Alpha Epsilon Phi
Encyclopedia
Alpha Epsilon Phi is a sorority
and member of the National Panhellenic Conference
. It was founded on October 24, 1909 at Barnard College
in 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. Founder Tina Hess Solomon described the reasons for the founding in a letter written in 1934: "We wanted a group of girls chosen not because of any special scholastic preeminence, financial circumstances or other arbitrary standards but a group who had common interests and were dominated by the ideals of true friendship." 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."
In the early 1900s a college education for a woman was quite rare. However, in 1907 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.
The columns of Alpha Epsilon Phi were added in 1916, the sorority's seventh year in existence. It was decided to create a simple insignia as opposed to an elaborate crest like that of most other Greek letter organizations. Each column of the insignia holds special significance to the members.
Jewel
The pearl was chosen as the national jewel by the founders. They chose the pearl because of its glowing beauty gained through years of growth and the fact that it is a jewel that literally grows.
Colors
The colors of green and white were also chosen in the beginning by the founders. They represent growth and fellowship, respectively.
Flower
The last symbol of Alpha Epsilon Phi which can be directly attributed to the founders is the flower. The lily of the valley was selected for its simple beauty and for the fact that it is green and white.
Mascot
At the 1977 National Convention the giraffe was chosen as the mascot for Alpha Epsilon Phi
Open Motto
Multa Corda Una Causa... Many Hearts One Purpose was chosen as the open motto in the early years of the sorority because it best expressed the intentions of the founders of Alpha Epsilon Phi.
Tag Line
In 2001, the sorority unveiled its updated image, complete with a new tag line: Above All Else. The statement captures the sentiments and experiences AEPhis have had.
Enriched by sisterhood and unconditional friendships
Dedicated to selfless service, and inspiring others, and
Committed to intellectual growth and personal development.
As a lifelong member of Alpha Epsilon Phi, I will:
Respect our shared heritage and traditions,
Exhibit high ideals and moral character,
Fulfill expectations and responsibilities of membership, and
Continually exemplify the values of beauty, strength, and wisdom as embodied by the three columns of our insignia.
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
(abbreviated EGPAF) is a public charity which "seeks to prevent pediatric HIV infections and to eradicate pediatric AIDS through research, advocacy, and prevention and treatment programs." The organization was founded in 1988 by Elizabeth Glaser (Sigma Chapter), Susan DeLaurentis (Xi Chapter), and Susie Zeegen.
Sharsharet
Sharsheret
is a national non-profit organization dedicated to serving the unique concerns of young Jewish women with breast cancer.
Fraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
and member of the National Panhellenic Conference
National Panhellenic Conference
The National Panhellenic Conference , founded in 1902, is an umbrella organization for 26 national women's sororities.Each member group is autonomous as a social, Greek-letter society of college women and alumnae...
. It was founded on October 24, 1909 at Barnard College
Barnard College
Barnard College is a private women's liberal arts college and a member of the Seven Sisters. Founded in 1889, Barnard has been affiliated with Columbia University since 1900. The campus stretches along Broadway between 116th and 120th Streets in the Morningside Heights neighborhood in the borough...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
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. Founder Tina Hess Solomon described the reasons for the founding in a letter written in 1934: "We wanted a group of girls chosen not because of any special scholastic preeminence, financial circumstances or other arbitrary standards but a group who had common interests and were dominated by the ideals of true friendship." 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."
History
Out of a desire for friendship, mutual understanding and respect for the high ideals of womanhood, Alpha Epsilon Phi was born. 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. Their goal was to foster lifelong friendship and sisterhood, academics, social involvement and community service while providing a home away from home for their members. This idea was the firm basis upon which Alpha Epsilon Phi was founded.In the early 1900s a college education for a woman was quite rare. However, in 1907 Barnard College
Barnard College
Barnard College is a private women's liberal arts college and a member of the Seven Sisters. Founded in 1889, Barnard has been affiliated with Columbia University since 1900. The campus stretches along Broadway between 116th and 120th Streets in the Morningside Heights neighborhood in the borough...
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.
Symbols
CrestThe columns of Alpha Epsilon Phi were added in 1916, the sorority's seventh year in existence. It was decided to create a simple insignia as opposed to an elaborate crest like that of most other Greek letter organizations. Each column of the insignia holds special significance to the members.
Jewel
The pearl was chosen as the national jewel by the founders. They chose the pearl because of its glowing beauty gained through years of growth and the fact that it is a jewel that literally grows.
Colors
The colors of green and white were also chosen in the beginning by the founders. They represent growth and fellowship, respectively.
Flower
The last symbol of Alpha Epsilon Phi which can be directly attributed to the founders is the flower. The lily of the valley was selected for its simple beauty and for the fact that it is green and white.
Mascot
At the 1977 National Convention the giraffe was chosen as the mascot for Alpha Epsilon Phi
Open Motto
Multa Corda Una Causa... Many Hearts One Purpose was chosen as the open motto in the early years of the sorority because it best expressed the intentions of the founders of Alpha Epsilon Phi.
Tag Line
In 2001, the sorority unveiled its updated image, complete with a new tag line: Above All Else. The statement captures the sentiments and experiences AEPhis have had.
Core Values statement
Above all else, Alpha Epsilon Phi inspires exemplary women who are:Enriched by sisterhood and unconditional friendships
Dedicated to selfless service, and inspiring others, and
Committed to intellectual growth and personal development.
As a lifelong member of Alpha Epsilon Phi, I will:
Respect our shared heritage and traditions,
Exhibit high ideals and moral character,
Fulfill expectations and responsibilities of membership, and
Continually exemplify the values of beauty, strength, and wisdom as embodied by the three columns of our insignia.
National philanthropies
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS FoundationThe Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing pediatric HIV infection and eliminating pediatric AIDS through research, advocacy, and prevention and treatment programs...
(abbreviated EGPAF) is a public charity which "seeks to prevent pediatric HIV infections and to eradicate pediatric AIDS through research, advocacy, and prevention and treatment programs." The organization was founded in 1988 by Elizabeth Glaser (Sigma Chapter), Susan DeLaurentis (Xi Chapter), and Susie Zeegen.
Sharsharet
Sharsheret
Sharsheret (organization)
Sharsheret is a national Non-profit organization dedicated to serving the unique concerns of Jewish women with breast cancer.- Founding :In 2001, following her own diagnosis of breast cancer, 28 year old Rochelle Shoretz recognized a need for a breast cancer organization that would specifically...
is a national non-profit organization dedicated to serving the unique concerns of young Jewish women with breast cancer.