Lillie Burke

Who was Lillie Burke?

Lillie Burke She and her sister Beulah Burke were two of the nine original founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority in 1908, the first sorority founded by African-American women. Her legacy of creating Alpha Kappa Alpha has continued to contribute to society for nearly 100 years.

In her leadership as an educator and organizer, Burke created important social capital. The chapter Burke helped establish in Washington, DC helped support African-American women in the community in their leadership of the next generations in society.

Lillie Burke demonstrated in her work as an educator and active sorority member how African-American sororities supported women "to create spheres of influence, authority and power within institutions that traditionally have allowed African Americans and women little formal authority and real power."