Sisterhood
Alpha Phi was founded by ten women, at Syracuse University in 1872. When they were denied entrance into men's fraternities, they decided to create their own and begin a path of sisterhood and friendship. At Alpha Phi, we uphold the traditions started by these ten remarkable women. While we live in the present, our past traditions bind us all together.
Pioneering Spirit
Since her inception, Alpha Phi has been a leader in the Greek community, largely due to her emphasis on innovative improvement. Alpha Phi’s founders encouraged one another to think, invent and improve. This pioneering spirit can be seen throughout Alpha Phi history and today, in our founding, in developing new chapters and in celebrating one of the many Alpha Phi firsts.
Caring
Alpha Phis grow and learn from those around us. Members are encouraged to mentor, partner with and learn from fellow sisters to help future Alpha Phis grow – in effect strengthening our sisterhood.
Scholarship
Alpha Phi’s founders were ten of the first women to enter Syracuse University in 1872. These women valued their education above societal expectations and shared the desire to acquire knowledge and education. This is a value that all Alpha Phis still share today.
When you join Alpha Phi, you join a worldwide network of more than 150 collegiate chapters, multiple alumnae chapters and more than 200,000 sisters! Membership in Alpha Phi opens the door to new and exciting things during college and beyond.
Sisters share a commitment to excellence and a strong desire to help one another and their communities. Alpha Phis are leaders, scholars, contributors and lifetime members of a sisterhood that values these traits.
Alpha Phi legacies are an important part of our tradition! Many legacies choose to join Alpha Phi and enjoy sharing in the bond of sisterhood with the mothers, grandmothers or sisters. Some legacies may find homes in other chapters, but remain an important part of the Alpha Phi family.
To read more about Alpha Phi's legacy policy or to find our potential member recommendation form, click here.
Because we liken our sisterhood to an extended family, Alpha Phi also has a special program for the mothers of our members that allows them to be initiated into Alpha Phi membership along with their daughters (provided that the mother is not an initiated member of another NPC group) so that they can share the special experience, and the bond of fraternal sisterhood, with their daughter.
