Alpha Omicron Pi was founded on January 2, 1897 at Barnard College of Columbia University in New York City.  Our four founders were truly amazing women: Jessie Wallace Hughan, Helen St. Clair Mullan, Stella George Stern Perry, and Elizabeth Heywood Wyman.

The object of the Fraternity shall be to encourage a spirit of Fraternity and love among its members; to stand at all times for character, dignity, scholarship, and college loyalty; to strive for and support the best interest of the colleges and universities in which chapters are installed, and in no way to disregard, injure, or sacrifice those interests for the sake of prestige or advancement of the Fraternity or any of its chapters.

AOII Symbols:

The Badge:

The badge of Alpha Omicron Pi is composed of the three initial letters of the three words of the Motto, superimposed one upon the next in order, which gives the Fraternity its name.  Badges may be worn by initiated members only. Lending or giving the badge to any person not a member of the Fraternity is prohibited.  If it is worn with another pin, it is to be placed above it and to the right.

The Color: 

Alpha 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 Jewel:

Alpha Omicron Pi has only one jewel, the ruby.  The occasional use of pearls or diamonds in special badges has no significance or special meaning.   At Nu Beta each year the Outstanding New Member is presented with a Ruby “A” Badge.

The Name of Magazine:

TO DRAGMA, the Greek, is translated as "the sheaf." The name was selected for three reasons: because it is a reminder of the common interest which unites all AOIIs; because it is a record of accomplishment, or harvest; and because it fittingly describes the purpose of such a publication, the uniting of members through communication.

The New Member Pin:

The binding together of wheat into a sheaf in the new member pin represents individuals bound by the common bond of Alpha Omicron Pi.

The Rose:

The 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.

The Wheat:

The 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 Panda:

While not an official symbol, the Fraternity and our chapters consider the Panda to be its mascot.

AOII Traditions:

Founders' Day

December 8, or a date as near to it as is practical, is Founders' Day.  Although Alpha Omicron Pi was founded on January 2, 1897, this date usually falls during school holidays.  December 8 was chosen because it was Stella George Stern Perry's birthday.

Convention Banquet Song

At the close of the Rose Banquet at Convention, it is a custom to sing the Epsilon Chapter Song.  It may be sung once as a solo, or by a group, and then the entire Convention sings it together while standing hand-in-hand.

Candlelighting

Many chapters established this tradition of passing a lit candle around a circle of members to excitedly announce an important occasion such as an engagement or pinning.  Nu Beta chapter celebrates many candlelightings each school year.