Alpha Omicron Pi - Madison Alumnae Chapter

About Us

Founded on January 2, 1897, Alpha Omicron Pi began as a dream by 4 young college women to continue their friendship throughout life. One of AOII's founders, Stella George Stern Perry, wrote in 1936, "We wanted a fraternity that should carry on the delightful fellowships and cooperation of college days into the workaday years ahead and to do so magnanimously. Above all, we wanted a high and active special purpose to justify existence and a simple devotion to some worthy end." Stella's wish for AOII then, remains AOII's wish for her members today: "May you have the joy in it all, dear children, that we (founders) have had all the way! May you love one another as happily always as we four have done in a life-long fellowship without a break! And may your descendants in Alpha Omicron Pi bring to you the glory that you yourselves are to us today!" HISTORY:

1897 January 2, founding of AOII at Barnard College, Columbia U, NYC, Alpha Chapter;AOII Badge designed by Stella George Stern Perry 1898 AOII became National with founding of Pi Chapter, Sophie Newcomb College, Tulane U, New Orleans; First meeting of Grand Council 1903 First Pledge Pin designed 1904 First Alumnae Chapter chartered in New York, New York 1905 First To Dragma published by Editor Helen Hoy, Nu, New York U; AOII joined NPC as the 12th member, Helen St. Clair Mullan, delegate 1906 First Convention, New York City; First AOII Song Book published; Zeta Chapter whistle became national whistle; Pledge Ritual adopted; First National Philanthropy established: National Committee for the Abolition of Child Labor 1908 First AOII House, Sigma, U of California- Berkeley 1915

• JWH Cup first awarded, Kappa, Randolph - Macon Women's College

• AOII's first NPC Chairman elected, Laura Hurd, Upsilon, U of Washington (Lillian MacQuillan McCausland, Beta, was elected but died prior to taking office.)

• First National Founders? Day Celebration, held on December 8th

• First Central office established in Bloomfield, New Jersey

• National President's ring approved

• AOII became International with the founding of Beta Tau, U of Toronto, Canada;
• First Pledge Manual of Information published

• National philanthropy changed to Social Service Dept. of Frontier Nursing Service

• Letters AOII trademarked for use in jewelry

• McCausland Cup (scholarship) first awarded, Psi, U of Pennsylvania

• Founder Helen St. Clair Mullan dies

• Mothers Club pin approved

• AOII hires first Traveling Secretary, Nancy Moyer McCain, Rho, Northwestern University

• Ruby Fund established

• Wyman Award first awarded, Dorothy Kenyon, Nu, New York U

• Founder Elizabeth Heywood Wyman dies

• Founder Jessie Wallace Hughan dies

• Founder Stella George Stern Perry dies 1957
• AOII letters first approved for sweatshirts, blazers and lavalieres

• First Canadian Convention in Victoria, Vancouver, B.C.

• Perry Award first awarded to Mary Ann Phelp, Omicron Pi, U of Michigan

• First AOII scholarship awarded, Jeanine Hess Smith, Alpha Phi, Montana State U

• International Philanthropy changed to Arthritis Research;
• Mary Louise Roller, Alpha Pi, Florida State U serves as NPC Chairman

• Diamond Jubilee Scholarship Foundation established;
• AOII Fraternity was incorporated;
• Regions were established

• Professionalization Resolution passed by Council

• AOII Foundation was incorporated

• First Headquarters Building purchased in Nashville, Tennessee

• AOII Emporium opened

• AOII Headquarters and Conference Center dedicated in Brentwood, Tennessee

• BRIDGES: Total Chapter Program introduced;
• Pledges are now called New Members
• First AOII Fraternity website was launched

• AOII established a new International Network Structure

• First AOII Leadership Institute held in Nashville, Tennessee

• Centennial Celebration Convention, Marriott Marquis, New York City, NY

• To Dragma wins first place award in Overall Excellence from College Fraternity Editors Association

• AOII adopts Alcohol Free Resolution

• AOII wins first place in Banta Scholarship for Best Communications Program;
• New International Headquarters and Training Center under construction

• New International HQ on Virginia Way dedicated
• 1st Leadership Academy held
• AOII wins first place award for Web Site Design from College Fraternity Editors Association