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 page contains three photographs regarding chapter life at the Alpha Chapter.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: 1926
This page contains six photographs regarding chapter life at the Alpha Chapter.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: 1926
This scrapbook documents the chapter life of every Alpha Phi chapter between 1925 and 1926.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: 1925 - 1926
This page contains a address book for Alpha Chapter members.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: 1926
This page contains four photograph regarding chapter life at the Alpha Chapter.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: 1926
This page contains a photograph regarding chapter life at the Alpha Chapter.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: 1926
This page contains a newspaper clipping and a program regarding the Alpha Chapter's initiation banquet.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Mar 5th, 1926 - Sep 19th, 1926
This page contains a photograph of the Alpha Chapter members and an envelope containing a copy of the newsletter, Milestones.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Feb 15th, 1926
This page contains three items of ephemera belonging to the Alpha Chapter.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Feb 7th, 1925 - Jun 12th, 1925
This article discusses the installation of Eta Epsilon Chapter at Villanova University. This article includes three photographs from the installation.
Collection: Publications
Date: 1987
These notes about Alpha Phi symbols and mottos were written by Founder Martha Foote Crow.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date:
This program for the 1947 Alpha Phi Diamond Jubilee Banquet features a list of speakers and a menu.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Sep 27th, 1947
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Mar 22nd, 1945 - Mar 24th, 1945
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Jun 26th, 1890
This list contains a list of Alpha Phi members who attended the fifth annual convention of Alpha Phi.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Oct 22nd, 1886
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Jun 28th, 2002
This article lists the recipients of various Foundation scholarships. Photographs of the majority of the women are included.
Collection: Publications
Date: 1987
This video narrated by Diane Spry Straker advertises the Alpha Phi Foundation and highlights its programming in cardiac care events, scholarships, and the Forget-Me-Not fund. The video also includes testimonials from Linda Gardner Massie, Linda Groves, Jean Cameron Hahm, and Lena Quist Homburg.
Collection: Audio-Visual Collection
Date:
The Foundation acknowledges donations on behalf of new babies and new initiates received between March 21-June 1, 1987.
Collection: Publications
Date: 1987
Alpha Phi Alumnae Vice President Martha Watkins Mast gave this speech honoring the Fraternity founders over the grave of Founder Kate Hogoboom Gilbert during the centennial celebrations.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Oct 10th, 1972