Second Freelance Article
Hey racing fans! My second article appeared in the Cincinnati.Enquirer yesterday: First black sorority's history on display
July 16, 2006
Section: Features
Edition: Final
Page: 7D
First black sorority's history on display
Embrya deShango Enquirer contributor
The nation's first Greek sorority founded by African-American women will celebrate its 2008 centennial with an exhibit at the Cincinnati Museum Center that chronicles the sorority's history.
The Alpha Kappa Alpha Story features a life-size diorama of the dorm room where AKA was founded; a timeline of milestones in AKA history; highlights of AKA's work and accomplishments in areas such as education and health; and an interactive map that shows the growth of AKA as the number of chapters increased over the decades.
The exhibit depicts, through interactive displays and memorabilia, the sorority's traditions and the influence it has had around the world.
"We wanted to do something that was different. It was time we put together our own history," said Bernice I. Sumlin, chairwoman of the AKA Centennial Commission. Sumlin, a former national AKA president, said the idea to create an exhibit started in 2000.
The Cincinnati Museum Center was first approached about working with AKA in November 2003, said Sandy Shipley, vice president of exhibits.
A local centennial committee, led by Lynette Heard of Dayton, worked closely with the Museum Center. And June Mustifal, of Chicago, "worked tirelessly to get us all the information, to make sure everything worked. I would say she was the curator," Shipley says.
The completed exhibit made its debut at the 2006 Boule, the sorority's biennial national conference, which ends today in Detroit. The exhibit opens Saturday at the Museum Center. A black tie fundraiser is planned for Aug. 5.
"As we learn more, we are more honored to be a part of (the exhibit)," said Shipley. "The depth of the information, the depth of what the sorority has done. This is a significant exhibit to get the word out about."
Alpha Kappa Alpha was founded in 1908, 45 years after the end of slavery, by nine young women at Howard University. With more than 200,000 members in the United States, the Caribbean, Europe and Africa, the sorority has more than 950 graduate and undergraduate chapters, including six graduate and eight undergraduate chapters in southwestern Ohio.
Some of the sorority's most distinguished members include the late Rosa Parks, performer Gladys Knight, author Toni Morrison and author Maya Angelou. Singer Alicia Keys became an honorary member in 2004.
After leaving Cincinnati, "Celebrating 100 Years of Service: The Alpha Kappa Alpha Story" will travel to Atlanta, Milwaukee, Dallas, Tampa, Detroit, St. Louis, Washington D.C. and Chicago, the site of the sorority's headquarters.
Shipley hopes everyone will see the exhibit. "People won't believe the strength of these women."
IF YOU GO
When: Saturday through Sept. 24
Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
What: The Alpha Kappa Alpha Story
Where: Cincinnati Museum Center
Cost: Museum members get in free; $7.25 for adults; $5.25 for children (ages 3-12); $6.25 for seniors; Toddler Pass is $4.25
More information: call 513-287-7000 or 800-733-2077 or visit www.cincymuseum.org.
CAPTION: Cincinnati Museum Center CAPTION: In 1965, women received business training from Alpha Kappa Alpha members in Cleveland. AKA celebrates its centennial in 2008. CAPTION: Cincinnati Museum Center CAPTION: Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. gather to observe Ivy Day in 1912. The first Ivy Day celebration was at Howard University in 1909.
I actually feel a tiny bit guilty, because I am a member of another organization, but if one of us gets this kind of press, we all can. Plus, our centennial isn't for another like 16 years...I figure I've got time to make it up to them, what do you think?
I'm beginning to like this feelance thing. It's kinda nice.
July 16, 2006
Section: Features
Edition: Final
Page: 7D
First black sorority's history on display
Embrya deShango Enquirer contributor
The nation's first Greek sorority founded by African-American women will celebrate its 2008 centennial with an exhibit at the Cincinnati Museum Center that chronicles the sorority's history.
The Alpha Kappa Alpha Story features a life-size diorama of the dorm room where AKA was founded; a timeline of milestones in AKA history; highlights of AKA's work and accomplishments in areas such as education and health; and an interactive map that shows the growth of AKA as the number of chapters increased over the decades.
The exhibit depicts, through interactive displays and memorabilia, the sorority's traditions and the influence it has had around the world.
"We wanted to do something that was different. It was time we put together our own history," said Bernice I. Sumlin, chairwoman of the AKA Centennial Commission. Sumlin, a former national AKA president, said the idea to create an exhibit started in 2000.
The Cincinnati Museum Center was first approached about working with AKA in November 2003, said Sandy Shipley, vice president of exhibits.
A local centennial committee, led by Lynette Heard of Dayton, worked closely with the Museum Center. And June Mustifal, of Chicago, "worked tirelessly to get us all the information, to make sure everything worked. I would say she was the curator," Shipley says.
The completed exhibit made its debut at the 2006 Boule, the sorority's biennial national conference, which ends today in Detroit. The exhibit opens Saturday at the Museum Center. A black tie fundraiser is planned for Aug. 5.
"As we learn more, we are more honored to be a part of (the exhibit)," said Shipley. "The depth of the information, the depth of what the sorority has done. This is a significant exhibit to get the word out about."
Alpha Kappa Alpha was founded in 1908, 45 years after the end of slavery, by nine young women at Howard University. With more than 200,000 members in the United States, the Caribbean, Europe and Africa, the sorority has more than 950 graduate and undergraduate chapters, including six graduate and eight undergraduate chapters in southwestern Ohio.
Some of the sorority's most distinguished members include the late Rosa Parks, performer Gladys Knight, author Toni Morrison and author Maya Angelou. Singer Alicia Keys became an honorary member in 2004.
After leaving Cincinnati, "Celebrating 100 Years of Service: The Alpha Kappa Alpha Story" will travel to Atlanta, Milwaukee, Dallas, Tampa, Detroit, St. Louis, Washington D.C. and Chicago, the site of the sorority's headquarters.
Shipley hopes everyone will see the exhibit. "People won't believe the strength of these women."
IF YOU GO
When: Saturday through Sept. 24
Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
What: The Alpha Kappa Alpha Story
Where: Cincinnati Museum Center
Cost: Museum members get in free; $7.25 for adults; $5.25 for children (ages 3-12); $6.25 for seniors; Toddler Pass is $4.25
More information: call 513-287-7000 or 800-733-2077 or visit www.cincymuseum.org.
CAPTION: Cincinnati Museum Center CAPTION: In 1965, women received business training from Alpha Kappa Alpha members in Cleveland. AKA celebrates its centennial in 2008. CAPTION: Cincinnati Museum Center CAPTION: Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. gather to observe Ivy Day in 1912. The first Ivy Day celebration was at Howard University in 1909.
I actually feel a tiny bit guilty, because I am a member of another organization, but if one of us gets this kind of press, we all can. Plus, our centennial isn't for another like 16 years...I figure I've got time to make it up to them, what do you think?
I'm beginning to like this feelance thing. It's kinda nice.