| Carrie Snowden | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Carrie Estelle Snowden 1884 Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | 1948(1948-00-00) (aged 59–60) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Occupation | Switchboard operator |
| Known for | Founder of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; |
Carrie Estelle Snowden (c. 1884 – 1948) was one of the founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the first sorority founded by African-American women.
Early life
Snowden was born in Pennsylvania c. 1884. She grew up in Washington, D.C., where she attended public schools. In June 1902, she graduated eighth grade at the Lincoln School and was promoted to high school. In June 1906, she graduated from M Street High School where she served as her class vice president.
She enrolled in Howard University in the School of Arts and Science in 1906. There were only a few women enrolled in Howard at the time. She graduated from Howard with a B.A. in May 1910, having studied English, French, German, and history.
Alpha Kappa Alpha
While at Howard, she and fifteen other women formed Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Snowden was admitted to the sorority without initiation in February 1908. She served as the epistoleus (corresponding secretary) of what became the Alpha chapter of the sorority in the fall of 1909.
In 1923, Snowden was a charter member of Xi Omega alumnae chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha in Washington, D.C. She was active in its membership and amenities committees.
Career
In 1917, Snowden was appointed a substitute librarian for high schools and normal schools in Washington, D.C. Later in life, Snowden worked in administration at Howard University as a switchboard operator until she retired.
Personal life
Snowden and Silas Hinton married on January 4, 1906, in Washington, D.C.
Snowden's job at the university allowed her to take classes there. She pursued lifelong learning, taking courses in a wide range of subjects such as commerce, economics, mathematics, and social work. In 1943, she took a course in typing at Howard.
Snowden died in 1948 in Washington, D.C. She was buried in Washington, D.C. Her sorority friends remembered her as "small, slim, and gracious".
References
- ^ District of Columbia, U.S., Compiled Marriage Index, 1830-1921. Vol 103 P326 31826. via Ancestry.com
- ^ "Notable Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, INC. | WHUR 96.3 FM". whur.com. Retrieved 2023-07-25.
- ^ Brooks, Jeffrey S.; Witherspoon-Arnold, Noelle (2013-03-01). Confronting Racism in Higher Education: Problems and Possibilities for Fighting Ignorance, Bigotry and Isolation. IAP. p. 93. ISBN 978-1-62396-158-9 – via Google Books.
- ^ "In Colored Schools". Evening Star. Washington, D.C. 1906-06-12. p. 11. Retrieved 2023-07-25 – via Newspapers.com.
- U.S. Census Records 1920.
- ^ "Alpha Kappa Alpha Centennial: Founders" (PDF). Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. April 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-10-17.
- "Eleventh Division. Pupils Promoted From Eighth Grade to High School". Evening Star. Washington, D.C. 1902-06-20. p. 15. Retrieved 2023-07-25 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Armstron Manual Training School". The Washington Post. 1906-06-12. p. 5. Retrieved 2023-07-25 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Ross, Lawrence C. (2019-08-27). The Divine Nine: The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities. Kensington Books. pp. 289–290. ISBN 978-1-4967-2888-3.
- ^ Parks, Gregory S. (2008-06-13). Black Greek-Letter Organizations in the 21st Century: Our Fight Has Just Begun. University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 978-0-8131-3872-5 – via Google Books.
- "Degrees Are Conferred". Evening Star. Washington, D.C. 1910-05-25. p. 11. Retrieved 2023-07-25 – via Newspapers.com.
- "110 Receive Degrees: Howard University Graduates Addressed by Dr. Vernon". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C. 1910-05-26. p. 3. Retrieved 2023-07-25 – via Newspapers.com.
- Brown, Tamara L.; Parks, Gregory S.; Phillips, Clarenda M. (2012-02-29). African American Fraternities and Sororities: The Legacy and the Vision. University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 978-0-8131-4073-5 – via Google.
- "Community Organizations". Evening Star. Washington, D.C. 1917-10-04. p. 11. Retrieved 2023-07-25 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Marriage Lincenses". Evening Star. Washington, D.C. 1906-01-05. p. 5. Retrieved 2023-07-25 – via Newspapers.com.