About Us

The mission of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women is to promote friendship, develop women of intellect and integrity, cultivate leadership potential and enrich lives through community service. In March of 1918, the Beta Phi Fraternity was founded here at Cornell University. Under the supervision of Miss Louise Case, Beta Phi began working toward its goal of petitioning for a charter of Pi Beta Phi. The future 13 charter members had to submit to the closest investigation as to character, activities, scholarship, and personality. These women were as follows: Helen Miriam Sharrett, Margaret Lounsbury Winfield, Josephine Augusta Sniffen, Mary Alexandria Wheeler, Cornelia Elizabeth Lerch, Evelyn Gertrude Richmond, Elizabeth Dorothy Worman, Grace Brown Blauvelt, Eleanor Margaret Edmonds,Mary Irene Frank and Alice Juliet Street. On June 14, 1919, the Beta Phi Fraternity of Cornell University became a chapter of Pi Beta Phi. These founding sisters of New York Delta meeting Risley Hall, a new dormitory for women at the time. After receiving their charter, they rented a small bungalow on Eddy Street-- the first New York Delta sorority house. From Eddy, Pi Beta Phi moved to Kelvin Place. In 1937, the group leases a house on 425 Wycoff Ave. Finally, in 1955Pi Phi bought a plot of land on Triphammer Road. While the new house was being built, the sisters lived at 516 University Ave. In 1956, the first sisters moved into what is still our New York Delta House.