ALPHA EPSILON PHI

Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority was founded by seven Jewish women, Helen Phillips, Ida Beck, Rose Gerstein, Augustina "Tina" Hess, Lee Reiss, Rose Salmowitz and Stella Strauss, at Barnard College in New York City on October 24, 1909. 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. 

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The beliefs and goals of Alpha Epsilon Phi and our members are best stated in our 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.”

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We, the Kappa Chapter at Cornell University, seek to use our Jewish heritage, a unique aspect of the Alpha Epsilon Phi experience, as a point of unity for all members regardless of their personal religious affiliation. Through our Jewish roots, we seek to connect with the past sisters of Alpha Epsilon Phi by recognizing the role religion played in their lives, and hope to use this shared history for the building blocks of our future.