Founded prior to the turn of the 20th Century, Alpha Epsilon Iota was thereby one of the earliest of the professional medical fraternities to serve women. It quickly expanded to a Beta chapter at the University of Chicago that same year, cementing its national intentions.[1][2]
By the turn of the century two additional chapters had formed, with seven more added by 1910. Later, growth slowed for the most part, with a flurry of new groups in the 1920, but no new chapters after 1949.[2]
The fraternity dissolved as a national organization in March 1963. Some chapters continued on as local entities. Minnesota's Epsilon chapter remained active through the 1970s at which time there was a marked expansion of female enrollment in the growing medical school there, but ΑΕΙ sold its properties in 1979, splitting then into two groups, the AEI Foundation which continues to provide scholarships, and a networking organization called Minnesota Women Physicians.[3]
Traditions and insignia
The colors of Alpha Epsilon Iota were black, white, and green.
The official badge is described as a "black enameled faceted pentagon, having a gold star at the apex with an emerald inset. The three upper facets contained the Greek letters Α Ε Ι in gold, the two lower facets, a gold serpent."
The biannual publication is The Directory Journal.
Six grades of members were created: Collegiate, Graduate, Honorary, Affiliate, Non-graduate, and Associate.[1]
Chapters
Chapter information from Baird's Manual (20th), which reports there were approximately 4,000 members.[1][2]
^ abcdAnson, Jack L.; Marchenasi, Robert F., eds. (1991) [1879]. Baird's Manual of American Fraternities (20th ed.). Indianapolis, IN: Baird's Manual Foundation, Inc. p. VIII-37. ISBN978-0963715906.
Former and formerly active members of the Professional Fraternity Association or its predecessors: Professional Panhellenic Association or Professional Interfraternity Conference
