You’ve seen them. The pink and green everywhere. The elegant strolls. The "Skee-Wee" call that cuts through a crowded room. But if you’re looking at the symbols of Alpha Kappa Alpha and just seeing a color palette, you're missing the entire point of the first intercollegiate Greek-letter sorority established by African American college women.
It’s about 1908. Howard University. Ethel Hedgeman Lyle and eight other visionaries weren't just picking out pretty trinkets. They were building a visual language for a sisterhood that would eventually include names like Kamala Harris, Toni Morrison, and Katherine Johnson. Honestly, the symbolism is the glue. It's how a member from a 1920s chapter in the Midwest connects instantly with a 2024 initiate in Tokyo.
The Ivy Leaf: Why It Isn't Just a Plant
People get the ivy leaf mixed up with other Greek organizations sometimes, but for AKA, it’s foundational. It’s not just a green leaf. It represents the strength and endurance of the sisterhood. Think about how ivy grows. It’s hardy. It clings to surfaces. It grows upward and outward, often in difficult conditions.
That’s the metaphor.
The ivy leaf is arguably the most recognizable among the symbols of Alpha Kappa Alpha. You’ll see it on blazers, jewelry, and even gravestones of "Ivy Beyond the Wall"—the term used for deceased members. It has five points. These aren't just for aesthetics. Each point corresponds to a specific tenet of the sorority's purpose: to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, to promote unity and friendship among college women, to study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women in order to improve their social stature, to maintain a progressive interest in college life, and to be of "Service to All Mankind."
If you see a woman wearing a gold ivy leaf pin, she’s likely been in the organization for decades. There’s a hierarchy of sorts to the jewelry, reflecting a lifetime of commitment rather than a four-year college phase.
Salmon Pink and Apple Green
Let’s talk colors. Why these two? Most fraternities and sororities go for bold, primary colors—reds, blues, blacks. AKA went a different route. Salmon pink and apple green.
The choice was intentional.
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Pink represents femininity and womanhood. Green represents vitality and growth. It’s a soft palette for a group that has historically done some very "hard" work in the realms of civil rights and social justice. When the "Mississippi Health Clinic" was established by the sorority during the Great Depression—the first mobile health clinic in the United States—those pink and green colors were a beacon of hope for sharecroppers who had been denied medical care for generations.
It’s kinda funny how "AKA Pink" has become its own specific shade in the minds of the public. You see that specific salmon hue and you immediately think of the "Twenty Pearls."
The Mystery of the Twenty Pearls
You’ll hear the term "Twenty Pearls" used as a nickname for the founders and the incorporators. There were nine original founders, seven sophomores who were invited to join without initiation to ensure the sorority's continuity, and four ladies who were the "incorporators" who ensured the group's legal status in 1913.
Total? Twenty.
Each pearl represents a woman who laid a brick in the foundation. Today, when a new member is initiated, she is often referred to as a "Pearl" being added to the chain. It’s a beautiful bit of imagery. It suggests that while the individual is valuable, her true strength comes from being part of the strand.
The "Pearl" isn't just a metaphor. It’s a literal symbol found on the official badge. The badge itself is a small, green enameled ivy leaf with the Greek letters $\text{AKA}$ inscribed in gold. Surrounding that leaf? Twenty pearls.
The Coat of Arms: A Heraldic Deep Dive
The coat of arms is where the symbols of Alpha Kappa Alpha get really technical and dense. It was designed by Phyllis Wheatley Waters and adopted in 1913. If you look closely, it’s a masterclass in symbolism.
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- The Shield: A classic symbol of protection and defense.
- The Torch: This represents enlightenment and the flame of knowledge. It’s a nod to the academic excellence required to even be considered for membership.
- The Clasped Hands: This is the most direct symbol of "sisterly love" and unity. It’s about the bond that survives graduation.
- The Dove: A universal symbol of peace.
- The Scale: Representing justice and equality.
There’s also an owl tucked in there sometimes in older iterations, representing wisdom. The scroll at the bottom holds the Greek letters. It’s busy. It’s ornate. And it’s strictly protected. You won’t see the coat of arms on just any random t-shirt; its use is often restricted to more formal or official documents and regalia.
Misconceptions and the "Pinkies Up" Culture
Sometimes people outside the Divine Nine (the National Pan-Hellenic Council) look at the "pinky up" hand sign and think it’s just a cute pose for photos.
It’s not.
The hand sign—which involves extending the pinky finger while keeping the other fingers folded—is a greeting and a sign of recognition. It’s often paired with the "Skee-Wee" call. While the exact origin of "Skee-Wee" is a bit of a debated topic within the history of the sorority (some say it dates back to the 1920s, others later), its function is clear: it’s a high-pitched, two-note call that helps sisters find each other in a crowd.
There’s a lot of etiquette around these symbols. You don't just throw up a pinky because you're wearing a pink shirt. It’s a "members-only" gesture. Using it if you aren't an initiated member is generally seen as a major sign of disrespect, or what members call "perpetrating."
The Tea Rose and the Enigma of the Number 20
The tea rose is the official flower. It’s fragile yet fragrant. It represents the refined womanhood that the founders aspired to. But honestly, the rose often takes a backseat to the ivy leaf in most branding. It’s more of a ceremonial symbol, often used in decorations for "Pink Tea" events or induction ceremonies.
Then there’s the number 20. It pops up everywhere. Twenty pearls. 1920 was a huge year for expansion. Even the way members are often grouped during events reflects this numerical significance.
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Why the Symbolism Matters in 2026
In an era where everything is digital and fleeting, the symbols of Alpha Kappa Alpha provide a sense of permanence. When a young woman joins a chapter at a Small Liberal Arts College today, she is using the same symbols that her grandmother might have used at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) sixty years ago.
It’s a lineage.
These symbols have survived through the Jim Crow era, the Civil Rights Movement, the feminist waves of the 70s, and the digital revolution. They haven't changed because the mission hasn't changed. The ivy still grows. The pearls are still being added to the strand.
What to Keep in Mind
If you’re researching these symbols for a project, or perhaps because you’re interested in joining, remember that these aren't just graphic design elements. They are sacred to the women who wear them.
- Respect the Trademark: The Greek letters $\text{AKA}$, the coat of arms, and even the specific combination of salmon pink and apple green are trademarked.
- The "Ivy Beyond the Wall" is a solemn symbol: Never use this term lightly; it is specifically for members who have passed away.
- The Badge is the ultimate symbol: It is generally only worn over the heart and never on casual clothing like sweatshirts or gym clothes.
Understanding the symbols is about understanding a history of resilience. It's about a group of women who decided that they didn't just want to exist in the margins of academia, but wanted to create a center of gravity for themselves and those who followed.
Actionable Next Steps
If you want to deepen your understanding of the legacy behind these symbols, your next move should be to look at the "AKA Heritage" section on the sorority's official website or visit the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center at Howard University. Reading The Past is Before Us by Marjorie H. Parker is also the gold standard for getting the real history, not just the social media version. If you are an aspiring member, observe how these symbols are treated during public events; the reverence shown to the ivy and the pearls will tell you more about the organization's culture than any textbook ever could.