400,000th Member CELEBRATION
From four young women at the University of Arkansas to 400,000 nationwide
Chi Omega has thrived and grown over the years, while keeping her values ever at heart. In 1895, Chi Omega’s founding members, also members of the Missionary Generation, a generation known for having some of the first graduates of women’s colleges, teamed together to create what is now the largest woman’s panhellenic organization.
Fourteen original members would grow to be 100, then 100,000, and today, 400,000 women have found their heart and home in Chi Omega. Comprised mostly of Gen Z, today’s members continue to blaze trails and forge opportunities for women.
Getting to Know Gen Z: 4 Fast Facts
1. Gen Zs are digital natives. They spend a lot of time on social media. Gen Z uses YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok more than other social media platforms.
2. They are engaged activists. They promote issues they are passionate about, specifically advocating for the betterment of the environment, and racial equality matter to them because it directly impacts them and their peers.
a. In America, most young people — 62% — think their voices are more powerful online than offline, according to the youth market research firm YPulse.
b. In America alone — 87% — of Gen Zers report being worried about the environment and the planet.
3. They believe that mental well-being is important. Gen Z has gone through, and is still going through, a lot, and it’s taking an emotional toll. According to Health Match/American Psychological Association:
a. 90% of Gen Z have experienced psychological or physical symptoms as a result of stress in the last year.
b. During the pandemic, those between ages 20–24 years old showed the biggest leaps in anxiety.
c. Nearly a third of Gen Z still regularly suffer from anxiety; 28% still suffer from stress.
4. They are looking for meaningful experiences, including work. Gen Z is searching for jobs that align with their passions more so than following in their parent’s footsteps. Studies from Looking Forward with Gen Z by The Walton Foundation, 2022 show that…
a. Only about one in ten are attracted to conventional office jobs (11%) or sales and management roles (11%).
b. Young women are more interested in pursuing social (28%) and artistic (24%) work environments.
This dynamic and diverse group is passionate and engaged and will create a bright future for Chi Omega.
Meet our 400,000th Initiate and more of our Gen Z initiates by clicking the button below!
Why does it all matter?
What does our size allow us to do? We are 400,000 like-hearted Sisters who have shared values, serving the world in so many ways with Chi Omega, ever at heart.
Our size provides a larger web of networking, an abundance of helping hands to support each other throughout our lives, creates philanthropists who are cultivating lives of purpose to support the Make-A-Wish® and local philanthropies, and so much more.
The future of Chi Omega continues to shine brighter through each passing year because of our generational diversity. We learn and grow from one another, challenging each other, all while keeping Chi Omega’s values at the forefront. As S.H. National President Laura Miller says, “We are like-hearted, not like-minded, and that’s what makes this organization so special.”
Thank you all for choosing wisely.