Marie Woolfolk Taylor

        Marie Woolfolk was born in Atlanta, Georgia and attended Stoors 
School.  After attending Atlanta University for one semester, she entered 
the preparatory department of Howard University in 1901.
        Marie participated actively in the planning and organization of Alpha
Kappa Alpha.  She was present at the inaugural meeting, January 15, 1908, and,
along with Ethel Hedgeman, was delegated to present the plans for the 
establishment of the sorority to university officials.  These two young women
submitted copies of the proposed constitution to the president of Howard 
University, Wilbur P Thirkield, and to the deans, Lewis Moore and Kelly 
Miller.  Ms. Woolfolk was the spokesman and made her presentation so well, 
that the constitution was approved and Alpha Kappa Alpha was recognized by 
the university administration as an official campus organization.  At a 
follow-up meeting on February 21, officers were elected and Marie Woolfolk 
became the first secretary of Alpha Kappa Alpha.
        She was chosen to approach members of the sophomore class who had 
shown an interest in joining the sorority and who had been selected for 
membership by Beulah Burke.  The new members were added without initiation.
        Marie was a tall, slim, clear-eyed young woman, remembered as being 
stylish and elegant.  In addition to her activities for Alpha Kappa Alpha, 
she was a lyric soprano in the Howard University Chorus and an active 
performer with the dramatics club.
        In 1908, she graduated magna cum laude, with honors in Latin and 
history although she was an English major.  She then attended the Schauffler 
Training School for Social Service in Cleveland, Ohio, where she was the only 
Black person enrolled.  At Schauffler, she majored in religion.  She then 
returned to Atlanta to accept a position as community assistant to the pastor
of the First Congregational Church under the leadership of Dr. Henry Procter.
She wrote of her work at this time in a letter to Dean Miller at Howard 
University:

        "I enjoy my work.  Every day brings some good results.  I have charge
        of United Missions this fall.  It means more work, a great deal of 
        writing and lots of begging to keep the children in working order I 
        have just organized a club for girls among a very rough set of 
        children.  I teach them physical culture and sewing ... I find they 
        are lovely to work with, always glad to see me and welcome me into 
        their homes." 

        She held her position at the church for seven years, during which 
time she assisted the probation officer of the city of Atlanta with 
delinquent girls.  Ms. Woolfolk also taught night school for four years.  
Then she became head of the Inspection Department of the Standard Life 
Insurance Company for another four years.
        In 1917, she was one of two Blacks who worked with the Red Cross 
following the great Atlanta fire.
        In 1919, she married Dr. Alfred G. Taylor of Atlanta.  Their daughter,
Mrs. Alfred Marie Taylor Anderson, is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha.  
Mrs. Taylor helped to organize Kappa Omega Chapter, Atlanta in 1923 and was 
the first basileus of the chapter.  She was an inspiration to all who came to 
know her.
        Throughout her life, Mrs. Taylor was very active in the civic and 
social activities of Atlanta.  She served as a member of the board of 
directors of the Carrie Steele Pitts foster home, and she chaired the Finance
Committee of the YWCA.  She was also a member of the board of the Community 
Planning Council and for many years was closely associated with the Atlanta 
chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.  
She organized numerous Community Chests (predecessor to The United Way) 
campaigns and an important anti-tuberculosis drive.  She continued as an 
active member of the First Congregational Church.
        Marie Woolfolk Taylor died on November 9, 1960 and is buried in 
Atlanta, Georgia.