Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority

One of the First Sororities for Jewish Women

Nov 2, 2009

Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority was founded on October 24, 1909, at Barnard College, Columbia University, and was one of the first organizations for Jewish women in America.

Before the turn of the twentieth century, Barnard College, a women's college affiliated with Columbia University, had been the site for the founding of another national women's fraternity: Alpha Omicron Pi.

However, by 1909, seven Jewish women felt the need to create a bond based on the special companionship that they yearned for. The result soon became known as Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority.

Alpha Epsilon Phi was founded by seven Jewish women at Barnard College, Columbia University, on October 24, 1909. Helen Phillips, Ida Beck, Rose Gerstein, Augustina "Tina" Hess, Lee Reiss, Rose Salmowitz, and Stella Strauss wanted to create an organization that would provide fellowship among women, academic involvement, and a home for its members.

Not much is made public knowledge about the history of Alpha Epsilon Pi. However, throughout the first half of the twentieth century, the organization continued to structure itself and to charter chapters on campuses across the country.

In 1951, Alpha Epsilon Phi was one of eleven sororities and women's fraternities to be granted full member status in the National Panhellenic Conference. Today, due to mergers with other members of the National Panhellenic Conference, financial instability, or low membership numbers, only eight organizations are still in existence today.

Since 1909, Alpha Epsilon Phi has chartered 103 collegiate chapters and numerous alumnae organizations across the United States.

Alpha Epsilon Phi has two philanthropic causes: the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and Sharsheret. The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation was founded by Elizabeth Glaser, a member of Alpha Epsilon Phi who, after discovering that her husband, children, and herself had been infected with the AIDS virus following a blood transfusion. The foundation works to raise awareness of the special needs of children who have AIDS, as well as raise money for pediatric AIDS research.

Sharsheret, Alpha Epsilon Phi's second philanthropic project, was founded in 2001 by Rochelle Shoretz, who was a clerk for United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, also a member of Alpha Epsilon Phi. Sharsheret, which in Hebrew means "chain," is an organization that helps provide young Jewish women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer with services and support tailored specifically for the needs of Jewish women.

Alpha Epsilon Phi, like most other Greek letter organizations, can be identified by various distinct insignia adopted throughout the organization's history.

Founded in 1909, Alpha Epsilon Phi was created to provide companionship and support for seven Jewish women at Barnard College. Today, Alpha Epsilon Phi continues to provide the same support system that was started a century ago to women of all religious backgrounds.

The copyright of the article Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority in American History is owned by Ashley Anderson. Permission to republish Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.