BETA CHAPTER

BETA TODAY

BETA HISTORY

In the Fall of 1913, a new era in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated began.  That era began with the founding of Beta Chapter.  Our chapter was founded in 1913 at the University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois.  As the second chapter organized in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated great accomplishments were expected.  By being the second chapter in the second largest city in the United States, we had trends to set.  In addition, we had the challenge of maintaining high scholastic and ethical standards, while encouraging other women to join us in striving toward the objectives of our founders.

Indoctrinated with the high ideals and standards of the Sorority, our five charter members grasped the challenge in order to live up to these expectations. Within the first six years of Beta's existence, chapter members became YWCA group leaders for the United Charities and solicitors in the financial lives of the Urban League and the NAACP. In addition, these Sorors were sponsors of cultural and social events, hosts to the 2nd Boule, and recruiters of an additional 39 women to the Beta chapter roster.
 

Many notable women were among those initiated into Beta Chapter within this period:

• Soror Lorraine Richardson Green
  
  The first black woman to receive a master's degree in Sociology from the University of Chicago, and the Second Supreme Basileus of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
  
   
• Soror Mary Elizabeth Link
  
  The first black woman awarded the Gertrude Seltz Scholarship for the highest average among first year women at the University of Chicago.
  
   
• Soror Georgianna Simpson
  
  The first black woman to receive a doctoral degree in philosophy from the University of Chicago.
  
   
• Soror Maudelle Brown Bousfield
  
  Phi Beta Kappa and the first black woman to graduate from the University of Illinois. Soror Bousfield served as the 6th Supreme Basileus from 1929-1931.
  
   
• Soror Ida Taylor
  
  The first black woman appointed to teach in a Chicago public school.
   

Since the beginning of Beta Chapter's existence, a steady flow of notable women have passed through our chapter. Many of these women have served the Sorority as National/International officers and on National/International committees. Each member left her legacy on the memories of those left behind. Beta Chapter has always been proud of the chapter's part in making the world remember, cherish, and appreciate the ideals for which Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated stands and the chapter's contribution to the Chicago community.