History

Alpha Iota was founded on October 21, 1925 by Elsie M. Fenton at the American Institute of Business in Des Moines, IA for the purpose of promoting friendship among the students of that school.  Many of the new members were young ladies who had never been away from home before.  The password, the flower, the colors and principles, the motto and much of the original ritual have not been altered since they were used at that first initiation ceremony.

On April 11, 1930, Alpha Iota was incorporated under the laws of the State of Iowa as a non-profit organization with the right to grant charters and establish chapters throughout the United States and Canada.  By the end of 1930, twenty-one charters were granted.  The first Alumnae Chapter of Alpha Iota was organized May 28, 1930, by graduate members of Nu Chapter, affiliated with Brown’s Business College and was known as the Galesburg (IL) Alumnae of Alpha Iota.

The following year, we published our first edition of the NOTEBOOK, now a quarterly publication.  Also in that year we held our first National Convention in Des Moines, Iowa.  The first Conclave (now called District Meetings) was held in Washington DC in May 1932.  Membership had soared to over 4,000 women. 

We became an International Sorority in 1935 with the addition of a chapter at the Angus School in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where we still have an alumnae chapter.  In 1936, we doubled our membership to over 8,000 members – in less than four years!

Many traditions were formed during the 1930’s.  One of our customs is the presentation of an award to the member with the highest scholastic average.  The Scholarship Key continues to be a coveted award by members of the collegiate chapters. 

During WWII, Alpha Iota was authorized by the War Finance Division to conduct a campaign to sell a million dollars worth of war bonds, thereby sponsoring a B-25 Super Fortress for $600,000 and heavy bomber for $250,000 with the balance being used for rehabilitation.  A decalcomania bearing the name of Alpha Iota was placed inside each piece of equipment.

Heartspring (formerly known as the Institute of Logopedics) was adopted as the Alpha Iota International Service Project in 1949.  Our first supported project was Operation Green Thumb.  Currently, chapter donations go towards the needs of our Heartspring School students living on campus.

It was homecoming for Alpha Iota and our brother fraternity, Phi Theta Pi, when both organizations held their conventions in Des Moines, IA in 1957. 

More than 85 years later, the Alpha Iota Sorority, continues to make an impact on campuses and in communities nationwide.  Each year, sorority members contribute hundreds of hours to unlimited projects across this country and Canada. 

The ideals upon which Alpha Iota is based are enduring.  Alpha Iota fills the needs of college women, working women and women no longer in the workforce for the warmth of friendship and the achievements of service and study.