In celebration of Alpha Phi’s 150th Anniversary in 2022, we proudly share stories and moments that have created the legacy of sisterhood originally launched by our ten founders and which we still hold dear today.

This is story 20 of 150.

Silver & Bordeaux

All Alpha Phis know our colors are the beloved Silver and Bordeaux, but many may not realize these deep tones were not originally chosen by our Founders. 

When the Original Ten founded our Fraternity, one of the things they focused on was the development of business-like practices and symbols that would be representative of our Alpha Phi identity, like our colors. If you were an Alpha Phi in those early years, you would have worn azure and gold with deep and abiding pride. 

A specific date for the selection of these fraternal colors was not recorded, but those colors did not last long. Alpha Phis refined our symbols and traditions, keeping what was meaningful and adjusting where necessary.

In 1879, the iconic Silver and Bordeaux we all know and love were selected to replace the azure and gold. The former colors had been selected by the men of Delta Upsilon as their colors, so it was decided that Alpha Phi would adopt different colors and keep their individual identity. Not all members were pleased with the change, but it was very important to Alpha Phi to keep our identity distinct from other groups. 

We do not have documentation around the reason our Founders chose these specific colors to be the new colors of the Fraternity, but Silver and Bordeaux have made their way into countless Alpha Phi songs, have become woven into our traditions and are part of our fond memories. The Silver and Bordeaux are often seen in ribbons worn under member badges to acknowledge special occasions such as Alpha Phi Founders’ Day, new chapter installations and milestone anniversaries. To sisters everywhere, the distinctive Silver and Bordeaux signify the sisterhood we call home.

Curious what the second major change of 1879 was? Members voted to move their meeting place to the fourth floor of the beautiful Onondaga County Savings Bank Building. It was there that the chapter would meet through 1884, when Alpha Phi became the first women’s fraternity to rent a chapter house.

PHOTO – The rich Silver and Bordeaux can be seen in many elements of Alpha Phi through the years.