Alpha Epsilon Phi Explained

Alpha Epsilon Phi
Letters:Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: ΑΕΦ
Nickname:AEPhi
Birthplace:Barnard College
Affiliation:NPC
Status:Active
Type:Social
Emphasis:Judaic Values
Scope:North America
Motto:Multa Corda, Una Causa ("Many Hearts, One Purpose")
Colors: Green and White
Symbol:Columns
Flower:Lily of the Valley
Jewel:Pearl
Mascot:Giraffe
Publication:Columns
Philanthropy:Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation,
Sharsheret
Chapters:50
Address:11 Lake Avenue Extension Suite 1A
City:Danbury
State:Connecticut
Zip Code:06811
Country:United States
Slogan:Above All Else

Alpha Epsilon Phi (Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: ΑΕΦ or AEPhi) is an American sorority and a member of the National Panhellenic Conference.[1] It was the second Jewish sorority formed in the United States.[2] [3]

History

Alpha Epsilon Phi was established at Barnard College in New York City on October 24, 1909. Its founders were seven Jewish women: Helen Phillips, Ida Beck, Rose Gerstein, Augustina "Tina" Hess, Lee Reiss, Rose Salmowitz, and Stella Strauss. Their goal was to foster lifelong friendship and sisterhood in academics, social involvement, and community service, while providing a "home away from home" for the sorority's members.[4]

In 1951, the sorority joined the National Panhellenic Conference[5] and celebrated its centennial at Barnard College in 2009.

Symbols

The columns of Alpha Epsilon Phi were added seven years after the sorority's founding, in 1916. They wanted to create a simple insignia, as opposed to a more elaborate crest like that of other Greek letter organizations. The three columns Α, Ε, and Φ represent faculty approval, student esteem, and sorority fidelity, respectively.[6]

During the 1977 National Convention, after a suggestion put forward by the Alpha Kappa Chapter at Miami University, the sorority adopted the giraffe as its official mascot. The giraffe was selected because it stands the tallest and has the largest heart of all land mammals.[7]

Activities

Alpha Epsilon Phi currently has 43 active collegiate chapters across the United States and Canada.[8] Alumna groups exist across the United States and hold events to celebrate their Founder's Day, to socialize, and to interact with other local pan-hellenic alumnae groups.[9]

The sorority also has a magazine to chronicle news relevant to the organization. First published in November 1917 as Alpha Epsilon Phi Quarterly, the title was changed to Columns in the late 1920s.[10] Columns is published twice a year, in the fall and spring. It is sent to college students, alumnae volunteers, donors, subscribers, inter-fraternal partners, and friends of Alpha Epsilon Phi. Fraternity and sorority professionals, and vice presidents of student affairs on campuses with Alpha Epsilon Phi chapters also receive the magazine. Families contribute to Columns to support philanthropic events and activities for current members, alumnae, family members, and friends across the United States.

Notable members

Chapters

See main article: List of Alpha Epsilon Phi chapters.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Our Member Organizations. National Panhellenic Conference. June 10, 2018.
  2. Sanua . Marianne R. . Jewish College Fraternities in the United States, 1895-1968: An Overview . Journal of American Ethnic History . 2000 . 19 . 2 . 11. 10.2307/27502544 . 27502544 . 254479554 .
  3. Book: Sanua . Marianne R. . Going Greek: Jewish College Fraternities in the United States, 1895-1945 . 2003 . . . 81.
  4. Web site: 2023-04-05 . History . 2023-09-17 . Alpha Epsilon Phi . en-US.
  5. Web site: September 5, 2009 . National Panhellenic Conference . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090905170302/http://www.npcwomen.org/undergrads/member-organizations.aspx . September 5, 2009 . June 10, 2018.
  6. "Phi Phacts." Alpha Epsilon Phi. Alpha Epsilon Phi, 2013. Web. March 6, 2013.
  7. Web site: 2023-04-05 . Phi Phacts . 2023-10-27 . Alpha Epsilon Phi . en-US.
  8. News: Chartered Chapters " AEPhi. Alpha Epsilon Phi. June 10, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612144013/https://www.aephi.org/aephi_story/aephi_today/chartered_chapters/. June 12, 2018. dead.
  9. News: Alumnae Groups " AEPhi. Alpha Epsilon Phi. June 10, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140227/https://www.aephi.org/alumnae/alumnae_groups/. June 12, 2018. dead.
  10. "Columns." Alpha Epsilon Phi. Alpha Epsilon Phi, 2013. Web. March 6, 2013.
  11. News: January 2, 2007 . Conversation with…Bonnie Wunsch Jewish sorority on the rise in CT and elsewhere . Judie . Jacobson . The Jewish Ledger . March 13, 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110929142411/http://www.jewishledger.com/articles/2007/01/02/news/news03.txt . September 29, 2011 .
  12. Web site: Alpha Epsilon Phi – Famous Phis. Alpha Epsilon Phi. March 13, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070929164201/http://www.aephi.org/story/default.asp?page=famous_phis. September 29, 2007. dead.
  13. Web site: The Self-Made Socialite - Nymag. May 20, 2002 .
  14. News: Rosman. Katherine. May 20, 2002. The Self-Made Socialite. New York. August 31, 2021.
  15. Book: Sanua, Marianne Rachel . 'Going Greek': A social history of Jewish college fraternities in the United States, 1895–1945 . . 1994.