The country's first Greek organization founded by black college women celebrated its 100th anniversary Tuesday afternoon on Turlington Plaza, attracting a crowd of about 100 supporters.
Members of UF's Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, known as AKA, kicked off the centennial celebration with a procession of 20 rosebud-holding, soul-music-singing women, each depositing a flower into a vase held by the sorority's president.
The sisters wore salmon pink and apple green sweaters - the sorority's colors - as they performed in front of the crowd.
After paying tribute to the sorority's founding members with a candlelight ceremony, members recited a poem and two songs. Petra Dix, AKA president, said members stayed up several nights preparing a colorful AKA informational display and learning new songs and chants.
AKA's UF chapter was established in 1975 and has roughly 30 members. The national sorority was founded on Jan. 15, 1908, at Howard University in Washington, D.C.
Brandi Williams, a UF health education senior and AKA member, said the sorority's centennial celebration is "100 times bigger" than other AKA festivities.
"You only turn 100 once," Williams said.
AKA's national headquarters recently partnered with Mattel to create a Barbie doll for the anniversary. The doll will cost about $50 and will be available online.
"Barbie's going to have on pink and green, of course," said Florida Bridgewater-Alford, the sorority's on-campus adviser and UF's director of community relations.
