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Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated was founded
on January 16, 1920, on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. as
the sister organization to Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated. Five women
(Arizona Cleaver Stemons. Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Viola Tyler Goings, Fannie
Pettie Watts, and Pearl A. Neal) chose not to embrace the tenets of established
black sororities and chartered Zeta Phi Beta Sorority to encourage the highest
standards of scholarship through scientific, literary, cultural and educational
programs; promote service projects on college campuses and in the community;
foster sisterhood; and exemplify the ideal of Finer Womanhood. As a private
nonprofit organization, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority was incorporated in Washington,
D.C. and in the state of Illinois. Zeta women are committed to the eradication
of obstacles that impede progress for all humankind.
Since its inception, the sorority has chronicled
a number of “firsts” among the established black sororities. In addition to
being the ONLY organization constitutionally bound to a fraternity the sorority
was the first to charter international chapters, those in West Africa and
Germany; to form adult and youth auxiliary groups, the Amicae, Archonettes,
Amicettes, and Pearlettes; and to organize its internal affairs within a central
national office administered by a paid staff.
Zeta Phi Beta’s purpose is to foster the ideals
of service, charity, scholarship, civic and cultural endeavors, sisterhood, and
Finer Womanhood. These ideals are reflected in the sorority’s national programs
for which its members and auxiliary groups provide untotaled hours of voluntary
services to staff community outreach programs, fund scholarships, support
organized charities and promote legislation for social and civic change.
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