Signature Programs

In 1984, a new element was introduced to the programme, a scholarship to attend Success Training College was offered. The first recipient was Brenda-Lee Cornish of C. C. Sweeting High School. 

 

In 1988, the luncheon concept was introduced to commemorate the participation of the sitting international President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated®, the late Janet Jones-Ballard.  The Janet Jones-Ballard Family Island Valedictorian Award was introduced in 1992 and was named after the late Janet Jones Ballard who played a pivotal role in the establishment of the International Region of the Sorority.

 

In 1997, the Sorority was able to obtain a scholarship through Janice Munroe Stubbs, a member, from McDermott International for the Family Island student with the highest test score to attend The College of The Bahamas (now University of The Bahamas).  The local campus of Atlantic College also generously donated a scholarship at that time.  Other supporters of the programme over the past years have been Mr. Bertram Knowles of Nassau Stationers who has contributed prizes for all of the Honourees; The Governor General and staff of Government House, the National Flag Carrier Bahamasair, SkyBahamas, Southern Air, Sky Unlimited, Western Air, Pineapple Air, LeAir, along with other charter companies who assist the chapter by ensuring that our Family Island participants receive air transportation to New Providence.   

 

Over the past forty-five years the Honours Day Scholarship Programme, through its featured Keynote Speakers, has exposed the students to many outstanding Bahamian females who have been pioneers in their field.  Some of the speakers have included Dame Joan Sawyer, first female Judge and first female President of the Court of Appeal; Sorority Honorary member Retired Justice Cheryl Albury, former judge of the Supreme Court of The Bahamas; Dame Ivy Dumont, former Minister of Education and first female Governor General of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas and a cultural icon;  Ms. Aisha Bowe, Co-founder and CEO of STEMboard and a former NASA engineer; Ms. Alanna Rodgers, founder of Hands for Hunger and Tru Bahamian Food Tours; Sorority member, Mrs. Anastarcia Palacious, transformational speaker and former co-host of Bahamas at Sunrise; Mrs. Marion Bethel-Sears, author, film maker and women’s advocate; Dr. Sharice Ferguson, former obstetrician; Dr. P. Jillian Bethel, former CEO of OKX Bahamas; and Sorority member, Dr. Iyandra Smith-Bryan, attorney-at-law, and adjunct professor.

 

Through the years the programme has expanded significantly.  Students participate in a weekend of activities designed to motivate, promote and celebrate the accomplishments of the best and the brightest female graduates from schools throughout the archipelago.  The activities include a tour of the University of The Bahamas, Courtesy Call on the Ministers of Education and Youth, as well as the President of the University of The Bahamas; a welcome reception, a general knowledge test, community service project, a worship service culminating with an awards ceremony and reception.  

 

The Honours Day Scholarship Programme remains the lead signature programme of the Chapter and has grown not just in participation from three students to over fourty students, but also in its ability to provide scholarships for tertiary education for the country’s brightest top graduating female students. The programme has partnered with various tertiary education establishments to provide partial and full ride scholarships to universities such as Morgan State University, Middle Tennessee State University, Georgia State University, University of the Ozarks and Central State University.