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"Eleven SAI alumnae from the western suburbs of Chicago gathered for tea at the Oak Park Arms Hotel, Oak Park, Illinois, on February 6, 1944 to discuss the possibility of forming an Alumnae Group. The enthusiasm displayed was most encouraging and then and there the West Suburban Alumnae Group was formed; each member determined to help increase the membership at the next meeting." (Emma Menke, chapter member, Pan Pipes, December 1944.) By October 13, 1946, when the chapter was installed as the Oak Park Alumnae Chapter by National President Kathleen Davison, there were 25 members.
During the 1940s, the chapter held Musicale Teas as Ways and Means projects, and collected music to be sent to the Philipipine Islands and Korea.
1950's Going Strong
In 1950, Florence Ruden's image of a Grecian Lady was first used as the Chapter's yearbook cover and has been used ever since. Oak Park Alumnae Chapter had it's first scholarship recipient in 1955. The chapter was also instrumental in the installation of Rockford Alumnae Chapter and Epsilon Rho Chapter at Northern Illinois University.
1970s Adding New Projects
In the 1970s, Growing with Music through the Clara Firnhaber Memorial Fund was established to encourage and develop promising talent in musically deprived children. During 1973, Oak Park Alumnae Chapter and Gamma Chapter initiated Lady Solti as an Honorary Patroness. In 1978 and 1979, "Faire on the Field" celebrations were held in Oak Park to give the public a chance to experience life during the Renaissance.
1980s & 1990s Scholarships Added
The chapter presented a Foreign Study Grant in 1982 and in the 1990s established the Mabel Biever Fund which has been used to give scholarship competitions and music camp scholarships. Each year, the recipients of the music camp scholarship perform for the chapter in the fall.
One at the national level, the Mabel Biever/ Oak Park Alumnae Graduate Scholarship in Music Education was established.
Also during the 1990s, the chapter began fund raising in conjunction with the local Barnes & Nobles store . . . doing a "book fair" once a year that enables the chapter to continue its programs.A one-time Mildred Crane scholarship was created in 2000 in memory of a beloved Oak Park Alumnae Chapter member.
2000 and beyond programs added
We started fundraising with Carson Pirie Scott, sold temporary Tattoos at convention and province days, and looked for new ways to raise funds in the 2000s. Our mini-music mart where we sold used music and instruments was a big hit with music teachers in the area.
We began our "Instrument Encore" program and donated used, workable band instruments to needy local elementary schools.