In 1895, four young women at the University of Arkansas realized the need for the potential and inherent value of women. Ina Mae Boles, Jobelle Holcombe, Jean Vincenheller, and Alice Simonds approached Dr. Charles Richardson, a regent of the University and a national officer of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, to assist in organizing a women's group similar to the men's fraternities which were being established on campus. Working together, Dr. Richardson and the four undergraduates developed the structure of a Women's fraternity that would be national in scope.
On April 5, 1895 the founders signed the first constitution and ritual. There were fourteen original members, including the Founders. They promised loyalty to goals which have proven timeless in content and application. Throughout its history, Chi Omega has focused on the personal growth of its members - academically, socially, and emotionally. The intrinsic worth of the Fraternity, resulting in the successful growth and development of Chi Omega.
Founding of Chi Omega-
(in the words of Dr. Charles Richardson, one of our five beloved founders)
The immediate occasion of the founding of Chi Omega was a social call made by me one Sunday afternoon upon Jean Vincenheller and Ina Boles. Men's fraternities had recently entered the University, and interest among students was beginning to run high. Our conversation naturally directed to this subject. Although not a student, I was actively interested, having been instrumental in founding the first chapter at the University. Perhaps for this reason the young ladies suspected that I possessed special knowledge, and as they were anxious to have a fraternity of their own, they asked me to prepare a constitution, ritual, and plan of organization. I understood this.
From the beginning I had in mind the possibilities of a general organization and developed the plan with that end in view. A great many considerations entered. First, I desired to make Chi Omega radically distinctive and not a copy of similar institutions. That there should be some points of likeness was practically unavoidable, but I believe that Chi Omega possesses as many distinctive features as any like organization and more than most. After the constitution and ritual were drafted, the even more difficult task of selecting distinctive signs, insignia and emblems was confronted.