Why We Celebrate Founders Day

Our Founders

Our sisterhood was founded on January 2, 1897 by four inspirational women at Barnard College. They wanted to create an organization, a sisterhood, where they could support each other and their values, and grow to be the best versions of themselves.

The values they based this sisterhood on, that we still hold closely to us today, are character and dignity, scholarship, and college loyalty.

55 years later, with these values in mind, the Kappa Kappa chapter was installed at Ball State University in 1952.

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"That which makes our bond is promise certain of success. Let us follow our ensign devotedly, utterly and bravely. For our purpose cannot fail."

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We celebrate the founding of our fraternity on February 11 and remember the impact of our four founders- Stella George Stern Perry, Helen St. Clair Mullan, Elizabeth Haywood Wyman, and Jessie Wallace Hughan.

One of the best parts of celebrating this is that our current members and past members come share in the same values that brought us all to Alpha Omicron Pi.

We may not have met all of our alumni or are best friends with each current sister but it is important to realize that Founders Day is a way for all of us to put aside differences and come together, celebrating and encouraging lifelong friendship.

Founders Day 2017

Stella George Stern Perry once said, "We cared so profoundly for one another that we unconsciously desired a society based upon original feeling... We felt that as love never faileth, a future on that foundation was assured."

I feel that this quote sums up our sorority perfectly. We have come to care for each and every one of our sisters and the becoming a member of AOII solidifies the idea of sharing the same feelings and core values with one another to ensure the success of all sisters and the fraternity.

Stella also once wrote, "That which makes our bond is promise certain of success. Let us follow our ensign devotedly, utterly and bravely. For our purpose cannot fail."

So let us remember these women and their goals and values for our sisterhood as we live our lives as proud members of Alpha Omicron Pi.