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LAMBDA KAPPA MU SORORITY INC.

HISTORICAL SUMMARY

Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority, Inc., was founded January 19, 1837 under the leadership of Florence K. Williamson Norman. The charter membership, twenty-five business and professional women, formed 3 (three) chapters; Alpha-New York, N.Y. Beta-Bronx, N.Y. and Gamma, Brooklyn, N.Y. Lambda Kappa Mu obtained its charter, under New York law on March 16, 1938, facilitated by the expertise of Judge Jane Bolin as Counsel.

Gamma Chapter's sponsorship of a testimonial dinner honoring Robert J. Elzy upon his completion of 20 years of service with the Brooklyn Urban League marked the Sorority's first public exposure on February 23, 1938.

Founder, Florence K. Norman chose not to be Grand Basileus, but instead, functioned as Syntaktes (organizer) for the group. Her efforts realized two additional chapters, Delta-Long Island, N.Y. and Epsilon-Newark, N.J. by June 1940. The First Annual Conclave of Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority took place at the Y.M.C.A. on West 137th Street in New York City on June 22, 1940. The Grand Basileus was Philitus Joyce of Gamma Chapter.

The growth of the organization has been continuous with high levels of growth activity during the 1940's and 1970's when 9 (nine) and (eight) chapters, respectively, were brought into the Sisterhood. The Sorority, no longer primarily in the North Eastern states, has Chapters across the nation, including San Diego and Los Angeles in California; Seattle, Washington; Detroit, Michigan; Chicago, Illinois; Las Vegas, Nevada; Macon, Georgia and West Palm Beach, Florida.

The following ideals or values were adopted by the Sorority: SISTERHOOD, ACHIEVEMENT, SERVICE and SCHOLARSHIP. The commitment of the Lambda Kappo Mu sisterhood to these ideals is firm and basic to the Sorority's existence. The theme for 1983-1985 of KLM will be "Improving the Quality of Life" thru: Assault on Illiteracy, Black Economic Development, Voter Registration, and Black on Black Love. Activity related to these ideals has been different over time, relevant to the times; ranging from sponsorship of typing contests of inner city young women to the development and shipment of a mobile health education unit to Ghana to financial and personal support of grass-roots, self-help projects in Henry County, Alabama. Chapter level activity is based on identified concerns in their local communities, such as tutorial programs, incentive awards to young people, volunteer activity in long term and acute care facilities, and gifts of material items, monies and their personal involvement to our frail elderly confined to their homes or in institutions.

Lambda Kappa Mu KOPELLES, consists of chapter sponsored group of teenagers. The program evolved out of the Sorority's concern to our youth and the recognition of our responsibility to become involved, in a structural way with the "shaping" of our young women. The KOPELLES came into existence during the term of Catherine Cowell, Grand Basileus. 1961-1965 and has grown steadily in membership and program value. The program is focused on the concerns of our young people. It is theirs, it is relevant, well rounded and fun! Several former Kopelles are now members of the Lambda Kappa Mu sisterhood.

The Florence K. Norman Scholarship was first awarded in 1946. The Recipient of that first award became a Soror and eas instrumental in organizing Nu Chapter, Long Island, New York. She remains an active member on the local and national level. Awarded, in 1981 numbered 23 (twenty-three). Additionally, many Chapters maintain significant scholarship assistance programs in their local communities.

Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority looks forward to continued growth, greater programs impact and the acquisition of a permanent Sorority "home" under the leadership of current Grand Basileus, Audrey Coleman, Kappa Chapter, Boston, Mass. Adhering to our basic ideals while making relevant responses, these aims will be realized.

By Johanna R. Austin

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LAMBDA KAPA MU SORORITY presented a special citation to Mrs. Rosa Parks mother of the modern civil rights movement. Left to Right: Mrs. Rosa Parks; Grand Basileus Audrey Coleman; Soror of the Year Frances T. Motlock of Psi Chapter; Awards Chairman Barbara Kearse, Xi Chapter.

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Soror Gladys Anderson of Nu Chapters applauds a job well done as she presents a bouquet to outgoing First Anti Basileus Evelyn Hickman.

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