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 speech includes fun Alpha Phi facts including that the organization had the first and second chapter houses in the country, why the Fraternity greeting uses a white handkerchief, and important discussions from the 1926 Convention.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date:
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: Archive Collection
Date: 1964
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 for the 1929 District I Convention Banquet features the menu and a list of speakers.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Mar 23rd, 1929
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 for the 1897 Alpha Chapter Reunion features the menu and a list of toasts.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Jun 9th, 1897
This program includes the schedule and delegates of the 1940 Convention of Alpha Phi.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Jun 25th, 1940 - Jun 30th, 1940
This page contains a list of names of Alpha Phi's who attended the 40th Biennial Convention of Alpha Phi.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Jun 27th, 1954 - Jul 2nd, 1954
This page contains a list of names of Alpha Phi's who attended the 40th Biennial Convention of Alpha Phi.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Jun 27th, 1954 - Jul 2nd, 1954
This page contains a list of names of Alpha Phi's who attended the 40th Biennial Convention of Alpha Phi.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Jun 27th, 1954 - Jul 2nd, 1954
This page contains a list of names of Alpha Phi's who attended the 40th Biennial Convention of Alpha Phi.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Jun 27th, 1954 - Jul 2nd, 1954
This page contains a list of names of Alpha Phi's who attended the 40th Biennial Convention of Alpha Phi.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Jun 27th, 1954 - Jul 2nd, 1954
Notary Public N.F. Kendall signs this land deed granting George and Julia Sawyer ownership of the 8th Ward of Syracuse, New York.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Jul 8th, 1886
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
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
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