Alpha Phi

{{Infobox fraternity

| name = Alpha Phi

| letters = {{lang|grc|ΑΦ}}

| crest = Alpha_Phi_coat_of_arms.png

| image_size = 160px

| founded = {{start date and age|1872|10|10}}

| birthplace = Syracuse University

| affiliation = NPC

| status = Active

| type = Social sorority

| scope = North America

| motto = Union hand in hand

| pillars = Sisterhood, Generosity, Innovation, and Character

| member badge = 90px

| colors = {{color box|#722F37}} Bordeaux and {{color box|#C0C0C0}} Silver

| symbol = Ivy

| flower = Lily of the Valley and Forget-me-not

| publication = Alpha Phi Quarterly

| philanthropy = Alpha Phi Foundation{{Cite web|url=http://www.alphaphifoundation.org|title = Alpha Phi Foundationi}}

| chapters = 175{{Cite web|url=http://www.alphaphi.org/aboutus/whoweare|title = Who We Are - Learn More About Alpha Phi}}

| lifetime = 250,000+

| nickname = APhi and Phi's

| jewel = Ruby

| mascot = Phi Bear

| address = 1985 S. Josephine Street

| city = Denver

| state = Colorado

| ZIP code = 80210

| country = United States

| homepage = {{URL|http://alphaphi.org/}}

}}

Alpha Phi International Women's Fraternity ({{lang|grc|ΑΦ}}, also known as APhi) is an international sorority with 175 active chapters and over 270,000 initiated members. Founded at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York in 1872, it was the fourth Greek-letter organization for women, and the first women's fraternity founded in the northeast. Alpha Phi is a member of the National Panhellenic Conference, the governing council of 26 women's fraternities. Alpha Phi's international headquarters are located in Denver, Colorado.

History

In September 1872, Martha Foote, Clara Sittser, and Kate Hogoboom invited others to a meeting to discuss forming a women's fraternity at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York.{{Cite web |last=Becque |first=Fran |date=2022-10-10 |title=Happy 150th Alpha Phi! |url=https://www.franbecque.com/happy-150th-alpha-phi/ |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=Fraternity History & More |language=en-US}} Alpha Phi was founded on September 18, 1872.{{Cite web |title=Greek Info Pages: NPC Sororities |url=http://greekpages.webs.com/npc/npc.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711084345/http://greekpages.webs.com/npc/npc.html |archive-date=July 11, 2012 |access-date=December 17, 2024 |website=Brookline University}} It was the fourth Greek-letter organization founded for women, and the first women's fraternity founded in the northeast. Alpha Phi considers itself a women's fraternity because its founding date predates the invention of the word "sorority".{{cite web |editor2=Carroll Lurding |title=Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities (Baird's Manual Online Archive), showing Alpha Phi chapters |url=https://uofi.app.box.com/v/womens-pdf-folder/file/459803154069 |access-date=30 December 2021 |website=Student Life and Culture Archives |publisher=University of Illinois Archives |language=English |editor1=William Raimond Baird |location=University of Illinois}} The main archive URL is [https://www.library.illinois.edu/slc/welcome/fraternity-sorority-almanac/ The Baird's Manual Online Archive homepage].File:AlphaPhiFourFounders.tifAlpha Phi's founding members were:Shepard, Francis W., ed. (1927). [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Baird_s_Manual_of_American_College_Frate/Z1vOAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%22alpha%20phi%22 Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (11th ed.)]. Menasha, Wisconsin: George Banta Publishing Company. p. 253-254 – via Google Books.

Clara Bradley (Burdette)
Florence Chidester (Lukens)
Martha Foote (Crow)
Ida Gilbert (Houghton)
Elizabeth Grace (Hubbell)
Kate Hogoboom (Gilbert)
Rena Michaels (Atchinson)
Louise Shepherd (Hancock)
Clara Sittser (Williams)

It was formed "on the principles of the promotion of character growth; unity of feeling, sisterly affection, and social communion among the members."{{cite web |title=Alpha Phi Bylaws 2012 |url=https://beinvolved.indiana.edu/organization/AlphaPhi/documents/view/454647 |access-date=3 June 2018 |website=Indiana University - beINvolved}} Michaels were selected as its first president.

The fraternity initially met at its member's homes. Later, it had a chapter room over Sager and Grave's carpet store on Salina Street for six years. It rented a suite of rooms in the Onondaga County Savings Bank Building from 1878 to 1884. In 1884, the fraternity rented a house; it decided to build a chapter house at the end of that year.

The Alpha chapter of Alpha Iota purchased a lot at 17 University Place in May 1886. With the member's fathers serving as a board of trustees, the fraternity secured a loan to build a chapter house. When the sorority moved into its chapter house in November 1886, it became the first women's fraternity or sorority to own its own chapter house.

Although the actual founding date of the fraternity is {{dts|1872|09|18}}, Alpha Phi has celebrated its Founders Day on October 10 since 1902, since many colleges and universities were not open for classes in mid-September at that time.{{Cite web |title=Founders' Day - Celebrate 152 Years of Alpha Phi on October 10th |url=https://alphaphi.org/alumnae-engagement/attend-an-event/founders-day/ |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=Alpha Phi |language=en-US}}

Alpha Phi is a member of the National Panhellenic Conference, the governing council of 26 women's fraternities.{{Cite news |title=Our Member Organizations |url=https://npcwomen.dynamic.omegafi.com/about/our-member-organizations/ |access-date=2018-05-10 |work=National Panhellenic Conference |language=en-US}} Alpha Phi's international headquarters are located at 1985 S. Josephine Street in Denver, Colorado.{{Cite web |title=Contact Us |url=https://alphaphi.org/contact-us/ |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=Alpha Phi |language=en-US}}

Symbols

Alpha Phi's public motto is "Union hand in hand".{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Ida |title=The Sorority Handbook |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.$b307278 |access-date=2024-12-18 |website= |page=54 |language=en |via=HathiTrust}} Its ideals or pillars as Sisterhood, Generosity, Innovation, and Character. Its insignia is the constellation of Ursa Major.

Alpha Phi's primary symbol is the ivy leaf. Its colors are bordeaux and silver gray. Its flowers are the Lily of the Valley and the Forget-me-not. Its jewel is the ruby. Its mascot is Phi Bear. The fraternity's nicknames are APhi and Phi's.

Its publication is the Alpha Phi Quarterly, first published in July 1888.

=Badge=

The Alpha Phi badge is a gold monogram of the Greek letter Alpha ({{lang|grc|Α}}) resting on the Greek letter Phi ({{lang|grc|Φ}}), engraved with the Greek acronym ({{lang|grc|Α.Ο.Ε.}}) in black. It can be customized in silver or gold and may be adorned with only white jewels - pearls or diamonds. Before the adoption of the current badge in 1906, "each member [of Alpha Phi] went to the jeweler of her choice to have her pin designed."{{Cite web|url=http://www.alphaphi.org/about_us/famousphis.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070318125422/http://www.alphaphi.org/about_us/famousphis.html|url-status=dead|title=AlphaPhi.org|archive-date=March 18, 2007}} Its pledge pin was a silver ivy leaf with the Greek letters {{lang|grc|ΑΦ}}.

The fraternity introduced a fifty-year pin at its 42nd convention in 1958. This badge is a silver circle with red stones and is a replica of the pins presented to the founders at the fraternity's 50th anniversary in 1922.

Chapters

{{Main|List of Alpha Phi chapters|List of Alpha Phi alumnae chapters}}

Philanthropy

In 1956, Alpha Phi became one of the first women's fraternities to establish a Foundation.{{Cite web |title=Philanthropy and Service - How Alpha Phis Make a Difference |url=https://alphaphi.org/join-alpha-phi/philanthropy-and-service/ |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=Alpha Phi |language=en-US}} Alpha Phi officially adopted Cardiac Care as its philanthropic priority in 1946, which then became the Foundation's focus, along with awarding academic scholarships, upon its founding in 1956. The Foundation supports Alpha Phi's leadership training and programming, awards need-based and merit-based scholarships, invests in the advancement of women's heart health, and preserves Alpha Phi's rich and expansive heritage.{{cite web |title=About Alpha Phi Foundation |url=https://www.alphaphifoundation.org/about/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=February 28, 2022 |work=Alpha Phi Foundation}}

The foundation's most notable program is its Women's Heart Health Program and Heart to Heart to Grant, a $100,000 grant awarded to medical professionals to better understand heart disease in women—specifically its symptoms, treatment, and prevention.{{Cite web |title=Women's Heart Health |url=https://www.alphaphifoundation.org/vital-programs/womens-heart-health/ |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=Alpha Phi Foundation |language=en-US}} Since its establishment in 1993, the Heart to Heart Grant has invested over $1.4 million in women's heart health initiatives.{{Cite web |title=Learn about the Heart to Heart Grant |url=https://www.alphaphifoundation.org/vital-programs/womens-heart-health/heart-to-heart-grant/ |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=Alpha Phi Foundation |language=en-US}} Collegiate chapters, alumnae chapters and individual members can nominate a local heart project for the Heart to Heart Grant. Self-nominations are also accepted. The recipient is selected by a team of medical professionals and the Foundation's Board of Directors.

Notable members

Local chapter or member misconduct

In 2013, Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev was terminated from the Theta Mu chapter at Hofstra University for abusive hazing. At the time, Kazantsev was serving the chapter as head of recruitment.{{Cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/america-hazed-sorority-pledges-report-article-1.1948702|title=Miss America engaged in 'dirty pledging' at Hofstra University sorority: report - NY Daily News|last=Hutchinson|first=Bill|work=nydailynews.com|access-date=2018-06-17|language=en-US}} Kazantsev denied being abusive{{cite news|title=Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev Denies Hazing Allegations|url=https://gma.yahoo.com/miss-america-2015-kira-kazantsev-denies-hazing-allegations-131102330--abc-news-celebrities.html|agency=Good Morning America|date=December 24, 2023}} and maintained that her not attending a sorority hearing of her case resulted in her termination.{{cite web|url=http://www.silive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/09/miss_america_kira_kazantsev_fa.html|title=Miss America Kira Kazantsev faces allegations of hazing|access-date=December 24, 2023|date=September 23, 2014|work=SILive.com|author=Lauren Steussy}}{{cite web|url=http://kirakazantsev.com/2014/09/the-reality-of-miss-america/ |title=The Reality of Miss America |access-date=December 24, 2023 |date=September 23, 2014 |work=kirakazantsev.com |author=Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140925102040/http://kirakazantsev.com/2014/09/the-reality-of-miss-america/ |archive-date=September 25, 2014 }}

In 2015, the Beta Mu chapter at the University of Alabama took down a recruitment video that was heavily criticized for its lack of diversity and the provocative way in which collegiate women were portrayed.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/19/nytnow/sorority-video-generates-charges-of-discrimination.html|title=Sorority Video Generates Charges of Discrimination|last=Bromwich|first=Jonah|date=2015-08-18|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-01-20|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}

In October 2016, the Iota Delta chapter at the University of Rhode Island charter was revoked for at least four years. On bid day, the sorority was accused of endangering the health and safety of new members and violating the university's alcohol policy.{{Cite web|url=http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20161031/uri-revokes-sororitys-charter-following-alcohol-violation|title = URI revokes sorority's charter following alcohol violation}}

In January 2018, Harley Barber, a member of the Beta Mu chapter at the University of Alabama was terminated from the sorority and expelled from the university after posting videos on social media in which she repeatedly used the n-word and other profanities to make degrading comments about African Americans.{{Cite news|url=https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2018/01/harley_barbers_mom_says_daught.html?fb_comment_id=1575392435829432_1575404795828196|title=Harley Barber's mom says daughter is degrading herself, OK with punishment|work=AL.com|access-date=2018-06-17|language=en-US}} The incident gained media coverage across the country. University President Stuart R. Bell, the University Panhellenic Association, and Linda Kahangi, executive director of Alpha Phi International Fraternity, released statements.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2018/01/17/she-recorded-herself-making-racial-slurs-on-mlk-day-her-college-expelled-her/|title=She recorded herself making racial slurs on MLK Day. Her college expelled her.|last=Eltagouri|first=Marwa|date=2018-01-17|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=2018-06-17|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286}}

In January 2018, three members of the Iota Iota chapter at the George Washington University were removed from the organization due to what was deemed a racist social media post. The incident prompted criticism from national and international news sources and the university's Student Association received petitions to remove the chapter from campus.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/02/02/racially-insensitive-photo-sparks-outrage-george-washington-university/300023002/|title=Racially insensitive photo sparks outrage at George Washington University|website=USA TODAY|language=en|access-date=2019-05-23}}

In September 2018, a document by a former recruitment chair of the University of Michigan Alpha Phi chapter surfaced with descriptions of how the chapter's membership selection process was based on selecting for certain physical appearances and assigning numbers to these women based on the judgment of the recruitment chairs and representatives from their international headquarters. The exposé described that Alpha Phi supervisors ordered her to give the Potential New Members (PNMs) an "External Prescore" based on pictures from their social media profiles. Throughout the recruitment process, active members in the sorority were also ranked on superficial qualities and matched with "stronger" or "weaker" PNMs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.michigandaily.com/section/campus-life/letter-detailing-nationals-sanctioned-superficial-rush-process-unnamed-sorority|title=Letter detailing Nationals-sanctioned superficial rush process causes unrest in U community|last=Reporter|first=Elizabeth Lawrence Daily Staff|website=The Michigan Daily|date=September 28, 2018|language=en|access-date=2019-03-22}}

In the fall of 2018, the Alpha Phi chapter at Old Dominion University was suspended for one year from March 22, 2019, through March 22, 2020, and subjected to an organization assessment and action plan for intimidation, use, or possession of alcohol, furnishing or distributing alcohol, and violation of university policy.{{cite web |title=Chapter Standings - Alpha Phi |url=https://www.odu.edu/student-engagement-traditions/fraternity-sorority/chapter-standings |website=odu.edu |date=August 30, 2022 |publisher=Old Dominion University |access-date=25 December 2023}}

In February 2023, the Theta Mu chapter at Hofstra University was accused of body-shaming inductees. At an event they held, they only had size small t-shirts. This chapter also had a reputation for "only allowing thin girls" into the sorority.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehofstrachronicle.com/category/news/2023/3/28/panhellenic-council-investigating-sorority-for-body-shaming|title=Panhellenic Council investigating sorority for body-shaming|last=Armstrong|first=Madeline|date=2023-03-28|website=The Hofstra Chronicle|language=en-US|access-date=2023-03-28}}