The object of the Fraternity shall be to encourage a
spirit of Fraternity and love among its members; to stand at all times
for character, dignity, scholarship, and college loyalty; to strive for
and support the best interest of the colleges and universities in which
chapters are installed, and in no way to disregard, injure, or sacrifice
those interests for the sake of prestige or advancement of the
Fraternity or any of its chapters.
Our Founders & Heritage
Elizabeth Heywood Wyman,
Helen St. Clair Mullan, Jessie Wallace Hughan, and Stella George Stern
Perry founded Alpha Omicron Pi on January 2, 1897 at Barnard College of
Columbia University. They were in the class of 1898 - friendly,
adventurous, frank and merry, and enthusiastically devoted to each other
and to the class of '98.
Determined to make a democratic, unostentatious society,
the four women, Stella George Stern, Helen St. Clair, Elizabeth Heywood, and
Jessie Wallace climbed a little winding stair into the stackroom of the old
Columbia Library. This little room was rarely used and stored Anglo-Saxon
tomes and ancient vellum manuscripts. While the four sat in a deep window
seat, pigeons outside and snow lightly falling, they pledged one another at
the beginning of the year 1897.
Barnard College welcomed the new fraternity and it was
not long before the first chapter, Alpha, was flourishing. The fraternity
became national with the installation of Pi Chapter at Sophie Newcomb
Memorial College, New Orleans, on September 8, 1898.
Over the next 100 years, AOII has added to the ranks 180
collegiate chapters and initiated over 126,000 members. Omicron Chapter (U
of Tennessee), chartered on April 14, 1902 as our 4th chapter is the oldest
active chapter.
AOII has thrived and continued to grow throughout the
changing 20th century. Despite several wars, the Great Depression, the
women’s suffrage movement and the social unrest of the 1960’s, AOII has
continued to hold true to its ideals. Founder Stella Perry once wrote, “that
which makes our bond is promise certain of success. Let us follow our ensign
devotedly, utterly and bravely. For our purpose cannot fail.”
Elizabeth Heywood Wyman, Jessie Wallace Hughan, Helen St. Clair Mullan, Stella George Stern Perry
AOII Symbols
Our Badge
The badge of Alpha Omicron Pi is composed of the three initial letters of the three words of the Motto, superimposed one upon the next in order, which gives the Fraternity its name. Badges may be worn by initiated members only. Lending or giving the badge to any person not a member of the Fraternity is prohibited.
Our Flower
The Jacquesminot Rose This strong
red rose, with its overtones of courage and vigor, was selected for its
richness of color and fragrance, combines with softness and modesty of
bearing.
Our Color & Jewel: Cardinal red and the ruby
AOII Tradition
American College Dictionary defines traditions as "the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends and customs from generation to generation."
These are a few of the Fraternity's traditions: the Essential Tradition, Greek Heritage, Ruby "A" Badge, Draping the Badge, Wearing a Read Ribbon, Founders' Day, Convention Banquet, and Candlelighting.
For more information on Alpha Omicron Pi International Women's Fraternity, please visit our headquarters homepage: Alpha Omicron Pi: Home
