Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was organized at Howard University on January 16, 1920, as a result of encouragement given the five founders by Charles Taylor and Langston Taylor, members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. These Sigma brothers felt the campus would benefit by the development of such an organization as sisters to the fraternity. Thus, Zetas and Sigmas became the first official Greek letter sister and brother organizations. The Five Founders are known as the Five Pearls. They are:
Arizona L. Cleaver Stemmons
Arizona Cleaver was the first president of Alpha chapter and the first national president of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. She completed her graduate and post-graduate studies in the field of social work and was responsible for chartering numerous undergraduate and graduate chapters throughout the United States.
Pearl A. Neal
After graduating from Howard University's Conservatory of Music, Founder Neal continued her studies at the Julliard School of Music. In 1938, she was the first black woman in New York to earn a master's degree in music from Columbia University. An extremely accomplished musician, Founder Neal taught music in North Carolina public schools and served as a director of seniors majoring in music at Teachers College in Winston Salem, NC.
Myrtle Tyler Faithful
Myrtle Tyler was the second national president of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and blood sister to Viola Tyler. A high school mathematics and English teacher, Founder Tyler was an active member of Alpha Zeta chapter in Baltimore, Maryland
Viola Tyler Goings
Viola Tyler graduated from Howard University with a teaching degree and a major in math. She taught school in Ohio for many years and was always very active in community affairs.
Fannie Pettie Watts
Fannie Pettie graduated from Howard with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education and taught junior and senior high schools in Savannah, Georgia. She was credited with organizing two additional Zeta chapters and had active membership in Delta Alpha Zeta chapter.
The founders wanted to foster a sorority that would reach college women in all parts of the country who were sorority minded and desired to follow the ideals of scholarship, service, sisterhood, and Finer Womanhood, which Zeta Phi Beta Sorority was founded.
Zeta Phi Beta was the first Greek-letter organization to charter a chapter in Africa as well as Germany, Bahamas, Virgin Islands, and South Korea. They were also the first to form adult and youth auxiliary groups - Amicae, Archonettes, Pearlettes, and Amicettes; and to be constitutionally bound to a brother group, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated.
In 1996, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated established as its national program the Seven Point Plan for Action. The components of the plan include: Education, Health and Wellness Awareness, Economic Development, Governmental Affairs, Chapter Management, Community Volunteerism, and Drug & Substance Abuse Prevention.
In 2002, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated established as its national program Z-HOPE, Zeta Helping Other People Excel. From the Sorority's inception, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. has long demonstrated an interest in serving the needs of the community. Spanning the Sorority's nearly thirty-year partnership with the March of Dimes to its relationship with the Human Genome Project, Zeta Phi Beta has been at the forefront of anticipating the ever-changing needs of society. It is within this framework that International Grand Basileus Barbara C. Moore proudly introduces the new International Service Initiative for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.: Z-HOPE: Zetas Helping Other People Excel ™. "Since 1920, our national service programs have evolved to meet the critical societal needs of the time," said International Grand Basileus Moore. "This administration has identified some key areas of concern as part of our programmatic thrust, and all of our efforts will be consolidated under the banner of Z-HOPE." Since 1920, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority has grown to more than 100,000 college educated, professional women in 8 Intercontinental regions with more than 800 chapters worldwide.
Membership: 100,000+ College-educated, dynamic, community service driven, diverse and professional women Undergraduate: Initiated members who are currently pursuing a baccalaureate degree Graduate: Initiated members who have obtained at least one undergraduate degree Honorary: Initiated members identified by the International body of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. for providing exemplary service to the community through their service or profession Structure/Composition: Eight Intercontinental Regions 800+ Chapters Location: USA, Africa, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean
Auxiliaries: Amicae- Women who do not have college degrees, but have an interest in assisting local auxiliaries with activities. Currently there are over 175 Amicae groups in the USA. Archonettes- Youth group for young ladies age 14 to 18 currently in high school Amicettes- Youth group for girls age 9 to 13 Pearlettes- Youth group for young girls age 4 to 8 Zeta Male Network- The gentlemen in the lives of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Members
The Shield The Shield of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority is a registered trademark of the Sorority and to be used on officially sanctioned Sorority documents, paraphernalia and materials only. The Badge The Badge of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority is worn by initiated members only. Motto A Community-Conscious, Action-Oriented Organization Colors Royal Blue and Pure White Symbol White Dove Flower White Rose Organ THE ARCHON is the International publication of the Sorority Sorority Public Observances Founders' Day Zeta Phi Beta Sorority members the world over gather in both public and private ceremonies to honor the founding of our dear Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. on January 16 of every year. Finer Womanhood Week & Month Finer Womanhood Week & Month is a Sorority hallmark begun in 1923. This observance was originally held the last full week of February, and was later expanded to also include the entire month of March. Finer Womanhood is defined as "the distinguishing characteristics of a woman-one superior in kind, quality or appearance, marked by or affecting elegance or refinement." Finer Womanhood is a principle unique to Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and Finer Womanhood celebrations and activities emphasize the standards, morals, customs, and attributes of fine young ladies, women and community and Sorority members