Alpha Kappa Alpha is the oldest Greek-letter organization established in America by Black College women. The record of its origin, growth and development, activities, evolving goals and accomplishments is more than an interesting chronicle of a colorful bit of college-based Americana. It is, rather, a significant and inspiring reflection of the development of a minority group in a changing culture.

In 1908, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority became America’s first Greek-letter organization established by and for Black women. Her roots date back to Howard University, Washington, DC, where the idea for formation was conceived by Ethyl Hedgeman Lyle of St. Louis, Missouri. She viewed the Sorority as an instrument for enriching the social and intellectual aspects of college life by providing mental stimulation through interaction with friends and associates.

Through the years, however, Alpha Kappa Alpha’s functioning has become more complex. After her incorporation as a perpetual body in 1913, Alpha Kappa Alpha gradually branched out and became the channel through which selected college-trained women improved the social and economic conditions in their city, state, nation and the world.

Today, that tradition has continued-internationally, nationally and locally. Alpha Kappa Alpha cultivates and encourages high scholastic and ethical standards, promotes unity and friendship among college women, alleviates problems concerning girls and women, maintains a progressive interest in college life, and serves all mankind through over 325,000 college-trained members in 1,061 chapters.  Visit the International website to learn more about Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

On June 25, 1978, at the Marriot Hotel in Los Angeles, a group of 36 Sorority members stood together to form a new chapter, Mu Lambda Omega. We started the chartering process in February of 1978 and met in Barbara Williams’ home, who ultimately became our first president. In April, we became an official Interest Group and took the name “AKAs of West LA.” Over the years we have served the surrounding communities of West Los Angeles and are settled in Culver City, CA. The chartering members had initiation dates spanning almost 5 decades from 1927 to 1970, and represented graduate and undergraduate members from every region in the United States. The Mu Lambda Omega Chapter hosts a membership which includes a myriad of professions and talents. We are accountants, public health professionals, attorneys, businesswomen, health care administrators, educators, computer technology executives, counselors, entrepreneurs, magazine editors, film producers, engineers, scientists, professional volunteers and retirees.

Our Chapter activities reflect this diversity and our strength is the ability to come together as part of the ever growing network of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated to foster sisterhood among black women and impact the community through our commitment to service. Mu Lambda Omega sponsors annual fund-raisers to promote educational excellence through our scholarship program, participates in local, regional and national political awareness activities, and continues to promote the arts and sciences by providing human and financial resources. Our success is measured by our chapter’s receipt of Regional and National Awards. Mu Lambda Omega has been awarded the Mary P. King Award for best implementation of national programs by a chapter in our region on numerous occasions. Our Chapter also received a national Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Educational Advancement Foundation mini grant for our Mathematics and Science Literacy Program at LaSalle Elementary School, which was presented at the 1996 Baltimore, Maryland Boule.

More recently, in 2016 Mu Lambda Omega received the Regional Membership Award at the 87th Far Western Regional Conference for our outstanding member mentorship and leadership program.  In 2018 at the 89th Far Western Regional Conference, Mu Lambda Omega received six awards for our excellent execution of the sorority’s  initiatives for Global Impact, Family Strengthening, ASCEND Youth Enrichment Program, the Barbara Denson Trotter Archives Awards as well as two individual awards: Andria Hancock-Crear, the Regional Directors Chapter Leadership Award; and Gail Atley, the Individual Arts and Crafts Award.  In 2019 at the 90th Far Western Regional Conference, Mu Lambda Omega won the Barbara Denson Trotter Archives Awards and the Far Western Region Pearlfect MIP Submission Award.  In 2021 at the 92nd Far Western Regional Conference, Mu Lambda Omega President Akilah Wallace won the Mildred L. Robinson Outstanding Basileus Award, Kelcy Taylor won the inaugural Carol R. Dixon #25 “Silver Soror” Award, Allison Kellman won the Regional Directors Chapter Leadership Award, Caroline Brown won an Arts and Craft Award and Mu Lambda Omega won the Exhibit Award for our 42nd Chapter Anniversary commemoration. In 2022 at the 93rd Far Western Regional Conference, Mu Lambda Omega was recognized as Membership Best of the Best, Gail Atley won the Arts and Crafts Award in the Painting Category, Adrienne Lombard won the Arts and Crafts Award-Other Art Forms Category for her children’s book, Mu Lambda Omega garnered a record number of program awards including Target 1: HBCU for Life-1st place, #CAP (College Admission Process)-2nd place, Target 2: Women’s Healthcare and Wellness-2nd place, Target 3: Building Your Economic Legacy-1st place, Overall Exemplifying Excellence Through Sustainable Service Excellence in Achievement Award-1st place.  Most notably that year, our #CAP Chairman Eleanor Wallace posthumously won the Laverne S. Tarkington Individual Leadership Development Award just one month after her passing. In 2023 at the 94th Far Western Regional Conference, Mu Lambda Omega won The Billie Jean Barrett AKA Connection Innovation Award for our political and advocacy work in the community including voter education, engagement with elected officials, voter mobilization, and social media campaigns, among other activities. MLO was once again recognized as Membership Best of the Best, as well as recognized for a successful Educational Advancement Foundation grant application for our foundation.  We also won the Regional Exhibit Award for our work on “We Are One” AKA MLK Service Day. We are proud of the hard work of our committed and talented members.

Our future goals have been defined and Mu Lambda Omega Chapter looks ahead with excitement as we strive to meet the challenges of the 21st century. By preparing, supporting and creating opportunities for youth, we can help ensure that they will have the ability and resources to compete and succeed in this society.

Seated (L-R):  Gretchen Morris, Yolanda Hamilton, Andria Hancock-Crear (President), Barbara Denson Trotter (24th Far Western Regional Director), Ruby Cannon, Jackie White and Mary Christian.

Presidents L-R: Akilah Wallace, Adrienne Thompson, Rita Bernard-Harris, Andria Hancock-Crear (Current President), Barbara Denson Trotter (24th Far Western Regional Director), Velma Marshall, Olivette Sasser, and Nicole Clark Reed.

Helen Clemmons

Jamesella Dennis

 

 Rita Bernard Harris

 Barbara Boyd

 Janet Britt

 Martha Caldwell

 Ruby Cannon

Mary Christian

 Kathryn Edwards

 Yolonda Hamilton

 Annetta Lawrence

 Velma Marshall

 Cassandra May

 Gwen Ribbs

 Olivette Sasser

 Lora Stewart

 Barbara Denson Trotter

 Katie Webb

 Jacqueline White

 Gail Atley

Michelle Banks

 Deanette Brewer

Helen Brewer

 Carla Brown

 Caroline Brown

 Cheryl Brown

 Lanee Brown

 Libby Brown

 Allison Bryant

 Roberta Butler

 Shakari Byerly

 Adrienne Byers

 Kimberly Callegari-Gourrier

Jacquelyn Calloway

Rhonda Cameron

Eva Carpenter

 Alison Conard

 Diana P. Cooper

Rita Cooper Lee

Monique Craig

 Pamela Dansby

 Syna Dennis

Nicole Dow

 Ivy Ewell-Eldridge

 Natasha Finister

 Tamika Fletcher

 Geveine Graves

 Cheryl Gray

 Lady Gray

 Shawn Grayson

 Diane Griggs-Ross

 Andria Hancock-Crear

 Coretta Harris

Cynthia Hawkins

Debora Wright Henley

 Nia-Aries Hill

 Kimberly Hines

 Lynne Hobbs

 Ugema Hosea

 Monique Hunter

 Carolyn Jackman

Kery Jackson

 Lola James

Michelle Kazadi

 Alison Kellman

Kasandra Kimberly

 Sherri Lee-Lewis

Jacqueline Beaubian Majors

 Alasea L. May Jackson

 Marcal Maye-Henderson

 E. Laschell Miles

 Diane Wilson Moore

Patricia Moore

 LaWanda Morris

Samatra Morris

 Clarice Nash

Maureen Neal

 Alison O’Quinn

Mary Palmer

 Nicole Clark Reed

Karen Robinson Ingram

Sandra Rogers

Barbara Savage

 Bernice Shannon

Pamela Simpson-Marshall

 Carolawyn Smith

 Tonya Spencer

Vera Stewart

 Kelcy Taylor

 Margaret Taylor

 Tabitha Taylor-Lindheim

 Janyce Teasley

 Adrienne Thompson

 Vinnie Tucker

Natalie Walters

Denise Williams

Angela Wright

Charmain Young

 

 Jameeka Aaron

Crysta Allen

Chiquanna Anderson

 Ayanna Anis

 Jeshana Avent-Johnson

Monica Batts-King

 Yvette Bentley

 Cheryl Bland

 Brittney Brewer

Tosha Bright

Marissa Calhoun

 JeJuan Campbell

Kendra Casey

 Melissa Charles

 Keisha Cooley Trotter

Cherise Marie Cryer

 Star Dixon

Barbara Gilmore

 Nicole Gougis

 Kita Grayson

 Allison Hackett

 Jade Hamilton

Tammy Green Hinkle

 Buffany Hunter

 Tonysha Jake

Kennadie Jake-Turner

 Nicole Jean

 Jeshana N. Johnson

 Taylor Kay

 Danielle Lawton

Chelsea Lewis

Adrienne Lombard

 Karen Long

Naledi Makhene

 Lael Montgomery

Tayla Moore

 Gaylin Munford

 Kala Patterson

 Constance Ray

Nicole Richardson

 Gayle Robinson

 Janet Robinson

 Tiffany Saucer

 Allyson Sharp

 Tamika Smith

Bianca Swan

 Selika Talbott

 Sheryl Taylor

 Wyvetta Taylor

 Allison Trotter

 Patrice Udo

 Akilah Wallace

 Brittany Wheeler

 Koral Wheeler

 Phoenix Williamson

Lisa Young

 Florence Atkinson

 Hazel Bell

 Lori Bell

 Jennifer Detwyler

 Delone Dyer Ellick

 Miriam Garner

 Pier Hunt

 Zoia Lee

 Florine Patrick

Ruby Reed

 Judy Scates

Gloria Simpson

 Jean Tynes

 Eleanor Wallace