BRIEF HISTORY

A BRIEF HISTORY Founded January 16, 1920, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was born out of the simple belief that sorority elitism and socializing should not overshadow the real mission for progressive organizations — to address societal mores, ills, prejudices, poverty, and health concerns of the day. Zeta began as an idea conceived by five coeds at Howard University in Washington D.C., predicated on the precepts of Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood, and Finer Womanhood. Since its inception, the Sorority has chronicled a number of firsts. Zeta Phi Beta was the first Greek letter organization to charter a chapter in Africa (1948); the first to form adult and youth auxiliary groups; the first to centralize its operations in a national headquarters; and the first and only to be constitutionally bound to a fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated. Zeta’s national and local programs include the endowment of its National Educational Foundation, community outreach services, and support of multiple affiliate organizations. Zeta chapters and auxiliary groups have given hours of voluntary service to educate the public, assist youth, provide scholarships and promote efforts for social and civic change. A nonprofit organization, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated is incorporated in Washington, D.C. and in the state of Illinois. The dues and gifts of its members support the Sorority.

The Five Founders of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated

Arizona Cleaver (Stemons): Served as the first president of Alpha Chapter and the first national president of the Sorority. She completed her graduate and post-graduate studies in the field of social work at Howard University. Pearl Neal: After graduating from Howard University’s Conservatory of Music, 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. 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): A graduate of Howard University and the second national president of the sorority. She was a high school mathematics and English teacher. Viola 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. Fannie Pettie (Watts): Graduated from Howard with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education and taught at junior and senior high schools in Savannah, Georgia.