128th Founders’ Day
Happy Founders’ Day, Sisters!
On January 2, 2025, Alpha Omicron Pi will proudly celebrate 128 years of sisterhood! Founded by Stella, Jessie, Helen, and Bess, AOII was created to foster lifelong friendships, while promoting scholarship, service, and personal growth. Today, we continue to honor their legacy by embracing the same values: shining our light, striving for virtue, practicing kindness and tolerance, and protecting what we hold dear. AOII is a bond that truly lasts forever.
Anniversaries are a time to celebrate, and we’re excited to do just that throughout January on our social media platforms. We invite you to join the fun—share your Founders’ Day memories, send well wishes to other chapters, and be part of the celebration. Don’t forget to tag your posts with #PartyLikeIts1897 so we can all enjoy the festivities together!
Please see below for more information on our history, planning a Founders’ Day event, and our 2025 Founders’ Day and Ruby Fund messages.
The History of AOII Founders’ Day
Through the years, AOII Founders’ Day has officially been celebrated on several different dates. After our Founders’ pledged themselves to one another on December 23, 1896 on the window seats above the old Columbia College Library, they gathered again to formally organized Alpha Omicron Pi at the home of Helen St. Clair Mullan on January 2, 1897. That was the date chosen by our Founders and stood as the official date for our first quarter century.
However, with so many colleges and universities not in session in early January, it became increasingly difficult to gather with sisters for celebrations. Therefore, at the 1921 AOII International Convention, Founders’ Day was officially changed to December 8, which is Founder Stella George Stern Perry’s birthday. The two dates, as well as them falling in two different years, often led to confusion. To rectify this confusion, the AOII Executive Board voted unanimously, in 2020, to amended the Standing Rules to return the official observance of AOII’s Founders’ Day back to January 2. Collegiate and alumnae chapters are invited to continue celebrating with events locally on a date most convenient for their members. However, the Fraternity will recognize January 2, 1897 as the official date of AOII’s founding.
Participation in Founders’ Day Events
Every AOII chapter is expected to participate in a Founders’ Day activity. There are countless ways to celebrate Founders’ Day, and this resource includes five sample events to provide inspiration, along with usable graphics for promotion, invitations, and programs. The goal is to celebrate AOII’s rich history and create a memorable celebration with sisters.
Promotion of the AOII Foundation’s Ruby Fund
Traditionally, Founders’ Day is the event set aside to promote the Ruby Fund. The fund was established in 1946 to assist an AOII Founder in dire need and is said to be the “heart” of AOII. Dollars have supported hundreds of sisters through the years, and thanks to generous donors, the fund continues today in support of members suffering from illness, natural disasters, job loss or other forms of need. Please promote the Ruby Fund during your Founders’ Day celebrations. How to Donate information is provided here.
2025 Founders' Day Message
Reading Of The 2025 Founders’ Day Message – coming soon!
2025 Ruby Fund Message
Reading Of The 2025 Ruby Fund Message – coming soon!
The AOII Executive Board voted unanimously to change the official observance of AOII Founders’ Day to January 2, rather than December 8, Founder Stella Perry’s birthday. The Fraternity will now celebrate Founders’ Day on our actual founding date of January 2.