Marie Stapler Gladden's Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Membership Card

The Marie Stapler Gladden Collection

Original paper card

c. 1975

Marie Vista Stapler Gladden; Marie Stapler Gladden; Marie Stapler; Marie Gladden

Apopka, Florida, United States of America.

A membership card for the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, issued to Marie Stapler Gladden. This card was specifically given to members of the sorority's Educational Advancement Foundation, Inc. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA) is the first intercollegiate historically African American sorority, founded on January 15, 1908, at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Founded by Ethel Hedgemon Lyle and eight other women, it was created as a support network for Black women in higher education, focusing on academic excellence and "Service to All Mankind."

Marie Vista Stapler Gladden (March 13th, 2004 - May 14th, 2004) was the retired principal of the historic Black school, Phyllis Wheatley High School. Marie Stapler Gladden attained a Master's in Early Childhood Education and Certification in Administration and Supervision from Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City, NY. Marie married Michael Gladden Jr. on June 16, 1935. She became the co-owner of M. Gladden Staple and Fancy Groceries and later, Gladden's Coin Laundry and Dry Cleaning. Marie began her teaching career at the Hopper Academy elementary school in Seminole County, later teaching in Orange County for thirty-six years, including at schools in Oakland and Clarcona. Marie was a member of the Orange County Teachers Association, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Omicron Omega Chapter, the Apopka Chamber of Commerce, the Apopka Historical Society, and the Apopka Senior Citizen Center. She lived to be 100 years old.