Alpha Chi Omega's History

Alpha Chi Omega was founded on October 15, 1885, at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana by seven real, strong women. These real, strong women were Anna Allen Smith, Olive Burnett Clark, Bertha Deniston Cunningham, Nellie Gamble Childe, Amy DuBois Reith, Estelle Leonard, and Bessie Grooms Keenan. These women were encouraged by the dean of the music school, Professor James Hamilton Howe, to create a women's society within the university. 

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Alpha Chi's history is built upon our founder's love for music. Our founders were apart of the DePauw School of Music. At the time, a member must be involved in some musical context to maintain membership. While that standard is no longer a requirement, music is still a prevalent part of our sorority and has shaped our organization through a representation of our symbols, our crest, and our ritual.

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Today, Alpha Chi serves more than 230,000 members across more than 140 collegiate chapters and over 200 alumnae chapters.