Alpha Phi is the oldest of the Syracuse Triad, the three women’s National Panhellenic Conference organizations founded at Syracuse University in upstate New York. The triad consists of Alpha Phi, Gamma Phi Beta and Alpha Gamma Delta. A chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon was established at Syracuse University in 1871. 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.
On January 14, 1885, Ina (pronounced E-nah) Gittings was born in Wilbur Nebraska. While a student at the University of Nebraska she became a charter member of the Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi.
Ina Gittings pole vaulting in 1905 as a student at the University of Nebraska.
Gittings served as an instructor at Reed College in Oregon and took training at the Reed College Reconstruction Clinic to be a reconstructive aide. A report in the Alpha Phi Quarterly quoted a newspaper article, “(Gittings) goes to the task with the highest technical fitness. More than that she has the charm of character, the poise and the courage that will endear her to those who are privy to come to her after the shock of battle.” After serving as a reconstructive aide in France she went to Tarsus, Turkey to do relief work.
Ina Gittings in her World War I uniform
She joined the faculty at the University of Montana in 1917 and was instrumental in helping the local Delta Phi Zeta become the Chi Chapter of Alpha Phi. She played a major role in the installation of the chapter. A report in the Quarterly gave this account:
It was in the midst of the great excitement over the baseball finals when Delta Phi Zeta was to play Delta Gamma to decide who should carry off the honors, that Miss Gittings drew one of the girls aside and, with that characteristic gleam of mirth in her eyes, as she pointed to her pocket, said, ‘Call a meeting at the house at one o’clock to hear the contents of this telegram.’ The message flew from ear to ear like lightning. Promptly at one o’clock a more restless, eager, curious, excitable group of girls than that gathered at the Zeta house could not be conceived of.
Miss Gittings drew the telegram from her pocket asking, ‘Can you keep a secret?’ ‘Yes!’ we gasped, all in one breath. Then she calmly unfolded the telegram, while we almost ceased breathing for fear we should miss one word of its contents. She read just one line and the girls burst forth in shouts of joy. Fancy keeping such thrilling news for a whole week. Why! it was written in every smile and in every glean of the eye.
Gittings joined the faculty at the University of Arizona in 1920. In 1925, she earned a Master’s degree from the university and did graduate work at Columbia University. In 1926, the Delta Delta local became the Beta Epsilon chapter of Alpha Phi. Again Gittings played an integral role and she served as toastmistress at the banquet to celebrate the instillation of the chapter.
Ina Gittings
She retired in 1955 and spent retirement being just as busy as she had when she was teaching. Gittings died on March 11, 1966. A dance studio and the women’s physical education building at the University of Arizona are named in her honor.
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It’s also Founders’ Day for these Greek-letter organizations:
October 10, 1904 – Alpha Gamma Rho, founded at Ohio State University.
October 10, 1910 – Tau Epsilon Phi, founded at Columbia University.
October 10, 1924 – Alpha Delta Gamma, founded at Loyola University, Chicago.
