Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Zeta Alpha Omega Chapter, in partnership with its undergraduate chapters Alpha Lambda and Iota Iota, will host its 118th Founders’ Day celebration on Saturday, Feb. 28 at The Pinnacle in Maumee. The event, themed “Black Girls Rock in Exemplary Service,” will begin at 12pm, with doors opening at 11:30am. The celebration honors the organization’s founders while also recognizing Black women whose leadership and service continue to impact the community.
Founders’ Day marks the anniversary of the establishment of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, which was founded in 1908 on the campus of Howard University in Washington, DC. The organization is recognized as the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American collegiate women and operates as an international service organization with a focus on leadership, community service and excellence. Each year, chapters across the country observe Founders’ Day as a way to reflect on the sorority’s history and highlight its ongoing commitment to service within local communities.
Founders’ Day event honors local Black women leaders in northwest Ohio
The Maumee celebration will honor 10 women whose work reflects leadership and service within the community. This year’s honorees are Aufweidershen Winfield, Brenda Kynard-Holsey, Deborah Barnett, Dejah Griffith, Erika White, Jenai Hicklin, Tahyah Smith, Andrea Price, Lisa McDuffie and Alessandra Dews. The recognition of these individuals is part of the Founders’ Day tradition, which centers on acknowledging community members who demonstrate excellence and a commitment to service.
Events held in connection with Founders’ Day are often designed to bring together members of the organization, their families and the broader community. In addition to honoring individual leaders, these celebrations serve as an opportunity to reflect on how service organizations continue to contribute to community development, education and civic engagement. By hosting the event in Maumee, the Zeta Alpha Omega Chapter is extending the celebration beyond its membership and inviting the public to take part in recognizing community leadership.
Tickets for the Founders’ Day celebration are priced at $65 and are available through the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Zeta Alpha Omega Chapter’s Eventbrite page. Community members who would like additional information about the event can contact Pamela Green-Jones at 419-206-5220 or by email at pgreenjones@yahoo.com.
Alpha Kappa Alpha’s history and local presence in the Toledo area
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® was founded on Jan. 15, 1908, and has grown into an international organization with chapters throughout the United States and abroad. The sorority’s mission centers on leadership, service and academic excellence, with members participating in initiatives designed to support communities at both the local and national level. Over time, Alpha Kappa Alpha chapters have been involved in a range of service efforts, including educational programs, scholarships and community partnerships.
The Zeta Alpha Omega Chapter was chartered in Toledo in 1952 and has maintained a presence in the region for more than seven decades. Through its work in northwest Ohio, the chapter has engaged with community partners and supported initiatives focused on education and service. The collaboration with undergraduate chapters Alpha Lambda and Iota Iota reflects a broader emphasis within Alpha Kappa Alpha on mentorship and shared service across generations of members.
Founders’ Day celebrations also serve as a moment to reflect on the longevity of organizations that have sustained service efforts over many decades. The 118th anniversary highlights the continued relevance of Alpha Kappa Alpha’s founding principles and the ways in which local chapters carry those values forward through community engagement. Observances like this provide an opportunity to recognize how long-standing service organizations adapt their work to meet changing community needs while maintaining a consistent focus on leadership and excellence.
For families in the Toledo and Maumee area, the Founders’ Day celebration offers a chance to attend a community-centered event that highlights local leadership and service. The recognition of women who contribute to the community can also provide visible examples of civic engagement and leadership for young people. Events that celebrate community service and achievement offer families an opportunity to connect with local organizations and learn more about the history of groups that have played a long-term role in the region.
The Feb. 28 celebration at The Pinnacle reflects both the historical roots of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® and the ongoing work of its local chapter. By combining recognition of the organization’s founders with the honoring of current community leaders, the Founders’ Day event underscores the connection between legacy and present-day service in northwest Ohio.
