Alpha Epsilon Phi's History
AEΦ was founded by seven Jewish women at Barnard College in New York on October 24, 1909. Helen Phillips, Ida Beck, Rose Gerstein, Augustina "Tina" Hess, Lee Reiss, Rose Salmowitz and Stella Strauss had a dream of forming a sorority where exceptional women of all backgrounds, religions, interests and varying beliefs would be welcomed with open arms. This sorority would endeavor to foster lifelong friendship and sisterhood, academics, social involvement and community service, all the while providing a home away from home for its members. "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."
The dream that was born in a dorm room at Barnard College in 1909 continues to succeed, prosper and thrive on over 50 college and university campuses nationwide. AEΦ welcomes with open arms hundreds of new members each year and seeks not only to live up to the ideals and goals of its original founders, but also to exceed them.
Alpha Epsilon Phi's Mission
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.
Phi Phacts
National Founding Date and Location: Alpha Epsilon Phi was founded on October 24, 1909 at Barnard College in New York.
National Founders: Ida Beck Carlin, Lee Reis Leibert, Helen Phillips Lipman,
Rose Gerstein Smolin, Rose Salmowitz Marvin, Stella Strauss Sinsheimer,
and Augustina "Tina" Hess Solomon.
Jewel: Pearl
Colors: Green (Growth) and White (Fellowship)
Flower:
Lily of the Valley
Mascot: Giraffe
Open Motto: Multa Corda Una Causa,
Many Hearts One Purpose
Tag Line: Above All Else
Crest: Columns of AEPhi
National Philanthropies: Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and
Sharsheret
National Magazine: Columns
One of a kind, all together -- that's AEΦ!
