Zeta Phi Beta - WikiHQ

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. () is a historically African American sorority. Since its founding, Zeta Phi Beta has focused on addressing social causes.

Zeta Phi Beta is a non-profit 501(c)(7) organization that is divided into eight intercontinental regions and 800+ Chapters located in the US, Africa, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. In 1948, Zeta Phi Beta became the first Greek-letter organization to charter a chapter in Africa (in Monrovia, Liberia). Zeta Phi Beta is the third-largest predominantly African-American sorority.

History

Beginnings

In the spring of 1919, during a stroll on the campus of Howard University, Charles Robert Samuel Taylor, member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, told Arizona Cleaver his idea for a new sisterhood; a sister organization to his fraternity. Cleaver presented this idea to Pearl Anna Neal, Myrtle Tyler, Viola Tyler, and Fannie Pettie, and a new sisterhood was formed.

Cleaver secured permission from the Howard University administration to establish a campus sorority. On January 16, 1920, the sorority's first official meeting was held. The five students chose the name Zeta Phi Beta. Phi Beta was taken from Phi Beta Sigma to "seal and signify the relationship between the two organizations".

The newly established Zeta Phi Beta Sorority was given a formal introduction at Whitelaw Hotel by Phi Beta Sigma members Taylor and A. Langston Taylor. The two Sigma brothers had been a source of advice and encouragement during the establishment of the sorority and throughout its early days.

Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta sororities held a "Welcome to Campus" reception in the assembly room in Miner Hall, in honor of the new sorority. The Archon, the sorority's official magazine was established shortly afterward. The sorority was incorporated by the state of Illinois in 1939.

Expansion

thumb|Headquarters (2026)

In 1923, Theta chapter at Wiley College became the first black sorority chapter in Texas.

Zeta Phi Beta was the first sorority to charter a chapter in Africa (Monrovia, Liberia). There are also chapters in U.S. Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Bahamas, Japan, Korea, Barbados, Haiti, Germany, Belgium, United Arab Emirates, Trinidad/Tobago and most recently Accra, Ghana.

On January 25, 2001, Zeta Phi Beta was granted non-governmental organization (NGO) status with the United Nations.

In 2005, Zeta Phi Beta completed its $2 million renovation of the international headquarters. The historic building has served as Zeta's home since its purchase in 1959.

In May 2019, Zeta Phi Beta revised its national policy to be inclusive of transgender women interested in joining the sorority. A few weeks prior to the revised national policy, the sorority issued a statement banning transgender women for membership consideration but after much backlash the sorority eventually issued a "diversity statement" changing its stance on transgender women. Zeta Phi Beta is the only National Pan-Hellenic Council organization to release an official statement welcoming transgender members.

Symbols

Zeta Phi Beta's founding principles or pillars are Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood, and Finer Womanhood. Its motto is "A community-conscious, action-oriented organization". Its colors are royal blue and white. Its symbol is the dove. Its flower is a white rose. Its publication is The Archon.

Activities

Zeta Day on the Hill

Held annually, Zeta Day on the Hill provides an opportunity for Zetas to exercise another level of civic responsibility by learning the protocols for interacting with and the knowledge needed to maximize engagement with congressional representatives. Zetas schedule meetings with their representative or their representative's designee to discuss, during brief sessions, issues of interest to the local, state, and national Zeta membership.

Z-H.O.P.E.

The goal of Z-H.O.P.E. (Zetas Helping Other People Excel) is to positively impact the lives of people at all stages of the human life cycle. This is through doing hard work and community service. Z-HOPE (Zetas Helping Other People Excel) is an international service initiative, introduced by the sorority's 22nd International Grand Basileus Barbara C. Moore.

Z-HOPE has six objectives. They are:

To provide culturally appropriate informational activities according to the Z-HOPE program format
To foster collaborative partnerships between community organizations with shared goals
To promote the opportunities for expansion in Stork's Nest programs
To facilitate community service and mentorship opportunities for members of the organization
To provide an equitable chapter recognition program for community services rendered, and
To provide a standard reporting format to concentrate efforts and demonstrate the organization's impact

, more than 750,000 individuals have participated in Z-HOPE-related activities and programs. The trust awards scholarship grants, conducts community educational programs and activities, and engages in Foundation scholarship related research.

Stork's Nest

Since 1971, Zeta Phi Beta has enjoyed a partnership with the March of Dimes to encourage women to seek prenatal care within the first trimester of pregnancy, thereby increasing the prevention of birth defects and infant mortality. Known as the Stork's Nest Program, this collaboration encourages participation and healthy behaviors during the pregnancy through two components - incentives and education.

Archonettes

The Archonettes are composed of young high school-aged ladies (ages 14 to 18) who demonstrate an interest in the goals and the ideals of scholarship, sisterly love, and community service.

Amicettes

The Amicettes are composed of girls aged 9 to 13 who are willing to strive toward the high ideals of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and who demonstrate potential for leadership in service to the community. . The sorority's board of directors initially tried to resolve the matter privately by asking the president to sign a promissory note to repay over $300,000 of sorority funds used for personal expenses back to the sorority but that dissatisfied Stark. The purpose of the investigation was to determine if the president had obtained funds from the tax-exempt organization for personal gain which violated IRS codes. Stark's claims for breach of contract and negligence were dismissed at a September 11, 2008 status conference.

Entertainer Sheryl Underwood was elected as the 23rd International Grand Basileus (President), during the sorority's biennial business meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2008. Her election as Grand Basileus was disputed by some members as illegitimate, but District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Gerald I. Fisher dismissed a lawsuit against the sorority and Underwood that asked the court to unseat Underwood.

In 2011, the chapter at the University of Maryland, College Park was placed under heavy scrutiny when a former pledge reported to authorities the serious abuse she endured from members of the organization. Seven members of the chapter were arrested for assault.

In 2012, a student at the University of California, Berkeley sued the sorority after experiencing hazing so disturbing and humiliating that she dropped out of school. In her lawsuit, she stated she had her head slammed into a wall, her pockets ripped from her jeans, was beat over the head while being forced to recite the sorority's history, forced to clean up the juice with only her back, and was subject to other illegal hazing activities.

In 2014, the chapter at the University of Memphis was given a three-year suspension for physically abusing and harassing pledges. One pledge's nose was broken after being repeatedly hit in the face by several Zetas. Two Zetas identified in a police report as being extremely abusive towards pledges dropped out of the university soon after the suspension was announced.

References

External links

Official web site
The Lovers' Stroll…A Legacy Begins / Constitutionally Bound Historical Marker Profile