top of page
Iota Alpha Omega Chapter
In partnership with
Cornwall Historical Society and Alpha Kappa Alpha International Archives Committee
Harriet Josephine Terry Historical Marker
Established June 10, 2021
The Mid-Hudson Valley was home to Sophomore Founder Harriet Josephine Terry of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. On October 30, 1908, Terry was elected treasurer of the sorority.
On June 10th, 2021, a historical marker was unveiled in honor of Harriet Josephine Terry at 24 Idelwild Avenue, Cornwall, NY 12520.
​
Born: Feb 04, 1885 · Cornwall on Hudson, NY (Mid-Hudson Valley, New York)
Died: Aug 15, 1967 · Washington, D.C., United States
​
She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal arts in May 1910, with concentrations in Latin, English, French, German, political science, pedagogy, history, and chemistry.In 1949, she established the Epsilon Gamma Omega alumnae chapter in Normal, Alabama, and led it as president. In 1959, Terry retired from teaching after having worked at Alabama A&M University for nearly 40 years.
​
She became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority at Howard University in 1911. Two years later in 1913, she became a founding member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
​
Mid-Hudson Valley area was also home to Naomi Sewell Richardson, a member of both Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta Sororities. She was the first African-American to graduate from Washingtonville High school in New York.
bottom of page