About DPhiE

Our History

On March 17, 1917, at the New York University School of Law, Dorothy Cohen Schwartzman, Ida Bienstock Landau, Minna Goldsmith Mahler, Eva Effron Robin, and Sylvia Steierman Cohn made a pledge to each other to build a women's organization that would stand out from the rest. They could not find a membership accepting of all backgrounds so they formed Delta Phi Epsilon with the purpose of accepting all races and religions–one of the first non-sectarian, social sororities to do so.

These five women founded the Alpha chapter of the Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority to "promote good fellowship among the women students among the various colleges in the country...to create a secret society composed of these women based upon their good moral character, regardless of nationality or creed...to have distinct chapters at various colleges."

Five years later, in 1922, Delta Phi Epsilon was officially incorporated under the state laws of New York and became an international sorority by creating a chapter of the organization at McGill University in Canada. Currently there are more than 67,000 members of Delta Phi Epsilon. The current international president of Delta Phi Epsilon is Stacy Segal (Psi Chapter at University of Georgia).

(dphie.org)

Our Founders

Dorothy Cohen Schwartzman

Ida Bienstock Landau

Minna Goldsmith Mahler

Eva Effron Robin

Sylvia Steierman Cohn

ABOUT DOROTHY

Dorothy was the first woman to pass the bar in Fairfield County, Connecticut. After practicing law for seven years, Dorothy began working in social welfare and later traveled with her husband while he served in the armed forces. Throughout her life, she remained in contact with her fellow Founders and always portrayed the ideals and principles of the Sorority she helped to establish.

ABOUT IDA

Ida graduated law school in 1920 and practiced law in New York City. She was a war correspondent during World War II in Europe, and helped relocated Jewish survivors and refugees. When Ida married in 1921, she married a non-citizen and lost her U.S. citizenship and the right to practice law. Ida petitioned Congress about the injustice, leading to the adoption of the Cable Act, which guaranteed that American women would never forfeit their citizenship by marriage to a foreigner.

ABOUT MINNA

Minna was instrumental in setting up the constitution and bylaws that still guide our Sorority. Minna also served as the First International President (1922-1923). After practicing law and raising her family, Minna sat on the Human Rights committee of the United Nations with Eleanor Roosevelt, and became a speaker for the United Nations. She was also active in the World Health Organization and the National Council of Jewish Women.

ABOUT EVE

Eve believed that education and Delta Phi Epsilon were means for women in the early 20th century to broaden their base and enrich their lives. Her love of education, books, travel and art were constant. She was always learning and encouraging others to learn. Her lifelong friendship with her Founding sisters personified everything we say about the joys of lasting friendship within our sisterhood.

ABOUT SYLVIA

Sylvia was a role model for women: dedicated to her family, aware of her community’s needs and conscious of her roles as an educated person. She worked with her husband in real estate, taught law and was active in her community.