Lyle Love
Ethel Hedgemon Lyle
1887 -1950
George Lyle Sr.
1887 -1960
Lyle Love -- LyleLove
is a term used by the members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. & Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.. This term is a title derived from a romantic relationship that blossomed into marriage between George Lyle & Ethel Hedgemon Lyle. Ethel Hedgemon Lyle was the primary force behind creating Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated and as such became its first official member when granted permission to exist on the campus of Howard University in November 1907.
George Lyle was initiated into the Beta chapter of his fraternity & became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. in December 1907. The pair began dating in 1901 until they were married in June of 1911.
This relationship between the two organizations is publicly identified as the Phirst Phamily
because they were the 1st African-American International & National Intercollegiate Fraternity & Sorority established AND worked in unity in several cases to demonstrate the purposes of their separate organizations.
Due to assumption rather than fact people have often written or stated that the creation of
Alpha Kappa Alpha was influenced by Alpha Phi Alpha.
This is untrue.
Phirst Phamily Timeline
March 1907 - Hedgemon went from planning to creating the sorority.
April 1907 - Alpha Phi Alpha decided against expansion to Syracuse University.
October of 1907 - No actual action was taken on the policy of expansion by the Alpha chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
Early November of 1907 - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc was given permission to exist on Howard's campus.
November 15th 1907 - APA, Alpha President Jones brought up the idea of expansion and asked if each member would give his opinion on the policy on. Finally it was agreed that the chapter should favor the “granting of charters to bodies that meet with their distinct approval.”
December 14, 1907 - Alpha Phi Alpha revises their constitution to allow for commitment to their expansion policy.
December 20, 1907 - Alpha Phi Alpha organized, among the young men of the college and professional departments of Howard University.
January 15, 1908 - Holds 1st bi-weekly Sorority Meeting (business meeting), decided later to select this as founding date.
April, 9, 1912 - Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity was incorporated nationally in Washington DC.
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Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. was NOT influenced by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity but rather her teachers Robinson and Cook.
Mrs. Lyle also stated " I dated & subsequently married George Lyle but he had nothing to do with the start of Alpha Kappa Alpha. "