Joanna Berry Shields
Founder of Alpha Kappa Alpha
Joanna Mary Berry Shields (July 7, 1884 - February 2, 1965) was one of the seven members of the sophomore class of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, the first sorority founded by African-American women.
She served as an educator for more than 20 years, both in the South, where need was especially critical, and in New York City, where African-American migration had created a new community.
In addition, she was a leader in civic activities, where her years of accomplishments caused her to be chosen for the New York Mayor's Committee on Human Rights and the Consumers Protective Committee. In her life, Shields demonstrated how African-American sororities supported women "to create spheres of influence, authority and power within institutions that traditionally have allowed African Americans and women little formal authority and real power."
Early life and education
Joanna Mary Berry was born in Catharpin, Virginia to Charles and Carrie Lucas Berry. Growing up, Berry attended private schools in Prince William County. At Manassas Industrial School in Manassas, Virginia, she graduated with high honors. She attended Howard University's preparatory school in 1901, where she gained a high school education.
In those years, only 1/3 of 1% of African Americans and 5% of whites attended any college, and Howard University was considered the top historically black college. At Howard University, Joanna earned a Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude in social science and mathematics.
Founding Alpha Kappa Alpha
Berry was one of nine women who founded Alpha Kappa Alpha on January 15, 1908.
“Joanna Berry Shields” enters the record as founder of Alpha Kappa Alpha. Crown Archives preserves that source wording while asking what Joanna, Berry and Shields can confirm, complicate or overturn.
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