At a time when society looked upon women only as daughters, wives, and mothers—and therefore not in need of higher education—our ten Founders were pioneers of the coeducational system. Attending school with the handicap of implied, if not open, opposition, our Founders sought support from each other. There was a need for 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. They 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, we are all grateful and proud of the legacy left to us by our Founders.