Alpha Phi

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Alpha Phi
(AΦ)
Image:Alpha Phi Crest.gif
Founded October 10, 1872 (1872-10-10) (age 135)
Syracuse University, (Syracuse, New York)
Type Social
Scope International
Motto Union hand in hand
Colors Bordeaux and Silver
Symbol Ivy
Flower Lily of the Valley, Forget-me-not
Publication Quarterly
Philanthropy Cardiac Care and Research
Chapters 170+
Free label Phi Bear
Headquarters 1930 Sherman Avenue
Evanston, Illinois, USA
Homepage http://www.alphaphi.org/

Alpha Phi (ΑΦ) is a fraternity for women founded at Syracuse University on September 30, 1872. Its celebrated Founder's Day is October 10.[citation needed] It was the fourth Greek letter organization founded for women. In Alpha Phi the Greek letter Phi is pronounced "Fee". It is a common misconception that this pronunciation is due to the fact that Phi follows the vowel Alpha. However, the pronunciation of Phi as "Fee" rather than "Fi" actually results from the fact that the organization adopted the Greek rather than anglicized, mainly American, pronunciation of the letter.

Contents

[edit] Purpose

The objectives of our Fraternity are the promotion of growth in character; unity of feeling, sisterly affection, and social communion among our members. In all that we do, we try to obey God’s principles of justice and right. We have banded ourselves together to improve our minds and hearts, and we seek to aid each other through a constant watch care always given in love. We believe ourselves to be sincere searchers for truth. We seek the highest ideal of womanhood, and we try to gain this ideal by cultivating not only the power and passion for seeking intellectual development but, also, the spirit of love and charity. And we who are thus united are under a solemn pledge to lend a helping hand to one another.

– Constitution of Alpha Phi International Fraternity, Incorporated, Article II

[edit] History

At the time of the founding there were only twenty women attending Syracuse; ten of them eventually joined in the formation of Alpha Phi. The organization was founded on the principles of the promotion of growth in character; unity of feeling, sisterly affection, and social communion among the members.

[edit] Founders

Alpha Phi's founding members were:[1]

  • Martha Foote Crowe
  • Rena Michaels Atchison
  • Clara Bradley Burdette
  • Jane Sara Higham
  • Florence Chidester Lukens
  • Ida Gilbert Houghton
  • Clara Sittser Williams
  • Kate Hogoboom Gilbert
  • Louise Shepard Hancock
  • Elizabeth Hubbell Shults

Three of the "Original 10" became members of Phi Beta Kappa. Three were also listed in Who's Who of America.

[edit] Firsts and Facts

  • In 1886, Alpha Phi became the first women's fraternity in America to build and occupy its own chapter house at Syracuse University.
  • In 1888, the Alpha Phi Quarterly, an award-winning magazine, was established and has been published continuously to the present day.
  • In 1894, Alpha Phi became the first women's fraternity to use "traveling delegates," now known as Educational Leadership Consultants.
  • In 1902, Alpha Phi called the inter-sorority meeting that resulted in the formation of the association now known as the National Panhellenic Conference, which then included Pi Beta Phi, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, and Delta Delta Delta. This was the first intergroup organization on college campuses.
  • In 1905, Frances Willard was recognized by the U.S. Congress who placed a statue of her in Statuary Hall in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, the first woman to be so recognized.
  • In 1906, became an "International" fraternity when Xi chapter was chartered at the University of Toronto. Alpha Phi's Xi chapter is the oldest continuously active chapter in Canada. The organization is 'Celebrating 100 Years in Canada' in 2006.
  • In 1940, Frances Willard was portrayed on a U.S. postage stamp.
  • In 1957, Alpha Phi became the first women's fraternity to establish a Foundation.
  • In 1995, Alpha Phi became the first NPC international/national member to have a site on the World Wide Web.
  • Alpha Phi is the fourth oldest national women's sorority.
  • Alpha Phi is a member of the Syracuse Triad along with Gamma Phi Beta and Alpha Gamma Delta.
  • Alpha Phi Headquarters is located in Evanston, Illinois along with the headquarters for Sigma Chi and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternities.
  • Alpha Phi maintains a secret motto A.O.E. Its meaning remains unknown to the public and is kept highly secret. The meaning of the acronym is unveiled to all members upon initiation.

[edit] Notable alumnae

For a full list of notable Alpha Phi alumnae please visit here. [1]

[edit] Chapters

Main article: List of Alpha Phi chapters

[edit] Philanthropy

In 1946, Alpha Phi adopted Cardiac Care and Research as their international philanthropic cause. Since 1946, Alpha Phi has donated more than $1 million to support cardiac health initiatives. Many local collegiate and alumnae chapters are supporters of and participants in the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women campaign.

One of the Alpha Phi Foundation's programs is the Cardiac Care Award which helps to fund research and educational programs that support women's cardiac health by awarding up to a $50,000 grant to an organization making a significant contribution to Cardiac Care.

Past recipients of the Cardiac Care Award

[edit] References

  1. ^ AlphaPhi.org, About us: Founders.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac Alpha Phi Fraternity - Famous Phis. Alpha Phi Fraternity. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  3. ^ Alpha Phi Fraternity Quarterly. Alpha Phi Fraternity (2006). Retrieved on 2007-03-25.

[edit] External links

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National Panhellenic Conference
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