The four founders of Alpha Pi Omega Sorority, known as the "Four Winds," are (from L - R) Christina Strickland Theodorou, Jamie Goins, Shannon Brayboy, Amy Locklear Hertel

In search of a clearer identity and unity, she joined other campus Native organizations and through that opportunity met three other native women who felt similar feelings of homesickness. It was at that moment when Brayboy along with Jamie Goins, Christina Strickland Theodorou, and Amy Locklear Hertel created Alpha Pi Omega Sorority, the first Native American Sorority in the nation.

"We saw Indian women going to college, then seeing the same ones drop out because they miss home and there wasn't a connection," Brayboy said. "Although there were campus organizations for native students, there was no support specifically for Indian women. But we saw a need to help these women and we thought one way to do that was to create a sorority. There is a closer bond between sorority sisters."

The mission of Alpha Pi Omega is to create a strong sisterhood that will serve as a support for college women in today's society. The four founders thought it was important to establish four principles that embraced its members. Those principles are respecting Native American traditions, supporting self-renewal through continuous education, honoring the Creator, and addressing critical issues facing our Native communities and society at large.

The growing group boasts its membership of almost 400 members representing more than 70 tribes nationwide and 13 chartered chapters. The Sorority, a non-profit organization, takes pride and initiative to celebrate community involvement through dedicated service. Since its conception 16 years ago, members have contributed time, talent, and treasures to numerous local and national native organizations including soup kitchens, planned parenthood, Native American Rights Fund, Americans for Indian Opportunity, and AISES (American Indian Science & Engineering Society).

"It's important we give back to the community because it's our community. We want to make it better by investing in it, and to pay it forward," said Brayboy. Now serving as President of Alpha Pi Omega Sorority, Brayboy continues to be active in the organization. She said she didn't create the Sorority to abandon the group. There are several more colleges and universities across the nation to which the group is hoping to expand, meaning more support for women, and more communities to help, Brayboy said.

"We are truly a united sisterhood of American Indian women who are committed to each other, our tribes, families, communities, academic excellence and self-empowerment."

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Thank you to Marybeth Brayboy Locklear for contributing this story.

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