A weekend to be remembered

For a little more than 200,000 women worldwide, January 15th has an extra special meaning. Not only is it the birthday of one of America's greatest citizens - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it is also the founding date of an illustrious sisterhood to which they all belong - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Members of this organization share a special bond and a commitment to service and helping their fellow man in their time of need.   More often than not, this founding day falls very closely to the MLK Holiday weekend.   In case you hadn't figured it out already - yes, Mrs. District of Columbia America 2009 is an AKA!

 On this weekend, you'll often find AKA members out in the community doing special projects together to commemorate this special day/weekend in honor of our beloved Founders. I was lucky enough this year to have my pageant sisters, who are also members of Alpha Kappa Alpha, with me to do something for the the Haitian Earthquake relief efforts.  Sunday, January 18th, Tracey Jamison - Classic All American Mrs. 2010 and Ladaria Richardson - Mrs. North Carolina and I took survival kit donations that we had collected over the weekend down to the Haitian Embassy in Washington, DC.


It was so amazing to be among the hundreds of donors and volunteers who were also working on behalf of the earthquake victims. We dropped off our items and then spent a few hours working inside the Embassy breaking down boxes, taping up boxes, carrying items throughout the embassy to be packed and speaking with individuals on what else we could do to help. After wards we were tired, very tired - but fulfilled.

 

Not ones to let opportunities slip through our fingertips, we took advantage of our location and embarked on a self-guided tour of Embassy Row before venturing to Washington's historic U Street Corridor to enjoy a famous chilli half-smoke at Ben's Chilli Bowl.  Photos were taken in front of the embassies of Kenya, Niger, Columbia, Bulgaria & Armenia - nice way to go around the world in a few steps.

On Monday, January 19th, the three amigos continued the celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by riding in the 10th Annual MLK Parade in downtown Baltimore. The parade, coordinated by the Office of Promotion and Arts, began at noon and traveled down a 2.1 mile portion of the city's Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. We truly enjoyed a weekend of service, sisterhood and fun. Ironically, that's what pageantry is all about. This is definitely a weekend to be remembered.