Nellie Pratt Russell

Nellie Pratt Russell (May 4, 1890 - December 13, 1979) was an incorporator of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She was born in Macon, Georgia on May 4, 1890. She entered Howard University's College of Arts and Sciences in 1907, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. During college, Nellie volunteered to donate clothes and food to the poor. After graduation, she taught history and English in Topeka, Kansas, until 1913.

Incorporation of Alpha Kappa Alpha
When hearing plans of seven members desiring to cede from Alpha Kappa Alpha in order to form a new sorority, Nellie Quander contacted graduate members, including Russell, in order to stop the proposals. As a result, Russell, Quander, Julia Evangeline Brooks, Norma Boyd, Minnie B. Smith and Ethel Jones Mowbray incorporated Alpha Kappa Alpha on January 29, 1913. The dissenters formed another sorority entitled, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Later life
After her father died, Nellie moved to Lawrenceville, Virginia, and married Dr. J. Alvin Russell, who was president of St. Paul's College. During her marriage, Nellie had four sons and one daughter. Her daughter and three daughters-in-law are members of Alpha Kappa Alpha. Her son, James served as President of St. Paul for ten years. She also taught English at St. Paul's College for fifty years. Nellie gained her Master's degree at Columbia University.

She continued expanding Alpha Kappa Alpha by helping to found Alpha Kappa Alpha's Gamma Lambda Omega graduate chapter in 1949. Throughout the years, she served as the chapter's president, secretary, historian, and correspondence secretary. In the graduate chapter, Nellie helped to establish a loan for undergraduate students. She also served as an advisory to Alpha Upsilon at St. Paul's College. Among the honors that Nellie received were the local chapter of Omega Psi Phi's "Mother of the Year," and outstanding chapter member. Nellie's legacy is remembered with a building named in her and her husband's honor at St. Paul's College, in addition to a scholarship. Nellie Pratt Russell died on December 13, 1979.