Examples of badges with opals, early 1900s

Examples of badges with emeralds, early 1900s

Examples of badges with rubies, early 1900s

Yellow gold ring with badge attached to black rectangular stone

White gold filigree ring

White gold filigree ring with rectangular amethyst-colored plastic stone and raised coat of arms

Silver ring with flat black stone and Greek letters

Silver ring with raised, overlapping Greek letters

Katherine McReynolds Morrison Badge, 1887

This 1/2-inch badge belonged to Katherine McReynolds Morrison, a member of Alpha (DePauw University) chapter initiated in 1887. The badge is 10-karat gold and features 26 turquoise stones.

Current Badge - 1917 Design, c. 2018

This badge is an example of one design available to members today. Based on a 1917 design, the badge is a stylized lyre and features three pearls. Several other design options are also available.

Zella Marshall Badge, 1891

This 3/4-inch badge belonged to Zella Marshall, a member of the Alpha (DePauw University) chapter initiated in 1891. The badge is 10-karat gold and features three red stones - likely garnets or rubies - and 24 pearls.

Bertha Deniston Cunningham Badge, 1885

The only original badge known to still be in existence, this badge belonged to Founder Bertha Deniston Cunningham (Alpha, DePauw University) and was created in 1885. The 3/4-inch badge features 28 pearls and seven garnets. Unlike many later badges, which feature twisted lyre strings, the strings on this badge are flat. Each new chapter is presented a replica of this badge for the chapter president to wear during her term. The president's badge is then passed from president to president.

Elizabeth Stine Casper Badge and Gamma Chapter Guard, 1890

This 3/4-inch badge belonged to Elizabeth Stine Casper, a charter member of the Gamma (Northwestern University) chapter initiated in 1890. The badge is 14-karat gold and features three pearls and 22 green glass stones. The badge also features a green glass and pearl stick pin with a Gamma chapter guard.

Alpha Chi Omega Coat of Arms Felt Patch

Ethel Hunt Davis Badge, 1911

This 1/2-inch badge belonged to Ethel Hunt Davis, a member of the Alpha (DePauw University) chapter initiated in 1911. The badge is 14-karat gold and features 24 diamonds.

22 Pearl White Gold c.1980s

This badge features 22 pearls and a diamond set in white gold.

Joyce Kelly Dyro-Dobrick Badge, 1952

This badge belonged to Joyce Kelly Dyro-Dobrick, a member of the Alpha Mu (Indiana University) chapter initiated in 1952. The badge is gold and features 22 pearls.

Gladys Drach Power Badge with Hera Head Guard, 1915

This 2/3-inch badge belonged to National President Gladys Drach Power (Nu, University of Colorado Boulder). The badge is 10-karat gold and features 11 diamonds and 11 pearls set in an alternating pattern. The badge also features a Hera head guard, worn by members of the National Council, that Powers would have been given in 1937 when she joined the National Council as Fraternity treasurer.

New Member Pin with Ribbon, 1900

This small diamond-shaped pin is an example of the pins that served as the first official pledge pin of the Fraternity. Scarlet and olive ribbons are attached to the pin in a nod to the earlier practice of pledging new members with ribbons. How did New Member pins come about? In the early days of the fraternity it was customary to pledge Greek novitiates with ribbons. By 1900, a small diamond shaped pin, enameled half in scarlet and half in olive green, bearing in the center an inlaid golden lyre, was accepted. Currently, the new member pin is the same design except that it is a stick pin.

National President Badge with Hera Head

The National President’s badge is known as the Centennial Badge, a replica of the first lyre badge with a crown set with diamonds. It is worn by the National President during her term of office. Attached to the badge is the Hera Head pin, the Past National Council Service Award presented by the National Fraternity to members who have completed a term of service on the National Council. The pin is a small reproduction in gold of the head of Hera, our patron goddess.

Alpha 1910 Badge

This 10k yellow gold badge belonged to Allene Nopper Henry (Alpha, DePauw University), initiated in 1910. It was once loaned to the National Housing Corporation board chair to be worn during her term.