Founded on January 2, 1897, Alpha Omicron Pi began as a dream by 4 young college women to continue their friendship throughout life. One of AO∏’s founders, Stella George Stern Perry, wrote in 1936, “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.”

Stella’s wish for AO∏ then, remains AO∏’s wish for her members today: “May you have the joy in it all, dear children, that we (founders) have had all the way! May you love one another as happily always as we four have done in a life-long fellowship without a break! And may your descendants in Alpha Omicron Pi bring to you the glory that you yourselves are to us today!”