The National Cherry Blossom Festival annually commemorates the 1912 gift to the city of Washington of 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo. The gift was designed to enhance the growing friendship between the United States and Japan and celebrate the continued close relationship between the two peoples. Today more than 700,000 people visit Washington each year to admire the blossoming cherry trees that herald the beginning of spring in the nation's capital and celebrate the close and special Japanese-United States friendship.

Since 1948, state societies have selected accomplished young women to share their state’s rich culture, traditions, and history with national and international visitors and dignitaries at the annual Cherry Blossom Festival and abroad. These young women ambassadors are called “Cherry Blossom Princesses.” The Cherry Blossom Princesses participate in educational, leadership, and cultural activities as they serve their nation and respective state. Today more than 2,500 young women have participated in the NCSS Cherry Blossom Princess Program and it remains a great gateway for cultural exchange and friendship.

On May 22, 1963 a new chapter in the Cherry Blossom Princess Program began with the founding of the Pi Alpha Kappa Sorority or Prigkippissa Anthous Kerasias, “Daughters of the Cherry Blossom.” Pi Alpha Kappa Sorority was to be a permanent organization comprised of National Cherry Blossom Princesses, past, present, and future, regardless of race, religion, or creed. For many years the sorority was very active and an important part of the lives of Cherry Blossom Princesses and the National Cherry Blossom Festival. However approximately five years ago, the Pi Alpha Kappa Sorority entered a deep slumber.

Today thanks to the efforts of a small cadre of volunteers Pi Alpha Kappa Sorority has awoken and is once again providing Past Cherry Blossom Princesses with an avenue to share memories, make new friendships, and give back to the community. While membership in ΠAK is not automatic, the lifetime membership fee is but a small price for a lifetime of activities, memories, and opportunities.