Purpose
of Alpha Phi
Epsilon
Xi Chapter History
Alpha
Phi International History
Philanthropy
Phi
Facts
Alpha
Phi Symbols
The objectives of our fraternity are the promotion of growth
in character, unity of feeling, sisterly affection, and social communion among
our members. In all that we do, we try to obey God's principles of justice and
right. We have banded ourselves together to improve our minds and hearts, and we
seek to aid each other through a constant watchcare always given in love. We
believe ourselves to be sincere searchers for truth.
We seek the highest ideal of womanhood, and we try to gain this ideal by cultivating not only the power and passion for seeking intellectual development but also, the spirit of love and charity. And we who are thus united are under a solemn pledge to lend a helping hand to one another.
---Constitution of Alpha Phi International Fraternity, Incorporated, Article II.
On October 7, 1971, five women met to form a social service sorority. Their purpose was to create an organization which not only expanded upon the realization of higher goals and ideals. These women strived to work together to serve others and at the same time to allow each to retain their individual efforts. The result of these efforts was Mu Phi Alpha.
Decision for National Affiliation: The ladies of Mu Phi Alpha decided that affiliation with a national sorority would allow them a greater opportunity to fulfill humanitarian interests by working with groups throughout the United States and Canada. Alpha Phi was chosen because it was bounded on the same basic principles, both shared the same values and goals, and both believed in the importance of INDIVIDUALITY. In addition, affiliation with Alpha Phi provided meaningful relationships with girls from other campuses and from all over the would. This affiliaton with Alpha Phi made Mu Phi Alpha the first international social sorority on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
On October 7, 1972, while Alpha Phi celebrated its 100th birthday, the members of Mu Phi Alpha were formally pledged. Ten ladies were formally initiated as sisters of Alpha Phi on February 17, 1973. On March 3, 1974, twenty-two members of Epsilon Xi became charter members of the Epsilon Xi Chapter.
Alpha Phi International History
In early September of 1872, Martha Foote, Kate Hogoboom and Clara Sittser gathered one afternoon to discuss the problems facing the first college women entering Syracuse University. Feeling that their presence in the classroom was unwelcome, that their position in this experiment of coeducation was by no means secure and having witnessed the solidarity of the fraternities, they asked, "...why can't we have a society as well as the men?"
In inviting the rest of the female student body to join them for another meeting, they answered their own question.
After further meetings prepared the way, the first chapter meeting was held on September 18, 1872. Rena Michaels was elected President and plans were made for weekly meetings. Literary programs and a debate every three weeks were included in the agenda.
On September 30, 1872, at the home of Ida Gilbert, ten women founded Alpha Phi with the first initiation ceremony.
The Alpha Phi Foundation is our philanthropy. Alpha Phi is the first sorority to establish a Foundation. The Alpha Phi Foundation was established in 1957. Today the Foundation provides support for cardiac care and research, aid to women in need throughout the Forget-Me-Not and Emergency Aid Funds, and grants to the Fraternity for leadership training and educational funds.
*Alpha Phi is one of the three oldest collegiate women's social organizations to be founded as a Greek-letter fraternity.
*Alpha Phi was the first women's fraternity to occupy a chapter house, and in 1886, at Syracuse University, New York, the Alpha Chapter built the first sorority house in America!
*The original cherry and birch stair railing of the original Alpha house was used to make Alpha Phi heirlooms. One hundred commemorative gavels were made from this wood.
*Alpha Phi in 1902, called an inter-sorority meeting which resulted in the founding of what is now the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC).
*Alpha Phi was the first women's fraternity to publish a book length history in 1902.
*Alpha Phi, on its 50th anniversary in 1922, was the first to publish a fifty year history and to accumulate a $50,000 endowment fund.
*Alpha Phi was the first fraternity to have a visiting delegate - the forerunner of present-day field representatives and district officers.
*Alpha Phi's original colors were blue and gold. In 1879, the colors were changed to the more distinctive silver and bordeaux. Blue and gold were the colors of the Fraternity Delta Upsilon, and the change was made in order to truly set us apart from any other fraternity's colors.
*Alpha Phi published its first Quarterly Magazine in July 1888 and has not missed an issue.
*Alpha Phi has, since 1946, donated over a million hours of volunteer service and raised and contributed over $3.5 million for Heart projects, including research at Children's Hospital in Los Angeles and the University of Minnesota Pediatrics Department.
*Alpha Phi is the only organization that has twice received the American Heart Association's highest award of distinction - The Heart and Torch Award.
*Alpha Phi developed the first apartment style sorority house in 1972.
*Alpha Phi scholorships and grants exceed $40,000 annually to further education of undergraduate and graduate women.
*Alpha Phi is truly an "international" sorority with the longest continual presence in Canada of any sorority.
*Alpha Phi became the first NPC group with a homepage on the World Wide Web in 1995.
*Alpha Phi is pronounced Alpha "Fee" not "Fie" because it is proper Greek grammar when the Phi follows a vowel.
*Alpha Phi is currently the fourth largest women's fraternity with 148 chapters and colonies from coast to coast and 175 alumnae chapters.
*Alpha Phi's official name is Alpha Phi International Fraternity Inc.
Colors: Silver and Bordeaux
Symbols: Ivy Leaf and Stars
Flowers: Lilly of the Valley and the Forget Me Not
Mascot: The Phi Bear
Motto: Union Hand in Hand
*Information taken from "The Ivy Leaf: An Introduction to Alpha Phi" 1996 ed.
*Historical information compiled by Rebecca Ryan.
Copyright © 2004 by Alpha Phi - Epsilon Xi Chapter. All rights reserved.
URL: http://www.siue.edu/STACTV/AP
Site created and maintained by Leah Bennett.
Revised: 12 July 2004