Alpha Chi Alpha (recognition)
Alpha Chi Alpha (ΑΧΑ) was an American recognition society for women in the field of journalism. It was established in 1919 at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. Alpha Chi Alpha established fourteen chapters before merging into Pi Delta Epsilon in 1944.
| Alpha Chi Alpha | |
|---|---|
| ΑΧΑ | |
 | |
| Founded | December 17, 1919 University of Tennessee |
| Type | Recognition |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Status | Merged |
| Merge date | July 1, 1944 |
| Successor | Pi Delta Epsilon |
| Emphasis | Journalism |
| Scope | National |
| Member badge |  |
| Colors | Gold and White |
| Flower | Yellow rose |
| Publication | The Al-Cri |
| Chapters | 14 |
| Headquarters | United States |
Alpha Chi Alpha (ΑΧΑ) was an American recognition society for women in the field of journalism. It was established in 1919 at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. Alpha Chi Alpha established fourteen chapters before merging into Pi Delta Epsilon in 1944.
History
[edit]Alpha Chi Alpha International Collegiate Honorary Journalistic Fraternity was founded at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee on December 17, 1919.[1][2][3] It was created as an honorary women's fraternity to recognize women who were active in collegiate publications and to advance the study of journalism.[4][3] It was considered a sister fraternity to Pi Delta Epsilon, a journalism honor fraternity for men.[2][5]
Alpha Chi Alpha became a national organization in 1921 when chapters were established at Franklin College, Florida State College for Women, and Ripon College.[1][4] These were followed by chapters at Northwestern University and University of Southern California in 1924, and at Colorado Agricultural College in 1925.[1][4] In 1926, chapters were chartered at Carnegie Institute of Technology, Cornell University, and Georgetown College.[1][4]
Alpha Chi Alpha was reorganized in 1928.[1][4] In 1929, following the establishment of a chapter at Salem College, the honor sorority had seven active and four inactive chapters.[4] The organization held biennial annual meetings, with the fourth meeting being held in Los Angeles, California, in July 1936.[6] In December 1938, the society held its first national Alpha Chi Alpha Week, featuring discussions about the press at campuses with chapters.[7]
In 1940, Alpha Chi Alpha had grown to include nine active and five inactive chapters.[1] On June 31 and July 1–2, 1944, the fraternity's national convention was held in Vermillion, South Dakota.[8] On July 1, 1944, Alpha Chi Alpha voted to merge into Pi Delta Epsilon.[9][10][11][a]
Symbols
[edit]Alpha Chi Alpha's badge was shield-shaped, with the Greek letters "ΑΧΑ" over a crossed sword and quill superimposed on a scroll, with a star on the upper part of the scroll on the background of black enamel.[1] Its colors were gold and white, replacing its original colors of orange and white.[1][4] Its flower was a yellow rose, replacing the daisy that was its original flower.[1][4] Its publication was The Al-Cri, published three times an academic year.[1][4]
Membership
[edit]Membership was open to women who had worked for at least one and a half years for a collegiate publication.[3][12]
Chapters
[edit]Following are the chapters of Alpha Chi Alpha, with inactive chapters in italics.[1][4]
Notable members
[edit]- Zona Gale, novelist, short story writer, playwright, and the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama[6]
- Mary Holland Kinkaid (honorary), novelist and journalist[6]
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ Pi Delta Epsilon voted to admit women in 1937.
- ^ Chapter formed from the Women's Press Club of Franklin College.
- ^ Chapter formed from Alpha Chi, a local women's journalism fraternity.
- ^ The chapter formed from Theta Delta Pi (local), a women's journalistic fraternity established in 1925, to join a national organization.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Duerr, Alvan, ed. (1940). Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (14th ed.). Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press/George Banta Publishing Company. p. 619. OCLC 3908306.
- ^ a b Silver Spruce (yearbook) Colorado State University , 1926. p. 206. via Digital Collection of Colorado.
- ^ a b c d "College to Have Journalism Frat". The Franklin Evening Star. February 23, 1921. p. 1. Retrieved January 12, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Shepardson, Francis Wayland, ed. (1930). "Alpha Chi Alpha". Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (12th ed.). Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press/George Banta Publishing Company – via HathiTrust.
- ^ a b "Alpha Chi Alpha Chapter is Here". Fort Collins Coloradoan. October 28, 1925. p. 8. Retrieved January 12, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e "Writer's Sorority Convention is Planned. Alpha Chi Alphas Will Hold Meetings in Los Angeles". Pasadena Star-News. July 28, 1936. p. 5. Retrieved January 12, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Brunson, Frances (December 4, 1938). "Writers at FSCW to Celebrate. Alpha Chi Alpha Presents Convocation". The Tampa Tribune. p. 38. Retrieved January 12, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Women's Journalism Group to Open National Meet at Vermillion Today". The Sioux City Journal. June 29, 1944. p. 7. Retrieved January 12, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Attends Fraternal Merger". The Gazette. Cedar Rapids, Iowa. July 3, 1944. p. 10. Retrieved January 12, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Robson, John, ed. (1963). Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (17th ed.). Menasha, Wisconsin: George Banta Co. pp. 681–683. OCLC 1819883.
- ^ "Journalism Societies Merge at Convention". Fort Collins Coloradoan. July 16, 1944. p. 2. Retrieved January 12, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Women's Fraternity in New Affiliation". Argus-Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. May 1, 1930. p. 4. Retrieved January 12, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Honor Societies Choose Fifteen". Tallahassee Democrat. October 26, 1934. p. 5. Retrieved January 12, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Nine are Pledged to Journalistic Society". The Daily Plainsman. Huron, South Dakota. January 21, 1932. p. 2. Retrieved January 12, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Awarded Honor". The Birmingham Post. November 11, 1938. p. 11. Retrieved January 12, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Upchurch, Patty (November 13, 1938). "Montgomerians at Montevallo". The Montgomery Advertiser. p. 17. Retrieved January 12, 2026.