Celebrating the Enduring Legacy of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority over 103 Years

The Rich History of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated has a long and storied history of over 103 years of promoting scholarship, service, sisterhood and finer womanhood. The sorority was founded on January 16, 1920 at Howard University by five innovative trailblazing women who envisioned a sorority that would raise the consciousness of college women and encourage them to use their collective strength to promote academic excellence and provide service to the community.

The Founders and Their Vision

The five founders of Zeta Phi Beta were Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Viola Tyler Goings, Fannie Pettie Watts, and Pearl Anna Neal. These women were students at Howard University when they decided to establish a new kind of Greek-lettered sorority that placed emphasis on finer womanhood, scholarship, and community uplift over social activities.

At the time, options for minority women to join Greek-letter organizations were very limited. So Arizona, Myrtle, Viola, Fannie, and Pearl Anna dared to dream of something different - an organization focused on service, sisterhood, and the empowerment of women of color. This vision led them to found Zeta Phi Beta on January 16, 1920.

Core Values that Stand the Test of Time

The values that those five Howard students instilled in Zeta Phi Beta on that winter day back in 1920 still form the bedrock principles that sorority members live by today. The principles of scholarship, service, sisterhood, and finer womanhood permeate all that Zetas do.

Zetas are called to lifelong learning and intellectual development. They lead by serving their communities and promoting volunteerism. They find strength in sisterhood and in uplifting their fellow sisters. And they exemplify finer womanhood through their accomplishments, poise, leadership, and commitment to being lifelong change agents.

103 Years of Impacting Communities

Over more than ten decades of existence, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority has impacted communities around the world through tireless service efforts and passionate advocacy around causes like women’s health, education, and empowerment.

Stroll Competition

One of the highlights of any gathering of members of the Divine Nine Greek sororities and fraternities is the stroll competition. Each organization has a high-energy, synchronized dance routine that brings attendees cheering to their feet. Zeta's stroll is legendary and always brings the house down.

Advocacy and Outreach

From the very beginning, the women of Zeta Phi Beta have engaged in impactful advocacy and outreach work. Early efforts included supporting the NAACP’s anti-lynching movement through raising money and awareness. Zetas also marched alongside Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the pivotal March on Washington.

The civil rights movement catalyzed Zetas to do even more intensive community service work focused on educating the poor and providing scholarships. They also began tackling issues like women’s health, voting rights, and desegregation through coordinated programs and partnerships with other social justice-focused organizations.

Zetas on the World Stage

Over the decades, the women of Zeta made tremendous contributions not just nationally but globally. Members have served as policy-makers, executives of Fortune 500 companies, celebrated artists and performers, pioneers of women’s empowerment worldwide, and so much more.

Truly living out their motto of “Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood, with Finer Womanhood,” Zeta Phi Beta members have provided an invaluable example of Black excellence to the world.

Why Zeta Phi Beta's Values Still Matter

In the 21st century, the tradition of principled service instilled by Zeta Phi Beta’s founders still shows through. The sorority uses cutting-edge technology and modern approaches to carry out timely initiatives.

But the core focus remains on scholarship, service, sisterhood, and finer womanhood – values that are perhaps more vital today than ever before.

Continuing the Sisterhood

Sisterhood has always been the bedrock on which Zeta Phi Beta was built. Early members relied on each other for support in the face of racism, discrimination, and disenfranchisement.

Modern Zeta sisters draw the same strength from bonding together. They encourage each other professionally, uplift each other personally, and promote an atmosphere of empowerment that benefits women of color across backgrounds.

Serving the Underserved

When Arizona, Myrtle, Viola, Fannie, and Pearl Anna founded Zeta over a century ago, they sought to create a sisterhood that made social action its mandate. This spirit still motivates the sorority’s membership to serve vulnerable communities through initiatives around education, health care, housing, and much more.

The women of Zeta shine light where there is darkness, boosting those who need it most. They exemplify true service and giving back to lift the collective – a timeless tradition over 103 years strong.

Lifting as We Rise

Zeta Phi Beta’s symbol may be a dove, but these women are anything but meek. They boldly lead movements for equality and justice, raising up other women of color along the way through mentorship, programming, and advocacy.

By lifting each other up and fighting for the rights of their communities, Zetas embody the sorority’s long legacy of scholarship, service, sisterhood, and finer womanhood. And for over 100 years proud, these values have created a powerful force for good that will keep strengthening communities for the next century to come.

FAQs

Who founded Zeta Phi Beta Sorority?

Zeta Phi Beta was founded at Howard University on January 16, 1920 by five innovative students - Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Viola Tyler Goings, Fannie Pettie Watts, and Pearl Anna Neal. These women wanted to create a sorority focused on scholarship, service, and the empowerment of women of color.

What does Zeta Phi Beta stand for?

The sorority is founded on four core principles represented in the letters Z-H-P-B: Z for Zeta, meaning “seeker of wisdom of knowledge”; H for Habitude, meaning “unvarying and harmonious conduct”; P for Psi, meaning “touched with fire”; and B for Beta, meaning “born of, or having the qualities of.”

Where is the headquarters of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority?

The International Headquarters for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated is located in Washington, D.C. with over 850 chapters worldwide.

What is the meaning of the “Finer Womanhood” motto?

“Finer Womanhood” represents the focus that Zeta Phi Beta places on empowering women of color and advancing important social causes like education, health, voting rights, civil rights, and service to the community.

What kinds of community service initiatives does Zeta Phi Beta organize?

Zeta Phi Beta engages in advocacy and outreach efforts focused on education, women’s health care, providing scholarship assistance, combatting incarceration bias, anti-lynching campaigns, supporting voting rights and desegregation, and overall improving conditions for minority communities across the nation.