Alpha Phi is the oldest of the Syracuse Triad, the three women’s National Panhellenic Conference organizations, Alpha Phi, Gamma Phi Beta and Alpha Gamma Delta were founded at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York. In 1871, a chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon was established at Syracuse University.
In September of 1872, Martha Foote (Crowe), Clara Sittser (Williams) and Kate Hogoboom (Gilbert) discussed the situation. Foote led the charge and pondered the thought of women having fraternal organizations comparable to the ones the men enjoyed. They invited all the college women to discuss the possibility.
In September 1872, 10 women – the original three and Jane Higham, Clara Bradley (Burdette), Louise Shepherd (Hancock), Florence Chidester (Lukens), Ida Gilbert (Houghton), Elizabeth Grace (Hubbell), and Rena Michaels (Atchinson) met and pledged allegiance to the sisterhood. Minutes from the first meeting noted that Michaels was chosen president, plans were made for weekly meetings at which literary exercises would be part of the program, and a 25¢ tax was levied for the purchase of a secretary’s book. The first debate was “Resolved – that women have their rights.” Founders’ Day is celebrated on October 10.
Elizabeth Northup, grew up in Waltham, Massachusetts, where she graduated from Waltham High School in 1888. She entered Boston University and became a member of the Eta Chapter of Alpha Phi. Northup earned an A.B. in 1894 and graduated with Phi Beta Kappa honors. She later earned a Masters of Arts degree at BU.
Northup served as Alpha Phi’s President from 1896-1898. Anna Hersey (Cadmus) was elected President at the 1896 Convention but was only able to serve for four months. Northup took over and presided at the 1898 convention in Boston. It rained throughout the convention but “this could not dampen the spirits nor lessen the enjoyment of the members.”
Northrup served as editor of The Alpha Phi Quarterly for three years, from 1894 until 1897. The “pages of The Quarterly under her evinced intelligent interest in the people and affairs of other colleges and in the ‘Sparks from Many Forges’ alumnae set forth their various observations and opinions.”
In 1926 Alpha Phi’s convention took place at Swampscott, Massachusetts. There, Northrup was authorized to write a memorial service.
She was one of the few women who served as a trustee of Boston University. In the fall of 1941 she spoke to the Sigma Kappa Boston Alumnae Chapter as a member of the Boston City Panhellenic Speakers’ Bureau. The Sigma Kappas said she was “a charming speaker.”
Northup edited publications for the Women’s Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Church, the New England Conservatory of Music, and the Waltham Watch Company. In addition to her service to her Alma Mater, she was a trustee of Asbury Temple Methodist Church and the Waltham Public Library. Northup was also a steward of the Immanuel Church.
Elizabeth Northup died on May 28, 1962 at the age of 92.
