Ut-oh.Does Barbie have what it takes to join the pretty girls who wear 20 pearls? The nation's oldest, predominantly Black Greek sorority has caught her eye, and she wants in. And if things go her way, she'll be a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha by the sorority's 100th anniversary. On Saturday, Jan. 19, when the sorority kicks off its centennial celebration in Washington, D.C., Barbie will let it be known that "it's a serious matter" when she steps out in her salmon pink and apple green evening gown – the sorority's official colors. The collectible Barbie is based on Chicago-headquartered Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Mattel sought licensing for the doll -- the first in the company's flagship brand based on any sorority and any predominately black organization -- upon learning that Alpha Kappa Alpha is marking its 100th anniversary this year. The Mattel doll will cost about $50, and it will be available through BarbieCollector.com, the Barbie Collector catalog and other outlets and partnerships with the sorority. "It's such a landmark event," Elizabeth Grampp, director of Barbie collector marketing tells The Associated Press.
Rochelle McAllister, founder and CEO of sisterhoodboutique.com, created the doll above, known affectionately as Ivy Rose.
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The group has inducted more than 200,000 women over the century, including famous sorors of AKA such as Marian Anderson, the first African-American woman to sing at the Metropolitan Opera; Hull House founder Jane Adams, civil rights activists Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King; award-winning novelist and poet Dr. Maya Angelou; accomplished author Bebe Moore Campbell; Miss America 1984, Suzette Charles; the late, internationally renowned jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald; TV host Star Jones; singer Gladys Knights; actresses Vanessa Bell-Calloway and Jada Pinkett-Smith; and many others.
Still, on college campuses members are called "pretty girls," and have accounted for four of the past seven black Miss Americas.
Alpha Kappa Alpha was founded Jan. 15, 1908 at Howard University.
Still, on college campuses members are called "pretty girls," and have accounted for four of the past seven black Miss Americas.
Alpha Kappa Alpha was founded Jan. 15, 1908 at Howard University.
5 comments:
'Ut oh' is right. Ain't gon be able to tell them nothing now! LOL!
I wonder if the pearl necklace has 20 beads. I'm just saying...
I have to go back and edit the original post. I meant to say this earlier: the doll in the picture is not the official AKA Barbie Doll. That doll won't be unveiled until this Saturday at this sorority's centennial service in D.C.
The doll pictured above is actually not the one that will be produced by Mattel. Ivy Rose, the doll in the picture, was actually created by a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha and sold in The Sisterhood Boutique that she owns. This doll was manufactured by Madame Alexander in limited edition for The Sisterhood Boutique. Mattel is a little late on the scene...
I'm Rochelle McAllister the President & CEO of The Sisterhood Boutique. Ivy Rose was created by Madame Alexander exclusively for our company and is our celebration of the women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. I am a member of the Sorority. AND yes, Ivy Rose has exactly 20 pearls in her necklace.
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