by emily floyd (theta upsilon, university of south carolina), events manager
The year is 1968. Billi Jean King has just defeated home favorite, Margaret Court, in the Australian Open for her 13th Grand Slam singles title. Elvis Presley receives a gold record for the album, How Great Thou Art. The BBC broadcasts the news in color on television for the first time. And Alpha Chi Omegas are traveling in to Dallas, Texas, for the 38th National Convention.
More than 500 sisters joined together at the Dallas Marriott Motor Hotel for four days of sisterhood, legislation, education and fun. The opening business session was held Friday morning, but not without some surprises beforehand! The convention photo was taken ahead of the business meeting, with the photographer attempting to capture all attendees from a helicopter. “A sudden tail wind took him sailing after just one shot!” reported The Lyre. From the air, attendees resembled a map of Texas, but sisters agreed that future convention photos would be taken from the ground only.
Throughout the weekend, sisters celebrated their contributions to their chapter and local communities. “…As we are caught up in the tremendous educational, social and world changes, it becomes imperative for us to hold fast to the basic strengths that are good. It is also imperative for us to be flexible, willing to discard superficialities and traditions that are harmful,” Jessie Payne (Upsilon, Millikin University), then-NPC delegate, told the group in her speech “What’s Past is Prologue.”
Now blink, and it’s 1994. The FIFA World Cup starts in the United States. Amazon is founded. Friends airs. And Alpha Chi Omega is back in Dallas for the 50th National Convention. This year’s theme, “Starring Today & Tomorrow,” brought more than 780 sisters back to the great state of Texas.
The 1994 convention recognized Alpha Chi Omega’s newest altruism – domestic violence awareness. Sisters were asked to bring a donation to The Family Place, a local Dallas agency supporting survivors of domestic violence. Contributions from sisters filled an entire moving van! PACE – Promote Alpha Chi Everyday – was also introduced for the first time at this convention, a program that is still enjoyed today.
The weekend included legislative votes through the National Chapter Meeting, celebrating 50- and 75-year milestones and award-winning alumnae, and connecting with sisters from all over the country. After the official end of convention, sisters who opted to stay in town for an extra day could choose from tours of the Neiman Marcus building, the Dallas Museum of Art, the Sixth Floor Kennedy Memorial and a visit to the West End Market Place.
Now, 32 years later, we’ll reconvene in Dallas for our 2026 National Convention. We can’t wait to step in with sisters and with Alpha Chi Omega to seek the heights together! We look forward to recognizing the successes of sisters, enjoying reunions of friends not seen in years, and celebrating 141 years of Alpha Chi Omega.