Members of the Unity March. Under the leadership of President, Emma Conyers, approximately seventy-five (75) local members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority traveled by train, plane, cars and motor coach to the nation's capital to enjoy the festivities of the Centennial celebration of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. National and international media took note of the solidarity of 25,000+ members spotlighting 100 years of years of service to all mankind.

As CNN broadcast the momentous march on Capitol Hill from Dorothy Height's National Council of Negro Women's headquarters (6th and Pennsylvania) to the Nation's Capitol, we saw women from all walks of life: doctors, lawyers, teachers, business women, authors, politicians, public administrators, government workers, military personnel, entertainers, college professors, retirees, mothers, grandmothers, and students. Not only were they marching to celebrate 100 years of existence but the march denoted a Call for Change. Other fraternal and sororities in a unity march joined Alpha Kappa Alpha calling attention to the need for better education, health care and employment, particularly for African Americans. The climax of the march included speeches by Alpha Kappa Alpha's International President, Dr. Barbara McKinzie and Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, Congressman Sheila Jackson Lee, who is an AKA of Texas, and several others.

It was in 1908 when nine women came together on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. - each the prod- uct of a previously enslaved generation - to form the first African American sorority. This small group of women who organized the sorority was conscious of a privileged position as college trained women of color. They were resolute that their college experience should be as meaningful and productive as possible. Alpha Kappa Alpha was founded to apply that determination. As the sorority grew, it kept in balance the important themes: the importance of the individual and the strength of an organization of women. The organization continues to capitalize on its strength by sponsoring initiatives such as seminars on home ownership, computer training programs and the reconstruction of housing projects in New Orleans and Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina. Annual scholarship programs from the sorority's foundation exceed $130,000.

Highlights of the convention included:t h e Centennial Ecumenical Service featuring Bishop Sarah F. Davis, the Centennial Public Meeting at which service awards were presented to Dr. Wangari Muta Maathai of Kenya, Senator Barack Obama, Dr. Condoleeza Rice, Dr. Norma Solomon White of Jacksonville, Mayor Terry M. Bellamy of Asheville, N.C., Senator Frederica S. Wilson of Florida and others. Honorary membership was bestowed upon Dr. Zoanne Clark who is a physician and medical consultant for the hit TV show, "Grey's Anatomy," Deborah Stewart-Parker, President and CEO/Consultant, International Business Solutions, Inc., C. Vivian Stringer, Rutgers University Women's Head Basketball coach, and Carol H. Williams, founder, CEO, President and Chief Creative Officer of the Carol H. Williams Advertising Agency.

Members participated in several forum sessions designed to strengthen the bonds of sisterhood and the system of service delivery to constituents.

Several Savannah members were spotlighted in the national media. A telecast on CNN website entitled "Sisterhood Turns 100," July 20, 2008, featuring members Johnny Holmes, Patricia DeVoe, Margaret Ann Pearson, and Harriet Brinson. Carolyn Bell was quoted in the July 18, 2008 edition of the Washington Post in an article by Sindya N. Bhanoo and Keith Alexander entitled "Sorority Leads March For Change."

Savannah members returned home energized to continue the work of the organization in the local community.