Our Founding

In September, 1872, twenty young women entered Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, when the institution first opened its doors to women. Pursuing their studies in a thoroughly male-dominated environment, these women had a pressing need for friends who could sympathize with each others problems and support each others aspirations.

Among these earnest students in the entering month of August, 1872, were six freshmen, three sophomores, and a junior whose brave hearts were filled with a noble purpose and whose eyes saw clearly into the future. These were the Founders of Alpha Phi.

Alpha Phi has launched an outstanding record of accomplishments, including:

-In 1875, inviting Frances E. Willard (a women;s suffrage leader) to become the first alumna initiate. -In 1886, becoming the first womens fraternity in America to build and occupy its own chapter house. -In 1888, establishing the Alpha Phi Quarterly, an award-winning magazine that has been published continuously to the present day. -In 1894, becoming the first womens fraternity to use traveling delegates, now known as Field Consultants and District Governors. -In 1902, called the inter-sorority meeting that resulted in the formation of the association now known as the National Panhellenic Council. This was the first intergroup organization on college campuses. -In 1905, having a member, Frances E. Willard, recognized by the U.S. Congress who placed a statue of her in Statuary Hall in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, the first woman to be so recognized. The pose is typical of her, standing at a lectern with a manuscript in her hand. -In 1906, becoming an international  fraternity when Xi chapter was chartered at the University of Toronto. -In 1922, on the fiftieth anniversary, accumulating a $50,000 endowment fund.  -In 1940, having a member, Frances E. Willard, portrayed on a U.S. postage stamp. -In 1964, making 100 commomorative gavels from the cherry and birch stair railing of the first sorority house and presenting them to the collegiate chapters, with the wish that they might serve as a continuing reminder of Alpha Phi ideals which have stayed so constant over the past years. -In 1986, introducing RESPOND: A Forum for Supportive Action, an anti-victimization education program dealing with alcohol abuse, acquaintance rape, eating disorders, suicide, hazing, and harassment. -In 1988, introducing risk management education to collegians. -In 1990, introducing a peer education program for AIDS education. -In 1995, became the first NPC International/National to have a site on the World Wide Web.