Disciplining Women

Focusing on Alpha Kappa Alpha, the oldest Black Greek-letter sorority, this study explores its significant role in empowering African American women through activism and community-building since 1908. Utilizing ethnographic research, oral histories, and cultural analysis, the author reveals how sorority rituals, political participation, and cultural practices shape members' lives and influence broader public life. While acknowledging the challenges faced by such organizations, the work highlights how AKA fosters discipline and cultural pride, intertwining personal growth with political engagement.