Speeches
Pelosi Addresses Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority During Unity Day March
07/17/2008
Washington, D.C. -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi addressed the members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority at their Unity Day March. Below are her remarks:
"Thank you Dr. Barbara McKinzie for your kind introduction and for your leadership as Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Centennial International President.
"It’s a source of pride to all of us here at the Capitol that Alpha Kappa Alpha was founded right here in Washington!
"I am proud to accept this Unity Day Resolution with gratitude for the commitment of the nine Greek-letter organizations of the National Pan Hellenic Council to strengthening our nation.
"This is in the tradition of your organization; that was the vision of Ethel Hedgeman Lyle 100 years ago at Howard University; that is the aspiration of all of you gathered here today.
"You should know that I am kept well informed about the activities of the women of Alpha Kappa Alpha. Over the years, I have had the privilege to serve in Congress with several members of this great organization, including Congresswomen Sheila Jackson Lee, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Diane Watson, and the late Juanita Millender-McDonald.
"I am proud to have two members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority on my staff: Micaela Fernandez and Samantha Smith.
"The women of your organization are indeed leading the way 'by culture and by merit.'
"This year, on the day in January we celebrated the 100th anniversary of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, it is fitting that we also celebrated the 79th birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. That is because the goals of the women of Alpha Kappa Alpha cut across racial, international, social, political, and educational barriers: they are indeed, ‘service to all mankind.’ AKA members are striving to build a better America and a better world.
"For that, I say thank you to the women of Alpha Kappa Alpha!"