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BETA CHAPTER 

BETA TODAY
Beta
Chapter is a citywide chapter that serves the Chicagoland area.
In order to be considered for membership, you must attend one
of the seven schools within Beta Chapter's charter.
University
of Chicago
DePaul University
University of Illinois
at Chicago
Loyola University
Illinois Institute of Technology
Roosevelt University
Columbia College

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.
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