Local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. celebrates swearing-in of sister Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris is part of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the country's first Black sorority with more than 300,000 members around the globe.

News 12 Staff

Jan 21, 2021, 2:03 AM

Updated 1,435 days ago

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On Wednesday, Kamala Harris made history as the first woman and first woman of color sworn in as vice president of the United States.
This is also a landmark moment for the country's oldest Black sorority with one of its own in the nation's second-highest seat.
Harris is part of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the country's first Black sorority with more than 300,000 members around the globe.
Here in Westchester, around 100 members of the Zeta Nu Omega Chapter, some of whom have met Harris, held an inauguration watch party to celebrate the moment.
A few participants from the Zeta Nu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Inauguration Day watch party.
Local chapter president Kristel Johnson says Harris' new position shows Black women everywhere can accomplish anything - especially with your sisters by your side.
"Harris succeeding and being in this position is what Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. grooms us to be,” says Johnson. 
Johnson tells News 12 the Capitol would have been covered with a ton of pink and green representing Harris if the pandemic hadn’t happened.
"A lot of us would've probably went down to D.C. if we could in order to try to enjoy the celebration so I think that we can still celebrate together,” says Johnson.
The sorority is historic on its own and was founded at Howard University, Harris' alma mater.
Sisters hope its principles of "sisterhood, scholarship and service to all humankind" will guide Harris as vice president.
For members of Alpha Kappa Alpha, today is more than just historic. It serves as a reminder with the support of a community like theirs, that no goal is too big - not even the vice presidency.
"We're going to celebrate Kamala Harris. This is important,” says Johnson.
Westchester County chapter members call Harris an inspiration and her rise is another example of Harris breaking the glass ceiling.
The president of the entire sorority, Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover, is declaring Jan. 20 as Kamala D. Harris Day.