Kamala Harris' secret weapon: the Sisters of AKA

[pnwmom]

As Kamala Harris sets her sights on the White House, there is perhaps no network better positioned to power her early launch than the women she will address Friday night in South Carolina: her sisters in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated -- the nation's oldest black sorority.

Formed in 1908 by nine determined women at Howard who believed that college-educated black women could represent "the highest --more education, more enlightenment, and more of everything that the great mass of Negroes never had," they set out with a credo to be "Supreme in service to all mankind."

That mission has stood the test of time as the sorority has expanded to some 300,000 women on college campuses across the country and several continents. Now one of their own is running for president.

Harris will debut in South Carolina Friday night as a newly-minted presidential candidate when she addresses more than 3,000 of her Alpha Kappa Alpha sisters at the Pink Ice Gala in Columbia, an annual event that raises money for scholarships.

These women could become the foot soldiers of a powerful voting bloc. CNN exit polling shows black women supported Democrats more than almost any other voting subgroup, helping drive Democratic wins in last year's midterms. In Harris' case, the sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha could help her organize in states across the country and open up a unique pipeline for her fundraising appeals within their regions.

SNIP

https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/24/politics/kamala-harris-sorority-sisters-south-carolina/index.html

[SunSeeker]

1. Sisterhood is powerful!

[pnwmom]

2. I think those sisters are going to prove that! This is interesting . . . .

Hillary was offered an honorary membership in AKA in 2005, but had to turn it down when she learned it would prevent her from accepting other panhellic memberships. It was after this that she spoke at the luncheon.

You would think Bernie would have learned his lesson about "identity politics" back then, but apparently not.

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=71047

Per the AKA website...

The office of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has informed us that she is unable to accept our sororitys invitation for honorary membership. However, she will be joining us at a forum and special reception to speak on our theme, The Spirit, Lets Share It and Connect. We were advised that she and her office were unaware that honorary membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated prevented her from accepting honorary membership in other Pan Hellenic organizations. Her policy has always been to not accept memberships that would preclude her from doing the same with similar organizations. In discussing this with us, she shared her conclusion that she must decline our invitation out of respect for other sororities.

Senator Clinton asked me to tell you that she deeply regrets any inconvenience this caused our sorority, because she holds our organization and its members in high esteem. She also sends her warmest wishes and friendship to you all.

[brush]

3. I have a feeling all the "Divine Nine" will back her.

Last edited Tue Jan 29, 2019, 07:00 PM - Edit history (1)

Including this Kappa.

There was a thread a few days ago criticizing her logo. The naysayers don't know that her logo is a tribute to Shirley Chisholm's logo from back in the day as it includes AKA colors and a nod to Chisholm's logo in font and feel. Shirley Chisholm was a Delta, one of the other major AA women sororities.

[JustAnotherGen]

5. Yep

The Pink and the Green will be there too.

[spicysista]

4. All of the divine 9 will work to help this star shine. Count on it. nt.