History.
AOII was founded on January 2, 1987 at Barnard College, Columbia University.
Our Mission Statement
Alpha Omicron Pi is an international women's fraternity promoting friendship for a lifetime, inspiring academic excellence and lifelong learning, and developing leadership skills through service to the fraternity and community.
Initiated Membership
Over 100,000 women have joined Alpha Omicron Pi throughout the United States and Canada.
Chapters
AOII has over 170 chartered collegiate chapters and over 220 chartered alumnae chapters throughout the United States and Canada.
FoundersAlpha Omicron Pi began as a dream by four 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." The founders were Jessie Wallace Hughan, Helen St. Clair Mullan, Stella George Stern Perry and Elizabeth Heywood Wyman.
The ColorAlpha Omicron Pi has only one color, cardinal. It is the color of the Fraternity flower, the ruby and the ribbon sometimes worn under the badge to welcome a new collegiate chapter.
The RoseThe Nineteenth Century French rose, General Jacqueminot, a deep red rose, was chosen as the flower of Alpha Omicron Pi because its color is the symbol of the central and essential virtue of the Fraternity. Its choice had no connection with any legend, poem or story. This strong red rose, with its overtones of courage and vigor, was selected for its richness of color and fragrance, combines with softness and modesty of bearing. The Jacqueminot Rose is not available at most florists, so any deep red rose which is available may be used.
The WheatThe wheat indicates usefulness in its harvest. The binding together of the wheat into a sheaf gave Alpha Omicron Pi the new member pin, the name for the magazine, and the rings for the president and international president.
The PandaWhile not an official symbol, the Fraternity and our chapters consider the Panda to be its mascot.
