Our History 

      Chi Omega has a rich history dating back to its founding at the University of Arkansas on April 5, 1895.  Born in the decade following the Civil War, Chi Omega’s four women founders grew to adulthood as a rapidly expanding economy fostered industrialization and urbanization.  They were instilled with the spirit of America, with values of independence, pioneering, innovation and adventure.

      The Fraternity’s five founders, Jobelle Holcombe, Jean Vincenheller, Ina May Boles, Allie Simonds, and Dr. Charles Richardson, wrote the Chi Omega Constitution and Ritual. Dr. Richardson designed and crafted the first badge out of dental gold. 

     In the early 1900s, social service was regarded as a collegiate activity of the highest importance and Chi Omegas gave countless hours of time, unbounded energy, and hard-earned monies to their local communities.   In 1909, the Chi Omega Symphony was written in by Ethel Switzer Howard, a pledge of Xi Chapter at Northwestern University. She wrote the poem in preparation for her initiation and felt that the words exemplified goals to which Chi Omegas aspired.  Ethel Switzer Howard's Symphony has since become every Chi Omega's creed.

     Chi Omega was founded with the intent of becoming a national organization and it expanded naturally and easily into every part of the country. Whenever a new chapter was installed, members in other chapters wore the colors beneath their pins and sent letters of welcome and congratulations.

     Over the last century, Chi Omega has grown to an organization with over 300,000 initiates from over 170 collegiate chapters.

   Our Six Purposes 

     Since 1895, six purposes have guided the direction of every chapter.  As Chi Omegas, we find that our Ritual and the Six Purposes serve as a guide in our pursuit of happiness and a balanced life.  Today, they are still valid as these intelligently interpreted purposes help to preserve and enhance the best values of American culture.  Those six purposes are...

♦Friendship♦

     A primary purpose of Chi Omega is the friendship shared by its members. This includes the friendship Chi Omegas share with one another, with other Greek letter societies and with university officials on campus.

♦High Standards of Personnel♦

     To be a Chi Omega is an honor and a privilege. Although its members are diverse, all Chi Omegas share a commitment to its purposes and the ideals of Chi Omega's Sisterhood.

♦Sincere Learning and Creditable Scholarship♦

     A college education is essential for a young woman in today's world. Chi Omega requires its members and chapters to earn above average scholarship. To achieve this, the values of time management and self-discipline must be emphasized.

♦Participation in Campus Activities♦

     Chi Omega's membership program establishes a framework of leadership and guidance through which a young woman may utilize her talents toward personal growth. An important aspect of a woman's collegiate experience is involvement in quality activities in addition to membership in Chi Omega.

♦Career Development♦

     When Chi Omega's founders developed the Fraternity's six purposes, they never knew that these purposes would have an even greater impact and appropriateness today than they did in 1895. Career development for women was almost unheard of at the time of Chi Omega's founding; however, our founders anticipated its future importance.

♦Community Service♦

     Chi Omega chose the Make-A-Wish Foundation as their national philanthropy. Chi Omega has always supported its chapters giving their time and talents to their community.