Alpha Omicron Pi

Alpha Omicron Pi's International Headquarters located in Brentwood, Tennessee

History

Alpha Omicron Pi was founded on January 2nd, 1897 at Barnard College of Columbia University by four very different but very strong women. The founders, Stella George Stern Perry, Helen St. Clair Mullan, Elizabeth Heywood Wyman and Jessie Wallace Hughan had a goal to create "an organization with no snobbery, no ostentation, no exclusiveness, no trivial limitations, nothing based on society in the narrow sense, nothing good excluded on financial, religious, or other grounds, but one with its members chosen for character." Since then, Alpha Omicron Pi has grown to over 177 chartered collegiate chapters and more than 323 chartered alumnae chapters in both the United States and Canada. Today it has over 123,000 members worldwide.
	Jacqueminot Rose The 19th 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.
	Sheaf of Wheat AOII's symbol, the sheaf of wheat represents the diversity of the sorority. Like each individual piece of wheat, each member is different but still tied together to share the common bond of sisterhood.
	Panda The panda, although it isn't the official symbol of AOII, is considered to be the mascot. The panda is known for its friendliness and has no natural born enemies.
	Ruby Alpha Omicron Pi has only one jewel, the ruby. The ruby is placed at the apex of the "A" on the member's badge. The use of pearls or diamonds in badges has no significance or special meaning.
	Rose Crest Alpha Omicron Pi is the only women's fraternity that does not use a crest. Crests are medieval and AOII is founded on Greek ideals. While many other groups use a crest, AOII displays the rose.
	Badge The badge consists of the letters "A, O, II" superimposed on one another. A ruby is placed at the apex of the "A."
	New Member Pin The binding together of the wheat into a sheaf in the New Member Pin represents individuals bound by a common bond of sisterhood.
	To Dragma To Dragma, which translates from Greek to mean "The Sheaf" is AOII's award winning magazine. It is distributed on a quarterly basis to all initiated and alumnae members.

Alpha Omicron Pi International • Alpha Omicron Pi Foundation • AOII Emporium