A life of service to others has led Centennial International President Barbara McKinzie, of the Sigma Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. to attend three Presidential inaugurations – the latest being the historic inauguration of the first African American President Barack Obama.

Dr. McKinzie, who was also recently invited to Washington, D.C. for the signing of President Obama's economic plan, will speak on Excellence and Service, during the 19th Annual International Regional Conference of the Sigma Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

The conference continues until tomorrow and the public is invited to attend their Pearls of Distinction Pink Ice Gala Pink Ice Ball, which takes place at the Fairmont Southampton tonight.

Having witnessed the Civil Right's Movement as a child, Dr. McKinzie explained: "The year I was born was the year of Brown vs Board of Education (when the US Supreme Court ruled it was illegal for schools to be segregated by race).

"My parents would have faced a lot more (discrimination) than myself, but they were very conscious of the idea of having an African American President. It was just an issue of when there was an opportunity."

History for many was made when the then-Sen. Obama won the Presidential election.

"The moment for me was on November 4 when it in fact it became real and it has manifested itself into a surreal journey the of humanity that comes once in a lifetime, maybe.

"I was at Presidents Clinton and Reagan's inaugurations, but neither was anything like President Obama, this belonged to the American people in particular and people of goodwill globally.

"This is what was different about this presidential inauguration.

"At a time when the Internet has connected the world, African Americans share the possibility for change.

"We have to wait and see how hope manifests in people who run the planet in civility and peace.

"In America we have been blessed with a civil and peace filled leader."

President Obama's call on the country for volunteerism and service was something that Dr. McKinzie welcomed.

"We (Alpha Kappa Alpha) certainly have been serving for 101 years," she said, "And we think we know the common good well enough for discourse to see what is purpose, what is mission, and how valuable the service is as we will support other people with ideas for needs and necessities serving the common good."

Dr. McKinzie, whom The New York Network Journal named one of the Top 25 Outstanding Business Women of 2002, was later invited to witness the signing of and to be on President Obama's Executive Order for the Economic Advisory Board.

"The economic Advisory Committee is a panel of experts for the long term," she explained, adding that it is chaired by former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker and deals with long term economic issues confronting the US.

She concluded: "We are here in Bermuda for the first time and it has been wonderful and lovely."

Tickets for the ball are $125 per person and are available by calling 337-5496 or any active member.