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Founders Creed
To you, Founders of Phi Sigma Sigma, who gave us being and meaning on the twenty-sixth of November, in the year 1913, we dedicate anew your fraternity in its present extent. To the brotherhood of man and to the alleviation of the world's pain, twin ideals which drew you together, we repledge ourselves with new fervor. Witness to your reverence of the goal you set for us, this day shall see a nationwide votary, when all chapters of Phi Sigma Sigma shall do homage unto you and shall devote themselves in act and in belief to the selfless giving which knows no creed.

The 10 Founders of Phi Sigma Sigma:

bulletLillian Gordon Alpern
She was born in New York City, the youngest child in a family of six. She followed in her only sister's footsteps and attended Hunter College. While a junior in college, she met and fell in love with Charles Alpern, whom she left school to marry. Lillian was the first Founder to pass away in 1945.
bulletJosephine Ellison Breakstone
She was a school teacher by profession. She was married and lived in New York City until the time of her death.
bulletFay Chertkoff
She worked as a teacher throughout her full and interesting life. She was responsible for writing most of the Fraternity's rituals and served as a national officer for many years.
bulletEstelle Melnick Cole
She worked as a hospital volunteer in New York while taking courses in languages and the arts. She served as an interpreter for her husband while they traveled extensively around the world. Estelle later moved to Harrison, New York, where she resided until her death.
bulletEthel Gordon Kraus
She married and had two children, one a member of Phi Sigma Sigma, and five grandchildren. She was a member of the Godmother's League and the Hattie Bondy Scholarship Fund. Ethel's hobbies included bridge, theater, and gardening. She died in 1984 in New York City.
bulletJeanette Lipka Furst
She graduated from public high school at age 11 and entered college at age 15 to become the youngest member of Phi Sigma Sigma. She completed her studies in three years and graduated from Hunter College at age 18. Jeanette taught fifth grade and later earned her doctorate in audio-visual education and communications.
bulletShirley Cohen Laufer
Unfortunately, little is known about this Founder.
bulletClaire Wunder McArdle
Unfortunately, little is known about this Founder.
bulletRose Sher Seidman
She married and had two sons and seven grandchildren. She taught school from 1915-17 before returning to teach at a private school in 1940, where she stayed for ten years. She sponsored extracurricular activities including social dance and puppetry. Later in life, Rose studied new modern math and traveled extensively in Europe, Iceland, the Caribbean, and the United States.   She died in November 1987 in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
bulletGwen Zaliels Snyder
She graduated from Hunter College and taught school before marrying and having one daughter. She became a textile designer and branched into interior designing for private homes.
 

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