Lavinia Norman

        Lavinia Norman was born in Montgomery, West Virginia, the eighth of 
16 children.  She had fourteen sisters and one brother.  Her parents, Thomas 
Henry and Virginia Thomas Norman, desired an education for all of their 
children, and therefore Mr. Norman returned to school so that he would be 
able to help his children with their schoolwork.
        Ms. Norman attended grade school in Montgomery until the family moved
to Washington, D.C., after her father accepted a position with the post 
office.  Two of her sisters entered college, setting an example which she 
wanted to follow.  She entered the preparatory department of Howard University 
in 1901, prepared to study not only her assigned courses, but as many other 
subjects as her instructors would permit.  There were few women enrolled at 
Howard at that time, and she remembers that in her junior year, she and Ethel
Hedgeman were the only girls in her college class.
        She was very interested in the idea of a sorority and attended all 
the planning meetings preliminary to the formal organization.  With Margaret 
Flagg and Ethel Hedgeman, she developed the first constitution of Alpha Kappa
Alpha from a draft by Lucy Slowe.  In 1909, Lavinia Norman succeeded Ethel 
Hedgeman as president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority While in office, she 
presided over the second Ivy Day exercises and explained the aims and ideals 
of the sorority to those present.
        In 1909, Ms. Norman graduated cum laude from Howard University with a
B.A. in English and French.  She read the class history at the graduation 
ceremonies.  Her presentation has been described as interesting and well-spiced 
with humor and wit, and it was well received.
        Ms. Norman taught at the Douglass High School in Huntington, West 
Virginia from 1909 until 1950 when she retired.  At various times she taught 
grades four through eight, and Latin, French, English and dramatics in junior high schools.
Ms. Norman is especially proud of the dramatic presentations she produced for 
the school and the awards these presentations received for excellence.  She 
also supervised the publication of the Douglass High School newspaper.
        Ms. Norman dedicated over 40 years of her life to the students of 
Douglass High School.  She had several opportunities to leave Huntington and
teach in New York and elsewhere, but she preferred the freedom to innovate 
and design her own courses, which was the established practice at the Douglass
School.  She devoted all her spare time to extracurricular activities, and 
her retirement from the school meant the end of a legend an institution.
        While devoting herself to her students, Lavinia Norman did not forget
the importance of continuing her own education.  She enrolled in West Virginia
State College where she earned a second bachelor's degree in 1934, The love 
and respect for knowledge she learned from her parents remained with Ms. 
Norman all of her life.
        While living in Huntington, Ms. Norman was an active member of Beta 
Tau Omega Chapter.  She served in many capacities - secretary, speaker for 
Founders' Day observances, a member of the Entertainment Committee, director 
of chapter plays, and in other valuable ways.
        Upon her retirement in 1950, she returned to Washington, D.C. where 
she affiliated with Xi Omega Chapter.  For over thirty years she was a legendary, 
revered and cherished member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.  On December 
14, 1982, her 100th birthday was celebrated with a gala party.
        Lavinia Norman died in Washington, D.C. on January 22, 1983.  The 
following day, a memorial service was held in the Andrew Rankin Chapel of 
Howard University.