HISTORY
ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY, INC.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated was founded on January 16, 1920, on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. as the sister organization to Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. Five women chose not to embrace the tenets of established black sororities and chartered Zeta Phi Beta Sorority to encourage the highest standards of scholarship through scientific, literary, cultural and educational programs; promote service projects on college campuses and in the community; foster sisterhood; and exemplify the ideal of Finer Womanhood. A private nonprofit organization, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority was incorporated in Washington, D.C. and in the state of Illinois. Zeta women are committed to the eradication of obstacles that impede progress for all mankind.
The Founders of Zeta were strong, principled coeds who possessed a great deal of modesty, strength of character, and pride in academic achievement. They are indeed a worthy foundation upon which to base our illustrious Sorority. We pay homage to our Five Pearls, Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Pearl Anna Neal, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Viola Tyler Goings, and Fannie Pettie Watts.
Since its inception, the sorority has chronicled a number of “firsts” among the established black sororities. In addition to being the ONLY organization constitutionally bound to a fraternity the sorority was the first to charter international chapters, those in West Africa and Germany; to form adult and youth auxiliary groups, the Amicae, Archonettes, Amicettes and Pearlettes; and to organize its internal affairs within a central, national office administered by a paid staff.
These ideals are reflected in the sorority’s national programs for which its members and auxiliary groups provide Zeta Phi Beta’s purpose is to foster the ideals of service, charity, scholarship, civic and cultural endeavors, sisterhood, and Finer Womanhood untotaled hours of voluntary service to staff community outreach programs, fund scholarships, support organized charities and promote legislation for social and civic change.
ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY, INC.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated was founded on January 16, 1920, on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. as the sister organization to Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. Five women chose not to embrace the tenets of established black sororities and chartered Zeta Phi Beta Sorority to encourage the highest standards of scholarship through scientific, literary, cultural and educational programs; promote service projects on college campuses and in the community; foster sisterhood; and exemplify the ideal of Finer Womanhood. A private nonprofit organization, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority was incorporated in Washington, D.C. and in the state of Illinois. Zeta women are committed to the eradication of obstacles that impede progress for all mankind.
The Founders of Zeta were strong, principled coeds who possessed a great deal of modesty, strength of character, and pride in academic achievement. They are indeed a worthy foundation upon which to base our illustrious Sorority. We pay homage to our Five Pearls, Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Pearl Anna Neal, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Viola Tyler Goings, and Fannie Pettie Watts.
Since its inception, the sorority has chronicled a number of “firsts” among the established black sororities. In addition to being the ONLY organization constitutionally bound to a fraternity the sorority was the first to charter international chapters, those in West Africa and Germany; to form adult and youth auxiliary groups, the Amicae, Archonettes, Amicettes and Pearlettes; and to organize its internal affairs within a central, national office administered by a paid staff.
These ideals are reflected in the sorority’s national programs for which its members and auxiliary groups provide Zeta Phi Beta’s purpose is to foster the ideals of service, charity, scholarship, civic and cultural endeavors, sisterhood, and Finer Womanhood untotaled hours of voluntary service to staff community outreach programs, fund scholarships, support organized charities and promote legislation for social and civic change.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION, ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY, INC.
The Central and South Central Regions merged in the mid-1930s to become the South Central Region. The South Central Region now has over 145 chapters, twenty-five Amicae Auxiliaries, and 80 Zeta Youth Affiliate Auxiliaries. Membership exceeds 250 Life, Golden Life, and Diamond Life Members, 200 friends in Amicae auxiliaries, and 800 Youth auxiliary members.
The oldest graduate chapters in the South Central Region are Pi Zeta (Lambda) in Nashville, Tennessee, and Nu Zeta Chapter, Knoxville, Tennessee. Alpha Sigma Zeta Chapter, located in Birmingham, is the oldest graduate chapter in Alabama. Alpha Mu Zeta, Little Rock, is the oldest graduate chapter in Arkansas. The oldest graduate chapter in Mississippi is Alpha Delta Zeta Chapter, Jackson.
The South Central Region has hosted two boules: Lambda Chapter, now Pi Zeta Chapter in Nashville, Tennessee in 1929 and Alpha Eta Zeta Chapter, Memphis, Tennessee, in 1980.
Members of the South Central Region continue to impact our organization on the local, state, regional, and national levels.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION, ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY, INC.
The Central and South Central Regions merged in the mid-1930s to become the South Central Region. The South Central Region now has over 145 chapters, twenty-five Amicae Auxiliaries, and 80 Zeta Youth Affiliate Auxiliaries. Membership exceeds 250 Life, Golden Life, and Diamond Life Members, 200 friends in Amicae auxiliaries, and 800 Youth auxiliary members.
The oldest graduate chapters in the South Central Region are Pi Zeta (Lambda) in Nashville, Tennessee, and Nu Zeta Chapter, Knoxville, Tennessee. Alpha Sigma Zeta Chapter, located in Birmingham, is the oldest graduate chapter in Alabama. Alpha Mu Zeta, Little Rock, is the oldest graduate chapter in Arkansas. The oldest graduate chapter in Mississippi is Alpha Delta Zeta Chapter, Jackson.
The South Central Region has hosted two boules: Lambda Chapter, now Pi Zeta Chapter in Nashville, Tennessee in 1929 and Alpha Eta Zeta Chapter, Memphis, Tennessee, in 1980.
Members of the South Central Region continue to impact our organization on the local, state, regional, and national levels.
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY, INC.
During the rebuilding and reorganization of regions at the national level in the mid-1930s, the first Zeta chapter was chartered in Mississippi. Alpha Delta Zeta Chapter was chartered on October 14, 1938, at 723 Rose Street in Jackson, Mississippi, with the assistance of Soror Pauline Allen Davis of Alpha Eta Zeta in Memphis, Tennessee and Southern Regional Director, Lullelia W. Harrison, who served as the officiating officer. In 1945, Soror Mildred Pierce was responsible for organizing the first undergraduate chapter in the state of Mississippi, Zeta Chapter, on the campus of Alcorn State University and served as its first advisor.
Since Alpha Delta Zeta Chapter’s chartering in 1938, the first Zeta Chapter in Mississippi, the State has grown to become the largest state in the South Central Region and among the largest at the national level. With a history of over 1,500 financial members state-wide, it has become a source of information and inspiration for other states, regions, and national leadership. In the list of early chartered chapters (according to Torchbearers of a Legacy) across the country, Alpha Delta Zeta is listed as number 28. Additionally, reviewing the states around the country with chartered chapters, Mississippi is among the first 20 states (#17) with chartered chapters.
Today the state of Mississippi continues to be the largest state in the South Central Region with members representing the Mighty Mississippi in various positions throughout Zeta on the Regional and National Levels.
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY, INC.
During the rebuilding and reorganization of regions at the national level in the mid-1930s, the first Zeta chapter was chartered in Mississippi. Alpha Delta Zeta Chapter was chartered on October 14, 1938, at 723 Rose Street in Jackson, Mississippi, with the assistance of Soror Pauline Allen Davis of Alpha Eta Zeta in Memphis, Tennessee and Southern Regional Director, Lullelia W. Harrison, who served as the officiating officer. In 1945, Soror Mildred Pierce was responsible for organizing the first undergraduate chapter in the state of Mississippi, Zeta Chapter, on the campus of Alcorn State University and served as its first advisor.
Since Alpha Delta Zeta Chapter’s chartering in 1938, the first Zeta Chapter in Mississippi, the State has grown to become the largest state in the South Central Region and among the largest at the national level. With a history of over 1,500 financial members state-wide, it has become a source of information and inspiration for other states, regions, and national leadership. In the list of early chartered chapters (according to Torchbearers of a Legacy) across the country, Alpha Delta Zeta is listed as number 28. Additionally, reviewing the states around the country with chartered chapters, Mississippi is among the first 20 states (#17) with chartered chapters.
Today the state of Mississippi continues to be the largest state in the South Central Region with members representing the Mighty Mississippi in various positions throughout Zeta on the Regional and National Levels.