Carrie Snowden

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Carrie Snowden

Born	Washington, D.C., U.S.
Died	1948^[1]
Occupation	sophomore founder of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; switchboard operator

Carrie Snowden was one of the twenty founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the first sorority founded by African-American women. It was important for supporting women in college, career and community life in a segregated society. Her legacy in creating and participating in the sorority was an organization that has generated social capital for nearly 100 years.

Early life

Snowden was born in Washington, D.C. to parents who encouraged her pursuit of education. Prepared by public schools, she was admitted to Howard University, the top historically black college in the nation. Only 1/3 of 1% of African Americans and 5% of whites attended any college in the early part of the century.^[2]

Howard University and Alpha Kappa Alpha

Snowden attended Howard University, where she and fifteen other individuals initiated Alpha Kappa Alpha on January 15, 1908.^[1] She served as the epistoleus (corresponding secretary) of the Alpha chapter.^[3] Carrie Snowden graduated with a B.A. degree in 1910, having studied English, French, German, and history.

In 1923 Snowden was a charter member for Xi Omega, the alumnae chapter established in Washington, DC.^[1] She was active on the membership and amenities committees for more than 20 years, and helped expand the organization.

Career

Snowden worked in later years in administration at Howard University as a switchboard operator. This enabled her easily to take classes there.^[4] Snowden pursued lifelong learning, taking courses at Howard University in a wide range of subjects such as geography, science, commerce, economics, social work and mathematics in later life.^[4]

Snowden died in 1948.^[1]

References

↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 McNealey, Earnestine G. (2004). Pearls of Service: The Legacy of America’s First Black Sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha. Chicago: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. p. 55.
↑ James D. Anderson, Black Education in the South, 1860-1935. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina, 1988, p.245
↑ "Carrie Snowden". Theta Rho Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Retrieved 2007-10-17.
↑ 4.0 4.1 "Alpha Kappa Alpha Centennial: Founders". Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. April 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-17.

External links

Carrie Snowden, Alpha Kappa Alpha

v t e Founders and Incorporators of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority

Ethel Hedgeman Lyle Margaret Flagg Holmes Beulah Burke Lillie Burke Lucy Diggs Slowe Marie Woolfolk Taylor Anna Easter Brown Lavinia Norman Marjorie Hill Joanna Mary Berry Shields Ethel Jones Mowbray Sarah Meriwether Nutter Harriet Josephine Terry Norma Elizabeth Boyd Alice P. Murray Carrie Snowden Nellie M. Quander Minnie B. Smith Julia Evangeline Brooks Nellie Pratt Russell

Persondata
Name	Snowden, Carrie
Alternative names
Short description	American sororiety founder
Date of birth
Place of birth
Date of death	1948
Place of death

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