Ethel Jones Mowbray facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ethel Jones Mowbray
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sophomore founder and incorporator of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; Culinary Artist and teacher
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| Died | November 25, 1948 |
| Spouse(s) | George Mowbray |
| Children | Geraldine and Helen |
| Parent(s) | Mr. and Mrs. George Jones |
Ethel Jones-Mowbray was one of the twenty women who started Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. This was the very first sorority created by African-American women. A sorority is like a club for women in college.
Ethel helped create an organization that has supported African-American women for over 112 years. It helps them succeed in college, become leaders, and serve their communities.
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Early Life and Education
Ethel Jones was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Her mother passed away when Ethel was born. Her father, Mr. George Jones, raised her until she was ten years old. After that, Ethel was raised by a foster family, the Myers.
Ethel went to public schools in Baltimore. She was a very good student and graduated with high honors.
In 1906, Ethel started college at Howard University. She studied in the College of Arts and Sciences. Back then, very few people went to college. Only a tiny number of African Americans attended college. Howard University was a top school for Black students.
Starting Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
At Howard, Ethel was one of seven sophomores (second-year students) who joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She was an honor initiate, meaning she was invited to join because she was a good student.
On May 25, 1909, Ethel took part in the first Ivy Day ceremony. This was a special event where members planted ivy at Miner Hall. This became a tradition for the sorority.
In 1909, Ethel Jones became the first vice-president of Alpha Kappa Alpha. The next year, she was elected president of her chapter.
Ethel graduated from Howard University in 1910. She earned a bachelor's degree in math. She also studied education.
Making Alpha Kappa Alpha Official
In 1913, Ethel Mowbray and five other women decided to make Alpha Kappa Alpha an official organization. These women were Nellie Quander, Julia Evangeline Brooks, Norma Boyd, Nellie Pratt Russell, and Minnie B. Smith. They finished the process on January 29, 1913. This made the sorority a legal group.
In 1913, Ethel Mowbray was the vice-president of Alpha Kappa Alpha's first leadership team. Around this time, some women who wanted a different path left Alpha Kappa Alpha. They formed a new sorority called Delta Sigma Theta.
Life After College and Community Work
After college, Ethel Jones taught in Baltimore public schools for a few years. In 1913, she married George Mowbray. They had been dating since college.
Ethel and George Mowbray moved to Chicago. George went to graduate school at the University of Chicago.
In 1914, Ethel and her husband moved to Kansas City, Kansas. Ethel worked as a culinary artist, which means she was a skilled cook. Her husband was a teacher. Later, Ethel started her own business, where she prepared food for events.
In 1924, Mowbray helped start a new chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha in Kansas City. It was called the Mu Omega chapter. She also encouraged the sorority to grow in other cities. Mowbray was active in the Parent Teacher Association. She was a "room mother" at a junior high school, helping the teacher in the classroom.
Ethel and George Mowbray had two daughters, Geraldine and Helen. Geraldine grew up to become a doctor. She also joined Alpha Kappa Alpha, just like her mother.
To keep her mind active, Mowbray enjoyed playing bridge with three different clubs. Ethel Mowbray passed away on November 25, 1948, in Kansas City, Kansas. Today, Alpha Kappa Alpha has a special fund in her honor. It is called the Educational Advancement Foundation endowment.
