Alpha Phi
(ΑΦ) is a
fraternity for women founded at
Syracuse University on
October 10,
1872.
It was the fourth Greek letter.
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.
 |
Milestones |
Alpha Phi has launched an outstanding record of
accomplishments, including:
1875
invited
Frances E. Willard
(a women's suffrage leader) to become the first alumna
initiate.
1886
became the first women's fraternity in
America to build and occupy its own chapter house.
1888 established the
Alpha Phi Quarterly,
an award-winning magazine that has been published
continuously to the present day.
1894
became the first women's fraternity to use
"traveling delegates," now known as Educational
Leadership Consultants.
1902
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.
1905 had a member,
Frances E. Willard,
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. The pose is typical
of her, standing at a lectern with a manuscript in her
hand.
1906
became an "International" fraternity when Xi
chapter was chartered at the University of Toronto.
1922 on the 50th anniversary, accumulated a
$50,000 endowment fund.
1940 had a member,
Frances E. Willard,
portrayed on a U.S. postage stamp.
1964 made 100 commemorative gavels from the
cherry and birch stair railing of the first sorority
house and presenting them to the collegiate chapters,
with the wish that they might serve as a "continuing
reminder of Alpha Phi ideals which have stayed so
constant over the past years."
1986 introduced RESPOND: A Forum for Supportive
Action, an anti-victimization education program dealing
with alcohol abuse, acquaintance rape, eating disorders,
suicide, hazing, and harassment.
1988 introduced risk management education to
collegians.
1990 introduced a peer education program for AIDS
education.
1995 became the first NPC international/national
member to have a site on the World Wide Web.
