Alpha Chi Omega was founded on October 15, 1885, at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. Professor James Hamilton Howe, Dean of the Music School, invited seven young women from the school to attend a meeting for the purpose of forming a society. The seven young women chosen to attend this first meeting were Anna Allen, Olive Burnett, Bertha Deniston, Amy DuBois, Nellie Gamble, Bessie Grooms and Estelle Leonard. They wanted to form an organization that would provide both close companionship and support to its members. One week after their initial founding, Alpha Chi Omega's Founders and their first new members made their presence known. Although founded within the school of music, Alpha Chi Omega is now open to all undergraduate female students meeting our National Membership Criteria.

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Alpha Chi Omega was founded as a women's fraternal organization. It was established to provide a basis of mutual helpfulness and of congenial fellowship. The purpose of Alpha Chi Omega was to provide the advancement of the intellectual, social and moral culture of its members. Today, Alpha Chi Omega membership exceeds 180,000 initiated members with over 140 active collegiate chapters and 180 alumnae chapters.​

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