Although today, September 18, is not Alpha Phi’s official Founders’ Day, it is the day upon which Alpha Phi was founded. It is the oldest of the Syracuse Triad, the three women’s National Panhellenic Conference organizations – Alpha Phi, Gamma Phi Beta and Alpha Gamma Delta – founded at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York. A chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon, was established at Syracuse University in 1871. A year later, Martha Foote, Clara Sittser and Kate Hogoboom discussed forming an organization of their own. They invited the handful of women attending Syracuse to a discussion about this possibility.
In September 1872, ten women met and pledged allegiance to the sisterhood. Minutes from the first meeting noted that Rena Michaels was chosen president. Plans were made for weekly meetings at which literary exercises would be part of the program. A 25¢ tax was levied for the purchase of a secretary’s book. The first debate was “Resolved – that women have their rights.” A more interesting homage to Alpha Phi will appear on October 10, so check back.
Lana Zoe Jensen
I love Broadway musicals so I was elated to see this tweet. Zoe Jensen, an alumna of Alpha Gamma Delta’s Southern Illinois University chapter, will be in the Hamilton touring company. Southern Illinois friends take note; she will be appearing at the Fox Theater in St. Louis as part of the Angelica cast.
From my post of October 26, 2015:
