Alpha Phi is an international women's fraternity founded on September 18, 1872, at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York. It is one of the oldest Greek-letter organizations for women, established during a time when women's education was still gaining acceptance and collegiate opportunities for women were limited.
Founding and Early History: Ten pioneering women—Clara Bradley Baker Wheeler Burdette, Florence Chidester Lukens, Martha Foote Crow, Ida Gilbert Houghton, Jane Higham, Kate Hogoboom Gilbert, Elizabeth Grace Hubbell Shults, Louise Shepard Hancock, Clara Sittser Williams, and Hattie Florence Cobb—came together to form a literary society that evolved into Alpha Phi. Their initial aim was to provide a supportive network and intellectual community for women attending the university.
Purpose and Values: Alpha Phi emphasizes the development of character, leadership, scholarship, and sisterhood among its members. The fraternity's core values often cited include loyalty, generosity, innovation, and a commitment to personal growth and community involvement. It promotes a lifelong bond of friendship and mutual support among its members.
Philanthropy: Alpha Phi's philanthropic focus is on women's heart health, specifically through the Alpha Phi Foundation. The foundation raises funds for cardiac care research, provides scholarships to members, and supports leadership training and educational programs. Many collegiate and alumnae chapters host fundraising events to support this cause.
Membership and Chapters: Alpha Phi maintains a presence on college campuses across the United States and Canada, with hundreds of collegiate chapters. Membership is open to women enrolled in degree-granting programs at institutions where Alpha Phi has an active chapter. Upon graduation, members typically transition into alumnae chapters, maintaining their connection to the fraternity.
Governance: The fraternity is governed by an International Executive Board, composed of alumnae volunteers, which oversees the organization's strategic direction, policies, and operations. Collegiate chapters are typically advised by alumnae volunteers and university faculty/staff.