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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.
This portrait of Estelle Leonard (Alpha, DePauw University) would have been taken during her music teaching years at Union City Public Schools. The back of the photo is inscribed with "For Frances Koch, May 31, 1910. Estella Leonard Music (Piano) Teacher"
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.
In 2006, The Foundation built and dedicated the Founders' Forum on the headquarters property. There are seven pillars on the outside that feature the signature of each founder. The large sculpture in the center represents the entwined connection of the founders themselves and the organization.
Estelle Leonard (Alpha, DePauw University) entered university hoping to make a living as a musician. Most of her time was spent practicing or studying. She also served as Dean Howe’s secretary for two years. Though she had serious goals and a “dignified appearance,” she was known for playing practical jokes on her colleagues. She graduated in 1891 and had a full career, teaching music, publishing piano compositions and reporting for the local newspaper. Long involved with Alpha Chi Omega, she attended more conventions than any other Founder. She was described in our 1948 History as “distinctly modern in her ideas” and as having “developed independence, decision, and a rather bohemian attitude.”
Founders Estelle Leonard (Alpha, DePauw University) and Bertha Deniston Cunningham (Alpha, DePauw University) pose together at the 1937 National Convention in Glacier National Park.
Founders Olive Burnett Clark (Alpha, DePauw University, seated left) and Estelle Leonard (Alpha, DePauw University, seated right) play piano while Patricia Lyons Pointer (standing left) and Beverly Brantner Price, both pledges of the Alpha Chi (Butler University) chapter, sing from a book of Alpha Chi Omega songs. The event was the Beta Beta (Indianapolis, Indiana) alumnae chapter's Founders' Day celebration. The photo was taken by George Tilford for the "Indianapolis News."
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).
This program is for Homecoming Day of the 1935 National Convention, which took place at DePauw University where the Fraternity was founded. It includes a poem by Founder Olive Burnett Clark (Alpha, DePauw University), the words to the Toast and a program of the day's events.
Eva Merideth Turley (Alpha, DePauw University), one of the first initiates of Alpha Chi Omega, provides her recollections of the founding.
James Howe, former dean of the DePauw University School of Music and an instrumental figure in the founding of Alpha Chi Omega, writes to Fraternity President Ethel Mead Van Auken (Lambda, Syracuse University) with an update on his professional work, which Alpha Chi Omega helps to subsidize through an endowment. Howe also expresses wonder at the growth of Alpha Chi Omega, particularly the importance of Beta (Albion College) chapter, for whose installation he provided the funds.
Founder Bessie Grooms Keenan (Alpha, DePauw University) writes to Mabel Siller Nafis (Gamma, Northwestern University), author of the 1916 edition of The History of Alpha Chi Omega, about the founding of Alpha Chi Omega and details of her family.
Founder Nellie Gamble Childe (Alpha, DePauw University) writes to Hannah Keenan (Alpha, DePauw University) about the new Alpha Chi songbook she recently received and laments that she cannot attend the upcoming national convention because the arthritis in her knee makes travel difficult.
This article provides biographical information on Alpha Chi Omega Founder Estelle Leonard (Alpha, DePauw University) and includes a photograph.
Vicky Richardson Harrison (Alpha Mu, Indiana University) explains the history behind the two dresses on display in the headquarters museum.
Vicky Richards Harrison (Alpha Mu, Indiana University) talks through the history of our past national presidents.
Hear from our Founders about the beginning of our sisterhood at DePauw University. This recording was shared in celebration of Alpha Chi Omega's 125th year.
July 24, 1946 founder Estelle Leonard's (Alpha, DePauw University) voice can be heard describing a (violin) piece she composed for a student. This video was created in celebration of MacDowell month 2016. Filmed in Meharry Hall, DePauw University where the musical piece would have been performed.
This copy of sheet music for "Sunlight," a study written for piano students by Alpha Chi Omega Founder Estelle Leonard (Alpha, DePauw University), includes her signature on the front.