The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECOGNIZING THE PI CHAPTER OF ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INC. ON ITS
CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
______
HON. FREDERICA S. WILSON
of florida
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
Ms. WILSON of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Pi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA) on its Centennial Anniversary and for a century of service to the Fisk University students, community and the state of Tennessee.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's Pi Chapter at Fisk University celebrates its 100-year Anniversary. In addition, I am humbled that they chose to honor me, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson, as the University's First AKA Congressional member. I was initiated into the Pi Chapter in the Fall of 1960. Congressional representatives participating include Congressional Black Caucus Chair Congresswoman Joyce Beatty and seven AKA Congresswomen--Eddie Bernice Johnson, Sheila Jackson Lee, Terri Sewell, Alma Adams, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Lauren Underwood, and Nikema Williams.
Fisk Graduate and Pi Chapter initiated Chairperson Kimmie Jackson and current Pi Chapter President Taylor Woodard graciously welcomed and thanked the audience for joining this inaugural and auspicious occasion while inspiring all to take action and uphold the sorority's purpose of being ``Service To All Mankind.''
Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (TX) noted that Pi Chapter was the first undergraduate chapter in the South Atlantic Region and that the women of Pi Chapter are known for their honor, academic prowess, and leadership skills. She compared Rep. Wilson to Sojourner Truth who never stepped away her vision and served as a leader in education and civil rights. Rep. Wilson founded the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project and was a leader in the demand to find the 276 Nigerian girls kidnapped by Boko Haram.
Representative Alma Adams (NC) praised Pi Chapter as being the most civically engaged women of goodwill and good work beyond measure. She noted that Honoree Wilson the 5000 Role Models founder has always been a champion of the underserved and that like her fellow Pi Chapter graduates illuminate the opportunities available to women across the country and the world.
Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX) sent congratulatory wishes to Pi Chapter and notes that it stands on the shoulders of many trailblazers. She acknowledged Congresswoman Wilson's visionary leadership and service as an undeterred true champion for black girls and boys.
Representative Terri Sewell (AL) congratulated Pi Chapter on its Centennial and reminded members that AKA Coretta Scott King famously observed ``struggle is a never-ending process . . . we earn it and win it in every generation.'' Representative Sewell praised Centennial Honoree Wilson for expanding opportunities for all Americans, founding 5000 Role Models Project, and sponsoring legislation to create the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys.
Representative Lauren Underwood (IL) remarked that Pi Chapter has had a tremendous impact on the Fisk University community and that its Centennial Anniversary coincides with the release of the documentary film TWENTY PEARLS about Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the first black Greek letter organization founded in 1908. Representative Underwood also celebrated Honoree Wilson's AKA legacy as the 11th South Atlantic Regional Director and First Pi Chapter alumnae to serve in the United States Congress.
Representative Nikema Williams (GA) honored Pi Chapter for reaching its 100-year milestone, its success, strength and courage, and for showing what leadership looks like and changing the world. Rep. Williams who now holds the seat vacated by the passing of Fisk graduate and civil rights icon, the Honorable John Lewis, praised Congresswoman Wilson for her decade of service fighting for civil rights and voting rights in Congress and holding America to its promise.
Representative Joyce Beatty (OH), current Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary and is known as the ``conscious of the Congress,'' saluted and applauded Pi Chapter's organizers, board members, executive staff and all involved in the Centennial Celebration. She saluted Alpha Kappa Alpha for blazing a trail of excellence for over 100 years. CBC Chairwoman Beatty highlighted Congresswoman Wilson's great successes in establishing the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys, founding of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, and efforts to fight for and assist the young girls in Nigeria kidnapped by Boko Haram. Representative Beatty also noted Representative Wilson's crucial ongoing service on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; chairs the Education and Labor Committee's Higher Education and Workforce Investment Subcommittee and serves on the Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee of the United States Congress and the Biden Administration's economic recovery plans for the American people.
On April 6, 1921, Pi Chapter was chartered at Meharry Medical College by Pauline Kigh Reed, Druceilla Barnadanoe, Clarise Bartlett, Georgia Blackmore, Wihelmina Bowles, Mildred Harper, Lelia Lyon and Marie Williams. Pi Chapter was the first undergraduate chapter chartered in the South Eastern Region. The chapter was later moved to the historic Fisk University in 1927.
Over the past 100 years, Pi Chapter has initiated more than one thousand sorority sisters who wear the beautiful colors of salmon pink and apple green. The chapter's motto is ``The Fine Light of Pi.''
Today, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and the sisters of the Pi Chapter proudly stand firm in the sorority's mission to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, to promote unity and friendship among college women, to study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women in order to improve their social stature, to maintain a progressive interest in college life, and to be of ``Service to All Mankind.''
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues and all Americans to please join me in congratulating Pi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated on its Centennial Anniversary and commend it for its contributions to education and for its commitment to the community, state of Tennessee and our country.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 150
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