AKAs

The Women Of Alpha Kappa Alpha at Howard Host Their Inagural Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness

The Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha recently hosted its inaugural “Walking in Pink”- the 2019 Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness.

Alpha Chapter sorors organized, hosted, and led a sunrise 2K walk around Howard University’s main campus, while partnering with five National Pan Hellenic organizations (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated Beta Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated Alpha Chapter, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated Alpha Chapter, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Alpha Chapter, and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated Alpha Phi Chapter) and another Greek letter campus service organization (Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity Incorporated, Zeta Phi Chapter).

This event based upon Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated’s Second International Target, Women’s Health, not only supported loved ones who have been affected by breast cancer; the event also encouraged physical fitness and healthy lifestyle.

Despite heavy morning rain, over 200 walk participants donated $5 upon registration, which enabled Alpha Chapter sorors to donate $1,000 to the African American Breast Cancer Alliance (AABCA), a non-profit, publicly supported tax-exempt organization that accepts donations to further its mission and goals. AABCA was founded in Minnesota by six women in 1990, all had just been diagnosed with breast cancer.

In addition to supporting women, families, and members of the black community who are affected by breast cancer, this event also showcased the importance and significance of Greek Unity.

“While each of our organizations may have been founded at different times, founded by different people, and built upon slightly different values and pillars, a mutual mission and purpose of each of our organizations is to serve our communities.” one of the sorors wrote Watch The Yard. “We all strive to cater to the needs of our communities, whether it be by directly engaging with people, fundraising, or coming together to promote awareness for a cause. This event demonstrated that while we may joke and brag about which of our organizations is best, we all understand the importance of doing whatever needs to be done to maximize our impact upon those we serve. Understanding that breast cancer is a disease that has taken far too many people of our communities and continues to trouble families to this day, we came together, in solidarity, to fight against the disease and support those it affects. Both our efforts and the event itself exemplify the ideals each our organizations were founded upon.”

“Walking in Pink” culminated a successful AKA Week, entitled “Through the Looking Glass: A Journey of Self Reflection” which focused on providing the Howard University community with tools to tackle all naysayers who wish to diminish how we take up space in this world.

The AKA Week included the “Skee Week” programs and service projects that covered Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated’s International Targets 2 – 5. “Walking in Pink” was a successful and heartwarming service event for sorors and participants and will likely become a signature program for Alpha Chapter.