Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was founded on the campus of Howard University on January 16, 1920 by five principled, educated and spirited coeds who believed that a new type of sorority was needed. These visionaries sought to create a sorority that was not based on socializing and elitism, but one which focused on Scholarship, Service, Sisterly Love and Finer Womanhood and addressing the societal ills of the day.

 

Zetas, past and present, have held fast to these core principles and continue to serve based on the ideals of our virtuous founders. 

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The Sorority has chronicled a number of firsts.  It was the first Greek-letter organization to:

• Charter a chapter in Africa (1948)

• Form adult and youth auxiliary groups, the Amicae, Archonettes, Amicettes, and Pearlettes

• Be constitutionally bound to a brother group, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated.

• Charter a chapter in the UAE (United Arab Emirates) in 2014 (Alpha Alpha Alpha Zeta)

 

Zeta's national and local programs include endowment of its National Educational Foundation; Z-HOPE (Zetas Helping Other People Excel) 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 nonprofit organization, Zeta Phi Beta is incorporated in Washington, D.C. and in the state of Illinois. The Sorority is supported by the dues and gifts of its members.

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Arizona Cleaver Stemons: Arizona Cleaver was the first president of Alpha chapter and the first national president of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. She completed her graduate and post-graduate studies in the field of social work and was responsible for chartering numerous undergraduate and graduate chapters throughout the United States.

 

Pearl Anna Neal: After graduating from Howard University’s Conservatory of Music, Founder Neal continued her studies at the Julliard 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. An extremely accomplished musician, Founder Neal taught music in North Carolina public schools and served as a director of seniors majoring in music at Teachers College in Winston Salem, NC.

 

Myrtle Tyler Faithful: Myrtle Tyler was the second national president of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and blood sister to Viola Tyler. A high school mathematics and English teacher, Founder Tyler was an active member of Alpha Zeta chapter in Baltimore, Maryland.

 

Viola Tyler Goings: Viola Tyler 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.

 

Fannie Pettie Watts: Fannie Pettie graduated from Howard with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education and taught junior and senior high schools in Savannah, Georgia. She was credited with organizing two additional Zeta chapters and had active membership in Delta Alpha Zeta chapter.