Minnie B. Smith

Minnie B. Smith was a sophomore founder and an incorporator of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, who graduated Howard University in 1912. She taught at the Mott School while attending college. When hearing plans of twenty-two members desiring to cede from Alpha Kappa Alpha in order to form a new sorority, Nellie Quander contacted graduate members, including Smith, in order to stop the proposals. As a result, Smith, Quander, Norma Boyd, Julia Evangeline Brooks, Nellie Pratt Russell and Ethel Jones Mowbray incorporated Alpha Kappa Alpha on January 29, 1913. The dissenters formed another sorority entitled, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Smith served as the secretary of the incorporating committee and as Supreme Basileus of Alpha Kappa Alpha, while Quander was away studying mentally handicapped children in Delaware. In 1919, Smith had influenza, and died shortly after contacting the disease.