Founded at Syracuse University in 1872, Alpha Phi was the first women's fraternity to be founded in the U.S. Alpha Phi's 10 founders lived in a time when women's higher education was a rarity, if not opposed to. Society believed women did not need high education; the women decided to form a sisterhood to unite. The organization now has over 200,000 members across the country!
Alpha Phi is part of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), which the women actually organized for the first time in 1902. Alpha Phi met with member groups Pi Beta Phi, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, and Delta Delta Delta. The NPC helps maintain interfraternity relationships within the chapters of each group.
This powerful and philanthropic organization has been instrumental in beginning women's fraternities and fostering sisterhood for hundreds of years. Read on to find out why being an Alpha Phi sister is the best!
1. Red Dress Gala
Alpha Phi was one of the first women's fraternities to establish a Foundation. Their mission became to help fight heart disease - which is the #1 killer of women in North America. The Alpha Phi Foundation supports programs that research the treatment of heart disease in women. Almost every chapter's biggest fundraiser is Red Dress Gala or some other Red Dress event.
Red Dress Gala is one of the best events of the year! There is usually a silent auction, guest speakers, and a big dinner for the Alpha Phi members and their families. And, of course, every sister wears their most beautiful red dress. The money raised from the night is donated to the Alpha Phi Foundation for the research of the treatment of heart disease in women!
2. Beautiful Sorority Houses
With some of the largest chapters in the country, Alpha Phis' chapter houses are bound to be pretty amazing. APhi also has seven chapters in Canada. See the full list of chapters here. The pictures speak for themselves; check out some of our favorite houses below!
Source: Brandon Tigrett. University of Kentucky Alpha Phi
Source: Southern Living. Alpha Phi House of University of Alabama
Source: Pinterest. Idaho Alpha Phi house
Source: Pinterest. Maryland Alpha Phi house
Source: Pinterest. USC Alpha Phi house
via GIPHY
I know, right?! Beautiful!
3. Alpha Phi Colors
Every sorority sister loves representing their sorority everywhere they go - campus, out-and-about, and even when they're home for the holidays. This is tough if the organizations colors are, well, blah. Alpha Phi colors are silver and bordeaux (maroon-ish color), which go beautifully together!
These Alpha Phi sisters have an easy time finding the best merchandise and clothing to wear around campus and the chapter house. On most of the Alpha Phis' photos, you'll see them repping silver and bordeaux, and throwing up the "Phi Bear" or "Ivy Leaf" with their hands. The Phi Bear is the sorority mascot, and the Ivy Leaf is the fraternity symbol. These are other cute ways Phis show their love for their sorority!
Source: Pinterest
Source: Pinterest
4. You'll Find a Fellow Alpha Phi Wherever You Go
With over 200,000 initiated members across the country, you're bound to meet a fellow Alpha Phi! Being a Phi means having life-long friends who value kindness, love and respect for one another. Not only will your future bridesmaids come from your Alpha Phi chapter, you will meet fellow Phis along the way with whom you will have an instant connection.
The values that Alpha Phi teaches include loyalty, character development, service, leadership, and more. In other words, the friends you make are stand-up ladies who value the same things as you do!
The bonds created between Alpha Phis will also help with your future career endeavors! Think about this - the networking you do (just by meeting your sisters) will open doors for you in the future. There are benefits of being an Alpha Phi that extend past your college career.
5. Famous Phis
Kimberly Williams-Paisley
You may know her as Annie Banks from the Father of the Bride series, which was her breakthrough role. Before starring in a movie opposite Steve Martin, this famous Phi attended Northwestern University. She filmed Father of the Bride during her college years, but returned to the university to complete her degree.
Williams-Paisley's most recent role is in the television show Nashville. She is married to country singer Brad Paisley, and gave birth to their second child in April 2009.
Dorothy Wright Nelson
This famous phi has been a senior judge in the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit since 1995. Nelson attended UCLA while she was a Phi member. She is the former dean of the University of Southern California Law Center, and she inspired the creation of the Dorothy Wright Nelson Justice Award at USC.
Stacia Hookom
Hookom was the first female named to the U.S. National Snowboarding Team when it formed in 1994. Since, she has won six National Championship titles, nine World Cup podiums, and has attended the world championships seven times during her career. She retired in 2007.
Hookom went to the University of Colorado and majored in biology.
As you can see, being an Alpha Phi is the perfect way to spend your college experience! You get to give back to an amazing organization, have thousands of sisters across the country, make friends for life, and more.
The post 5 Reasons Why Being an Alpha Phi is the Best appeared first on Greek U Blog | Pledging the Good Life.