Alpha Pi Omega was established on Sept. 1, 1994, on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As the first historically American Indian sorority, Alpha Pi Omega was founded by four college women, known by the sorority as the Four Winds: Jamie Goins (Lumbee), Shannon Brayboy (Lumbee), Christina Strickland (Lumbee), and Amy Locklear (Lumbee/Coharie). In October of that same year, the Four Winds presented their idea of starting a sorority based on Native American traditions to elder women representing different Native tribes in North Carolina. With their blessings, the Four Winds continued on their mission of creating a strong sisterhood among Native college women.
In spring 1995, the Four Winds pledged the first class of sisters, known as the Fifteen Warrior Women at UNC-Chapel Hill. With the help of community advisor, Alicia Hardin, the Four Winds and the Fifteen Warrior Women established the Alpha Chapter. During this time, three UNC-Chapel Hill graduate students were initiated into the Alpha Pi Chapter, the first graduate chaper of the sorority. On Nov. 13, 1995, Alpha Pi Omega received its incorporation status from the Secretary of State of North Carolina.
In spring 1996, Alpha Pi Omega opened its arms to six new sisters, known as Victory Voices. Year after year, the Alpha Chapter grew.
Due to a great interest among Native women at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, the sorority chartered its second undergraduate chapter there in fall 1996. The Beta Chapter at UNCP, was founded by its initial pledge class, Victory Voices. In the following years, more women joined the circle of sisterhood at UNCP.
The Beta Pi Chapter, the sorority's second graduate chapter, was also chartered in fall 1996. Located in Pembroke, NC, the graduate chapter consists of women who have earned their undergraduate degree. The Beta Pi Chapter grew as sisters who pledged an undergraduate chapter graduated from college and relocated to Pembroke.
The Gamma Chapter at Oklahoma State University and the Gamma Pi Chapter in Columbus County, N.C. were chartered on May 29, 2004. The Delta Chapter at the University of New Mexico was chartered one year later, along with the Delta Pi Chapter in Payne County, Okla.
In 2001, the sorority began initiating sisters at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 2005, the sorority expanded again, this time to the University of Northern Colorado.
At Grand Gathering 2006, the Epsilon Chapter was chartered at Dartmouth College, along with the Zeta Chapter at the University of Arizona. The following year, the Eta Chapter at North Carolina State University and the Theta Chapter at Northeastern State University were chartered. In 2008, the sorority expanded to Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. and chartered the Iota Chapter at Arizona State University.
Two years later, the sorority expanded again, this time to Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kan., and Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N.C. In spring 2011, the sorority completed another round of westward expansion, initiating sisters at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, N.D., and the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kan.
At Grand Gathering 2013, the sorority chartered three new chapters: the Kappa Chapter at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Ore., the Epsilon Pi Chapter in Bernalillo County, N.M., and the Zeta Pi Chapter in the District of Columbia.
Alpha Pi Omega still grows...
Mission
The mission of Alpha Pi Omega Sorority, Inc. is to create a strong sisterhood that will serve as a support for college and professional women in today's society. The sisterhood shall support its members in their individual journeys towards a balanced life. The Alpha Pi Omega woman will always strive for greater scholarship, honesty, leadership, service, and personal integrity. The Sorority will work to preserve our Indigenous traditions, for through celebration and practice of our cultural and spiritual heritage, we become one with each other.
Four Fundamental Principles
We the sisters of Alpha Pi Omega, in order to bring to bear the vision of our founders, dedicate ourselves to four fundamental principles: respecting Indigenous traditions, supporting self-renewal through continuous education, honoring the Creator, and addressing critical issues facing our Native communities and society at large.
Motto
"My Sister As Myself"
In 2010, the sorority chose to support the National Indian Education Association as its permanent philanthropy.
- National Indian Education Association
- www.niea.org
- 110 Maryland Ave. NE
- Suite 104
- Washington, D.C. 20002
The National Indian Education Association is membership based organization committed to increasing educational opportunities and resources for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students while protecting our cultural and linguistic traditions.
Incorporated in 1970, NIEA is the largest and oldest Indian education organization in the nation and strives to keep Indian Country moving toward educational equity. Governed by a Board of Directors made up of 12 representatives, the NIEA has several committees that work to ensure native educators and students are represented in various educational institutions and forums throughout Indian Country and Washington, D.C.
The sisters of Alpha Pi Omega encourage you to support your favorite charity. Give back to your community!