AXΩ Heritage

Our Founders

Anna Allen Smith 1870-1933
Always interested in music from earliest childhood, she was the youngest student to do advanced work at the School of Music at DePauw graduating when she was nineteen. She was a brilliant accompanist, an accomplished performer and a successful teacher in the School of Music for 10 years.

Olive Burnett Clark 1867-1956
Olive attended Indiana Asbury University and taught for two years while carrying on her studies. To quote her, “I have found no greater happiness in my life than in Alpha Chi Omega. All I have ventured to give toward the upbuilding and uplifting of our fraternity has been from the depths of my heart, and has been repaid in thousand-fold by my girls. I believe fraternity life to be a vital influence for good. I believe fraternity spirit to be the Spirit of Youth, Love, and an understanding of all things beautiful and sacred in life. This much has Alpha Chi Omega given to me; it has taught me my Faith in God, Faith in all Mankind, and Faith in my Girls everywhere.”


Bertha Deniston Cunningham 1869-1950
Bertha was musically talented and her parents thought it best that she continue her studies in the School of Music at DePauw. She had to play for Dean Howe to determine how advanced she was. She soon grew to be the envy of all the music students because of her remarkable ability to compose. Hers is the only one of the five original badges that is in existence today. It is on display at Alpha Chi Omega Headquarters. She was an accomplished performer and a successful teacher in the School of Music for 10 years.

Amy Dubois Reith 1868-1915
Amy was only 15 when she entered DePauw University. She studied both voice and piano. She was selected to sing important roles several times but all the honor and attention did not spoil her. She had a quiet and straightforward manner which endeared her to all. Her influence endured long after she left to teach music in Kansas.

Nellie Gamble Childe 1867-1960
Nellie studied piano from an early age and after much deliberation chose DePauw University. She was known for her gentle voice and manner, but was described as having a quiet influence for good. She reflected on Alpha Chi Omega as having a small beginning, but loyal girls with high standards who have achieved marvelous results.

Bessie Grooms Keenan 1866-1920
Bessie was one of three Greencastle girls among the founders. She was a small child when she began her study of music and was an accomplished pianist by the time she entered DePauw. Her daughter, Hannah, eventually became the Director of the Central Office for Alpha Chi Omega to see her mother’s dream continue.

Estelle Leonard 1860-1955
Estelle entered DePauw with the ambition of learning music as a means of livelihood. Most of her time was spent practicing or studying. She served as Dean Howe’s secretary for two years. She graduated in 1891 and taught in colleges in the area. Some of her compositions were published. She returned to Indianapolis to live out the remainder of her life, and always maintained her unbounded enthusiasm for Alpha Chi Omega.

Emblems & Traditions

Our Colors
Alpha Chi Omega’s colors of scarlet and olive green were chosen to commemorate the Fraternity’s autumn founding in Greencastle, Indiana.

Our Flower
Alpha Chi Omega’s flower is the red carnation, exemplifying the Fraternity’s colors.

 

Our Open Motto
Alpha Chi Omega’s open motto is: “Together let us seek the heights.”

Our Badge
 A Greek lyre of gold, having three twisted strings spanned diagonally by a raised and slightly rounded scroll of black enamel bearing the Greek letter Alpha Chi Omega in gold.

 

Our Stick Pin
The stick pin, which can be worn with the lyre badge, is diamond-shaped with the top half enameled in scarlet and the bottom in olive green. It features a lyre across its face.

 

Our Coat of Arms
The coat of arms includes a square shield, a crest, and a scroll. The shield is scarlet, cut by a bar of olive green. The first section of the shield displays an open 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 our open motto, “Together let us seek the heights.”

The Symphony of Alpha Chi Omega
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.
By Celia McClure

Alpha Chi Omega Traditions
Members of Alpha Chi Omega have enjoyed the heritage and traditions shared in our sisterhood for nearly 119 years. Some of these special traditions include:

Founders’ Day – Sisters gather on October 15 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 1 of each year, members recognize the Fraternity’s commitment to helping others by conducting service projects and offering assistance to others.

Chapter Founders’ Days – Each collegiate chapter recognizes its founding anniversary annually.

National Convention – Members join together every two years to conduct Fraternity business, reunite with fellow Alpha Chis and celebrate Alpha Chi Omega.

State Days and Province Gatherings – Many states and provinces hold events to unite sisters within a specific geographic area.