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History | Symbols and Insignia | Purpose
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Alpha Phi has been the premiere developer of women for over 150 years.
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I n the fall of 1872, six freshmen, three sophomores, and a junior at Syracuse University met to discuss the difficulty that women faced in a predominantly male academic setting. Just like many women of that time, these ten students felt unwelcome in the classroom and decided to form a society to foster the sisterhood of women. With the example of many men's fraternities as a guide, the ten founders of Alpha Phi met in September of 1872 for their first initiation.
The Zeta Pi Chapter of Alpha Phi began in late 1980 when a colony of Alpha Phi was set up at CWRU. Working diligently to become an official chapter, the executive board set up goals for the chapter and for rush. After fall rush in 1981, Alpha Phi gained new pledges and pushed the numbers to nearly forty. The new sisters of Alpha Phi worked together with Alpha Phi International and CWRU to eventually make Alpha Phi an official chapter in March of 1982. Alpha Phi is the oldest national sorority at Case Western Reserve University.
Throughout its history, Alpha Phi has set the standard for many women's Greek organizations. Alpha Phi was the first to have their own chapter house, and also called the first meeting of what later became the National Panhellenic conference, the governing body of many women's Greek organizations.
 The Alpha Phi Badge. The official badge of Alpha Phi is an unjeweled monogram of gold showing the symbol of Alpha superimposed upon the symbol of Phi. Inscribed in black on the symbol Phi are the letters a, o, e. The meaning of these letters is reserved for the initiation ceremony. Alpha Phi was the first women's organization to use Greek letters as an emblem. Originally there was no standard badge. Until 1906 when the current badge was adopted, each member went to the jeweler of her choice to have her pin designed.
 New Member Badge. In 1898 the Fraternity adopted a special badge to honor her newest members. The badge they selected is in the shape of an ivy leaf, set in silver pewter. An ever-growing vine, the ivy symbolizes the growth of the Alpha Phi sisterhood.
Fifty-Year Pin. The first fifty-year pins, silver circles with red stones, were presented at the 42nd Convention in 1958 to several alumnae who had given significant service to the Fraternity for fifty years or more. These pins are replicas of the pins presented to the six living founders at the Fraternity's Fiftieth Anniversary Convention in 1922.
 The Fraternity Crest. The crest is the Alpha Phi coat-of-arms, adopted by Convention delegates in 1922. The shield is bordeaux with a scroll and ivy leaf above it. Inscribed on the scroll is the public motto, Union hand in hand. A bar of silver crosses the shield from left to right; the upper half of the shield contains a Roman lamp in silver and the lower half, Ursa Major.
The meaning of the symbols depicted on the crest is a significant part of the ritual witnessed at initiation. The use of the Fraternity crest is reserved for jewelry, sportswear and other Fraternity equipment befitting the dignity and honor of Alpha Phi's heritage.
 Fraternity Colors. Alpha Phi's original colors were blue and gold. In 1879, noting that a fraternity had similar colors, Alpha Phi adopted the more distinctive colors of silver and bordeaux.
Members wear their colors in the form of a ribbon of silver/gray and bordeaux, under their badge to acknowledge special occasions, the installation of a new chapter, the anniversary of their chapter's installation or the celebration of Alpha Phi Founders' Day, October 10.
 Symbol. The ivy leaf is also a symbol, the new member badge taking its form.
The ivy leaf symbolizes Alpha Phi's intertwining of intellectual, philanthropical and social pursuits.
 Alpha Phi Bear. The mascot of Alpha Phi, the "Phi Bear," is named after Ursa Major, the Great Bear, and was adopted in 1974.
 Fraternity Flowers. The flowers of Alpha Phi are the fragrant lily-of-the-valley and the blue and gold forget-me-not. The ivy leaf is also a symbol, the new member badge taking its form.
T o unite the sisterhood as a family of friends bound together by a common set of ideals.
To provide an environment where through mutual help and alumnae support the collegiate members may be helped toward intellectual and spiritual growth, to the end that they may become effective and contributing members of society and meet the challenge of their generation.
To promote worthy standards of scholarship and explore new paths of scholarly pursuit.
To develop and maintain the highest standards of character, culture, and personal conduct.
To foster and preserve the heritage and finest traditions of the fraternity idea in college life.
To encourage the participation of alumnae members in Fraternity work and service that they may enjoy the pleasure of life long association and the friendship of young college women.
To cherish, honor, and wear with pride a special badge as the symbol of friendship and union.
To work together so that the Fraternity shall endure.
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