Blackfacts.com presents the divine nine Zeta Phi Beta sorority Incorporated in 1920 five women from Howard University envisioned a sorority that would raise the consciousness of their people and encourage the highest standards of Scholastic achievement fostering a greater sense of unity among its members the history
In the spring of 1919 during a stroll on the campus of Howard University Charles Robert Samuel Taylor member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity shared with Arizona Cleaver his idea for a new Sisterhood a sister organization to his fraternity Arizona presented this idea to Pearl Myrtle Viola and Fannie Arizona Cleaver sought permission from the Howard University Administration to establish a new campus sorority that permission was granted and on January 16 1920 the first official meeting was held the five co-eds chose the name Zeta Phi Beta later that year in December 1920 the sorority held the first bull convention
With members of Phi Beta Sigma at Howard University Zeta Phi Beta was first Incorporated on March 30th 1923 in Washington DC by sorority members Myrtle Tyler Gladys Warrington Joanna Houston Josephine Johnson and O goldia Smith The Zeta Phi Beta motto is a community conscious action-oriented organization and the headquarters is located in New Hampshire Avenue in Washington D.C the founders The founders of zado were strong principled co-eds 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 the illustrious sorority Arizona Cleaver Stemmons was the first president of alpha chapter and the first national president of Zeta Phi Beta sorority she completed her graduate and postgraduate studies in the field of Social Work after graduating from Howard University Pearland and Neil continued her studies at the Juilliard 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 Myrtle Tyler faithful was the Second National president of Zeta Phi Beta sorority and blood sister to Viola Tyler a high school mathematics and English teacher Tyler was an active member of
Alpha Zeta chapter in Baltimore Maryland Biola Tyler goings 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 Fanny Petty Watts graduated from Howard with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education
She was credited with organizing two additional Zeta chapters and had active membership in Delta Alpha Zeta chapter mission statement To Foster the ideas of service charity scholarship civil and cultural Endeavors Sisterhood and finer Womanhood these ideals are reflected in the sororities National program for which its members and auxiliary groups provide voluntary service to staff community outreach programs fund scholarships support organized Charities and promote legislation for social and Civic change step shows Stepping is a huge part of Zeta Phi Beta sorority Incorporated and Zetas compete nationally in Step competitions it’s a fun competitive sport Thank you notable Zetas Zora Neale Hurston writer and folklorist of the Harlem Renaissance Donna Edwards U.S representative MD 4th congressional district Dr Elmira Mangum president of Florida a m University Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Selena Johnson singer songwriter model actress Wendy Palmer former WNBA player current NCAA women’s basketball coach narrated by Timbuktu foreign To learn more about black history visit www.blackfacts.com
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