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
">Alpha Phifa Soccer Tournaments
$251,865.60
41
Sort by
Alpha Chapter member Martha Belle Churchill describes the history of Alpha Phi's founding at Syracuse University and outlines the organization's current goals and functions. The article also includes two photographs of the Alpha Chapter house.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Mar 1896
This essay, written by Founder Clara Bradley Burdette in celebration of Alpha Phi's 75th anniversary, tell the story of the Fraternity's founding and early days.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: 1947
This article describes the recent Alpha Chapter House rededication ceremony and lists the guests in attendance.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date:
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: 1920 - 1929
This lyric sheet features "All Together" and was used at an unknown Alpha Chapter event.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Oct 2nd, 1891
This cassette tape from the 1978 Convention features an address from International President Phyllis Sims Selig about Fraternity standards, new member recruitment, philanthropy projects, and general Fraternity business updates.
Collection: Audio-Visual Collection
Date: 1978
This cassette tape from the 1978 Convention features an address from newly elected International President Mary Carr Boyd about her journey to Alpha Phi, alumnae-collegian relations, and Fraternity standards.
Collection: Audio-Visual Collection
Date: 1978
This program lists the schedule and the menu for the Alpha Chapter's 54th Annual Initiation Banquet. The program also lists the new members initiated.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Mar 5th, 1926
A group of Alpha Phi alumnae pose together on a trip to Croatia in August 2022. This picture is encased in a white frame.
Collection: Alpha Phi Digitization Days Collection
Date: Aug 2022
This program for the 1927 Alpha Chapter Reunion Fly-Away Banquet features a list of toasts and a menu.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Jun 10th, 1927
This article provides information about the upcoming Syracuse Alumni Chapter Founders' Day event. The article also lists the Chapter's newly appointed committee chairmen.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: 1950 - 1959
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: May 1st, 1954
Alpha Phi Chapter members pose at the 1984 Alpha Phi and Zeta Psi Toga Party at Syracuse University.
Collection: Alpha Phi Digitization Days Collection
Date: Mar 23rd, 1984
This booklet contains meal tickets for the Alpha Phi Boarding Club luncheons.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: 1925
This drawing depicts the Alpha Chapter house living room in Syracuse, New York. This house is recognized as the first chapter house in Alpha Phi Fraternity.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date:
This list features the names of current Alpha Phi members organized by collegiate chapter.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date:
This page contains a photograph of Margaret E. Bond, and several items of ephemera.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: 1926
This page contains the address book of an Alpha Chapter member and a photograph of a woman in military uniform.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Sep 16th, 1926 - Oct 19th, 1926
This page contains a address book for Alpha Chapter members and a photograph of Alpha Phi members.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: 1926
This page contains a template for an address book and a newspaper clipping regarding Alpha Chapter member, Mary Landenberger's job as an actress.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: 1926