The story of the founding of Alpha Chapter is also that of the beginning of Alpha Phi International Fraternity. From the first expression of their mutual need for “a circle of friends who could sympathize with one another,” our Founders envisioned that the circle would embrace far flung campuses. Among those 20 women entering Syracuse in the fall of 1872, there were six freshmen, three sophomores and a junior who became the Founders of Alpha Phi. They were the Original Ten. These Syracuse University women believed that their idea of a women's fraternity was original and that theirs would be the first college women's society. They were unaware that the same idea had occurred to four women at DePauw who founded Kappa Alpha Theta in January of 1870. Three months later the four founders of Kappa Kappa Gamma at Monmouth College in Illinois likewise believed themselves the originators of the first Greek letter college women's fraternity. While not the first women’s fraternity, Alpha Phi provided a sense of community , respect and camaraderie for its members, much as it continues to do today. On September 30, 1872 at the home of Ida Gilbert, with a ritual, symbols and a pledge, The Original Ten founded Alpha of Alpha Phi. For twelve years, the members of Alpha Chapter used a suite of rooms in which to have their meetings. Then, in 1884 Alpha moved to a rented house near the university. In 1886, they purchased land with the intention of building a house. They secured a first mortgage from a bank and an Alpha Phi father lent them money for a second mortgage. A contractor was hired and in January 1887, the members dedicated their new chapter house. For years to come Baird's Manual held Alpha Phi in high regard because they had financed the first chapter house and were in possession of real property at a time where that was less common for women.
Sep 18th, 1872
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This video features footage from both the 1954 Convention in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, and the 1938 Convention in Pasadena, California.
Collection: Audio-Visual Collection
Date: Jun 6th, 1996
This page features a note with rhymes from different chapters.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date:
Collection: Publications
Date:
This cassette tape from the 1974 Convention features opening remarks, the slate of nominated Executive Board officers, a keynote speaker, and the beginning of the Convention Awards Banquet.
Collection: Audio-Visual Collection
Date: Jun 21st, 1974
This cassette tape from the 1978 Convention features a speech from International President Phyllis Sims Selig and a performance of Alpha Phi songs by the Convention choir.
Collection: Audio-Visual Collection
Date: 1978
This program includes a list of the Founders, the banquet's menu, a list of toasts, and a list of active chapters.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: 1908
This program includes the schedule and delegates of the 1940 Convention of Alpha Phi.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Jun 25th, 1940 - Jun 30th, 1940
Founder Martha Foote Crow details the founding of Alpha Phi on the 25th anniversary of the Fraternity.
Collection: Beta Epsilon Chapter Scrapbook Collection
Date: Oct 16th, 1897
This essay contains Martha Foote Crow's memories of the founding of Alpha Phi at Syracuse University.
Collection: Delta Mu Chapter Scrapbook Collection
Date: Oct 16th, 1897
Abby B. Bates congratulates the Gamma Chapter on their acceptance into Alpha Phi and discussed potential new chapters.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Jul 29th, 1887
This binder page features planning notes for the 1953 Wisconsin State Day.
Collection: Theta Chapter Archive Collection
Date: Oct 9th, 1953
This binder page features notes from the November 1942 meeting held by the Milwaukee Alumnae Chapter.
Collection: Theta Chapter Archive Collection
Date: Nov 17th, 1942
Lori Abrams, Noel Eberly, and Deanna Parker pose with two Alpha Chapter members at the 1991 Alpha Chapter Bid Day.
Collection: Alpha Phi Digitization Days Collection
Date: Sep 15th, 1991
Collection: Object Collection
Date:
Agnes Pettik informs the Gamma Chapter about the activities of the Alpha Chapter including parties and college life.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Feb 19th, 1888
Agnes Pettik informs the Gamma Chapter about the activities of the Alpha Chapter including updates to the chapter house and the events the chapter attended.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Feb 16th, 1888
Agnes Pettik informs the Gamma Chapter about the activities of Alpha Chapter including throwing Halloween party, writing a newsletter, and deciding what subjects the chapter should study.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Nov 17th, 1887
Ayney Pettik congratulates Miss Fannie Hays and the Gamma Chapter on becoming members of Alpha Phi.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Jul 12th, 1887
Agnes informs the Gamma Chapter about the activities of the Alpha Chapter including graduation at Syracuse University.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Apr 30th, 1888
This page contains three newspaper clippings regarding the Rho Chapter and a newspaper clippings regarding an alumnae event.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Mar 7th, 1948