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Alpha Phi's Amazing "Original Ten"
Clara Bradley Burdette
born in Bloomfield, New York, led the most active life of the founders. In her ninety years, she was a writer, lecturer, business woman, philanthropist, a trustee of Syracuse University and held many volunteer positions. Her prime objective in life was working for better opportunities for women. She gave a maternity wing to Pasadena Hospital and was involved in the Tournament of Roses parade. Through her contributions, she earned the name "Mother Burdette." Her inspiration in life came when Frances E. Willard joined Alpha Phi. She resolved to "give my life to service. I will do everything that comes to me to do the very best I know how."
Florence Chidester Lukens was born in Utica, New York. Upon graduating with he M.S. in 1879, she became an educator and taught higher mathematics. She gave numerous readings in fourteen states and territories. One Syracuse newspaper wrote of her, "It is a matter of gratification that a Syracuse lady and graduate of the University has achieved such flattering success in this difficult department of literary work." Her father's office served as the first chapter room. The rent was $7.50 a term. Florence was the first founder to enter the Silent Chapter.
Martha Foote Crow born in Sacketts Harbor, New York, received a Ph.D. in English Literature. She was the first National President of Alpha Phi and was an administrator 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. From the beginning of Alpha Phi, she dreamed of an international Fraternity. She wrote, "Now that we have founded Alpha chapter of Alpha Phi sorority is this all there is to do?...No indeed...we have the whole alphabet to go through again, and again...Can we not be a world society as well as a national one?"
Ida Gilbert Houghton was born in Phoenix, New York. After receiving her M.S. in 1879, she taught school and wrote for newspapers and magazines. She was witty, full of fun and never unkind. She lived in a mansion on Turtle Street in Syracuse, where she and her mother arranged the first Alpha Phi Banquet there following initiation. It is to her and her mother that we owe the tradition of the initiation banquet we still enjoy today.
Jane Sara Higham
was born in Rome, New York. She received her B.A. in 1876 and her M.A. in 1879. Afterward, she taught for over forty years, mostly in Rome, New York. She, Mattie Foote and Clara Bradley became members of Phi Beta Kappa. A newspaper paid her tribute when she retired in 1921: "No teacher has made a more lasting impression of true culture and refinement of spirit than Miss Higham."
Kate Hogoboom Gilbert born in Ovid, New York. She received her B.S. in 1875, her M.S. in 1878 and a music degree in 1879. After graduation, she studied music in Boston and taught in Newark and Ithaca, New York. She possessed an excellent soprano voice and sang in
the choirs of several Syracuse churches. Along with Mattie Foote Crow, she wrote the Ritual and the first Constitution.
Elizabeth Hubbell Shults born in Rochester, New York, was a brilliant woman. She graduated with honors from the four-year classical course, displaying unusual ability in Latin, mathematics, and political science. When Alpha Phi was founded, she was
twenty-two and the only one old enough to sign the legal documents. She was an excellent debater, and one of the first exercises of the chapter was a debate that she and Mattie Foote Crow won on the topic: "Resolved: That women have their rights."
Louise Shepard Hancock also born in Rome, New York, was an inseparable friend of Jane Higham. She received her B.S. in 1876 and her B.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. Clara Bradley said Louise "always wanted the last word, and got it. She was a real contender for high and noble things."
Rena Michaels Atchinson was the first president of Alpha Phi, and the Michaelanean
Society derives its name from hers. This society still exists today as a corporation and owns the Alpha Phi chapter house in Syracuse. She served as a professor at several universities. She then served as Dean of Women's College,
Northwestern University from 1886-1891. She was an admirer of Frances E. Willard and became a lecturer for the Women's Christian Temperance Union.
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. 
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