Lavinia Norman
Encyclopedia
Lavinia Norman was one of the sixteen original founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha
Sorority, Incorporated, the first sorority founded by African American women, at Howard University
. She was one of a small minority of women who attended college at all. In addition Norman did graduate work and taught for more than 40 years at the high school level, when teaching was considered one of the most critical and prestigious careers for a developing nation.
A devoted educator, Norman also was active in Alpha Kappa Alpha in the local chapter and helped build social capital in her community.
. Her elementary years were spent in West Virginia. When her father got a job with the Postal Service, Norman's family moved to Washington, D.C. In 1901, she started secondary work at Howard University
's Preparatory School. She graduated in 1905 with a diploma.
Norman drafted the constitution for Alpha Kappa Alpha with Margaret Flagg
and Ethel Hedgeman
. After the sorority was founded on January 15, 1908, Norman expanded the activities of Alpha chapter at Howard University. As a senior in 1909, she succeeded Ethel Hedgeman as head of AKA. Norman helped to plan ceremonies for the second Ivy Day celebration at the university. Norman graduated cum laude with degrees in French and English in 1909.
. In 1934 she earned a second Bachelor of Arts
degree at West Virginia State College.
In 1950, Norman retired after forty years in education, having taught generations of students. During her tenure as teacher, she acted as coach for the high school's drama team and was the adviser to the school's newspaper.
She was also active in Alpha Kappa Alpha, in the Beta Tau Omega chapter in Huntington.
Having served Alpha Kappa Alpha for more than 75 years, Lavinia Norman died on January 22, 1983.
Alpha Kappa Alpha
Alpha Kappa Alpha is the first Greek-lettered sorority established and incorporated by African American college women. The sorority was founded on January 15, 1908, at Howard University in Washington, D.C., by a group of nine students, led by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle...
Sorority, Incorporated, the first sorority founded by African American women, at Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
. She was one of a small minority of women who attended college at all. In addition Norman did graduate work and taught for more than 40 years at the high school level, when teaching was considered one of the most critical and prestigious careers for a developing nation.
A devoted educator, Norman also was active in Alpha Kappa Alpha in the local chapter and helped build social capital in her community.
Early life
Born as the eighth of sixteen children to Thomas Norman and Virginia Thomas, Lavinia Norman grew up in Montgomery, West VirginiaMontgomery, West Virginia
Montgomery is a city in West Virginia, along the Kanawha River. Most of the city is in Fayette County, with the remainder in Kanawha County. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,942 ....
. Her elementary years were spent in West Virginia. When her father got a job with the Postal Service, Norman's family moved to Washington, D.C. In 1901, she started secondary work at Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
's Preparatory School. She graduated in 1905 with a diploma.
Howard University and founding of Alpha Kappa Alpha
Lavinia Norman entered Howard University, the top historically black college in the nation, at a time when only 1/3 of 1% of African Americans and 5% of whites attended any college.Norman drafted the constitution for Alpha Kappa Alpha with Margaret Flagg
Margaret Flagg Holmes
Margaret Flagg-Holmes was one of the sixteen founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, at Howard University in Washington, DC. It was the first sorority founded by African American women....
and Ethel Hedgeman
Ethel Hedgeman Lyle
Ethel Hedgeman Lyle was a founder of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority at Howard University in 1908. It was the first sorority founded by African-American college women...
. After the sorority was founded on January 15, 1908, Norman expanded the activities of Alpha chapter at Howard University. As a senior in 1909, she succeeded Ethel Hedgeman as head of AKA. Norman helped to plan ceremonies for the second Ivy Day celebration at the university. Norman graduated cum laude with degrees in French and English in 1909.
Teaching
After graduating from Howard, Norman returned to West Virginia. There she taught Latin, French, dramatic arts, and English at Douglass High School in HuntingtonHuntington, West Virginia
Huntington is a city in Cabell and Wayne counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia, along the Ohio River. Most of the city is in Cabell County, for which it is the county seat. A small portion of the city, mainly the neighborhood of Westmoreland, is in Wayne County. Its population was 49,138 at...
. In 1934 she earned a second Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree at West Virginia State College.
In 1950, Norman retired after forty years in education, having taught generations of students. During her tenure as teacher, she acted as coach for the high school's drama team and was the adviser to the school's newspaper.
She was also active in Alpha Kappa Alpha, in the Beta Tau Omega chapter in Huntington.
Later life
After retiring from teaching, Norman returned to Washington, D.C., where she affiliated with Alpha Kappa Alpha's Xi Omega chapter. In 1978, Norman was honored at the 70th celebration of the sorority's founding. The sorority unveiled a window honoring her and 19 other founders was unveiled in Rankin Chapel at Howard University. The sorority also helped to celebrate her 100th birthday.Having served Alpha Kappa Alpha for more than 75 years, Lavinia Norman died on January 22, 1983.