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About UsMore than 3,000 women have served as Cherry Blossom Princesses since 1948 and today this network of women leaders across the United States and world includes executives and entrepreneurs in many fields including government, business, media, education, and the arts.
On May 22, 1963, the Pi Alpha Kappa (PAK) Sorority was founded as the membership organization for Cherry Blossom Princesses past, present, and future. The Greek letters stand for Prigkippissa Anthous Kerasias or “Daughters of the Cherry Blossom.” This organization offers Cherry Blossom Princess Alumnae a way to share memories, connect with other women leaders, and give back to the community. Membership in PAK is automatic for all past Cherry Blossom Princesses and Queen and brings with it a lifetime of activities, opportunities, and memories. |
Here is what some of the 2018 Cherry Blossom Princesses had to say about the program:
Eating sushi at the residence of the Japanese Ambassador, dancing in the ballroom of the Russian Embassy and meeting amazingly strong and successful women from across the country and world are all memories I will cherish forever. Going into this week, I had no idea I would come out of it feeling as empowered and encouraged as I do now. From professional networking to reading to first graders, I am so incredibly grateful for this week as a Cherry Blossom Princess. This truly was a professional and cultural development program that makes strong women stronger by celebrating our accomplishments and character. I am so proud to be Virginia’s 2018 Cherry Blossom Princess and advocate for this incredible program. Margaret O’Meara, Virginia, 2018 US Queen
Cherry Blossom Princess week has been one of the most special weeks of my life. I also met some truly incredible women in my princess class and at the events. We got VIP treatment to places I would never imagine visiting, like the Japanese Ambassador’s Residence and met with Members of Congress on personal level. We also spent a day giving back to the community by visiting schools and reading to children, which I really appreciated. I am so proud to be a Texan and I’m grateful to the Texas State Society for sponsoring me this week. I’ve made so many new friends and can’t wait to visit them all soon. Shreya Banerjee, Texas
When first presented with the opportunity of being a Cherry Blossom Princess I was hesitant. The title, the wardrobe restrictions, the lack of notoriety (information from previous participants) turned me off from the program. However, upon seeing the opportunities I would be faced with I changed my mind. I decided the program would provide me with unbelievable networking possibilities and would be a wonderful learning opportunity. With one day left in the program I am pleased to say I know I made the right decision. I have met so many strong women through this experience and attained so much valuable and applicable advice and I cannot recommend this program enough. You do not need to be a future politician, lawyer or lobbyist to reap the benefits of this program. As an artist interested in the business side of the industry, I know that all young women can profit from this experience. Kaitlin Barker, Louisiana
The Cherry Blossom Princess Program has been the most rewarding, humbling and empowering experience. This program is much more than being a princess for a week, it is developing leadership skills, learning how to serve as a diplomat, how to conduct proper networking, learning about other cultures and much more. I recommend this program to everyone. Sophie Czerniecki, New Jersey
I am not the kind of girl who feels comfortable in a dress and heels. Yet, this week, I met amazing young women very different from myself who continually prove to me that even a “simple small town girl” belonged in D.C. What blew my mind was knowing that every woman here was accomplished and ambitious. We have allies in each other rather than competition. Abeeha Shamshad, Ohio
Eating sushi at the residence of the Japanese Ambassador, dancing in the ballroom of the Russian Embassy and meeting amazingly strong and successful women from across the country and world are all memories I will cherish forever. Going into this week, I had no idea I would come out of it feeling as empowered and encouraged as I do now. From professional networking to reading to first graders, I am so incredibly grateful for this week as a Cherry Blossom Princess. This truly was a professional and cultural development program that makes strong women stronger by celebrating our accomplishments and character. I am so proud to be Virginia’s 2018 Cherry Blossom Princess and advocate for this incredible program. Margaret O’Meara, Virginia, 2018 US Queen
Cherry Blossom Princess week has been one of the most special weeks of my life. I also met some truly incredible women in my princess class and at the events. We got VIP treatment to places I would never imagine visiting, like the Japanese Ambassador’s Residence and met with Members of Congress on personal level. We also spent a day giving back to the community by visiting schools and reading to children, which I really appreciated. I am so proud to be a Texan and I’m grateful to the Texas State Society for sponsoring me this week. I’ve made so many new friends and can’t wait to visit them all soon. Shreya Banerjee, Texas
When first presented with the opportunity of being a Cherry Blossom Princess I was hesitant. The title, the wardrobe restrictions, the lack of notoriety (information from previous participants) turned me off from the program. However, upon seeing the opportunities I would be faced with I changed my mind. I decided the program would provide me with unbelievable networking possibilities and would be a wonderful learning opportunity. With one day left in the program I am pleased to say I know I made the right decision. I have met so many strong women through this experience and attained so much valuable and applicable advice and I cannot recommend this program enough. You do not need to be a future politician, lawyer or lobbyist to reap the benefits of this program. As an artist interested in the business side of the industry, I know that all young women can profit from this experience. Kaitlin Barker, Louisiana
The Cherry Blossom Princess Program has been the most rewarding, humbling and empowering experience. This program is much more than being a princess for a week, it is developing leadership skills, learning how to serve as a diplomat, how to conduct proper networking, learning about other cultures and much more. I recommend this program to everyone. Sophie Czerniecki, New Jersey
I am not the kind of girl who feels comfortable in a dress and heels. Yet, this week, I met amazing young women very different from myself who continually prove to me that even a “simple small town girl” belonged in D.C. What blew my mind was knowing that every woman here was accomplished and ambitious. We have allies in each other rather than competition. Abeeha Shamshad, Ohio
Who We Are |
Over 3,000 women have participated in the program. Our alumnae include women who run companies, are leaders in the arts and sciences, doctors, military leaders and other highly success full women in other areas.
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Giving Back |
Over the years, the sorority has been an active and important part of the National Conference of
State Societies (NCSS), the National Cherry Blossom Festival©, and greater Washington, DC community. In 2014, the Pi Alpha Kappa Sorority of Cherry Blossom Princess Alumnae and the NCSS proudly launched the Youth Emerging Successfully (Y.E.S.) Program to provide young women “aging out” of the foster care system in the metro DC area with the support and skills to excel in their future academic and professional pursuits. In 2016, PAK debuted a new program providing grants to both current Cherry Blossom Princesses and alumnae pursuing professional opportunities and excellence worldwide. |