Dear Stella, Helen, Bess, and Jessie,

119 years ago, in the Barnard College library, you created a sisterhood that stands for friendship, scholarship, and service. You created something bigger than yourselves to give women opportunities to enrich their lives within the bonds of sisterhood, while keeping in mind what it means to be exceptional and an example to others. For that, we thank you.

Thank you for giving us a place to grow. Without the unwavering love and enduring values of Alpha Omicron Pi, we would not be the women we are today. We would not know what it means to exceed the expectation without you. With the principles the four of you set in place, the lives of countless women have been enriched, and for that we are ever grateful.

Thank you for teaching us to be true to ourselves. AOII values our individualities and embraces each member for the unique traits and skills she brings to the Fraternity. Our differences do not weaken our chapters nor the Fraternity, but rather they make us stronger and wiser. They make us better members and AOII sisters.

Thank you for teaching us the importance of scholarship, and for giving us a group of women who will do anything they can to help each sister succeed. Whether through scholarships or Academic Chairs, there's always a sister or two waiting and willing to help each woman succeed.

Thank you for establishing an organization focused on service. Thank you for giving us a way to give back to the communities that shape our collegiate careers, as well as a way to help our own sisters near and far.

Thank you for the sisters who push us to be better and the sisters who can see things that sometimes the individual cannot. You all gave us a place where we can feel supported and confident in our abilities, making us better leaders and global citizens.

Thank you for teaching us to exceed the expectation. Not only did you four teach us how to go above and beyond, but you became role models. Each of you set our to exceed the standards set before you, and out of that came something bigger than us all.

Thank you for giving us life-long friends. AOII was founded because of the friendship the four of you shared, and AOII continues to cultivate life-long bonds each day. Not only do we have our friends, but we have our sisters: the women who love us and support us each and every day, no matter what. Without the four of you, none of us would know what that feels like.

Most importantly, thank you for giving us yourselves. Thank you for creating this sisterhood of exceptional women who share the same values, the same values you all shared so many years ago. Thank you for taking a chance on each other, and for seeing something unique and special within each other. If you had not taken that chance, Alpha Omicron Pi would not exist.

Thank you for everything, Stella, Helen, Bess, and Jessie.

Alpha Love,

The Past, Present, Future, and Forever Sisters of Alpha Omicron Pi