Alpha Epsilon Phi
| Alpha Epsilon Phi | |
|---|---|
| ΑΕΦ | |
 |
|
| Founded | October 24, 1909 Barnard College, (New York, New York) |
| Type | Social |
| Emphasis | Judaic Values and Sisterhood |
| Scope | National |
| Motto |
Multa Corda, Una Causa Many Hearts, One Purpose |
| Colors | Green White |
| Symbol | Columns |
| Flower | Lily of the Valley |
| Jewel | Pearl |
| Publication | Columns |
| Philanthropy |
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Sharsheret |
| Chapters | 50 |
| Mascot | Giraffe: It has the biggest heart, and its head is above the rest. |
| Headquarters |
11 Lake Avenue Extension Danbury, Connecticut USA |
| Homepage | http://www.aephi.org/ |
Alpha Epsilon Phi (ΑΕΦ) is a sorority and member of the National Panhellenic Conference. It was founded on October 24, 1909 at Barnard College in Morningside Heights, New York City by seven Jewish women; Helen Phillips Lipman, Ida Beck Carlin, Rose Gerstein Smolin, Augustina "Tina" Hess Solomon, Lee Reiss Liebert, Rose Salmowitz Marvin, and Stella Strauss Sinsheimer. The mission of Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority is "to inspire and support exemplary women dedicated to friendship and a lifelong commitment to Alpha Epsilon Phi while building on the vision of our Jewish founders." It is a national sorority, meaning it has multiple chapters across the United States, rather than a local sorority, meaning it has strictly one site location and chapter. Although it is a historically Jewish sorority, it is not a religious organization and welcomes women of all religions and race who honor, respect and appreciate the Jewish faith and identity and are comfortable in a Jewish milieu to pledge for sisterhood.
Out of a desire for friendship, mutual understanding and respect for the high ideals of womanhood, Alpha Epsilon Phi was founded. Seven Jewish Barnard College women met one day in 1909 to found a "club" where they could foster their aims and desires and became the founders of Alpha Epsilon Phi. At the time, not all sororities allowed Jewish women to join organizations. They were discriminated against and asked to make separate organizations. The discrimination was frustrating for Helen, above all others, and fostered the idea for forming their own chapter, promising friendship and sisterhood. The club encouraged community service, academic presence on campuses, an increased and positive social presence and reputation, and providing a "college home and family" for each of its sisters. This idea was the firm basis upon which Alpha Epsilon Phi was founded. ""It was her [Helen Phillips'] idea and her persistence more than anything else that brought Alpha Epsilon Phi into existence," one founder wrote. "I sometimes think that some of those ties were more necessary to Helen than to the others in this group because Helen had no mother and no sisters or brothers, and to her a group of adopted sisters was more of a need and had more significance."
In the early 1900s a college education for a woman was quite rare. However, in 1889 Barnard College opened its door and young ladies from well-to-do families came to continue their high school studies. There were seven: Helen Phillips, Ida Beck, Rose Gerstein, Augustina Hess, Lee Reiss, Stella Strauss and Rose Salmowitz. Helen Phillips was the one who really inspired the idea of forming a club. She wanted some material thing to keep in closer contact with her friends. Helen suggested that the others meet in her room and discuss the possibilities of such a club. And so, on October 24, 1909, Alpha Epsilon Phi came into being. The other women met in Helen's room were not chosen because of any special scholastic prominence, financial circumstances or other arbitrary standards, but because they had a common heritage, shared common interests and were imbued with the ideals of true friendship. Still today are Helen, Ida, Rose, Augustina, Lee, Stella and Rose heroes and inspirations for Alpha Epsilon Phi chapters across the nation.
...
Wikipedia