Alpha Phi Milestones

Alpha Phi has launched an outstanding record of accomplishments, including:

• In 1875, inviting Frances E. Willard (a women's sufferage leader) to become the first alumna initiate.
• In 1886, becoming the first women's fraternity in America to build and occupy its own chapter house.
• In 1888, establishing the Alpha Phi Quarterly, an award-winning magazine that has been published continuously to the present day.
• In 1894, becoming the first women's fraternity to use "traveling delegates," now known as Field Consultants and District Governors.
• In 1902, called the inter-sorority meeting that resulted in the formation of the association now known as the National Panhellenic Council, which then included Pi Beta Phi, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, and Delta Delta Delta. This was the first intergroup organization on college campuses.
• In 1905, having a member, Frances E. Willard, recognized by the U.S. Congress who placed a statue of her in Statuary Hall in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, the first woman to be so recognized. The pose is typical of her, standing at a lectern with a manuscript in her hand.
• In 1906, becoming an "International" fraternity when Xi chapter was chartered at the University of Toronto.
• In 1922, on the fiftieth anniversary, accumulating a $50,000 endowment fund.
• In 1940, having a member, Frances E. Willard, portrayed on a U.S. postage stamp.
• In 1964, making 100 commomorative gavels from the cherry and birch stair railing of the first sorority house and presenting them to the collegiate chapters, with the wish that they might serve as a "continuing reminder of Alpha Phi ideals which have stayed so constant over the past years."
• In 1986, introducing RESPOND: A Forum for Supportive Action, an anti-victimization education program dealing with alcohol abuse, acquaintance rape, eating disorders, suicide, hazing, and harrassment.
• In 1988, introducing risk management education to collegians.
• In 1990, introducing a peer education program for AIDS education.
• In 1995, became the first NPC International/National to have a site on the World Wide Web.

 

     More than a century after its founding, Alpha Phi has a membership of over 100,000, with over 130 collegiate chapters and more than 200 alumnae chapters in the United States and Canada. Some 4,500 young women pledge Alpha Phi every year. It is these women that will add to our heritage.

     Indeed, Alpha Phi is an important prescence on the campuses of many major universities and liberal arts colleges today. Lifetime friendships, enduring values, and support for personal goals are still a part of the Alpha Phi experience today. In addition, an Alpha Phi collegian has the opportunity to learn and practice leadership and
management skills and make a major contribution to her community through philanthropic activities.