At a time when roles for women were typically defined by society as that of wives, mothers and daughters, and therefore not in need of higher education, the ten founders of Alpha Phi were pioneers of the coeducational system. These ten bright young women looked to establish a social center, a place of conference, a tie which should unite, a circle of friends who could sympathize with one another in their perplexities. These six freshmen, three sophomores and one junior formed Alpha Phi in 1872 at Syracuse University.
     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, members of Alpha Phi are grateful and proud of the legacy left by the founding sisters.