Minnie Beatrice Smith (February 18, 1882 – December 1, 1918) was an American educator and an incorporator of

Alpha Kappa Alpha Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. () is an List of African American fraternities, historically African-American Fraternities and sororities, sorority. The sorority was founded in 1908 at Howard University in Washington, D.C.. Alpha Kappa Alpha ...

, the first

sorority In North America, fraternities and sororities ( and ) are social clubs at colleges and universities. They are sometimes collectively referred to as Greek life or Greek-letter organizations, as well as collegiate fraternities or collegiate sorori ...

founded by African-American women.

Early life

Minnie Beatrice "Beadie" Smith was born in

Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly known as Washington or D.C., is the capital city and federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River, across from Virginia, and shares land borders with ...

on February 18, 1882.District of Columbia, Select Births and Christenings, 1830-1955. FHL Film Number 2114652, Reference ID cn 29243. via Ancestry. She was the daughter of Katherine "Kate" (née Jackson) and Willis J. Smith.1910 United States Federal Census. Precinct 3, Washington, District of Columbia; Roll: T624_150; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 0054; FHL microfilm: 1374163. via Ancestry. Smith attended St. Augustine's School for her elementary education. She recited "Little Edith's Request" at the school's closing exercises in June 1895, where she was presented with the gold medal for lessons. She graduated from a high school in Washington, D.C. in June 1901. Smith attended Washington Normal School No. 2, graduating with a teacher's diploma on June 12, 1903. She enrolled in

Howard University Howard University is a private, historically black, federally chartered research university in Washington, D.C., United States. It is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" and accredited by the Mid ...

, graduating with an A.B.

cum laude Latin honors are a system of Latin phrases used in some colleges and universities to indicate the level of distinction with which an academic degree has been earned. The system is primarily used in the United States. It is also used in some Sout ...

in June 1912. While at Howard, she was a member of the local sorority

Alpha Kappa Alpha

After discovering that there were some members who wanted change some symbols of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority,

Nellie Quander Nellie May Quander (February 11, 1880 - September 24, 1961) was an incorporator and the first international president of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. As president for several years, she helped expand the sorority and further its support of African ...

, the immediate past president of the college sorority, contacted Smith and other members to inquire into whether they had agreed to accept the proposed changes.The inquiries received back all favored no acceptance of any changes. As a result, Smith worked with Quander to stop the proposed changes to the organization as well as fulfill the legal requirements for expansion. p. 66-67. Smith helped to develop the strategy to preserve the organization and she, Quander, and Norma Boyd completed the necessary requirements for international incorporation. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority was legally incorporated on January 29, 1913, making it the first black sorority and the first black collegiate sorority to be incorporate. Smith served as the national sorority's first grammateus or secretary. In 1916, she became its second Supreme Basileus or president.

Career

After graduating from the Washington Normal School, Smith taught at the Mott School in Washington, D.C. She continued to teach while attending Howard University.

Personal life

Smith was a member of the Women's Frederick Douglas Benefit Association and St. Augustine Catholic Church. She contracted the

Spanish influenza The 1918–1920 flu pandemic, also known as the Great Influenza epidemic or by the common misnomer Spanish flu, was an exceptionally deadly global influenza pandemic caused by the H1N1 subtype of the influenza A virus. The earliest docum ...

in November 1918. She died a few days later at her home in Washington, D.C. on December 1, 1918. Her funeral was held at her home at 1518 Corcoran Street Northwest, followed by mass at St. Augustine Catholic Church.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Minnie B. 1882 births 1918 deaths 19th-century Roman Catholics 20th-century Roman Catholics Catholics from Washington, D.C. People from Washington, D.C. Howard University alumni Alpha Kappa Alpha founders African-American women educators Deaths from the Spanish flu pandemic in the United States 20th-century American educators