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HISTORICAL DATA: ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY

FINER WOMANHOOD, SCHOLARSHIP, COMMUNITY SERVICE, AND SISTERHOOD are the founding ideals of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority which had its beginning at Howard University on January 16, 1920. The Founders—Arizona Cleaver (Stemmons), Viola Tyler (Goings), Myrtle Tyler (Faithful), Fannie Pettie (Watts), and Pearl Neal—were encouraged by Robert and Langston Taylor of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, who felt that the campus would profit from such an organization as sisters to the fraternity. Thus, Zeta Phi Beta with Phi Beta Sigma became the first official Creek-letter sister-brother organizations.

The new sorority was introduced to the Howard University community by a formal reception at the Whitelaw Hotel hosted by Charles and Langston Taylor, and by a meeting hosted by Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta sororities. It was the dream of the Founders that the sorority would reach cllege women in all parts of the country who were desirous of following Zeta's ideals.

Zeta Phi Beta held its first Boule' (convention) jointly with the Phi Beta Sigma Conclave in December, 1920 in Washington, D.C.

Arizona Cleaver-Stemmons was the first President of the sorority and watched the organization spread to all sections of the United States, parts of Africa, and the Caribbean with more than 400 undergraduate and graduate chapters divided into nine (9) regions, with honorary members of renown, and with the strength and means to contribute to the encouragement of higher scholarship and to those organizations working for the betterment of communities throughout the world.

Zeta Phi Beta was the first Greek-letter college sorority organized in Africa. In 1948, Delta Iota Zeta Chapter (a graduate chapter), and Upsilon Beta Chapter (an undergraduate chapter), were set up in Liberia. Chapters have since spread to Sierra Leone and Nigeria, remanding the adding of ninth region for West Africa.

In 1922, Zeta Phi Beta found it necessary to establish the National Board to take over the responsibilities which had been carried on by Alpha Chapter, and by June, 1927, the growth of the sorority made possible its first regional meeting, held at Howard University. The chapters are now grouped into eight regions in the United States: Atlantic, Eastern, Southeastern, South-Central, Great Lakes, Midwestern, Pacific, and Southern; and a ninth region for West Africa. Each region has a Director appointed by the Grand Basileus.

Zeta Phi Beta was incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia on March 30, 1923. The incorporators were: Sorors Myrtle Tyler, Gladys Warrington, Joanna Houston, Josephine Johnson, and Goldie Smith.

The ideals of the sorority have brought together women from all parts of the country—women with similar tastes and aspirations, similar potentialities for highest attainments, and similar desires for concerted action that will bring results in removing or blocking movements intended to retard the growth and progress of this group of women, especially in the fields of academic and literary attainments.

The constituency of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority includes women of all professions who have become integral parts of community life, and who have involved themselves in civic and social betterment throughout the world. Wherever adverse legislation affecting minority groups has been proposed, Zeta Phi Beta has been active in making its voice heard in protestation and appeal for fair play; in telegrams, letters to Congressmen, and Senator,s public interest meetings, and through membership in the American Council on Human Rights.

The sorority has been outstanding in carrying its share of community relief work, in participation in voluntary services, in contributing to organized charity, as well as in granting scholarships and fellowships to deserving women students.

As a non-profit corporation incorporated in Washington, D.C. and also in the state of Illinois, the sorority is supported only by annual dues paid by its members for operating expenses. Scholarship are donated annually from a special fund contributed by members.

Since Soror Arizona Cleaver-Stemmons, there have been seventeen International Presidents: Sorors Myrtyle Tyler-Faithful, Joanna Houston-Ransom, Nellie Buchanan, Dr. S. Evelyn Lewis, Ruth Tappe-Scruggs, Rannie R. Givens, VIolette Anderson, Nellie Rogers, Edith Lyons, Blanche Thompson, Lullelia W. Harrison, Dr. Nancy Bullock McGhee, Dr. Deborah Gannon Wolfe, Dr. Mildred C. Bradham, Isabel I. Herson, Dr. Janice G. Kissner, and Dr. Edith V. Frances.

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Dr. Edith Francis was speaker

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