Pink and Green Voting Love

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority 1908-2011

One cold day in 1908- January 15th to be specific- an elite group of top scholars, student athletes, and civic leaders gathered together in Miner Hall, on the prestigious campus of Howard University, in Washington, D.C. Though in the midst of post-slavery and gender discrimination, these young women of high scholastic and ethical standards obeyed the call on their lives and the vision set before them, to create something that had never existed before: an organization exclusively for college-trained women of color, dedicated to supreme service and sisterhood; known now and forever as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Happy Founder's Day to all my incredible Sorors of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
25-A-84

courtesy

I LIED

I said if anything happened noteworthy, then I would post it tomorrow.

I lied. 

Big Congratulations are in order for my Soror, Kamala Harris, who WON the California Attorney General Primary!

Now, back to the Supremes.

Kamala Harris-First TV Ad

Kamala Harris for California Attorney General



If you'd like to contribute or want more information.

Flawless Friday

Happy Birthday to my dearest friend, ZEN.  I'm doing this in a big way because I have forgotten her birthday damn near every year since we've known each other (26 years) and I always promise to do something to help me remember, and here it is-a blog entry.  Isn't she gorgeous?  (She just screamed by the way).

She is a fiercely loyal "front" (sorority speak), a wonderful wife, mother, sister, etc...  ZEN has a wicked sense of humor (key to staying young and young at heart), and she takes enormously good care of those she loves.

She's been around through thick and thin, marriage/divorce, and marriage again, babies, trials, tribulations, and triumphs.  ZEN is so much fun to be around-her laughter is contagious and she's just plain cool.  This southern belle is ever the lady (i'm the catty one).  We've grown up together and I can say she is one of the best friends a girl could ask for and i'm honored she's my friend and i'm her "back". 

I haven't told anyone about this blog except her. I figured if someone found my ramblings, then cool. ZEN "got it", she knew why I needed to do this, and she's been nothing but encouraging and supportive.  Little did she know she ran the risk of being put on blast like this.

Why do I call her ZEN? She is a certified yoga instructor and I mean-she's been all through India and sh*t doing her Namaste thing, gone into the hills to meditate and such, but when she came down...she got her certification, and she's the best there is!  People swear by her.  BTW-the yoga thing is her ACT II and i'm proud she found it.  I can put you in touch if you're looking for the best.  

And finally......she still rocks a bikini and looks damn good doing it!!!

If you see her today-wish her a Happy Birthday and tell her she is loved.

Thanks to MGM for the pics.
TMH-I love you too-but I remember your bday every year!
irret
25-A-84

DC Young Professionals to Honor Kamala Harris

As many of you know, my Soror Kamala Harris, (15-A-86), is running for California Attorney General. The primary is only two months away and support is needed right now more than ever. The DC Young Professionals are hosting their very last Young Professionals event for Kamala in DC on Monday, April 26th. Please find the event info below. I hope you will attend and help spread the word if you are in the DMV area!

DC YOUNG PROFESSIONALS FOR KAMALA HARRIS

Invite You to a Fundraiser Honoring

San Francisco District Attorney & Candidate for California Attorney General

KAMALA D. HARRIS

MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2010
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM

L2 LOUNGE
3315 Cady's Alley NW (between 33rd and 34th off of M St.)
Washington, DC

VIP . . . . . . . .. . . . $100
Young Professional . . . . $ 40

$25 Student Tickets Available Upon Request to event@kamalaharris.org

Advance ticket purchase required here:

For more information, contact Lilya Mitelman: event@kamalaharris.org / 415.256.1727


I can't emphasize enough how critical this race is for the state of California, and for our nation. California has one of the highest rates of recidivism in the entire country. Meanwhile, our corrections budget has grown into the billions of dollars, leaving us with a revolving door that cycles criminals in and out of prison. Our current system is failing, and my aunt Kamala has implemented innovative initiatives that provide new and effective solutions to these massive problems. As she enters her seventh year as San Francisco's District Attorney, the "Smart on Crime" approach Kamala has pioneered continues to serve as a model for the nation to reform our criminal justice system.

Kamala's Back on Track initiative, for example, has achieved nationwide recognition for its successes in taking first-time, low-level, nonviolent drug offenders off the streets, giving them an education, job training and other important life skills, and re-entering them back into productive society. And her fight against school truancy provides hope to children who too often feel that our educational system does not care about them. These are just two examples of the great work my aunt is doing in San Francisco, and models of success she hopes to bring to the state of California.

Please join the DC Young Professionals for Kamala Harris on Monday, April 26th, and support an inspiring candidate in her historic run to become California's first woman and first African-American Attorney General, and the first South Asian Attorney General in the country.


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MORE ABOUT KAMALA HARRIS

Kamala Harris is currently the District Attorney of San Francisco and a celebrated rising star in the Democratic Party. She was the first female DA elected in San Francisco and is now running to become the first female and first African-American Attorney General in California history. If elected, Kamala will also be the first South Asian Attorney General in the nation.

Kamala was the first elected official in California to publicly endorse President Obama and was the co-chair of his California campaign. In fact, journalist Gwen Ifill said about Kamala on The Late Show with David Letterman: "She's brilliant, she's smart. They call her the 'female Barack Obama.'" Kamala was also featured on Oprah as one of “America's Most Powerful Women" and The New York Times named her one of the 17 women most likely to become the first female president of the United States. Recently, Kamala was recognized by Lifetime Television among Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton and other accomplished women, for her commitment to justice. You can watch Lifetime’s “Every Woman Counts” Salute to Kamala Harris here.

The praise and support Kamala has garnered are a result of her outstanding track record as District Attorney. She was recently re-elected to her second term as District Attorney and ran un-opposed for that position. She raised the felony conviction rate in San Francisco to 71%, the highest in over a decade. But she's not just tough on crime, Kamala has completely revolutionized the District Attorney's office by implementing progressive, creative programs that also seek to be "Smart on Crime." In addition to increasing convictions for serious and violent crimes, she has also championed education by using truancy statutes to improve attendance at schools and has pioneered programs to protect and aid the families of victims. She hopes to bring this same progressive approach to the Attorney General's office on issues of prison reform, education, and the environment. Her smart on crime approach was featured on The Today Show. You can watch the interview here.

Kamala will be the progressive, new generation of leadership that California needs. To learn more, please visit www.kamalaharris.org.

Join Kamala's Facebook page and spread the word! http://www.facebook.com/KamalaHarris

Lois Mailou Jones (Pierre-Noel)

Originally from Boston, the artist fell in love with the island of Haiti and its people.

Rain at Port-Au-Prince 1960

Depicts her early interest in African art housed at the National Museum of of American Art.

Les Feticles-1938

Howard University professor of art from 1930-1977, she was a champion of American artists.  Some of her students went on to become substantial contributors to American art, most notably, Elizabeth Catlett.  She was commissioned to create two of the thirty three stained glass windows at Andrew Rankin Chapel, Howard University.  This one is dear to me.

Founders Window-Andrew Rankin Chapel-Howard University, Washington, DC

St. Patrick's Day-2010

After a long miserable winter, the East Coast is having a warm spring day.  Grab some music and get outside!

I added the pink in honor of my sands, 26 years ago today!  Love you all.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Mourns Loss: Linda Marie White

Sorors of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., mourn the passing of our 26th Immediate Past International President, Linda Marie White.

R.I.P.

As California Goes, So May Go the Nation

Earlier this month, San Francisco’s District Attorney Kamala Harris announced she'll run to be California’s next Attorney General. She was the first female DA in the City, the first African American, and the first South Asian American woman to hold the post. She’s been called the “female Obama”, and cited by the New York Times as one of 17 women nationwide who would likely be the first woman to serve as President of the United States. That's pretty heady stuff!

Kamala completed her undergraduate work at my alumni, Howard University, and she's also a member of my beloved Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA). Kamala went on to attend the University of California, Hastings College of Law. She hasn't looked back! She has fought some tough issues in San Francisco, and is now looking to take on the state. And if that's not enough, Kamala has a book out entitled "Smart on Crime". Kamala explains in detail her comprehensive and sensible approach to reducing crime.

Watch out for her, you never thought your President would be a Black man either did you? I'm just sayin'......