Alpha Phi - Founders

Founders

Alpha Phi's founding members were:

• Martha Emily Foote Crow

Martha "Mattie" Foote Crow was born in Sacketts Harbor, New York. She received a Ph.D. in English Literature. From the beginning of Alpha Phi, she dreamed of an international Fraternity. She was the first National President of Alpha Phi and was an administer of education. She was the fourth Alpha Phi to serve as Dean of Women at Northwestern University and a founder of the American Association of University Women.

• Rena A. Michaels Atchison

Rena Michaels Atchinson was the first president of Alpha Phi, and the Michaelanean Society derives its name from hers. The Michaelanean Society still exists as a corporation and owns the Alpha Phi chapter house in Syracuse. She received her M.S. degree in 1879 and her Ph.D. in history in 1880. She served as a professor at several universities. She then served as Dean of Women's College, Northwestern University from 1886-1891.

• Clara Bradley Baker Wheeler Burdette

Clara Bradley Burdette lived the longest, most active life of the Founders. She was born in East Bloomfield, New York, and graduated in the class of 1876. She was a writer, lecturer, business woman, philanthropist, a trustee of Syracuse University and held many volunteer positions that filled her nearly ninety-nine years. Her prime objective in life was working for better opportunities for women. She was the only Honorary President of Alpha Phi and was referred to as "Mother Burdette."

• Jane Sara Higham

Jane Sara Higham was born in Rome, New York. She received her B.A. degree in 1876 and her M.A. degree in 1879. She taught for over forty years of her life, mostly in Rome, New York. She, Mattie Foote and Clara Bradley became members of Phi Beta Kappa.

• Florence Chidester Lukens

Florence Chidester Lukens was born in Utica, New York. She received her B.S.degree in 1875 at the age of 21 and her M.S. degree in 1879. Upon graduation she became an educator and taught higher mathematics. She gave numerous readings in fourteen states and territories. Her father's office served as the first chapter room. Florence was the first founder to enter the Silent Chapter (A chapter where sisters go when deceased).

• Ida Arabella Gilbert DeLamanter Houghton

Ida Gilbert Houghton was born in Phoenix, New York. She received her B.S. in 1876 and her M.S. in modern languages in 1879. After college she taught school and wrote for newspapers and magazines. She lived in a mansion on Turtle Street in Syracuse, and she and her mother arranged the first Alpha Phi banquet there following initiation.

• Clara Sittser Williams

Clara Sittser Williams was born in Weedsport, New York. She was the only founder not to graduate from the University, leaving in 1874. She was the only founder with a rural background. The first Alpha Phi meeting was held in her room.

• Kate Elizabeth Hogoboom Gilbert

Kate Hogoboom Gilbert was born in Ovid, New York. She received her B.S. degree in 1875, her M.S. in 1878 and a music degree in 1879. She along with Mattie Foote Crow, wrote the Ritual and the first Constitution.

• Louise Viola Shepard Hancock

Louise Shepard Hancock was an inseparable friend of Jane Higham. Both were from Rome, New York. She received her B.S. in 1876 and her M.S. in 1878. Throughout her life she made literary contributions to various papers and envisioned many of the privileges that have come to women today.

• Elizabeth Grace Hubbell Shults

Elizabeth Hubbell Shults was born in Rochester, New York. She was a brilliant student, graduating with honors from the four-year classical course, displaying unusual ability in Latin, mathematics, and political science. She was twenty-two years old when Alpha Phi was founded and the one old enough to sign the legal documents.

Three of the "Original 10" became members of Phi Beta Kappa. Three were also listed in Who's Who of America.