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"The reason that we felt the need of a sorority at Barnard in those days was, as I have already mentioned, the need of something artificial to keep us together; artifical only in its organization, but beautiful in its ideals. We wanted a group of girls chosen not because of any special scholastic preeminence, financial circumstances or other arbitrary standards but a group who had common interests and were dominated by the ideals of true friendship." Since its creation, Alpha Epsilon Phi has grown to comprise over 60 chapters. The ideals of sisterhood continue to touch the lives of college women all over the country. (click here for more on AEPhi national history from the national website) Alpha Epsilon Phi came to Duke University in December 1934. Members of the original chapter of AEPhi were primarily Jewish, in fitting with the nationally Jewish affiliation of the sorority. The Duke chapter of AEPhi closed in the mid-'60s. On April 21, 1977, Alpha Epsilon Phi was re-colonized at Duke. The new chapter of AEPhi was formed "by some girls who didn't rush...and some others who are especially interested in starting a new sorority," said Robin Bernstein, the founding president of AE Chapter. Dissatisfied with Duke's sorority system at the time, the original fifteen members formed a new chapter of AEPhi and set the tone for the sisterhood, friendship, and support that have been going strong in AEPhi at Duke for almost 25 years. | ||||||||
