ΧΩ
CHI OMEGA
Sisters on Purpose
About us
Founded in 1895 at the University of Arkansas, Chi Omega is the largest women's fraternal organization in the world with over 350,000 initiates and 178 collegiate chapters.
One of the most unique aspects of the Eta Lambda chapter is our diversity. We have members from all different backgrounds, concentrating in a variety of majors & hobbies, hailing from all parts of the world.
Here at American University, we pride ourselves on being strong, involved members of our school and greater Washington D.C. community. Chi O sisters participate in campus activities ranging from club soccer and student publications to holding leadership positions on Peer Health Exchange and the Panhellenic Council. Chi Omega has a huge presence in academic, athletic, artistic and service activities on campus and in the greater Greek community.
The Eta Lambda chapter at American University was founded in 1993.
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​​​​Philanthropy
Chi Omega’s national philanthropy is the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which we have proudly supported since 2002. Our chapter fundraises and supports Make-A-Wish through several tabling events throughout the semester, hosting partnerships with local companies and restaurants, our annual beach volleyball tournament, and our Chi O Thrift Shop, where sisters donate clothes to raise funds. We are also fortunate to volunteer at the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s annual Wish Ball Gala and Make-A-Wish Alumni Reunion. In 2025, our chapter fundraised nearly $15,000 to help grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.​​​​
A Letter from our President
It is a true honor and privilege to serve as President of the Eta Lambda chapter of Chi Omega. Perhaps like some of you, I was hesitant to sign up for recruitment, unsure if I would find a space where I felt truly seen or understood. The women in my life have always been a guiding light, driven and sincere in a way that naturally lifts the people around them, and I hoped to find a community that reflected those same values. I wanted to meet women who led with kindness and ambition, and from my very first interaction with Chi Omega, I knew I had found something special. The women I met carried themselves with confidence and sincerity, and they made me feel seen in a way that stayed with me long after that first conversation. Joining Chi Omega gave me more than a place to belong. It gave me women who have shaped me, challenged me, and supported me every step of the way.
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Over the past three years, I have watched this chapter become one of the most meaningful parts of my college experience. Sisterhood, for me, shows up in the small things: the sister who drove across the city to help me change a tire, the one who stayed on FaceTime with me for an entire Red Line ride home, and the moment after recruitment when we take off our heels, sit together on the floor, and realize how grateful we are to call each other home. That is what Chi Omega means to me: women who lift one another up, especially when you can’t see your own strength.
Chi Omega has also taught me the importance of balance. It is the balance between individuality and sisterhood, between ambition and empathy, and between what we achieve and how we care for one another along the way. Every woman in Eta Lambda brings her own passion, drive, and creativity to campus, yet together we create something far greater than ourselves: a community built on integrity and friendship. Whether we are cheering on our athletes, attending AU In Motion shows, or simply showing up for one another through every high and low, we share a bond that makes this chapter feel like home. Every Sunday, as we gather for chapter, I am reminded that this sisterhood teaches me to lead with heart and grow through the people around me.
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The women of Chi Omega embody the words of our Symphony, “to live constantly above snobbery of word or deed; to place scholarship before social obligations and character before appearances; to work earnestly, to speak kindly, to act sincerely, to choose thoughtfully that course which occasion and conscience demand; to be womanly always; to be discouraged never” (Written by Ethel Switzer Howard, Xi Chapter, 1904). I am endlessly grateful for this chapter and for the women who make it extraordinary. They continue to remind me that strength, grace, and sincerity will always stand the test of time.
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With gratitude,
Reshma Kode
President, Chi Omega Eta Lambda
A Letter from our Philanthropy Chair
When I was choosing a Greek life organization, philanthropy was one of the most important factors for me. Because of that, stepping into the role of Philanthropy Chair for Chi Omega has been nothing short of incredible. Partnering with our local Make-A-Wish chapter has given our members the chance to engage in meaningful, hands-on work and see the impact of our efforts in real time. Whether I’m organizing a campus flea market or gearing up for Sandslam, this role constantly teaches me something new and reminds me why our chapter’s commitment to service matters. Leading our philanthropic initiatives has truly been one of the most rewarding parts of my Chi Omega experience, and I’m grateful every day for the opportunity to help our community create real change!
Love, Emma Desai
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