CHI OMEGA | ETA KAPPA
THEN & NOW
National History
It all began on April 5, 1895, at the University of Arkansas when four young women, with the help of a local dentist, established the secrets and symbolism that today bind over 300,000 women. This small band of women founded Chi Omega after realizing a need for an organization that would foster both friendship and respect for the potential and inherent value of women. Over the years, Chi Omega has provided its members with unique opportunities in leadership, scholarship, and lifelong friendship - striving to provide each sister with a commitment to personal integrity, excellence in academic and intellectual pursuits, intergenerational participation, community service, leadership opportunities and social enrichment.
Eta Kappa History
In February of 1978, our chapter was founded as Sigma Chi Omega sorority by Anita Benschop, Julie Boxell, Marty Dixon, Trudy Hellman, Tina Gouty, and Karen McCoy. On February 3, 1979, our chapter was officially installed as the Eta Kappa Chapter of Chi Omega. By then, the chapter had grown to 27 pledges and 6 advisors. The ladies of the Eta Kappa Chapter moved into what is now the original part of our house in August 1979. An addition was built onto the chapter house in 1981 and the house now contains 24 bedrooms.
SYMBOLS
CHI OMEGA'S SYMPHONY
Mascot: Owl
Colors: Cardinal and Straw
Flower: White Carnation
Symbol: Skull and Crossbones
Jewel: Pearl, Diamond
Motto: Hellenic Culture and Christian Ideals
OUR SIX PURPOSES
Friendship
Personal Integrity
Service to Others
Academic Excellence and Intellectual Pursuits
Community and Campus Involvement
Personal and Career Development
To live constantly above snobbery of word or deed;
to place scholarship before social obligations and character before appearances;
to be, in the best sense, democratic rather than 'exclusive', and lovable rather than 'popular';
to work earnestly, to speak kindly, to act sincerely, to choose thoughtfully that course which occasion and conscience demand;
to be womanly always; to be discouraged never;
in a word, to be loyal under any and all circumstances to my Fraternity and her highest teachings and to have her welfare ever at heart that she may be a symphony of high purpose and helpfulness in which there is no discordant note.
~Ethel Switzer Howard, Xi Chapter
1904