25-Year and 50-Year Anniversaries

Jessie C. and Chris G.

Presented by Jessie W-G and Ann Marie at Founders' Day:

Twenty-five years ago, something very special happened to AOII.  Chris G. was initiated as a sister into Phi Chi Chapter.  We were lucky enough to be part of the chapter during the same years Chris was.  We remember Chris being a very dedicated Rush Chair.  We think that was prophetic of Chris' role as an AOII - to always work toward building Phi Chi.  She has worked tirelessly for the past twenty-five years to ensure that Phi Chi not only recruited new members, but was a chapter in good standing with AOII.  Chris was Chapter Advisor for Phi Chi for a number of years.  She was a member of Corp Board for over twenty-years.  She served as President for many of those years, ensuring that money and the property of the Chapter was kept safe.  It was Chris and Jessie's idea to form the Peg Crawford-Phi Chi Scholarship, which is now endowed and being awarded annually.  Chris is a Life Loyal AOII in so many ways.  We believe we can give her much of the credit for the flourishing of our Chapter.  Congratulations on your twenty-fifth anniversary!

Donna initiated into Beta Phi Chapter at Indiana University in the spring of 1963.  Donna was a cheerleader at Indiana.  She enjoyed all of the AOII dances and was so impressed with how the fraternity houses were transformed to match the themes:  beaches, Hawaiian, pajama parties, sports, and toga parties!  After graduation, Donna moved around with her husband quite a bit, and eventually set up roots in the western suburbs.  In the 1980s, she joined the Chicago West Suburban Alumnae Chapter, but her evening teaching commitments kept her from fully enjoying the benefits of membership. 

This past September, after retiring “for real,” Donna rejoined us and has immersed herself in our sisterhood.  She has always kept in touch with a core group of her college friends and is so excited that she now has wonderful new AOII memories to share with them in her letters.  Donna is a true testament to AOII holding onto your heart for life, even when life’s commitments  get in the way.  We’re thrilled that she’s reengaged with us and look forward to many years of sisterhood with her.  Congratulations, Donna!

Jeanne initiated into Beta Lambda Chapter at Illinois Wesleyan University on March 10, 1963.  She loved coming home every day to the bright warm Beta Lambda house that smelled of yummy food and was filled with sisters talking to each other. It felt like home to her. Back then the doors were locked at 10:30pm and at midnight on weekends.  If you came home late, you had to come home early the next day.  Jeanne enjoyed serenades, candlelightings, Greek Sing, and the variety show.  Her favorite event was the annual AOPineapple party which had a Hawaiian-theme.  Back then, women had to wear skirts but could wear pants on Fridays.  Jeanne was given a Ruby A badge for being a “Model Pledge.” Jeanne calls her collegiate-self “a mousy little nerd from central Illinois,” and appreciates that AOII helped her develop her leadership skills, become more confident in who she is, and opened up a whole new world to her.

Jeanne has been a very active alumna.  She was our chapter President, and when she was the Chicago Area Council President in the early 1970s, CAC hosted our very first Founders’ Day.  Twenty-five sisters attended, and look how we’ve grown!   Jeanne was a Regional Director, the Alumnae Programming Chairman, and served on AOII’s nominating committee when Ginger Banks was slated as International President.   She had so much fun serving on the Centennial Committee.  She was in charge of costumes and props for the Centennial skit and video, was the head of the 100 Women of Achievement committee, and wrote the section on Closed Chapters in Celebrate the Century.

Jeanne has stayed engaged with our sisterhood all these years because she believes in AOII’s ideals, and the people are fantastic.  She has been to every Chicago area Founders’ Day, and is extremely disappointed to miss this year’s event since she winters in Arizona.  We sure do miss her today, but are extremely honored to celebrate Jeanne C.!

Nancy, Jan, Dolle, and Patti

Patti initiated into Nu Iota Chapter at Northern Illinois University on May 26, 1963.  She held several offices in college, including Fraternity Education and Pledge Trainer.  (Ask Patti to see her Pledge Trainer charm bracelet.)  She enjoyed hayrides, formal dances, Greek Sing, pajama races, and trike races.  During her sophomore summer, she did not enjoy having to make hundreds of paper roses that would later be used for the homecoming float.  She recalls that several sisters chose to just take the fine rather than make them.

Nu Iota’s Standards officers enforced several rules, including the 10:30pm curfew and wearing skirts and pantyhose every day, even when it was frigidly cold.  On the weekends, AOIIs would get wild and crazy and wear “ski pants.”  They’re like leggings but with stirrups.  (In the 1980s, we called them “stirrup pants.”)  They weren’t the most flattering garment, so the standards sisters insisted that “you must have a girdle on” with them.  

As an alumna, Patti has served in just about every chapter office, including President as well as Chicago Area Council President.  She has served on the Children’s Research Foundation Board since 1966 and will, once again, take all of these pandas to the kids at Comer Children’s Hospital. 

Patti has been honored several times by our Fraternity.  In 1966, she was chosen as the “Most Sisterly Sister.”   She received a Rose Award in 1979.  In 1992 she received the Shirley “Shoo” Walker Alumnae Service Award, and in 2000, she was named one of three AOII Women of Leadership.

Jeanne and Patti have shared their alumnae journey together all these years.  Jeanne shares that "Patti has always been the Patti you know now - dedicated, supportive, remembering every detail, helping with or chairing every project.  Don't forget, this originally was back in the days when we typed out the newsletter on dittos, ran it off, and addressed and stamped by hand,  What a chore!  Her faithfulness in attending is remarkable.  You can always count on Patti.  She never lets us down."  We are honored to celebrate Patti and her 50th year as a sister!