Brave hearts filled with a noble purpose whose eyes saw clearly into the future.
At a time when society looked upon women only as daughters, wives, and mothers—and therefore not in need of higher education—our ten founders were pioneers of the coeducational system. Attending school with the handicap of implied, if not open, opposition, our founders sought support from each other.
There was a need for a social center, a place of conference, a tie which should unite, a circle of friends who could sympathize with one another in their perplexities. They formed Alpha Phi in 1872 at Syracuse University.
Today, Alpha Phi continues to provide a "tie which unites, a circle of friends" for women young and old all around the world. From hand to hand and heart to heart, we are all grateful and proud of the legacy left to us by our founders.
The two most well-known founders are Martha Foote Crow and Kate Hogoboom Gilbert. Martha (or Mattie, as she was more commonly known) was the first President of Alpha Phi. She dreamed of an internation fraternity, and was passionate about bringing Alpha Phi to other women. She was the fourth Alpha Phi to serve as the Dean of Education at Northwestern University, and also fouded the American Association of University Women.
Kate Gilbert was the first recording secretary for Alpha Phi. She had a passion for Alpha Phi that was said to be infectious. She, along with Martha Foote Crow wrote the Ritual, and our first Constitution.
