Alpha Chi Omega
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Motto | "Together let us seek the heights." |
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| Colors | Scarlet Red and Olive Green |
| Symbol | Golden Lyre |
| Flower | Red Carnation |
| Founded | October 15, 1885 at DePauw University, (Greencastle, Indiana) |
| Type | Social |
| Scope | International |
| Headquarters | 5939 Castle Creek Parkway North Dr. Indianapolis, Indiana, USA |
| Chapters | 135 |
| Philanthropy | Victims of Domestic Violence |
| Homepage | http://www.alphachiomega.org/ |
Alpha Chi Omega (ΑΧΩ, also known as A-Chi-O) is a women's fraternity founded on October 15, 1885. Currently, there are over 130 chapters of Alpha Chi Omega at colleges and universities across the United States and Canada. Alpha Chi Omega's official symbol is the lyre, and it's official jewel is the pearl.
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[edit] History
Alpha Chi Omega was formed at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. Professor James Hamilton Howe, Dean of the Music School, invited seven young women from the school to attend a meeting for the purpose of forming a society. Those young women were Anna Allen, Olive Burnett, Bertha Deniston, Amy DuBois, Nellie Gamble, Bessie Grooms, and Estelle Leonard. Alpha Chi Omega’s Founders chose "Alpha" (Α), the first letter of the Greek alphabet, because they were forming the first fraternity in the school of music. Since they thought they might also be founding the last such fraternity, "Omega" (Ω) seemed appropriate. "Kai", meaning "and" was added to form the beginning and the end. "Kai" was soon changed to "Chi" (Χ), a letter of the Greek alphabet. The first house included 27 women, and has become much larger throughout the years. Alpha Chi Omega no longer has any musical connections, but the legacy and talent of it's founders remains in its symbol and symphony.
The open motto is "Together let us seek the heights."
Alpha Chi Omega's colors of scarlet red and olive green were chosen to commemorate the fraternity's fall founding. The symbol is a lyre and the official flower is a red carnation, exemplifying the Fraternity's colors.
The Lyre of Alpha Chi Omega was chosen by the founders after much research, and designed by James G. Campbell (an undergraduate member of Beta Theta Pi men's fraternity, who acted as librarian for DePauw's School of Music). The Lyre, a replica of a three stringed harp, was decided on because it stayed true to their musical interest, as music unites the souls of many. According to Greek mythology the first instrument played by the gods on Mt. Olympus was a lyre. The original badge was purchased by Founder Bertha Deniston and is in the Fraternity archives at Headquarters.
The coat of arms includes a square shield, a crest, and a scroll. The shield is red, with a bar of olive green. The first section of the shield displays a book in gold; at the base is a sheaf of wheat, also in gold. The bar has three white stars. The crest, a lyre bird, is in its natural color. The scroll at the bottom bears the Greek translation of the open motto, “Together let us seek the heights.”
There are over 130 chapters of Alpha Chi Omega at colleges and universities in the United States. There are also many very active alumnae chapters. The alumnae chapters allow women of all post-graduate ages to come together and continue the mission and values of Alpha Chi Omega. In addition, alumnae chapters continue the cause of working to eliminate domestic violence. Alpha Chi Omega collegiate chapters work directly with alumnae chapters to link women by way of formation of a very personalized mentorship program.
[edit] Mission Statement
Alpha Chi Omega is a national women's organization that enriches the lives of members through lifetime opportunities for friendship, leadership, learning, and service.
[edit] Standards for membership
Alpha Chi Omega prides itself on maintaining five standards:
- academic interest
- character
- financial responsibility
- leadership ability
- personal development
[edit] Important dates
Members of Alpha Chi Omega have enjoyed the same heritage and traditions for nearly 121 years. Some of these special dates celebrated by Alpha Chi Omega include:
Founders' Day - Sisters gather on October 15th of each year to recognize the fraternity’s fall founding at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. On Founders' Day, members wear their badges, along with scarlet and olive green ribbons.
Hera Day - On March 1st of each year, members recognize the fraternity's commitment to helping others by conducting service projects and offering assistance to others.
MacDowell Month - Each year, during the month of February, Alpha Chi Omega women celebrate the fine arts and their fine art heritage.
Chapter Founders' Days - Each collegiate chapter recognizes its founding anniversary annually.
The National Convention - Members join together every two years to conduct fraternity business, reunite with fellow Alpha Chis, and celebrate Alpha Chi Omega.
[edit] The Symphony of Alpha Chi Omega
"My Symphony"
To see beauty even in the common things of life.
To shed the light of love and friendship round me.
To keep my life in tune with the world that I shall make no discords in the harmony of life.
To strike on the lyre of the universe only the notes of happiness, of joy, of peace.
To appreciate every little service rendered.
To see and appreciate all that is noble in another,
Be her badge what it may.
And to let my lyre send forth the chords of love, unselfishness, sincerity.
This is to be my symphony.
-Celia McClure, 1914
[edit] Philanthropy
Alpha Chi Omega's original philanthropy was Easter Seals.
Alpha Chi Omega's current national philanthropy is the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation, which supports Victims of Domestic Violence. Alpha Chi Omega voted to change primary philanthropies during the 1980's after the National Board became aware of the prevalence of domestic violence, with very little remedy offered to victims, both financially and emotionally. Alpha Chi Omega was the first American women's fraternity to tackle the problems of domestic violence head-on, not just by assisting victims, but by embracing and educating its members against it. Alpha Chi Omega continues its support of Easter Seals.
Individual chapters focus their attention on increasing the awareness of domestic violence, the destruction it causes to individuals, families, and children, as well as actively aiding victims of domestic violence through hands-on activities and service projects. This work is done through local agencies, which undergraduate and alumni chapters support physically and financially. Local agencies include rape crisis centers, emergency shelters and safe houses for victims of domestic violence and their children, and long-term assistance centers for battered women across the nation.
Alpha Chi Omega's #1 altruism is the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation, which financially supports the following associations: Easter Seals, MacDowell Colony, and Kristin's Story.
[edit] Notable alumnae
For a full list of notable Alpha Chi Omega alumnae please visit here. [1]
- Eleanor Coppola (Alpha Psi) - Emmy award winning documentarian[1]
- Deidre Downs (Zeta Lambda) - 2005 Miss America winner[1]
- Carol DuVall (Beta Epsilon) - host of the Carol DuVall Show[1]
- Georgie Anne Geyer (Gamma) - journalist[1]
- Jenilee Harrison (Epsilon) — actress, (Dallas, Three's Company)[1]
- Laura Innes (Gamma) - actress, (ER)[1]
- Jane Jayroe (Gamma Tau) — Miss America, 1967; civic leader in Oklahoma[1]
- Meredith Monroe (Upsilon) - actress, (Dawson's Creek)[1]
- Agnes Nixon (Gamma) - 4 time Daytime Emmy winning TV writer and producer[1]
- Aubrey O'Day (Epsilon Psi) - singer, (MTV's Making The Band 3)[2]
- Condoleezza Rice (Gamma Delta) - U.S. Secretary of State[1]
- Gail Sheehy (Alpha Iota) - author[1]
- Trista Rehn Sutter (Alpha Mu) - participant in The Bachelorette[1]
- Victoria Toensing (Alpha Mu) - former deputy assistant Attorney General in the Justice Department[1]
- Sherron Watkins (Alpha Phi) - Enron whistleblower[1]
- Dawn Wells (Rho) - actress, (Gilligan's Island)[1]
[edit] References
[edit] See also
- Xi Kappa Chi, former Zeta Mu chapter at Dartmouth College.
