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ETA PHI BETA SORORITY, INC. Eta Phi Beta Sorority is a National Business and Professional Women's Organization. It was organized in 1972 in Detroit, by eleven business women, who felt the need for a closer fellowship among business and professional women. There were eleven of these interested women who met regularly, namely; Ann Porter, Merry Green Hubbard, Earline Carter, Mae Edwards Curry, Ethel Madison, Dorothy Sylvers Brown, Mattie Rankin, Lena Reed, Katherine Rivers Douglas, Atheline Shelton and Ivy Burt. Election of Officers were held and were as follows: Merry Green Hubbard, Basileus; Ann Porter, Anti Basileus; Earline Carter, Grammateus; Ethel Madison, Tamiouchos; Ivy Burt, Guard; Dorothy Sylvers Brown, Chaplain and Parliamentarian; Mattie Rankin, Keeper of Pece and Katherine Rivers Douglas, Historian. Our 1st Chairmen were: Publicity, Eunice Palmer; Program, Gertrude Cain; Chatelaine, Ann Porter; Credentials, Mae Edwards; Finance, Thelma Lamb; Scholarship, Frances Boglin. Purposes: 1. To promote and create congenial fellowship among business women. 2. To work for the welfare of business and professional women. 3. To improve the standards of Negro business. 4. To assist in obtaining for women the opportunity for the highest standards in all business fields. 5. To aid high school graduates by awarding scholarships to further their education in business and professional fields. 6. To contribute financially to local and national charities. 7. To promote and assist programs which are designed for improving the well being of retarded citizens. Philosophical Aims: 1. To have enough wisdom to think in the right channels. 2. Enough perception to see an opportunity. 3. Enough judgment to appraise it. 4. Enough energy to embrace it and make use of it. In order to realize their ambition these eleven women knew they would have to work hard. The founders of Eta Phi Beta Sorority immediately set up the constitution and by laws to govern their beloved organization. Because of the time spent, burning midnight oil and candles at both ends, Ann Porter's husband, Herford Porter, felt left out. So she thought other Sorors' husbands might have felt the same way and she thought of organizing husbands into an auxiliary that would meet at the same time the sorors were meeting. As a result, the Shad Club was organized in 1949. The organization began to spread our wings and felt that it was time to honor outstanding women in the community, hence Mrs. R. Louise Grooms, Founder-President of the Detroit Institute of Commerce, a Business College, became our first honorary member of Eta Phi Beta Sorority. Many other outstanding women have been recognized in this manner in chapters of our sorority. Realizing that Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., should take an active part in the Community, a number of organizations were named to receive contributions from our sorority. In order to do this we conducted a number of affairs to raise funds, namely: an annual Bal Masque, 1944-1948, a unique costume affair which brought lots of fun to the participants. Also an annual cultural event where we presented nationally known Negro Artists such as Muriel Rahn, concert singer and the Southern Aires, 1948-1950. Other annual events included the spiritual candlelight vesper service which began in 1943. The Hobo Dance began in 1956, and the Queen Bee began in 1964. Our national project is mentally retarded children (local and national). We contribute as well as participate in active community life in our communities. We contribute to the United Negro College Fund, NAACP, Urban League, March of Dimes, The United Fund Drive, YWCA, YMCA, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of America, National Council of Negro Women and other worthwhile civic projects. The Hobo Scholarship Dance, Christmas Vespers, Founders Day Observance and the Queen Bee Contest are annual affairs. [[image]] [[caption]] National presidents spend an evening together. Lorrie Alexander, Alma D. Alexander, National President of ETA Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Bethesda Sutton, Douglas Sutton, National President of National Council of Shads. [[/caption]] [[image]] [[caption]] Scene from the luncheon - Miami Beach, Florida. [[/caption]] [[image]] [[caption]] Opening session of 12th Grand Boule, Konover Hotel, Miami Beach, Florida, ETA Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. [[/caption]] [[image]] [[caption]] National President and family with 1st National Vice President and her family. Olivette Clark (niece) Mr. and Mrs. Lorrie Alexander, Mrs. Olida Duncan (mother of Grand Basileus) Mr. and Mrs. Louis Chapmon and daughter Kim Chapmon. [[/caption]] 239