Alpha Phi’s uniqueness is rooted in the spirit of innovation originated by Alpha Phi’s ten Founders in 1872. As they made history as the first female students on campus, several decided that they were not satisfied with merely participating in the classroom. Denied admission to the men’s fraternities, our Founders chose to create their own fraternity for women.

 

The Founders of Alpha Phi were women “whose brave hearts were filled with a noble purpose and whose eyes saw clearly into the future.” They envisioned a far-reaching sisterhood from Alpha Phi’s inception. Their innovative leadership and organizational practices set the spirit for the Alpha Phi of the present—a sisterhood that values the past, embraces the present, and looks forward to the future.

 

Alpha Phi was founded before the word sorority was coined, which is why we are called Alpha Phi International Fraternity. The Founders were unaware of the existence of any other women’s fraternity, so they followed no precedents.

 

Alpha Phi’s Founders established a legacy of support for women and education at a time when most women did not have access to academic opportunity. Of Alpha Phi’s ten Founders, three were among the first women to be admitted to Phi Beta Kappa in 1875.

 

In 1874, the Syracuse Alpha Phis invited lecturer Frances E. Willard to become a member. Willard was a noted women’s rights advocate and has been described as the most famous woman in America at that time. She became an active alumna and helped begin Alpha Phi’s second chapter at Northwestern University. In 1888, she became Alpha Phi’s national president.

 

The events of Alpha Phi’s earliest activities through today, highlight curious women who did not back down from a challenge. Women who had a vision for Alpha Phi, and women who had the confidence in each other to make an impact.

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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