At the 2024 Democratic National Convention, attendees paid tribute to Vice President Kamala Harris by wearing the colors of her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA). Established in 1908 at Howard University, AKA is the oldest historically Black sorority in the country. Harris, an alumna of Howard University, has a strong connection to AKA, which is one of the Divine Nine historically Black Greek-letter organizations. The colors pink and green are significant to the sorority and its members, and many chose to wear these colors to show their support for Harris at the event.
In addition to wearing pink and green, AKA members also wore strings of pearls, another significant symbol of the sorority. Each member is given an ivy leaf pin rimmed with pearls when they are inducted into AKA. Wearing pearls is a way for members to honor the Twenty Pearls, representing AKA’s founders and incorporators. Harris herself has been seen wearing pearls frequently, including on Inauguration Day in 2021 when she wore a necklace from designer Irene Neuwirth. Representative Frederica Wilson of Florida, who is also a member of AKA, wore pearls and the sorority’s colors at the convention to show solidarity with Harris and their sisterhood.
The pink tea rose, which is AKA’s official flower, was also a prominent feature in Wilson’s outfit at the convention. She wore a white blazer with a pink rose on the lapel, a magenta wide-brimmed hat that matched her trousers, and a string of oversized pearls. The standout piece of her ensemble was her pink-and-green gradient purse embossed with the letters “AKA.” Wilson and other AKA members in attendance embraced the opportunity to pay tribute to Harris and their shared sisterhood through their clothing choices.
The choice to wear pink and green at the DNC was a visible display of support for Vice President Harris from members of Alpha Kappa Alpha. By wearing the colors and symbols of their sorority, attendees honored Harris’s connection to AKA and celebrated their shared history and values. The sea of pink and green at the convention served as a reminder of the importance of representation and unity among women in leadership positions, particularly women of color like Harris.
The use of color and symbols to convey solidarity and support for Harris at the convention underscored the power of fashion as a form of expression and activism. The decision to wear pink and green was a deliberate choice by attendees to show their connection to AKA and their support for Harris. Through their clothing and accessories, AKA members and supporters demonstrated their pride in their shared sisterhood, highlighting the significance of representation and unity within the Democratic Party.
Overall, the display of pink and green at the DNC was a visual tribute to Vice President Kamala Harris and her connection to Alpha Kappa Alpha. The colors, symbols, and accessories worn by attendees served as a nod to AKA’s history and values, while also celebrating Harris’s achievements as a trailblazing woman in leadership. The sea of pink and green at the convention was a powerful statement of solidarity and sisterhood, demonstrating the impact of fashion as a form of political expression and activism.
