The Campaign to Elect Cynthia Bell National Grammateus
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January 16th is a day of great importance. For it was on this day back in 1920 that five determined young women took their friendship and created a sisterhood based on four cardinal principles – Scholarship, Service, Sisterly Love and Finer Womanhood. Our Founding Principles are words brought together to inspire us and have guided Zeta Phi Beta through times of turbulence and times of great success for the past 92 years. As our world continues to evolve, these principles are more important than ever. On the occasion of our Founders’ Day, I would like to call for the re-‐dedication to the principles set forth by our Five Pearls. It is by living by these principles that the lives of our Founders will continue to have meaning. From its humble beginnings, our sorority has survived on the shoulders and sacrifice of members who have gone the extra mile to preserve our heritage. Each of us must be challenged to put forth our personal best to ensure the future of our sorority for future generations of Zeta women. Our success is dependent upon each one of us being seriously engaged in using our collective power to continue making a positive impact in our respective communities and within our own sorority. Our Founders planted the seed and each of us has watered the garden of sisterhood to ensure Zeta Phi Beta’s perpetuity through commitment to excellence as members. As I close, I would like to leave you with an excerpt from a document written by Past International Grand Basileus, Isabel M. Herson. It seems so fitting to share at this particular moment in our sorority’s history. “We are as we commit ourselves. There is no stronger word to identify a character than the word “committed”….Ours – the sorority, is a life of commitment, if it is to be one of service. Ones strength in leadership roles, supportive roles, the role of a participant or a follower lies in the degree and quality of commitment possessed….If Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. is to survive, if its philosophy and principles are to be perpetuated, if its ideals and objectives are to be implemented, commitment is indeed the answer.” Excerpt from “Commitment” by Soror Isabel M. Herson, Past International Grand Basileus. Presented on August 27, 1994 in support of Alpha Delta Zeta Chapter’s annual retreat. In Sisterhood and Service, Soror Cynthia A. Bell Candidate for National Grammateus Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
1920|2012