Alpha Pi Omega Sorority, Inc. (ΑΠΩ) is the oldest historically Indigenous national sorority in the United States.[1][2] It is the largest Indigenous Greek letter organization,[3] with 24 chartered chapters across nine states and the District of Columbia.[4]
History
Alpha Pi Omega Sorority was founded on Sept. 1, 1994, at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill by four Native women.[1][5] The founders, now known to as the Four Winds, are Shannon Brayboy (Lumbee), Jamie Goins (Lumbee), Amy Locklear (Lumbee and Coharie), and Christie Strickland (Lumbee).[3][5] Before forming the group, they sought and received the approval of elder women from the various tribes of North Carolina.[5]
The sorority's founding principles are traditionalism, spirituality, education, and contemporary issues.[1] Its first pledge class was called the Fifteen Warrior Women.[5] The sorority was incorporated with the State of North Carolina in 1995 and expanded to additional campuses.[6]
With more than 130 tribes represented by its members, the sorority has more than 900 sisters nationwide. Nationally, the sorority is governed by a thirteen-member board known as the Grand Keepers of the Circle. Grand Keepers are elected to two-year terms and meet bi-monthly.
Symbols
The sorority's colors are fire red, new grass green, and maize yellow.[6] Its mascot is the Queen Bee, while its jewel is the amethyst.[6] Its tree is the cedar and its flower is the dogwood.[6] The Alpha Pi Omega motto is "My Sister As Myself".[7]
Activities
Alpha Pi Omega preserves Native American traditions by celebrating and practicing cultural and spiritual heritage, such as hosting stickball games.[6][8] At the same time, it supports a network for college students and professionals in modern society.[5] The sorority's annual national convention is called the Grand Gathering.[9]
Its permanent national philanthropy is the National Indian Education Association, as of 2010.[6][7] Individual chapters also participate in local fundraising events such as Walk a Mile in Her Shoes or Remember the 10 Run.[9][8] The Washington State University chapter held sexual assault awareness classes and LGBTQ+ ally training, while the Oregon State University chapter held a fundraiser for the Humane Society.[10][8]
Membership
Interested women may join at the undergraduate or post-undergraduate level. Collegiate women must have completed at least one full-time academic term, have a 2.8 GPA or higher, and have no previous affiliation with any social sorority.[6] Women interested in joining a professional chapter must have completed a bachelor's degree or higher and have no previous affiliation with any social sorority.
Chapters
Chapters are chartered at the sorority's annual Grand Gathering.[10]
Undergraduate chapters
APO starts potential chapters or colonies as expansion chapters or honey pots.[10] After a year, the expansion chapter becomes a provisional chapter.[10] Following is a list of Alpha Pi Omega collegiate chapters.[11][12] Active chapters are indicated in bold. Inactive chapters are shown in italic.
^Established as a provisional chapter March 30, 2018.
Graduate chapters
Graduate chapters are for women who have received their undergraduate degrees.[7] The sorority calls its colonies expansion chapters. Following is a list of graduate chapters.[11] Active chapters are indicated in bold. Inactive chapters are shown in italic.
