Senate Resolution 24

A RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INC., ON THE OCCASION OF ITS POLICY IMPACT "2024 AKA DAY AT THE MISSISSIPPI STATE CAPITOL" TO PROMOTE ADVOCACY AND TAKE ACTION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.

WHEREAS, on February 6, 2024, members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., answered the call to convene in Jackson, Mississippi, to attend the "2024 Alpha Kappa Alpha Day at the Mississippi State Capitol" to network, receive a legislative update, promote advocacy and take action as part of their commitment to health care, human rights, social justice, political awareness, the census count and overall commitment to statewide civic engagement; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, is the oldest Greek letter organization in the United States founded by college-educated African American women on January 15, 1908, on the campus of Howard University. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., is currently led by International President Danette Anthony Reed; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha is comprised of ten regions around the globe. The States of Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama make up the South Eastern Region. Presently, the South Eastern Region comprises 116 chapters, 48 undergraduate chapters and 68 graduate chapters. With over 14,000 Sorors, the region is dedicated to the mission of this illustrious organization. The South Eastern Region is led by Dr. Tracey Morant Adams; and

WHEREAS, the South Eastern Region has a legacy of providing exemplary service to all mankind. Through the collective efforts of its members, the South Eastern Region implements programs of service that transform, magnify, and accelerate communities and campuses. The sorority's social advocacy agenda focuses on issues that will save lives and transform communities. These efforts in Mississippi are led by Mississippi Connection and Social Action Coordinator Attorney Demetrice Williams Wells and the South Eastern Representative to the International Connection and Social Action Committee Leah Wiggins; and

WHEREAS, the members of Alpha Kappa Alpha who reside in the State of Mississippi have significantly contributed to local, state and national programs that have made a positive impact on the State of Mississippi. Their dedication, hard work and commitment to providing service to the citizens of Mississippi are evident by the countless hours of community service, millions of dollars in financial contributions, and vocal social advocacy that have been displayed since the chartering of the first chapter in Mississippi in 1934; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, has a 116-year tradition of social action. Under the sorority's current theme, "Soaring to Greater Heights of Service and Sisterhood," the International Connection and Social Action Committee is poised to implement the "Advocate for Social Justice" initiative in an effort to save lives and transform communities as advocates to reduce suicide among our black youth and reduce the preventable deaths of Black mothers during pregnancy and child birth. Alpha Kappa Alpha's robust advocacy agenda was initiated during the 2022 mid-term elections and included the launch of the "Soar to the Polls" voter engagement campaign, U.S. elections impact policy and funding decisions regarding health care, education, environment, voting rights, housing, public safety, and economics, among other issues; while all votes matter in these decisions, voter suppression is at an all-time high; the "Soar to the Polls" campaign was developed to address voting barriers via a three-pronged approach: Voter Education, Voter Registration, and Voter Engagement; and

WHEREAS, these efforts in Mississippi are led by the South Eastern Representative, Tracey Morant Adams, to the International Connection and Social Action Committee Leah J. Holder Wiggins, Mississippi Connection and Social Action Coordinator Attorney, Demetrice Williams Wells and the Mississippi Connection and Social Action Committee; and

WHEREAS, with 36 graduate and undergraduate chapters in the State of Mississippi, Alpha Kappa Alpha members continue to Empower Our Families, Build Our Economic Wealth, Enhance Our Environment, Advocate for Social Justice, and Uplift Our Local Community as they strengthen the bonds to support their service mission; and

WHEREAS, we acknowledge the contributions of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., whose members devote their talents, time and energy in excess of 2.5 million hours of community service advancing effective initiatives fostering a better and equal quality of life for all individuals, especially the individuals of the great State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commemorate Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., on the observance of the "2024 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Day at the Mississippi State Capitol" for its outstanding service to the community under the program initiative, "Soaring to Greater Heights of Service and Sisterhood" by utilizing the power of the "Soar to the Polls" voter engagement campaign to engage, enlighten and energize.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Committee Representatives of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Mississippi Chapters, and made available to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.