We are many, but we are one

Quanders United (est. 1974)

Quanders United (est. 1974)Quanders United (est. 1974)Quanders United (est. 1974)
  • Home
  • Our Story
    • I Am Quando
    • “Miracle of Faith”
    • Origins of Our Legacy
    • Nellie M. Quander
    • In Memoriam
    • Quander Road Blog
  • Reunions
    • Centennial Reunion (2025)
    • 1926 - Present
  • Portrait Gallery
    • The Ancestors
    • Notable Achievements
  • News & Events
    • In The News
    • Announcements
    • Events
    • Calendar
    • Remembrances
    • Quarterly Newsletter
    • Share Your News & Events!
  • Membership
    • Membership Dues
    • Geomap
  • Shop
    • Swag
    • Bookstore
    • Art Studio
  • More
    • Home
    • Our Story
      • I Am Quando
      • “Miracle of Faith”
      • Origins of Our Legacy
      • Nellie M. Quander
      • In Memoriam
      • Quander Road Blog
    • Reunions
      • Centennial Reunion (2025)
      • 1926 - Present
    • Portrait Gallery
      • The Ancestors
      • Notable Achievements
    • News & Events
      • In The News
      • Announcements
      • Events
      • Calendar
      • Remembrances
      • Quarterly Newsletter
      • Share Your News & Events!
    • Membership
      • Membership Dues
      • Geomap
    • Shop
      • Swag
      • Bookstore
      • Art Studio

Quanders United (est. 1974)

Quanders United (est. 1974)Quanders United (est. 1974)Quanders United (est. 1974)
  • Home
  • Our Story
    • I Am Quando
    • “Miracle of Faith”
    • Origins of Our Legacy
    • Nellie M. Quander
    • In Memoriam
    • Quander Road Blog
  • Reunions
    • Centennial Reunion (2025)
    • 1926 - Present
  • Portrait Gallery
    • The Ancestors
    • Notable Achievements
  • News & Events
    • In The News
    • Announcements
    • Events
    • Calendar
    • Remembrances
    • Quarterly Newsletter
    • Share Your News & Events!
  • Membership
    • Membership Dues
    • Geomap
  • Shop
    • Swag
    • Bookstore
    • Art Studio

Nellie M. Quander

Educator, Activist, Suffragist, Labor Leader

Born into one of the oldest and well-documented free black families in America, Nellie May Quander was a life-long advocate for civil rights, women’s rights, social reform, and education. 


While continuing to work as a public school teacher, Nellie Quander enrolled at Howard University in 1910 at the age of 30. She joined the newly formed Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. (AKA is one of the Divine 9: the first 5 African-American fraternities and 4 African-American sororities). She helped incorporate the sorority so that it could be nationally recognized and have chapters at other universities and served as president. She graduated magna cum laude with a BA in history, economics, and political science. She went on to earn a Masters at Columbia University, Washington D.C. extension. She also earned a social work degree from New York University and a diploma from University of Uppsala, Sweden. She was an active board member of the YWCA and devoted her life to helping her community. 


When the 1913 Washington D.C. suffrage parade was being planned,  Nellie Quander, as president of the sorority, wrote Alice Paul that “there were a number of college women of Howard University who would like to participate in the women suffrage procession,” but “do not wish to enter if we must meet with discrimination on account of race affiliation.” Two days later, Nellie Quander wrote Paul a second letter, reiterating the desire to participate and requesting to be assigned in a “desirable place in the college women’s section.”   On March 3, 1913, almost 50 African American women participated in the 1913 Women’s Suffrage Parade, including women from Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, and New York, and Washington D.C., including young women from Howard University.


From Zebra, February 2020

    b. Feb 11, 1880 | d. Sept 24, 1961

Read New York Times Article, Aug 2020

Nellie M. Quander

Nellie Quander, An Alpha Kappa Alpha Pearl

The Story of the Woman Who Saved an International Organization

by Rohulamin Quander (2008)

The biography features multiple testimonials, including from Dr. Dorothy I. Height, former president, National Council of Negro women, Barbara A. McKinzie, 27th International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and Louise A. Rice, 23rd International President of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Nellie Quander’s life is an integral part of American history. It should be read by everyone.

Order Now



www.aka1908.com

Members of the Quander Family and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. participated in a wreath-laying ceremony held during the organization's Centennial Celebration on January 15, 2018 at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, Suitland, MD



Watch the movie released in 2021 and learn more about Nellie Quander's "decision [and action] that changed history."



Watch Twenty Pearls: The Story of Nellie Quander’s Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated



Copyright © 2019-2025 Quanders United - All Rights Reserved. |  quandersunitedinc@gmail.com

  • Origins of Our Legacy
  • Quander Road Blog
  • In The News
  • Events
  • Calendar
  • Membership Dues
  • Bookstore
  • Index

Cookie Policy

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.

Accept & Close