In 1908, at Howard University, Ethel Hedgeman Lyle along with 15 other young ladies founded Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority making it America's first Greek-letter organization established by Black women. In 1913, led by Nellie Quanders, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority was incorporated. From this incorporation, the sorority became a primary vehicle through which this targeted group was able to improve her social, state, national, and international levels.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated has widely expanded since 1908. The organization now consists of more than 200,000 college educated women. There are more than 850 undergraduate and graduate chapters across America as well as in West Africa, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Germany, and South Korea.

Though Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated is rooted in a Black tradition, she has opened her memebership to women of all races, creeds, and colors. Their common bond is that they all embrace high ethical standards and are pursuing, or have completed a course of study leading to a baccalaureate degree at an accredited university or college.