Beulah Burke

Beulah Elizabeth Burke

Early life Burke was born in Hertford, North Carolina and had a sister Lillie. After her family moved to Washington, DC, both Burke and her sister entered Howard Preparatory School in 1900 for high school.

Howard University and founding Alpha Kappa Alpha Together with eight other women, Burke founded Alpha Kappa Alpha on January 15, 1908. Burke suggested Alpha Kappa Alpha to be the name of the sorority. Her suggestions of the sorority's colors: salmon pink and apple green, were adopted.

In addition to Greek, during college Burke studied Latin, German, political science, chemistry, and physics. Burke graduated from Howard University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1908.

At one time Burke managed a housing project in New Jersey. After retiring from the Atlantic City school system, Burke returned in the 1940s to Washington, DC to direct Lucy Diggs Slowe Hall at Howard University.

In addition to her work with the sorority (below), Burke was an active member of both professional - the National Education Association - and civic associations: the NAACP and the YMCA, in Washington, D.C.

Burke also established the second graduate chapter (Beta Omega) in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1920, and led as president for two years. Burke established the third graduate chapter (Mu Omega) in 1922 and served as the president.

Burke served as Second Anti-Basileus in 1923–24, as well as in other regional and local offices. In 1958, Burke was quoted on the subject of Alpha Kappa Alpha's golden anniversary:

In 1968, Burke and fellow founders Lavinia Norman and Norma Boyd were honored at the Founders' Day Banquet. Burke was active in the sorority for sixty-seven years, until her death in 1975 in Washington, D.C.