, 1908, at Howard University in Washington, D.C., by a group
of nine students, led by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle; it was incorporated on
January 29, 1913; and
WHEREAS, Forming a sorority broke barriers for African American women
in areas where little power or authority existed due to a lack of oppor-
tunities for minorities and women in the early twentieth century; and
WHEREAS, Consisting of college-educated African, Caucasian, Asian,
Native American, and Hispanic women, the sorority serves through a
membership of more than 200,000 women in over 975 chapters in the United
States and several other countries; and
WHEREAS, Women may join through undergraduate chapters at a college or
university, or through a graduate chapter after acquiring a college
degree; and
WHEREAS, After the organization's establishment over a century ago,
Alpha Kappa Alpha continues to help improve social and economic condi-
tions through community service programs; and
WHEREAS, Members have improved education through independent initi-
atives, contributed to community-building by creating programs and asso-
ciations, such as the Mississippi Health Clinic, and influenced federal
legislation by Congressional lobbying through the National Non-Partisan
Lobby on Civil and Democratic Rights; and
WHEREAS, The sorority is committed to working with communities through
service initiatives and progressive programs relating to education,
family, health, and business; and
WHEREAS, The success of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Tau Omega
Chapter, is in direct correlation to the efforts of its members, whose
involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive
commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of
excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the sorority and the population
it serves; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those organiza-
tions which enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and

have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have
earned our recognition and applause; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Tau Omega Chapter, upon the occasion
of receiving the Al Wilks Award from the Pan-Hellenic Council of Greater
New York on June 7, 2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Tau Omega Chapter.