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Senator Taylor, staff accept million pound challenge
Senator Lena C. Taylor
4th Senate District Democrat
International President Supports Weight-Loss Initiative
International President Barbara A. McKinzie, Program Chair Loann King, Roland Martin
urges Weight Loss and Lifestyle Change for Health's Sake. International President Barbara A. McKinzie with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Program Chair Loann King, flank Roland Martin while pledging their support of the Million Pound Challenge. Martin is executive editor of the Chicago Defender and the visionary behind the Million Pound Challenge. AKA Urges Members--and all African-American Women--to Lose Weight and Change Lifestyle for Health's Sake. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority has recently partnered with the "Chicago Defender" in support of the Million Pound Challenge (MPC), a 12-month health and fitness initiative that challenges African Americans in the Chicago area to collectively lose one million pounds. Participants are encouraged to lose weight and increase physical fitness through the development of healthy diets and productive exercise habits.
Senator Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee), a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, stated that she was excited to participate in the Million Pound Challenge (MPC). Taylor also noted that her staff would be joining her in the effort.
"My staff and I are taking a stand against obesity and its affects," said Taylor, "I hope many in the Milwaukee area will join us in supporting and participating in this cause."
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority members are expected to meet the Million Pound Challenge halfway mark by June 2007 and to complete the challenge by their Centennial Celebration in 2008, according to Loann Honesty King, the Alpha Kappa Alpha program chairman. Senator Taylor was confident that AKA would be able to achieve its goal.
"AKA always dedicates themselves to a cause. If we all do our part, we should not have trouble getting to our goal," said Taylor, "Alpha Kappa Alpha’s involvement with the program is expected to help expand the MPC to a national level. Information about the MPC will be distributed to the sorority’s 900 chapters, located throughout the country, in an effort to increase program participation.
Involvement in the MPC demonstrates Alpha Kappa Alpha’s commitment to fighting the increasing levels of obesity in the United States.
