The Dorothy Daylie Houston Scholarship Fund of the AKArama Foundation was established in 1996 to aid the older, nontraditional student graduating from a community college in Chicago transferring to a four-year college or university
Dorothy was a native of Chicago where she attended and graduated from Shoop Elementary School and Frances Parker High School. Dorothy’s mother stressed the value of an education as a means to becoming self-sufficient. She attended Wilson Jr. College but interrupted her college education for marriage, the birth of her only child, Norman Embra Houston and work.
Dorothy’s career began with the Chicago Public Schools where she was employed for over fifteen years. In 1980 she joined the Chicago Police Department as a Patrol Officer and was later promoted to Evidence Technician. During her years with the Police Department, she continued to dream of completing college. Dorothy took classes at night and on week-ends to complete her degree. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Lewis University.
Her enthusiasm for life was exhibited through her concern and caring for others. A major part of her life was spent in projects and programs directed at serving the community. She was involved in a variety of volunteer activities with different organizations. Later, she was an active member of the Guardian Police Organization where she served as secretary both locally and nationally; the Illinois Police Association; St. Jude; and the Snow Gophers Ski Club. She was active with all of these organizations while completing her education. Dorothy became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. two years before her untimely death.