The Pauline Redmond Coggs Foundation (PRCF) was established in 1999 by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Epsilon Kappa Omega Chapter, for charitable, educational and community services. It is the philanthropic vehicle that supports on-going educational programs and community agencies that align with programs and community initiatives focused on HBCUs, women’s wellness, economic empowerment, the arts, and global impact. Committed to service, PRCF has empowered over 1,000 young women through scholarships and leadership development via the Debutante Cotillion. Honoring Pauline Redmond Coggs’ legacy, the foundation continues to advance education and community service in Milwaukee.

 

The Foundation understands that education is a means of improving the quality of life and opportunities for African-American women. Young women, who are currently 11th and 12th graders, are selected as debutantes who participate in community service, leadership presentations, team building and trainings in addition to fundraising. Debutantes receive a monetary award based on their fundraising efforts and successful completion of the program. Following the cotillion, the debutante scholarships are distributed in the spring-summer months. To date, more than 1000 young women have participated.

 

On November 30th, 2024 the 50th Annual Debutante Cotillion was held at the newly renovated Baird Center. Twelve young women who hail from Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) and surrounding school districts were presented. Within the past two years, the Pauline Redmond Coggs Foundation has contributed to the areas of education, the Black family, the arts, economic empowerment, health, and social justice. Its combined contributions to the community and Cotillion scholarships reached nearly $70,000. 

 

About Pauline Redmond Coggs

Pauline Redmond Coggs, a noted community activist and retired professor of Social Work at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, passed on July 17, 2005 after serving as a charter member of the local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Coggs had an extensive background in education, sociology and politics. Her commitment to service was unmatched. In 1999, in honor of her work and service the chapter formed the Pauline Redmond Coggs Foundation.

 

About Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Epsilon Kappa Omega Chapter

The Epsilon Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated was chartered on May 11, 1949. Since its inception, the chapter has made significant impact in the Milwaukee community including promoting the arts, reading, math and science, literacy and proficiency through award-winning programs designed for students beginning in pre-school and continuing through high school, conducting workshops for parents and college preparatory testing workshops for high school students, and encouraging economic development among youth by sponsoring an annual Youth Entrepreneurial Fair.

 

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