Alpha Chi Omega was founded on October 15, 1885, at DePauw University in Green-castle, Indiana. At a time when women were just beginning to occupy seats in college classrooms, seven female students were encouraged by the Dean of DePauw's School of Music to form a women's society within the school grounds.
Inspired by this idea, our founders formed the sixth women's fraternity in the country, and the first to be in a school of music. Our founders, confident that we would be the last of our kind, chose Alpha and Omega--the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet--to form the name of our sisterhood, adding "Kai" (meaning "and") in the middle, which was later changed to Chi.
Dedicated to advancing the intellectual, social, and moral culture of its' members, our founders' vision has grown to include the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation and the National Housing Corporation in our women's fraternity. Together, they serve more than 200,000 members in over 130 collegiate chapters and 200 alumnae chapters nationwide.
Symbols
Brand Tagline: Real Strong Women
Open Motto: "Together let us seek the heights"
Patron Goddess: Hera, guardian of women
Philanthropy: Domestic Violence Awareness
Badge: Gold and Peal Grecian lyre
Colors: Scarlet red and olive green
Flower: Red carnation
Open Motto: "Together let us seek the heights"
Patron Goddess: Hera, guardian of women
Philanthropy: Domestic Violence Awareness
Badge: Gold and Peal Grecian lyre
Colors: Scarlet red and olive green
Flower: Red carnation
Traditions
Founders Day-October 15
Founders Day is a celebration of the start of our fraternal organization. Traditionally, collegians and alumnae honor our founders and sisterhood with acts of service, sisterhood, and leadership by coming together and celebrating the heritage and lifelong bonding sisterhood of Alpha Chi Omega.
Hera Day- March 1
On this day, the sisters of Alpha Chi Omega dedicate ourselves to aid the happiness and well-being of others to honor our patron goddess Hera. Our remembrances and philanthropic endeavors include volunteering and fundraising for domestic violence awareness and women's shelters in our communities.
MacDowell Month-February
This month honors our Founders heritage as musicians and was named in honor of the MacDowell artists colony in New Hampshire (Alpha Chi Omega's first philanthropic project.) During MacDowell month, our members are encouraged to become patrons of the arts, attend exhibitions, concerts, and other events that encourage musical development in our community.
Founders Day is a celebration of the start of our fraternal organization. Traditionally, collegians and alumnae honor our founders and sisterhood with acts of service, sisterhood, and leadership by coming together and celebrating the heritage and lifelong bonding sisterhood of Alpha Chi Omega.
Hera Day- March 1
On this day, the sisters of Alpha Chi Omega dedicate ourselves to aid the happiness and well-being of others to honor our patron goddess Hera. Our remembrances and philanthropic endeavors include volunteering and fundraising for domestic violence awareness and women's shelters in our communities.
MacDowell Month-February
This month honors our Founders heritage as musicians and was named in honor of the MacDowell artists colony in New Hampshire (Alpha Chi Omega's first philanthropic project.) During MacDowell month, our members are encouraged to become patrons of the arts, attend exhibitions, concerts, and other events that encourage musical development in our community.