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Founders (left to right) Estelle Leonard (Alpha, DePauw University), Nellie Gamble Childe (Alpha, DePauw University) and Olive Burnett Clark (Alpha, DePauw University) pose with Ruth Orndorff Darragh (Gamma, Northwestern University) at DePauw University on Homecoming Day of the 1935 National Convention.
Lois Henderson McLachlan (Beta Zeta, Whitman College, center) poses with founders Estelle Leonard (Alpha, DePauw University, left) and Olive Burnett Clark (Alpha, DePauw University) in front of felt-ogram scenes of the founding that she made for the final banquet of the 1951 National Convention in Roanoke, Virginia.
Amy Dubois Rieth (Alpha, DePauw University) was only 15 when she entered DePauw. She studied both voice and pianoforte. She was known as “the little girl with the big voice,” and was selected to sing important roles in school productions. Amy had a quiet and straightforward manner, which belied her fondness for pulling pranks on her Fraternity sisters. Her influence on the Fraternity endured long after she left to teach music in Kansas.
Nellie Gamble Childe (Alpha, DePauw University) studied piano from an early age and, after much deliberation, chose DePauw. She was described variously by her sisters as being gentle, energetic, earnest and friendly, leading a life of “quiet influence for good.” Later in life, she cultivated roses and loved to garden. She said that Alpha Chi Omega had a small beginning, but was built by loyal women with high standards who have achieved “marvelous results.”
Olive Burnett Clark (Alpha, DePauw University) grew up in Greencastle, Indiana before eventually moving to Indianapolis, Indiana. She set the example for grace, civility and dignity that defined the Fraternity.
Founder Olive Burnett Clark (Alpha, DePauw University) poses by a chair as she tells the story of the founding of Alpha Chi Omega at the 1953 National Convention in Banff, Alberta, Canada.
Founders (left to right) Bertha Deniston Cunningham (Alpha, DePauw University), Estelle Leonard (Alpha, DePauw University), Nellie Gamble Childe (Alpha, DePauw University) and Olive Burnett Clark (Alpha, DePauw University) pose with a birthday cake to celebrate Alpha Chi Omega's 50th birthday at the Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. during the 1935 National Convention. Behind them are National Editor Ted Maltbie Collins (Rho, University of Washington) and National President Ethel Meade Van Auken (Lambda, Syracuse University).
Fraternity Executive Director Hannah Keenan (Alpha, DePauw University, center) receives the Good Neighbor Award from Chuckles Chapman and Founder Olive Burnett Clark (Alpha, DePauw University) at the Alpha Chi (Butler University) chapter house.
Olive Burnett Clark (Alpha, DePauw University) called “Ollie” by her friends, studied piano, violin, cello and double bass. She taught at DePauw for two years while carrying on her studies. In her junior year, she left school to take teaching positions in Anderson and Franklin, Indiana. “I have found no greater happiness in my life than in Alpha Chi Omega,” she said later in life. “All I have ventured to give toward the up-building and uplifting of our fraternity has been from the depths of my heart, and has been repaid in thousandfold by my girls.”
In a portion of a speech given at the 1952 Massachusetts State Day, Ann Burnett Clark speaks about her grandmother, Founder Olive Burnett Clark (Alpha, DePauw University).
For the 1935 Golden Jubilee National Convention, Founder Olive Burnett Clark wore a reproduction of a dress she had worn while a student at DePauw University. The dress features some original lace.
For the 1935 Golden Jubilee National Convention, Founder Bertha Denision Cunningham wore a reproduction of a dress she had worn while a stduent at DePauw University. The dress features some original lace.
Founder Bertha Deniston Cunningham compiled 12 scrapbooks that are part of Alpha Chi Omega's archives collection. This scrapbook includes information dating from the 1885 founding to 1927. It includes signatures of Founders and early members, photographs, event programs, newspaper clippings and many of Bertha's personal notes and reminiscences.
Founder Bertha Deniston Cunningham compiled 12 scrapbooks that are prat of Alpha Chi Omega's archives collection. This scrapbook includes notes and clippings about many early Alpha Chi Omega leaders, news of the growing Fraternity, reflections on MacDowell and items related to the 1935 Golden Jubilee.
Founder Bertha Deniston Cunningham compiled 12 scrapbooks that are part of Alpha Chi Omega's archives collection. This scrapbook includes many event programs, clippings about the Fraternity and individual members, news of chapter installations and national convention mementos.
Founder Olive Burnett Clark prepared this typed recounting of Alpha Chi Omega's founding for the 1953 National Convention in Banff Springs, Canada.
Founder Olive Burnett Clark prepared this handwritten recounting of Alpha Chi Omega's founding story for the 1928 National Convention in Mackinac Island, Michigan.
Founder Olive Burnett Clark prepared this handwritten recounting of Alpha Chi Omega's founding for the Golden Jubilee Convention in 1935, celebrating the Fraternity's 50th anniversary. The book also includes several photographs of the Founders.
Hannah Keenan (Alpha, DePauw University) hand-painted this plate for her mother, Founder Bessie Grooms Keenan, when Hannah was 12 years old. Hannah served as director of central office from 1937-66 and later as archivist.
Alpha chapter (DePauw University, 1920. Hannah Keenan, daughter of Founder Bessie Grooms Keenan, is pictured in the fourth row, far right. Hannah went on to become director of central office from 1937-66 as well as archivist. Hannah identifed the chapter members on the back of the photograph.