Marie Woolfolk Taylor

Marie Woolfolk Taylor (December 18, 1893 - October 21, 1960) was one of the sixteen founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Founding of Alpha Kappa Alpha and collegiate involvement
Woolfolk attended Stoors School until graduation. For one semester, Woolfolk attended Atlanta University and later entered Howard University's Preparatory School in 1901, where she graduated in 1904. At Howard, Woolfolk was very heavily involved with planning the sorority. She helped to design the elements of Alpha Kappa Alpha in 1907. Along with Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, Woolfolk presented the sorority to Howard University officials — university president Wilbur P. Thirkield and deans Lewis Moore and Kelly Miller — for approval in 1907. She attended the inaugural meeting on January 15, 1908, and also helped to draft the sorority's first constitution and bylaws and invited seven sophomores to participate in the sorority. On February 21, Woolfolk was the first secretary of Alpha Kappa Alpha. In addition, Woolfolk also participated in drama and the school choir. Woolfolk graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Latin and history.

Later Life
After graduating from Howard, Woolfolk was enrolled at Cleveland, Ohio's Schauffler Training School for Social Service where she majored in religion. At Schauffler Training School, Woolfolk was the only African-American student. After graduation, Woolfolk moved back to Atlanta where she accepted a job as community assistant to First Congregational Church's pastor. For seven years, she served in this position. Woolfolk was also probation officer for the City of Atlanta and a night school teacher. Afterwards for four years, she was the head of inspection for the African-American legal company Standard Life Insurance Company.

Throughout her lifetime, Woolfolk was a social worker. During the Great Atlanta Fire on May 21, 1917, Woolfolk was one of two African-Americans who assisted the Red Cross. In 1919, Woolfolk married Dr. Alfred G. Taylor, and bore a daughter named Alfred Marie. Continuing her involvement with Alpha Kappa Alpha, she was the chartering president of Atlanta's Kappa Omega chapter in 1923.

Woolfolk was involved in Atlanta's civic and social related activities. Woolfolk helped to organize Community Chests, which helped to pave way to founding The United Way, held membership in the NAACP, and was on the Carrie Steele-Pitts Foster Home board of directors. She was also a member of the First Congregational Church. Marie Woolfolk-Taylor died in Atlanta, Georgia, on November 9, 1960.