Heritage - Aoii - Georgia State University

The Founders of AOII had not met one another for the first time in 1894 when they entered Barnard College. During the next two years, the classmates became devoted friends and decided to perpetuate their friendship in the form of a new woman’s fraternity. On December 23, 1896, they pledged to each other a lasting bond. The Alpha Chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi was founded on January 2, 1897 at Barnard College at Columbia University in New York City. Helen, Stella, Bess, and Jessie hoped to create a Fraternity that would continue the friendships and bonds they made in college throughout their entire lives. The dream our founders had that day is the same dream AOII has for its members today. Founding sister, Stella Perry, once said, “May you have the joy in it all, dear children, that we 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!” Over the next 100 years, AOII has established 180 collegiate chapters and has over 126,000 initiated members.

Founders

Elizabeth Heywood Wyman

Bess was outstanding in education, social welfare, and as a writer. She was the 13th National President of AOII. Prior to that, she spent five years as AOII’s first Registrar and established the Central Office. She was always helping others. Her quiet, confident manner came from an inner strength. She gave AOII sympathetic understanding, kindness, gentleness and conscientious leadership.

Jessie Wallace Hughan

Jessie distinguished herself as a teacher and writer. She was a crusader for any cause she felt was just. She was a philanthropist and a dynamic leader. Jessie gave AOII depth and sincerity.

Helen St. Clair Mullan

A true scholar with a keen mind, destined to become a great lawyer, Helen was the organizational genius who gave AOII its Constitution and Bylaws. As AOII’s third National President, she installed many of the early chapters and promoted expansion. As the mother of two daughters, she was also prominent in New York education, serving on the Board of Education and as a Trustee of Barnard College. She was also a gifted musician.

Stella George Stern Perry

Stella was well-known for her literary talents. She was the first president of Alpha Chapter, the first National President of AOII and was elected Historian of AOII for life. Most of the information we have about the early history of the fraternity is due to Stella’s writings. Artistic, dramatic and idealistic, she gave AOII’s Ritual simplicity and tolerance. Her work was well done as AOII’s Ritual is unchanged since 1897.

Symbols


The AOii Badge	New Member Pin	Our Jewel

Our Color	Our Flower	Our Mascot

Gamma Sigma!

The Object of Alpha Omicron Pi

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 Values

We are inspired and committed to our founding principles and are guided by the following values:

• Trusting and respecting each other
• Building lifelong friendships
• Contributing time, talent and financial resources
• Promoting integrity
• Developing leaders
• Striving for excellence
• Encouraging innovation and creativity
• Using teamwork and collaboration
• Acting philanthropically
• Being a living example

The Gamma Sigma Chapter was established on October 6, 1956.