Pride And Excitement At Howard University, Harris' Alma Mater

Speaker 1: 00:00 Today marked a historic moment held dear by many, especially women across the country, as the nation's first black and South Asian woman to hold the office of vice president was sworn in. Here's a clip of the moment. Judge Sonia Sotomayor swore in vice-president Kamala Harris during an Accuration Speaker 2: 00:18 I Camila Davie Harris family that I will support and defend the constitution of the United States. And I will support and defend the constitution of the United States Speaker 1: 00:29 Moment. You just heard is also being celebrated and honored by vice president. Harris says sorority sisters across the country. Alpha Kappa alpha is the nation's oldest black sorority. It was founded on the campus of Howard university. We're not only vice president Harris crossed, but also our next guest joining us now is Diane joiner, president of alpha Kappa alpha sorority incorporated, Epsilon CYO mega, which is San Diego's chapter. Diane. Welcome. Speaker 3: 00:58 Thank you. I'm glad to be here and thank you for having me. Speaker 1: 01:02 So I have to ask, what was your reaction this morning as you watched Kamala Harris being sworn in? Speaker 3: 01:08 I was so excited. I was proud exuberance everywhere. It's just a great moment for my sorority sisters, for me, but girls and women all over the country, especially African-American females. Speaker 1: 01:25 And as you mentioned, you know, it is a watershed moment for the nation's oldest black sorority. Um, what does it mean to you to see the first woman, the first black woman, the first South Asian woman, so many first, uh, to hold the position of vice president of the United States. Speaker 3: 01:42 It is a major accomplishment. First of all, traditionally black women have a lower point in a society or is men a concern? So, uh, we can, we can rise, but we get to a certain point and then it's just stopped. Like we reached the glass, but we can't get through it. So now she has broken that glass ceiling and we are just all proud Speaker 1: 02:10 Today, not just AKA, but many people are celebrating vice president Harris by wearing pearls and chucks. Are you wearing yours today? And what can you tell me about the significance of the pearls? Speaker 3: 02:23 I am wearing my pearls. I have my black converse sneakers on the Sydney significance of the pearls is that it represents the 20. It represents our founders basically. So when we talk about the founders, we always talk about the 20 pearls Speaker 1: 02:41 You've already has declared January 20th, Kamala Harris day to honor such a historic moment. The moment really speaks to the mission of alpha Kappa alpha sorority incorporated. Can you tell me about that? Speaker 3: 02:52 The mission is comprised of five basic tenants 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. Speaker 1: 03:17 What do you think that this moment will mean for San Diego's chapter of alpha Kappa alpha? Speaker 3: 03:24 As far as our chapter goes, we're just one of many, of course we have an interest form on our website and it seems like it's this year, especially more people are filling it in and calling us and just want to know all about AKA. Speaker 1: 03:42 And I have to mention again that you also graduated from Howard university. So how proud are you to be an AKA and a Howard bison today? Speaker 3: 03:52 I am, uh, triply proud because, um, you know, first of all, how it is known all over the world and when we see somebody who graduated from how it, um, we have this little saying of H U you know, so I'm proud that she is an alum and I'm proud because she is my sorority sister. So it's doubly important to me. Speaker 1: 04:21 Wonderful. I have been speaking with Diane Joyner, president of alpha Kappa alpha sorority incorporated, Epsilon PSI, Omega chapter here in San Diego. Diane, thank you so much for joining us. Thank you for having me. Speaker 4: 04:38 [inaudible].