The Founding of Chi Chi
The Chi Chi Alumnae Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega originally came to life as an Alumnae Club in 1915. Chi Chi was officially chartered October 18, 1929, and installed by National President Ethel Meade Van Auken. There were thirty active members. The instillation ceremony took place at the William Penn Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh.
1915As a result of the action of the National Council in 1913 recommending the establishment of alumnae clubs in small cities or college towns, twenty-two alumnae clubs were established during the three years of 1914, 1915, and 1916. Six or more alumnae were then necessary for the formation of an alumnae club and the dues and duties were made lighter than for alumnae chapters.
Pittsburgh Alumnae Club, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Through the energy of Katherine Stanford Hair, Alpha, the Pittsburgh Alumnae Club was organized in November 1915, with the following charter members; Flora Goldsworthy Streamer, Nu; Lillian Nelson, Delta; Mary Patterson, Delta; Ruth Nebinger, Delta; Mildred Eiler, Zeta; Myrtle Porter Faas, Delta; Julia Jones, Delta; Caroline Parsons Boyd, Delta; Virginia Porter Nesbit, Delta; Mabel Leffingwell Walraven, Delta; Marjorie Fowler Fitzhugh, Delta; Francis Riethmiller, Delta; and Alice Faunce Bigham, Zeta. During the years that the group has existed as a club regular meetings have been held, either at the homes of members or at a hotel, and Alpha Chis living in the many suburbs of Pittsburgh have found in the club a center of fraternity life. Because of the scattered membership the main propose of the club has been social. In 1919-1920 meetings were held on the second Saturday of each month at the homes of members. Alpha Chis aided in the organization of the Panhellenic Association which was formed in Pittsburgh in the spring of 1916, and Mrs. Hair, Alpha, served as its first recording secretary. From The History of Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity, 1885-1921 by Florence A Armstrong |
1929The Pittsburgh alumnae club, organized in 1915 became Chi Chi chapter on October 18, 1929. Ethel Mead Van Auken, Lambda, national president, presided at the instillation, using for the first time the ceremony written by Helen Cheyney Bailey.
As a club it aided in the establishment of a city Panhellenic association, of which it is still an active member. At fist monthly meetings were held in the homes of members or at central downtown places, but in 1937 the chapter was organized into four groups based on geographical locations. Group meetings alternate with general monthly meetings. Altruistic work has always been a part of the chapter program, such as dressing dolls, making scrapbooks, and giving donations to the Children's Hospital. Scholarships have been awarded to high school girls, and money raised for the home bombed British children. The group maintains no direct contact with any chapter, but helps active girls whenever possible. The chapter assisted in the installation of Beta Mu in 1932. From The History of Alpha Chi Omega, 1885-1948 by Elizabeth Rhodes Dalgliesh |
PresentToday, Chi Chi has evolved to an active chapter that serves 1000 sisters in the Pittsburgh area. Our sisters are of all ages and from a variety of chapters. We enjoy spending time together at our monthly happy hours, volunteering together, and coming together to support our local collegiate chapters, Delta and Kappa Nu.
Each year, we have several recurring events, such as our Founder's Day dinner on October 15, our Holiday Party/Ornament Exchange, and a spring tea for sisters. We also host a trip to volunteer at the Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh once in the fall and once in the spring. We also collect needed items and donate them to the shelter, and several of our sisters are advisors for the shelter. In addition to our annual events and our altruistic activities, we also host several other events, such as kayaking on the rivers near Pittsburgh, a Pittsburgh Pirates game, and a pottery painting night! |