Alpha Omicron Pi

Alpha Omicron Pi is an

international women's fraternity

founded on January 2, 1897,

at Barnard College at Columbia

University in New York City.

The founding sisters were Stella

George Stern Perry, Elizabeth

Heywood Wyman, Jessie Wallace

Hughan, and Helen St. Clair Mullan.

In 1939, Stella George Stern Perry spoke these words as she

explained the reasons for the founding of this fraternity:

"We formed AOII to continue the friendships we made in college throughout our lifetimes. We wanted a fraternity that should carry on the delightful fellowships and cooperation of college days into the workaday years ahead and to do so magnanimously. Above all, we wanted a high and active special purpose to justify existence and a simple devotion to some worthy end.”

Today, AOII has more than 170 chartered collegiate chapters and over 230 chartered alumnae chapters. Over 100,000 women, collegiate and alumnae, represent a full range of diverse backgrounds and interests.

University of Maryland is home to the Pi Delta Chapter.

-University of Maryland’s Pi Delta Chapter was founded on October 25, 1924.

-We are the oldest sorority at UMD.

-Betty Swank was our first Pi Delta president.

-Our local name before we became a charter was Lamda Tau. The charter was actually signed by Bryd and Adele Stamp.

-In order to purchase our chapter house, 30 parents of 30 sisters put up $1000 each in bonds. Our house is considered historical and can not be knocked down.

-Our local philanthropy is Epilepsy.

-Pi Delta has three awards for new members:

1. Ruby A: highest GPA during new member period

2. Silent Rose: most unrecognized for her actions

3. Most Outstanding Pledge

Pi Delta's History: