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LAMBDA KAPPA MU SORORITY,INC. HISTORY. Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority was founded on January 19, 1937, in the City of New York, under the guidance of Florence K. Williamson Norman. Mrs. Norman, recognizing the need for women of color in business and the professions to share their experiences for the common benefit; to support each others efforts in the quest for higher educational achievement and to serve as role models and resource persons for the youth of the community, gathered twenty-five (25) women who became charter members of Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority.

The charter of Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority was issued March 16, 1938 by the Secretary of State, according to New York State law and was placed in the hands of the governing body on March 30, 1938. Judge Jane Bolin was instrumental in the proceedings.

The ideals of Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority were crystallized in four (4) principles: Sisterhood, Achievement, Service and Scholarship. Membership response to these ideals have been a reflection of the times in which we live, yet, they remain basic to the existence of Lambda Kappa Mu as they exemplify the philosophy upon which the organization was built.

The original group of twenty-five (25) women called together by Mrs. Norman formed the nucleus of the first three (3) chapters of Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority, namely:
Alpha - New York, N.Y.
Beta - Bronx, N.Y.
Gamma - Brooklyn, N.Y.

Gamma Chapter provided the vehicle for Lambda Kappa Mu's first public appearance via the sponsorship of a Testimonial Dinner honoring Robert J. Elzy for his completion of twenty years of service with the Urban League.

Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority's first convention was held at the YWCA on west 137th Street in Harlem on June 22, 1940. The first National Convention (Conclave) was held in Pittsburgh, Pa., hosted by Zetz Chapter, June 22-24, 1945. Six (6) Chapters were involved at that time. Lambda Kappa Mu's growth in membership was primarily in the Northeastern sector of the United States and the mid-west until the 1970's when chapters were chartered in San Diego and Los Angeles, Calif., Las Vegas, Nevada and Seattle, Washington. At present, there are twenty-seven (27) active chapters spanning the continental United States.

Lanbda Kappa Mu has been affliated with the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) since 1939 as Florence K. Norman was a charter member and worked vigorously with Mary McLeod Bethune to establish that organization.

Lambda Kappa Mu Kopelles came into being during the 1960's. These groups of young women, sponsored by individual chapters, have grown to be a source of pride and a vital stimulus of Lambda Kappa Mu program comittment.

Lambda Kappa Mu's reasons for existence persist and magnify as the Sorority expands and grows

Johanna R. Austin
National Historian

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[[caption]] "Miss Kopelle, 1980-81", Vanessa Williams, Iota (Baltimore) Kopelle, left, receives her trophy from Carolyn Ball, Xi (Syracuse) Kopelle. [[/caption]] 

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Transcription Notes:
As the text continued from one column to the next, I transcribed as if it was one long column of text.