Milestone Years – What Are They Noted For?

The number of people in the U.S. using mobile devices to access the internet overtook those using desktop computers.  

Malala Yousafzai, an advocate for female education, was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 17. 

The Ice Bucket Challenge swept the globe, raising millions of dollars for research to fight ALS.  

Disney’s Frozen became the highest-grossing animated film to date.  

During the national convention in Palm Desert, California, sisters celebrated the completion of the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation’s For Now/Forever campaign, which surpassed its $7 million goal, raising $10.4 million.  

461 sisters were recognized with their 75-year pin.  

In The Lyre, sisters reported some of their “favorite things” to be meeting up at homecoming, chai tea lattes and Fitbits.  

The title of the leading headquarters staff position was changed from executive director to chief executive officer.  

Our chapter roll grew with the addition of Kappa Rho (University of North Carolina, Wilmington), Kappa Sigma (The University of Southern Mississippi), Kappa Tau (University of Connecticut) and Kappa Upsilon (Florida International University).  

The world faced the upcoming new millennium with (what turned out to be unfounded) concerns about the potential Y2K computer “bug.” 

Moviegoers experienced a new kind of action entertainment with the blockbuster film The Matrix.  

The nation grieved for the students and teachers killed in the Columbine High School mass shooting. 

The space shuttle Discovery completed the first docking with the International Space Station.  

The Fraternity embarked on a strategic planning process focusing on the critical issues of finance, housing, lifetime commitment, organizational preparedness, Ritual and technology. 

Leadership Academy in Indianapolis featured the theme “Legacy of Leadership” and focused on providing a variety of resources, knowledge and skill-development for attendees.  

Foundation funding helped support the Talking About Alcohol educational program, domestic violence awareness efforts, Leadership Academy and assistance to members in need – among a number of other initiatives.  

The National Housing Corporation hosted a housing summit for housing volunteers.  

Richard Nixon resigned as U.S. president following the Watergate scandal. 

Fossils of an early human ancestor (nicknamed “Lucy”) were discovered in Ethiopia, showing that humans were walking upright more than three million years ago. 

The most popular song of the year was “The Way We Were,” performed by Barbra Streisand.  

Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s Major League Baseball career home run record with his 715th home run.  

Delegates to the national convention in Atlanta, Georgia passed a constitutional amendment changing the make-up of the National Council from 12 members to six, to be supported by volunteer directors and assistant vice presidents.  

The Fraternity dedicated a new headquarters building at 8733 Founders Road in the College Park office complex in Indianapolis. The staff was led by Executive Secretary Jody Bayer Martindill (Alpha, DePauw University).  

Alpha Chi Omega’s membership grew to more than 80,000 women initiated since the Fraternity’s founding.  

Alpha Chi Omega’s first collegiate chapter in Mississippi, Epsilon Upsilon at Mississippi State University, was established.  

President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law, prohibiting segregation in public places and banning employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.  

The Beatles made their show-stopping debut on The Ed Sullivan Show. 

The Ford Mustang was introduced to the car-buying public.  

The television game show Jeopardy! premiered, with Art Fleming as the host.  

Jean Saubert (Chi, Oregon State University) won a silver and a bronze medal in slalom skiing at the Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. 

Janet Shearon Armstrong (Alpha Beta, Purdue University) wrote an article for The Lyre about her unique proximity to the “space race.” Janet was married to Neil Armstrong, who would become the first man to walk on the moon.  

Mothers’ Clubs were actively supporting 79 of our collegiate chapters. 

Delegates to the national convention in Colorado Springs voted unanimously to adopt a membership statement for the Fraternity outlining membership policies.   

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was established. 

Author George Orwell’s novel 1984 was published.  

Radio listeners were entertained by the ongoing antics of Fibber McGee and Molly. 

The Housing Act of 1949 was passed by Congress to reduce housing costs and raise urban housing standards. 

The National Council stated that members should not be deprived the privilege of wearing their badges or of having a vote in chapter meetings due to low scholarship. 

Nearly 1,000 sisters, many of whom traveled via train, joined together for the 27th National Convention, held in Pasadena, California.  

Marian Nevins MacDowell (Zeta, New England Conservatory), founder of MacDowell, was honored at age 92 by the National Institute of Arts and Letters for her exceptional dedication to the arts.  

Support for children affected by cerebral palsy grew, largely through the efforts of our alumnae chapters.  

We welcomed the Gamma Iota chapter at the University of Florida to our chapter roll.