Alpha Epsilon Phi
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| Alpha Epsilon Phi | |
|---|---|
| ΑΕΦ | |
 | |
| Founded | October 24, 1909 Barnard College |
| Type | Social |
| Affiliation | NPC |
| Emphasis | Judaic Values and Sisterhood |
| Scope | National |
| Motto | Multa Corda, Una Causa Many Hearts, One Purpose |
| Tagline | Above All Else |
| Colors | Green and White |
| Symbol | Columns |
| Flower | Lily of the Valley |
| Jewel | Pearl |
| Publication | Columns |
| Philanthropy | Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Sharsheret |
| Chapters | 50 |
| Nickname | AEPhi |
| Mascot | Giraffe |
| Headquarters | 11 Lake Avenue Extension Suite 1A Danbury, CT 06811 USA |
| Website | aephi |
Alpha Epsilon Phi (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 founded by seven Jewish women: Helen Phillips, Ida Beck, Rose Gerstein, Augustina "Tina" Hess, Lee Reiss, Rose Salmowitz and Stella Strauss at Barnard College in New York City on October 24, 1909. 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]
The sorority celebrated its centennial at Barnard College in 2009.[4]
Symbols
The founders of Alpha Epsilon Phi selected the pearl as the sorority jewel because of its attractive nature and the symbolism of growth over time. The colors green and white were chosen by the founders to represent growth and camaraderie. Additionally, the Lily of the valley flower was chosen as an emblem of beauty and color.[citation needed]
The columns of Alpha Epsilon Phi were added in 1916, the sorority's seventh year of existence. 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]
Women who complete their new membership period and are initiated as full sisters are presented with a 24-karat gold badge. The front of the badge features the Greek letters A, E, and Φ, with a total of 27 pearls. The Α is adorned with eight pearls, the Ε with nine pearls, and the Φ with 10 pearls. The back of the badge usually features the engraved initials of the newly initiated sister.[citation needed]
Activities
Alpha Epsilon Phi currently has 49 active collegiate chapters across the United States and Canada.[8] Alumni groups exist across the United States, and have events to celebrate their Founder's Day, socialize, or interact with other local Panhellenic 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 a magazine 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. [10]
Notable members
- Barbara Barrie (Omega) – actress; (Barney Miller)[11]
- Marilyn Beck (Xi) – Hollywood columnist and author[12]
- Carol Lynn Blum (Alpha Eta) – 1965 Miss Florida, third runner up Miss America 1966[12]
- Lillian Copeland (Xi) – Olympic Gold and Silver medalist in discus; set world records in discus, javelin, and shot put[12]
- Miriam Freund-Rosenthal (Zeta) Jewish-American civic leader[12]
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Kappa) – Supreme Court Justice[11]
- Elizabeth Glaser (Sigma) – AIDS activist and co-founder of The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation[11]
- Nancy Goodman Brinker (Mu) – Founder of the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research; appointed in 2001 as Ambassador to Hungary[12]
- Erica Hill (Alpha Chi) – CNN anchor[12]
- Randi Kaye (Alpha Chi) – reporter and CNN anchor[12]
- Bessie Margolin (Epsilon) – former U.S. Department of Labor attorney[12]
- Stacey Nuveman (Phi) – Gold medalist for Softball at the 2000 Summer Olympics[12]
- Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos (Kappa) – socialite, philanthropist, real estate executive[13]
- Charlotte Rae (Omicron) – actress; (Diff'rent Strokes, The Facts of Life)[11]
- Nan Rich (Alpha Tau) – former member of the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate[12]
- Judith Resnik (Alpha Nu) – 2nd woman American astronaut[12] and first Jewish woman in space
- Dinah Shore (Chi) – singer, actress and talk show host[14]
- Annette Strauss (Omega) – former mayor of Dallas[11]
- Carmen Warschaw (Phi) – California philanthropist and politician[12]
- Bonnie Glick (Kappa) - politician, diplomat, and businesswoman[15]
- Lauren Weisberger (Kappa) – author, (The Devil Wears Prada)[11]
- Harriett Woods (Pi) – former Lt. Governor of Missouri[11]
Chapters
See also
- List of Jewish fraternities and sororities
- List of social fraternities and sororities
- National Panhellenic Conference
References
- ^ "Our Member Organizations". National Panhellenic Conference. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
- ^ Sanua, Marianne R. (2000). "Jewish College Fraternities in the United States, 1895-1968: An Overview". Journal of American Ethnic History. 19 (2): 11. doi:10.2307/27502544. JSTOR 27502544. S2CID 254479554.
- ^ Sanua, Marianne R. (2003). Going Greek: Jewish College Fraternities in the United States, 1895-1945. Detroit, Mich.: Wayne State University Press. p. 81.
- ^ a b "History". Alpha Epsilon Phi. April 5, 2023. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
- ^ "National Panhellenic Conference". September 5, 2009. Archived from the original on September 5, 2009. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
- ^ "Phi Phacts." Alpha Epsilon Phi. Alpha Epsilon Phi, 2013. Web. March 6, 2013.
- ^ "Phi Phacts". Alpha Epsilon Phi. April 5, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
- ^ "Chartered Chapters " AEPhi". Alpha Epsilon Phi. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
- ^ "Alumnae Groups " AEPhi". Alpha Epsilon Phi. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
- ^ a b "Columns." Alpha Epsilon Phi. Alpha Epsilon Phi, 2013. Web. March 6, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g Jacobson, Judie (January 2, 2007). "Conversation with…Bonnie Wunsch Jewish sorority on the rise in CT and elsewhere". The Jewish Ledger. Archived from the original on September 29, 2011. Retrieved March 13, 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Alpha Epsilon Phi – Famous Phis". Alpha Epsilon Phi. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved March 13, 2007.
- ^ Rosman, Katherine (May 20, 2002). "The Self-Made Socialite". New York. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- ^ Sanua, Marianne Rachel (1994). 'Going Greek': A social history of Jewish college fraternities in the United States, 1895–1945. Columbia University.
- ^ "The Self-Made Socialite - Nymag". May 20, 2002.
