Shortly after moving to La Grange, IL in 1950,

alumna Norma “Bennie” Bennett Sammons Komarek

(Theta Beta) placed an advertisement in the local

newspaper looking for Chi Omegas... 

 

The result was impressive; Sisters from La Grange and Hinsdale began to meet and socialize informally. “The roots of the group came together quickly,” says Komarek. She and her new friend Mary Lou Cole (Iota Gamma) began making preparations to form an alumnae chapter. In 1953 (some Directories report March, 1954), Cole volunteered to serve as the first President.  Komarek’s handiwork continued to fashion the Chapter’s organizational structure, and she assumed the Presidency after Cole. Chi Omega National Headquarters (then in Cincinnati, Ohio) recognized the group as a National Alumnae Chapter in 1957.

 

Komarek, and her successors spanning from the 1960’s and 70’s, saw the Chapter organize and enjoy many Bridge Luncheons and fundraisers. At some point, the Chapter was integral in an Illinois   Chi O State Day, and brought to life an all-Chicago Spring Eleusinia. Also during this timeframe, the Chapter selected Helping Hands facility in Countryside, IL, to be the benefactor of all fundraising, and the By Laws were amended as such. 

 

Komarek, a 1948 initiate, is alive and well today. She resides in Florida with her husband, and she is still active with Floridian Chi Omega alumnae.  Mary Lou Cole now resides in the Omega Chapter with five other former Presidents. 

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We are grateful to our founding Officers for their pioneering vision, which successfully set the stage, as we now enter our sixtieth year as an Alumnae Chapter!