On June 2, 2009, members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. celebrated their 16th year of Alpha Kappa Alpha Day at the State Capitol. More than 250 members from across the state of the Louisiana attended and were afforded the opportunity to convene with the legislators and present issues of concern to them.
This year’s event was centered around the idea of “Women in Politics” and included greetings by the 23rd South Central Regional Director, Gwendolyn J. Brinkley; Louisiana State Connections Coordinator, Ms. Lynn Farris; and International Connections Committee member, Mrs. Janice Montague-Myles. Sorority members also had the opportunity to attend legislative forums to discuss issues such as education, healthcare, community relations, and economics by the female members of the Louisiana legislature. Forum speakers and roundtable discussion facilitators included Senator Lydia P. Jackson, Shreveport; Representative Patricia Haynes Smith, Baton Rouge (AKA member); Representative Charmaine Marchand Staies, New Orleans (AKA member); Representative Rosalind Jones, Monroe (AKA member); and Representative Karen Carter-Peterson, New Orleans.
Continuing with the theme, the luncheon featured former Louisiana Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, the state’s first female governor. Lois Holden, First Lady of Baton Rouge and Nu Gamma Omega Chapter member presented a proclamation from Mayor President Melvin “Kip” Holden officially declaring June 2, 2009, as Alpha Kappa Alpha Day in the city of Baton Rouge.
Chapters serving as host chapters for the event were: Nu Gamma Omega Chapter, Baton Rouge; Gamma Eta Omega Chapter, Baton Rouge; Tau Kappa Omega Chapter, Plaquemine; and Phi Sigma Omega Chapter, Gonzales.
