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History of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was founded January 16, 1920 on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. by five coeds. The
women dared to depart from the traditional coalitions for Black women and sought to establish a new organization predicated
on the percepts of Scholarship, Service, Sisterly Love, and FinerWomanhood. For Eighty-One years, the trail blazed by the
founders Five PearlZ has been traversed by thousandsSince its
inception, the Sorority has expanded to encompass more than 500 graduate and collegiate chapters. These chapters are located
through out the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, the Bahama Islands, Eastern Caribbean Islands, West Africa, and
Germany and are organized into Nine Regions.
The Sorority is the first organization to charter a chapter in Africa (1948);
to form adult and youth auxiliary groups, the Amicae and Archonettes; and to be constitutionally bound to a brother fraternity,
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated.
Zeta's national and local programs include endowment of its National Education
Foundation, community outreach services, and support of multiple affiliate organizations. Zeta chapters and auxiliary groups
have given untotaled hours of voluntary service to educate the public, assist youth, provide scholarships, support organized
charities and promote legislation for social and civic change.
A non-profit organization, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority is incorporated in Washington,
D.C., the state of Illinois, and the state of North Carolina.The Sorority is supported by the dues and gifts of its members.
The Archon is the national publication of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.
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Our Five PearlZ:
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Arizona Cleaver StemonsArizona
Cleaver Stemons was the first basileus of Alpha Chapter and the first Grand Basileus of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.
Inspired by Charles Taylor and A. Taylor, fraternity brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, she encouraged the first group
of young women to join her in organizing Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.
Arizona Cleaver Stemons was a Life Member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and held membership
with Beta Delta Zeta Chapter in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was responsible for chartering numerous undergraduate
and graduate chapters throughout the United States. Her triumphant life ended in March, 1980 in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania.
Viola Tyler Goings
Viola Tyler Goings was one of the co-founders of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated
and a Life Member. Flushing, Ohio was the birthplace of Viola, who at the end of her high school career, became a coed at
Howard University.
After graduating from Howard University with a teaching degree, she taught in Smithfield,
North Carolina and later accepted the position of Assistant Principal at the Cambridge High School in Cambridge Maryland.
She married and later moved to Springfield, Ohio pursuing her career as a teacher. Her triumphant life ended in March,
1983 in Springfield, Ohio
Myrtle Tyler Faithful
Myrtle Tyler Faithful was the second Grand Basileus of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated,
blood sister of Viola Tyler, and a Life Member. An Ohio teacher of mathematics and english for some years, she always
had an active interest in community affairs. Her triumphant life ended on April 21, 1993.
Fannie Pettie Watts
Fannie Pettie Watts is one of the co-founders Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.
She is credited with organizing Omicron Beta Chapter in Brooklyn. She graduated from Howard University with a
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education. Her post-graduate studies in social work and housing were pursued at New
York University. She was the Social Investigator for the Department of Social Service in Brooklyn, New York and Director
of the Cradle Roll Division of Brooklyn's Nazarene Congregational Church. Her triumphant life ended in 1995.
Pearl Anna Neal
Pearl Anna Neal, exhibited early a degree of excellence in music and attended the Lincoln
Academy in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. Upon completion of her studies at the Academy, she entered Howard University where
she earned a Degree in Music. She earned her Master's Degree in Music from Columbia University, New York, in 1938, thus becoming
the first Black woman in this state to earn this degree. She did further study at the Julliard School of Music in New York.
Her triumphant life ended in January, 1978 in Charlotte, North Carolina. |
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