Alpha Phi History

Alpha Phi was founded at Syracuse University by ten of the first nineteen women admitted to the newly opened university. The Original Ten, the founders of Alpha Phi, were women of courageous vision and pioneering hearts. Pursuing their studies in a largely male-dominated university, these women yearned for a circle of friends who could sympathize with each other's troubles and support each other's ambitions. On September 18, 1872, these ten women initiated themselves into Alpha Phi. Their sorority house was the world's first sorority house, built in 1872. Alpha Phi has since grown to over 160 collegiate campuses. 

To learn more about our sorority, please visit the Alpha Phi International website. 

A WORD From Our President

Welcome to the Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi at Cornell University! To begin, I’d like to introduce some of Alpha Phi’s core values; scholarship, service, loyalty, leadership, and character development. Since 1889, the Delta chapter has worked to instill these values in thousands of women. While at Cornell, our chapter promotes events that exemplify our values. However, fostering those values doesn’t end after graduation because Alpha Phi encourages lifelong membership. We like to say that Alpha Phi is not just four years- it’s for life.

As Chapter President, I am honored to represent such an inspiring group of women. My sisters have empowered me to become not only a better leader, but a better individual. I feel privileged to live amongst women who are so talented, ambitious, and compassionate. These women embody what it means to be an Alpha Phi.

College is a formative time in any young woman’s life. This is the time in our lives when we truly discover who we are, cultivate our passions, and create our futures. Alpha Phi has shaped my college experience and has taught me valuable lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I am grateful for all of the opportunities that Alpha Phi has provided for me, and I feel lucky to know that my sisters will always be there for me, even beyond my college years.

On behalf of Alpha Phi, I’d like to formally invite you to explore our website, learn more about our sisterhood, and see what makes Alpha Phi so special. We thank you for taking the time to get to know our chapter, and we hope to see you soon! 

All my regards, 

Sharon Perlmutter

Chapter President, Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi