Our Founders: Women of Intellect and Vision

Brave hearts filled with a noble purpose whose eyes saw clearly into the future...

At a time when society looked upon women only as daughters, wives, and mothers -- and therefore not in need of higher education -- our ten founders were pioneers of the coeducational system. Attending school with the handicap of implied, if not open, opposition, our founders sought support from each other.

There was a need for a social center, a place of conference, a tie which should unite, a circle of friends who could sympathize with one another in their perplexities. They formed Alpha Phi in 1872 at Syracuse University.

Today, Alpha Phi continues to provide a "tie which unites, a circle of friends" for women young and old all around the world. From hand to hand and heart to heart, we are all grateful and proud of the legacy left to us by our founders.

 

 

Alpha Phi Facts: A Remarkable History

  • Alpha Phi is the third largest women's sorority with 145 Active chapters/colonies in the US and Canada.
  • Alpha Phi was founded in 1872 by 10 of the first 20 women to enter Syracuse University.
  • Alpha Phi is the fourth oldest national women's sorority.
  • Three of the original 10 became members of Phi Beta Kappa.
  • Three of our founders were listed in Who's Who of America: Clara Bradley Burdette, Martha Foote Crow, and Rena Michaels Atchison.
  • Alpha Phi is pronounced Alpha "fee" (long "e") not "fie," because "Alpha" is a vowel and "Phi" is pronounced "fee" when it follows a vowel.
  • Alpha Phi's Creed was written in 1912 by Annette Hall Hitchcock.
  • Alpha Phi's official pin was adopted in 1908.
  • Alpha Phi's official crest was adopted in 1922.
  • The Alpha Phi Foundation was established in 1957.