From the Sorority House to the White House? The Sisterhood that counts Kamala Harris as a Member Works to Get out the Vote

WELLINGTON, Fla. – As the first intercollegiate historically African American sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha celebrates the achievement of Vice President Kamala Harris as the first black woman to run for president with full Democratic support. 

Harris, who joined the sorority as an undergraduate at Howard University and remains an active member, represents many firsts, as well as becoming the first AKA to possibly sit behind the resolute desk.

In Palm Beach County alone, there are four graduate chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha. Encompassing western cities like Wellington, Royal Palm Beach and Westlake is the Alpha Alpha Upsilon Omega chapter. 

Chartered in 2021 by President Marcia V. Hayden, the chapter, according to her presidential message, is “dedicated to upholding our legacy ‘To Be Supreme in Service to All Mankind.’” The women of AAUO actively honor this commitment, especially with the momentum from Harris' campaign, by promoting voter participation and voter education.

“Alpha Kappa Alpha has [always] been at the forefront in mobilizing our community to be engaged and to vote,” says President Hayden, who in June celebrated her 50th anniversary as a member of AKA, giving her the title of ‘Golden Soror.’

As a sorority, AKA holds a nationwide initiative called the ‘Pink Pearl Precinct Project.’ This project involves members going door to door to provide voters with essential information. They ensure that people know not just who is on the ballot but also the critical issues at stake, empowering the community to make informed decisions.

As the chapter's Chair of Social Justice, Soror Alexandra Anderson leads initiatives, such as those that are charged with getting individuals in the community informed and excited about voting and their rights. 

“One of the things that we are deeply engaged with is voter education,” says Anderson who chartered her undergraduate chapter, Sigma Chi, at Nova Southeastern University in 2008. “The best feeling in the world is to know that we have given [voters] the tools to succeed.” 

A way they help voters stay informed is by hosting events and outreach initiatives in partnership with various local organizations. One they work with regularly is the League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County.

An outreach event the organizations have collaborated on involves visiting senior citizen centers to assist individuals in checking their voter registration records. They help ensure their information is accurate and up-to-date, emphasizing the significance of the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections website, and aid in verifying signatures and confirming applications for absentee ballots. 

“Vote early, or get an absentee ballot so that you can really spend the time reviewing it and making sure that your choice is your choice, and [it is] what you think is best for you and your family,” says Hayden.

The women of AAUO have also collaborated closely with groups such as the Jewish Council of Palm Beach County, the NAACP and the Urban League, ensuring a broad range of perspectives and resources to educate the community.

“The forums [and] the conversations that we hold in communities are a big part of what we do,” says Hayden. These forums take the form of town halls or virtual Zoom meetings. On Oct. 17, their sister chapter, Xi Omega Pi, hosted an informational session aimed at helping individuals better understand the complex amendments on the ballot, ensuring voters are fully informed before heading to the polls.

“One of the things that I 100% stand for and am proud of [as a member] is helping people break down the amendments in a colloquial way so that they understand it in normal speaking terms,” says Anderson.

As a corporate paralegal for almost 17 years, even Anderson acknowledges that the amendments on the ballot can be challenging to understand. “You can tell from a personal position how difficult it sometimes is to read the legal jargon; it’s written for legal professionals,” she says. 

One of the key amendments on the ballot, which Hayden emphasized, is Amendment 4. This amendment directly addresses abortion rights in Florida, a topic that has ignited intense debate. It could significantly influence reproductive healthcare policies, making it a focal point for voters who are deeply concerned about protecting or restricting access to abortion services.

“Lots of folks that are opposed to the amendment are framing it to say ‘oh, it's about killing babies, it's about killing children,’" says Hayden. “It’s about women having autonomy over their bodies and being able to make good decisions. I don’t want a court or legislators to be able to make that decision for me; I, as a woman, am intelligent enough to make a decision about my body.” 

Similarly, Vice President Harris, a member of AKA since 1986, has made restoring full abortion rights a significant promise in her campaign, pledging to “never allow a national abortion ban to become law.”

The chapter, along with all graduate and undergraduate Divine 9s - a group of nine historically African American fraternities and sororities - can't explicitly endorse Harris, due to being a 501(c)(7) nonprofit, which makes them banned by the IRS from directly endorsing any political candidate for elective public office. But the members are clearly excited about her candidacy and the impact it could have on the future of women's rights and voter access.

"I felt overjoyed with excitement," says Paulette Edwards, the chair of the Community Support Committee for AAUO. "Harris' nomination represents what America is today.  And, of course, the fact that she's a graduate of a Historic Black University and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha speaks to the importance and power of HBCUs and the Divine 9."

Harris is not the only notable figure the AKA’s take pride in. The sorority boasts a long list of remarkable women who have built a legacy within the organization.

“If you know our history, there are so many notable, amazing women who happen to be members of our organization,” says Anderson. They include Mae Jemison, the first black woman in space, American poet Maya Angelou, and former First Ladies Eleanor Roosevelt and Marian Anderson.  

“It really was just another moment for me as a younger member to look and say, ‘Wow, you know, I stand amongst giants,’ and it’s just a really proud moment,” says Anderson, who has spent 16 years in the sorority.

Moreover, the chapter emphasizes that it’s not just the presidential election that matters. They work to ensure individuals understand the importance of state and municipal elections. 

"Sometimes people just focus on the presidential election," says Anderson. “In my committee, we remind people that every election counts.” 

In a completely nonpartisan manner, both Anderson and Hayden underscore the vital importance of voting.

“I don’t care where you live, I don’t care what part of the county you belong to,” adds Anderson, “every vote counts.”