History

1886 - became first women's fraternity in America to build and occupy its own chapter house.
Was the first women's fraternity to use Greek letters as its emblem. Other early groups had used keys, kites, arrows, and anchors.
1875 - invited Frances E. Willard (a women's sufferage leader) to become the first alumna initiate.
1894 - become the first women's fraternity to use "traveling delegates," now known as Field Consultants.
1902 - called the inter-sorority meeting that resulted in the formation of the association now known as the National Panhellenic Council.
1906 - became an "International" fraternity when Xi chapter was chartered at the University of Toronto.
1964 - made 100 commemorative gavles from the cherry and birth railing of the first Alpha Phi chapter house and presented these gavals to the first 100 Alpha Phi Chapter.
1988 - introduced risk management education to collegians.
1995 - became the first Panhellenic organization to have a site on the World Wide Web.

The Theta Chapter of Alpha Phi was founded on May 16, 1892. The Theta Chapter was the eighth chapter of Alpha Phi to be founded and not only made the balance geographically even between the East and West but also gave Alpha Phi representation in the oldest of the state universities in the country. Historically, it must be noted that Chicago Alpha Phis and Edith Greaves (Delta Chapter) took a special interest in establishing a chapter of Alpha Phi at the U of M. Edith, along with Mary Maltman (Beta Chapter) not only laid plans for the Theta Chapter of Alpha Phi but also extended invitations to ten women. These ten women were initiated on May 16, 1892 and became the first of a long legacy of Theta Chapter women.
The Theta Chapter moved into their first house, a large colonial located at the corner of Ann and Division, in 1893. Theta Chapter lived in this and two other homes until 1911 when it purchased the home at 814 S. University. The present Theta Chapter house, located at 1830 Hill Street, was built in 1925 and allowed the whole fraternity to finally live under one roof. The Theta Chapter of Alpha Phi has been a strong chapter since it was founded and continues to flourish and grow today.