Celebrating Sisterhood: The Enduring Legacy Of Alpha Omicron Pi Founders' Day

Shanel Auer 11 Jul 2025

Happy Founders’ Day, Sisters! Each year, January 2nd marks a profoundly special occasion for members of Alpha Omicron Pi (AOII) worldwide. It's a day when the vibrant spirit of sisterhood, established over a century ago, is rekindled and celebrated with immense pride. As we approach January 2, 2025, Alpha Omicron Pi will proudly celebrate 128 years of sisterhood, a testament to the enduring vision and dedication of its pioneering founders.

Founders' Day is more than just an anniversary; it's a moment to pause, reflect, and honor the incredible women who laid the groundwork for what has become a cherished lifelong bond for thousands. It’s a day to recognize the values that have guided AOII through generations and to look forward to the future, ensuring the legacy continues to thrive.

The Genesis of a Sisterhood: How AOII Began

A Historic Day at Barnard College

The story of Alpha Omicron Pi begins on a cold winter's day, January 2, 1897, in the bustling heart of New York City. It was at Barnard College of Columbia University, a significant institution at the time as Columbia University’s only undergraduate college to accept women, that this remarkable journey commenced. The founding moment itself was deeply personal and rooted in genuine connection. While the formal establishment took place at the home of Helen St. Clair Mullan, the four visionary founders had already pledged one another in the historic Columbia Law Library, solidifying their commitment to a shared future.

This setting underscores the pioneering spirit of these young women. In an era when opportunities for women in higher education were still evolving, they recognized the need for a supportive community, a place where friendship and ambition could flourish. Their foresight led to the creation of a fraternity that would empower women and foster meaningful relationships.

The Visionary Founders

Alpha Omicron Pi was brought to life by four extraordinary women, whose names are etched into the heart of the sorority: Stella George Stern Perry, Jessie Wallace Hughan, Helen St. Clair Mullan, and Elizabeth Heywood Wyman. Often affectionately referred to as Stella, Jessie, Helen, and Bess, these four Barnard students stood together, rooted deeply in friendship and love, to establish an organization that would transcend their immediate college years.

Their collective vision was to create a sisterhood built on strong ideals, providing a supportive environment for women to develop and thrive. Their commitment was immediate and profound. Within just one week of AOII's founding, these four founders used their initiation ritual for the first time to welcome their very first new member, Anne Richardson Hall, signifying the rapid growth and appeal of their newly formed fraternity.

The Enduring Ideals of Alpha Omicron Pi

More Than Just a Sorority

From its inception, Alpha Omicron Pi was designed to be more than just a social club. The founders instilled a deep set of values that continue to define the organization today. The ideals of sincerity, service, and friendship form the bedrock of AOII, guiding its members in their personal and communal lives. These principles are not merely words but a living philosophy that encourages members to act with integrity, contribute positively to their communities, and forge authentic, lasting bonds.

The founders sought to develop lifelong connections and inspire ambition at a time when women were just beginning to assert their place in society and professional spheres. They understood the power of collective support and the importance of fostering an environment where women could achieve their fullest potential. This commitment to personal growth and mutual encouragement remains a cornerstone of the AOII experience.

Upholding a Rich Legacy

Every day, Alpha Omicron Pi members strive to uphold the values passed down by Stella, Jessie, Helen, and Bess. Founders' Day serves as an annual reminder of this ongoing commitment. It's a day to honor the legacy of all the women who came before us – those who built, nurtured, and sustained the sisterhood through the decades. It's also a celebration of those who will carry the sisterhood forward, ensuring that the ideals of AOII continue to inspire future generations of women.

The fraternity's history is rich with stories of women who have embodied these ideals, making significant contributions in various fields while maintaining their connection to AOII. Early members like Madeleine Zabriskie Doty, among countless others, played crucial roles in shaping the nascent organization and expanding its reach, demonstrating the immediate impact of the founders' vision.

Celebrating Founders' Day: Traditions and Tributes

The Official Date and Its Nuances

While Alpha Omicron Pi was unequivocally founded on January 2, 1897, celebrating this date can sometimes be problematic for members due to the proximity of the New Year's holidays. Historically, there have been discussions and adjustments regarding the official observance. For a period, the Founders’ Day celebration would sometimes begin on December 8th, in honor of Founder Stella George Stern Perry’s birthday. However, the AOII Executive Board later voted unanimously to change the official observance back to January 2nd, reinforcing the original founding date as the primary day of celebration.

This decision underscores the importance of the actual founding date and ensures that the focus remains squarely on the birth of the fraternity and the collective efforts of all four founders.

How Chapters Celebrate

Each chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi is expected to celebrate Founders’ Day, adapting traditions to fit their local context while upholding the core spirit of the occasion. These celebrations are diverse, ranging from formal gatherings to intimate sisterhood events. Common ways chapters honor the day include:

Founders' Day Tea and Brunch: Many chapters host special teas or brunches, often inviting recent alumnae to join in the festivities. These events provide a wonderful opportunity for sisters of all ages to connect, share stories, and reinforce their bonds.
Presentations and Reflections: Chapters often organize presentations celebrating and honoring their founders. These can involve sharing historical facts, reading excerpts from founding documents, or reflecting on how the founders' ideals are still relevant today. International President Crystal Combs, for instance, recorded a special Founders' Day message in honor of AOII's Founders' Day on January 2, 2021, a tradition that continues to connect sisters globally.
Honoring the Legacy: The focus is always on honoring the women who came before and celebrating the enduring sisterhood. This involves acknowledging the achievements of the fraternity and its members throughout its history.

These gatherings, whether large or small, serve as powerful reminders of the shared history and the continuous journey of Alpha Omicron Pi.

Milestones of Sisterhood: A Century and Beyond

Marking Significant Anniversaries

The journey of Alpha Omicron Pi is marked by significant milestones, each Founders' Day adding another year to its storied history. On January 2, 2022, Alpha Omicron Pi officially celebrated 125 years of AOII sisterhood, a momentous occasion known as its quasquicentennial. This celebration highlighted the fraternity's resilience and growth, affirming that "through it all, our Fraternity has remained" strong and true to its founding principles.

The years continue to accumulate, each marking the enduring strength of the sisterhood:

January 2, 2023: 126 years of AOII sisterhood.
January 2, 2024: 127 years of AOII sisterhood.
January 2, 2025: 128 years of AOII sisterhood.

These anniversaries are not just numbers; they represent countless lives touched, friendships forged, and communities impacted by the ideals of Alpha Omicron Pi. They stand as a testament to the foresight of four young women who dared to create something lasting and meaningful.

As we gather to celebrate the founding of Alpha Omicron Pi, we have the opportunity to reflect on our Founders and how they inspired ambition. During a time when women were just beginning to carve out their spaces in higher education and professional life, the founders of AOII provided a sanctuary of support and encouragement. Their legacy continues to empower women to pursue their dreams, uphold their values, and build strong, sincere connections that last a lifetime.

Happy Founders’ Day, Sisters! May the spirit of Stella, Jessie, Helen, and Bess continue to inspire us all.

Final Summary:

Alpha Omicron Pi Founders' Day, celebrated annually on January 2nd, commemorates the establishment of the sorority on January 2, 1897, at Barnard College of Columbia University. Founded by Stella George Stern Perry, Jessie Wallace Hughan, Helen St. Clair Mullan, and Elizabeth Heywood Wyman, AOII was created to foster lifelong sisterhood based on ideals of sincerity, service, and friendship. Despite initial challenges with the holiday season, the official observance was reaffirmed for January 2nd. Chapters worldwide celebrate this day through various traditions like teas, presentations, and brunches, honoring the visionary founders and reflecting on the enduring legacy of a sisterhood that has thrived for over a century, consistently inspiring ambition and upholding its core values.

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