Tradition
In 1872 ten outstanding women decided to do something extraordinary that would last much longer than their lifetimes. These ten girls founded the Alpha Phi sorority at Syracuse University.
At a time when society looked upon women only as daughters, wives, and mothers—and therefore not in need of higher education—our ten founders were pioneers of the coeducational system. Attending school with the handicap of implied, if not open, opposition, our founders sought support from each other.
Although life is different now than it was in 1872, the morals and ethical standards our founders wrote about are still pertinent. Today, Alpha Phi continues to provide a "tie which unites, a circle of friends" for women young and old all around the world. From hand to hand and heart to heart, we are all grateful and proud of the legacy left to us by our founders.

Our Founders
Each of our founders lived a different life and possessed unique passions. There was not one singular profession or college major that dominated the first sorority just like there is not one now. From teachers to writers to philanthropists our founders did it all. A long time after the sorority was started Clara Bradley reflected on the original message and wrote the following: “We thought it would be a fine idea socially to form a circle of sympathetic friends whom we would know personally. We had as our aim the mutual improvement of each other, ever trying to do our best in college work, always keeping a high ideal before us. Never under any circumstances were we to speak disparagingly of a sister. We were to be ever loyal to one another, in joys or sorrows, success or failure, and ever extend a helping hand to our sisters who needed our aid; truly we planned to be a 'Union hand in hand.' "

 

Mission Statement
Alpha Phi International Fraternity is a membership organization dedicated to promoting sisterhood, cultivating leadership, encouraging intellectual curiosity and advocating service.
Alpha Phi develops character for a lifetime.

Purpose
National: The objectives of our Fraternity are the promotion of growth in character; unity of feeling, sisterly affection, and social communion among our members. In all that we do, we try to obey God’s principles of justice and right. We have banded ourselves together to improve our minds and hearts, and we seek to aid each other through a constant watchcare always given in love. We believe ourselves to be sincere searchers for truth.
We seek the highest ideal of womanhood, and we try to gain this ideal by cultivating not only the power and passion for seeking intellectual development but, also, the spirit of love and charity. And we who are thus united are under a solemn pledge to lend a helping hand to one another.

Symbols
One of Alpha Phi’s unofficial symbols is the Ivy Leaf. This is one of the best symbols to truly showcase what Alpha Phi is all about. Each individual ivy leaf is pretty but it is not complete and full until it links and connects with other ivys. As sisters, we believe in connecting with each other in order to help bring out one anothers full potential. The new member badge takes this symbol's form.

Fraternity Flowers
The flowers of Alpha Phi are the fragrant lily-of-the- valley and the blue and gold forget-me-not. 

Fraternity Crest
The fraternity crest is the Alpha Phi Coat-of-arms, adopted by the Convention delegates in 1922. The shield is bordeaux with a scroll and ivy leaf above it.  Inscribed on the scroll is the public motto, Union Hand in Hand.  A bar of silver crosses the shield from left to right; the upper half of the shield contains a Roman lamp in silver and the lower half of the shield, says Ursa Major.  The meaning of the symbols depicted on the crest is a significant part of the ritual witnessed at initiation.

Fraternity Colors
Alpha Phi's original colors were blue and gold.  However, in 1879 Alpha Phi's noticed that another fraternity had colors similar to thiers. Alpha Phi adopted the more distinctive colors of silver and bordeaux.  Members wear their colors in the form of a ribbon of silver/gray and bordeaux, under their badge to acknowledge special occasions, the installation of a new chapter, the anniversary of their chapter's installation, or the celebration of Alpha Phi's Founders Day, October 10.

Alpha Phi Badge
The official badge of Alpha Phi is an unjeweled monogram of gold showing the symbol of Alpha superimposed upon the symbol of Phi.  Inscribed in black on the symbol Phi are the letters A,O,E.  The meaning of these letters is reserved for the initiation ceremony.

Fraternity Mascot
Alpha Phi's Mascot is the "Phi Bear". It is named after Ursa Major, the Great Bear.  The "Phi Bear" was adopted in 1974.