Norma Elizabeth Boyd

Norma Elizabeth Boyd
Norma Elizabeth Boyd
Born	August 9, 1888 [1] Washington, D.C., U.S.
Died	March 14, 1985 (age 96)[1] New York City, New York, U.S.
Occupation(s)	founder of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; educator; civic activist

Norma Elizabeth Boyd (August 9, 1888 – March 14, 1985) was one of sixteen founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first sorority founded by African-American women students, at Howard University. She was also one of the incorporators of the organization in 1913. The sorority has continued to generate social capital for 113 years.

Boyd was an educator in Washington, D.C., public schools for more than thirty years, and expanded her students' worlds by taking them to Congressional hearings. She was one of the most politically active of the founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha, with interests both domestic and international.

In 1938 Boyd established the Non-Partisan Council, the first group representing minorities to lobby the United States Congress. For her efforts in creating and guiding the Non-Partisan Council, in 1948 Boyd was named "Woman of the Year in the Field of Legislation" by the National Council of Negro Women.

Boyd was active in a wide variety of organizations, including many with an international focus. Named a United Nations observer, Boyd represented the United States on several committees, as well as at a conference in Brazil.