lpha Phi International Fraternity was founded at Syracuse University on September 30, 1872. Its celebrated Founders Day is October 10. It was the third Greek-letter organization founded for women.
Alpha Phi's founding members were:
- Martha Emily Foote Crow
- Rena A. Michaels Atchison
- Clara Bradley Baker Wheeler Burdette
- Jane Sara Higham
- Hattie Florence Chidester Lukens
- Ida Arabella Gilbert DeLamanter Houghton
- Clara Sittser Williams
- Kate Elizabeth Hogoboom Gilbert
- Louise Viola Shepard Hancock
- Elizabeth Grace Hubbell Shults
In Alpha Phi the Greek letter Phi is pronounced "Fee". Though a common misconception, because Phi follows the vowel Alpha, the pronunciation of Phi is "Fee" rather than "Fi". This results from the fact that the organization adopted the Greek rather than anglicized, mainly American, pronunciation of the letter because it sounded more feminine.
The sorority colors are silver and bordeaux, and the symbols are the ivy, lilly of the valley, and Phi Bear. Alpha Phi's public motto is "Union hand in hand", which symbolizes its high ideal of sisterhood.
The James Madison Theta Iota chapter received its charter in the spring of 1991 in Harrisonburg, VA.
Most recently, the chapter has received numerous awards and achievements including a Four-Star Chapter rating for 2010-2011, first place in Greek Week 2011, first place in the Kappa Alpha Rosebowl 2011, best theme in Greek Sing 2011, Alpha Phi International's Martha Mast Award for Outstanding Philanthropy for 2010, and JMU's Chapter of the Year for 2009.
