AXΩ Mythbusters: The Badge

BY LAUREN FILIPPINI (ALPHA CHI, BUTLER UNIVERSITY), MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

With nearly 139 years of Alpha Chi Omega history, there are bound to be some tall tales, legends and stories that get passed down from member to member. It’s not always clear where they started or how they changed over time, but thanks to our robust and detailed archives, we can attempt to answer the question, “Is it myth or is it fact?”

One of Alpha Chi Omega’s most cherished symbols, the lyre badge evokes commitment and sisterhood – and has also inspired some stories! Which of these myths and facts have you heard?

THE LYRE BADGE HAS BEEN PART OF ALPHA CHI OMEGA SINCE ITS FOUNDING.

MYTH!

In 1885 when Alpha Chi Omega was founded, the customary way to mark fraternity membership (by men and women) was not a badge but ribbons in the group’s colors. Our Founders wore ribbons of scarlet and bronze green to represent the leaves present during Alpha Chi Omega’s October founding; bronze green was later replaced with olive due to the difficulty of finding ribbons in that color. The women proudly wore their ribbons on the DePauw campus to announce the founding of Alpha Chi Omega, and some chapters continue that tradition today by providing their new members with ribbons.

THE LYRE BADGE IS ON DISPLAY AT THE SMITHSONIAN.

MYTH!

There has long been a rumor that our badge is kept at the national museum after being chosen as “the most beautiful.” Unfortunately, this is likely a myth. Staff at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History reported no fraternity and sorority badges in the museum’s collection.

While it’s possible the lyre badge was once part of a temporary exhibit, it’s also unlikely that the hallowed Smithsonian would have presented such a subjective topic as beauty – but we wouldn’t argue with those who call our badge the most beautiful still today!

LYRE BADGES VARY IN APPEARANCE.

FACT!

You may have seen badges of various sizes and with all sorts of jewels, whether it’s three simple yet stunning pearls or an array of precious stones outlining the shape of the lyre. It took many years to create a consistent look for the badge:

• The Fifth National Convention in 1897 saw a constitutional provision to require “three significant jewels” in the badge, though the size was left to the member’s choice.

• The 10th National Convention in 1906 adopted a uniform die for the badge. (That die has changed over the years.)

• The 12th National Convention in 1910 determined that only pearls and diamonds could be used for badges.

• Today, there are more than two dozen badge options for our newly initiated sisters to choose from!

Additional design options have been approved for recognition badges. For example, the Foundation chair wears during her term the opal badge belonging to 1899 Beta (Albion College) initiate Nella Ramsdell Fall, and past national vice presidents can purchase a badge of genuine pearls and synthetic emeralds to commemorate their service. You can see some striking badges with garnets, turquoise stones, colored glass and more in our archives collection at alphachiomega.historyit.com.

THE LYRE BADGE IS ONLY TO BE WORN OVER THE HEART.

MYTH!

While the badge should be placed over the heart when it is worn as a pin, it can also be incorporated into jewelry like a pendant or a ring. This allows members to wear their treasured badge in their everyday life!

THE LYRE BADGE MUST BE RETURNED TO HEADQUARTERS UPON A MEMBER’S PASSING.

MYTH!

A precious symbol of Alpha Chi Omega, the badge should be kept safe and respected, including after a member’s passing. While Alpha Chi Omega allows members to leave a provision in a will to return badges to headquarters, they may also be passed on to family or friends who are members. The desire is to prevent the resale, gifting or donating of the badge to a nonmember.

EACH COLLEGIATE CHAPTER HAS A REPLICA OF FOUNDER BERTHA DENISTON CUNNINGHAM’S BADGE.

FACT!

Bertha purchased the first sample badge the Founders had made in 1885, and she is in fact the only Founder wearing a badge in the first group photo. This is the only original badge known to be in existence and is currently housed in the headquarters archives. In a 1942 Lyre article, Bertha recalls, “While I was at DePauw, I hardly ever wore my Alpha Chi Omega pin myself for any length of time; I would let another of our girls wear it.”

For all of these reasons, it’s fitting that each of our collegiate chapters has a replica. It is worn by the chapter president during her term, after which she passes it on to her successor. It is a ¾-inch badge with 28 pearls and seven garnets, and the lyre strings are flat instead of twisted like many later badges.

THE LYRE BADGE SHOULD BE WORN ON ITS OWN.

MYTH!

The lyre badge can be accompanied by many significant Alpha Chi Omega items, including the new member pin, a chapter guard, an officer or volunteer dangle, and a milestone or other recognition pin.

WHAT ALPHA CHI OMEGA MYTHS ARE YOU WONDERING ABOUT? IS THERE A TRADITION OR STORY FROM YOUR CHAPTER THAT YOU’RE CURIOUS ABOUT FROM A NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE? LET US KNOW BY EMAILING EDITOR@ALPHACHIOMEGA.ORG.