Class, sisterhood and service are a few of the principles that Alpha Kappa Alpha women live by.
The Eta Kappa Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. will host The Inaugural Twenty Pearls Masquerade Ball on Oct. 29 at 7:08 pm. The event will take place in the Student Union Royal Cotillion Ballroom.
A large portion of the money raised for the ball will benefit the IRIS Domestic Violence Center and Capital Area United Way. It will also serve as a winter clothing drive.
The clothing donated will also be given to IRIS.
During the show there will be a representative from the IRIS Domestic Violence Center to educate guests on the dangers of domestic violence and how to recognize the signs.
One portion of the ball will also recognize two alumnae of the sorority who lost their lives to domestic violence last year.
The Eta Kappa Chapter of AKA returned to the University on April 10. The chapter has 60 active members.
Mass Communication senior and AKA ball chair Brittany Clark said the chapter wanted to have an event that was new and different.
“We want to educate the college community and the surrounding areas of the dangers of domestic violence,” Clark said. “By educating young students on the signs of domestic violence it could save someone’s life sooner.”
Clark said the chapter also wanted to show the Baton Rouge community that the sorority is committed to service.
“This event will showcase that the AKA sorority is here for the community and they are about service to all mankind,” she said.
Individual tickets for the ball are $30 and go on sale Oct. 12. There will also be a $2 reduction in price for anyone who brings new or gently used winter clothing. Guests can reserve tables for the ball starting at $200.
AKA members are still looking for student designers to participate in the fashion show that will take place during the ball. The money raised during the fashion show will also benefit the charities.
All age groups are invited to attend. Clark said the chapter wants the ball to be a community event. Guests are asked to arrive in formal clothing.
Clark said that the ball will become an annual event.