Final answer:
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, founded in 1908 at Howard University, categorizes its members by their level of involvement and includes undergraduate, graduate, and professional members. Notable individuals like Vice President Kamala Harris and author Toni Morrison are esteemed members. The sorority is a part of the National Pan-Hellenic Council.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is a distinguished organization with a rich history and a variety of members classified by their stage of involvement and progression within the sorority. Founded in 1908 at Howard University, Alpha Kappa Alpha was the first Black women's intercollegiate Greek organization established at a historically black college or university (HBCU).
The members of Alpha Kappa Alpha can generally be classified into several categories, such as undergraduate students, graduate members, and professionals who are actively involved in the organization's myriad of public service and community outreach programs. Distinguished members that represent the ethos and success of Alpha Kappa Alpha include literary figures like Toni Morrison, influential politicians such as Vice President Kamala Harris, and accomplished entertainers like Phylicia Rashad.
Alpha Kappa Alpha, along with eight other Greek organizations, is part of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), which is a collaborative entity known as the Divine Nine. These organizations have a significant influence on their members and have been noted in various academic studies and writings, such as the work of Lawrence Ross in The Divine Nine: The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities and research on the impact of fraternity and sorority life on student experiences and risk factors.