FOUNDERS’ DAY PROCLAMATION

FOUNDERS’ DAY

Proclamation

While time and distance can separate Zeta Tau Alpha sisters, the special bond we share transcends these challenges and continues to unite us, as we’ve seen throughout the pandemic. Even our Founders experienced feeling disconnected. Did you know they were never all together again after they graduated? Family obligations, careers and weddings kept them apart until November 1924, when eight Founders reunited in Richmond, Virginia. Sadly, Maud Jones Horner passed away in 1920 and was not present for this special reunion.

For us, the months of being apart gave way this summer as we were able to come back together carefully, but with great joy and excitement. Postponed events became extra special celebrations. Girls’ weekends replaced Zoom calls. Collegians returned to their ZTA homes, masking up indoors. With safety requirements in place, many campuses were able to hold Recruitment and enjoy Bid Day in person.

Let’s make a promise today to cherish the time we spend together and use what this separation has taught us to make the most of our ZTA experience. Join a local alumnae chapter to stay connected and have great fun with sisters. Volunteer as a collegiate chapter advisor to mentor our young leaders and help strengthen the Fraternity’s future. Make plans to attend Convention 2022 in Texas next July. Consider donating to the ZTA Foundation to show Loyalty & Commitment and help fund valuable programs and scholarships. This Founders’ Day, the Foundation will host its second annual Day of Giving. Everyone will be able to take a road trip, albeit a virtual one, to sisterhood sights, points of interest and historic destinations. Each stop along the way will reveal a great reason to celebrate being a Zeta.

Our Founders would be proud of the exceptional determination and positivity our sisterhood has shown throughout the past year to keep our Fraternity Steadfast & Strong. Continue to be safe, be well and “think in terms of all mankind.”

Given under my hand and seal, I proclaim the fifteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-one, as our 123rd Founders’ Day.

ALICIA PATTEN WILLIAMS

National President The Woodlands, Texas October 2021

6 THemis Fall 2021 | Seeking Understanding JOURNEY OF SISTERHOOD AND BELONGING

JOURNEY SISTERHOOD BELONGING

National Council would like to thank the Contextualization Task Force, Special Projects Coordinator Christy Marx Barber, Archivist Patti Cords Levitte and the Inclusion Committee for all their work on this project.

In 1898, our Founders created a group they hoped would intensify friendship, promote happiness and build up a nobler womanhood in the world. Guided by our mission, purpose and Nine Key Values (derived from The Mission and The Creed of Zeta Tau Alpha), we share here the journey of sisterhood and belonging in ZTA. This article covers our past to give members insight into some of the significant changes that helped our organization grow into what it is today.

Our journey will focus on the evolution of our Membership Selection Policy. For many members, participating in Recruitment is their first real touchpoint with ZTA. These initial conversations are the foundation of belonging and enable women to see themselves as part of the organization. Members’ feelings of belonging should strengthen over time, beginning with new member education, extending throughout the collegiate years and carrying over into the alumnae experience. Each one of us plays an important role in helping our sisters feel valued and appreciated.

The Past

As we outline some of the pivotal dates in ZTA’s history, specifically the 1960s and 1970s, we recognize that 80% of our current membership did not experience what happened in our nation during that time. It is our intent to share this information through a historical lens so all members can understand these moments. Throughout history, ZTA’s leaders have listened to the membership and tackled tough decisions.

1898 - The Female Normal School, originally founded as the Farmville Female Seminary Association and today known as Longwood University,

prepared young white women to become teachers. It was here that our nine Founders met as students and organized the first meetings of Zeta Tau Alpha.

1900-1948 - As our Founders sought to grow our organization, membership criteria mirrored that of the school, restricting membership to white Christian women. ZTA chartered an additional 80 chapters across the country.

1948 - University administrators across the country began questioning membership policies of fraternities and sororities. Delegates at the Golden Anniversary Convention in 1948 unanimously approved the Constitution Committee’s recommendation to remove the words “of the Caucasian race, an adherent of the Christian faith” from the Constitution & Bylaws.

1950-1960 - As the United States began to change, so did discussion within ZTA. ZTA’s membership policies and practices still did not permit women from all identities and backgrounds to join. In preparation for Convention 1964, National Council created a Membership Study Commission to review ZTA’s Membership Selection Policy.

1964 – The Civil Rights Act passed, prohibiting employment discrimination based on race, color and national origin. It served as the springboard for other protective legislation.

During the late 1960s and early 1970s, interest in fraternity and sorority life declined on many college campuses while activism in civil rights, women’s rights and anti-war protests increased. Twelve ZTA chapters closed during this time period.

1967 - One of the most public closings in ZTA history was that of Beta Tau Chapter (Albion College) in Albion, Michigan. In 1966, chapter members pledged a Black woman who was a friend of many of the members. ZTA’s Membership Selection Policy at the time did not allow the chapter to initiate this new member. The chapter was placed on probation. Albion College stated the Fraternity must comply with university policies; when ZTA did not, the university banned ZTA from campus.

1972 – In the years leading up to Convention 1972, ZTA’s leaders listened to members and held discussion sessions at each Convention during which both alumnae and collegians could share their ideas, thoughts, and perspectives on the Membership Selection Policy during Business Meetings. Discussions focused on whether or not to remove “from congenial backgrounds” from the policy. With over two-thirds of the 1972 Convention body supporting the motion, the phrase “from congenial backgrounds” was removed from the Membership Selection Policy, effectively removing the unwritten policy of pledging members of the Caucasian race only.

1972-1990 - ZTA added 64 new links to our Chain of Chapters. ZTA also reactivated six links.

1990 - The Fraternity adopted and published the first non-discrimination policy in the General Manual. It read, “Zeta Tau Alpha is an international social fraternity whose membership policies are non-discriminatory based on race, creed, color or national origin.”

1991 - In Themis, ZTA published an article looking forward to the year 2005. It included the following introduction: “Compiled from a variety of demographic and trend reports, we have created the year 2005. Only 14 years away, the year 2005 in America will bring a more diverse population than any year to date. We have created this profile, so you can begin now to prepare for A World of Difference. Addressing the issue of diversity as it affects universities, the Greek system, the workplace and Zeta Tau Alpha, A World of Difference will show you the future of America.” Zeta Tau Alpha was future-focused on how a supportive sisterhood would allow women of diverse backgrounds to join and belong within our organization.

During the 1990s and early 2000s, ZTA focused on programming as an important part of continued growth

[left] Eight of ZTA’s nine Founders and one of the first new members, Grace Elcan Garnett, 1898 [right] Sisters in a chapter house, 1951

and belonging for members by creating spaces for hard discussions. Programming in the 1990s focused on members’ health, with modules focusing on eating disorders, date rape, career development and AIDS. Additional programs focused on academic success and hazing prevention. In the early 2000s, programming skewed heavily toward education about preventing forms of substance abuse, alcohol consumption, sexual violence and harmful situations.

2001 - Consistent with the Fraternity’s focus on members’ health and wellness, ZTA revised (in italics) language in the Membership Selection Policy to read: “Membership in Zeta Tau Alpha is based upon mutual choice and acceptance between the potential member and the college chapter. Membership in Zeta Tau Alpha is a privilege, not a right. With this privilege, responsible members must make certain that no potential member is hurt or embarrassed during the membership process.”

2002 –At Convention 2002, delegates approved a change to the Constitution & Bylaws, allowing National Council to “adopt, amend and implement policies of the Fraternity when the International Convention is not in session.” This change enabled the Fraternity to be nimbler and more responsive to the needs of the membership. 2016 - As campuses and collegiate chapters began to question membership policies regarding gender identity within NPC organizations, including Zeta Tau Alpha, National Council changed the Membership Selection Policy to include: “Zeta Tau Alpha membership is open to individuals who consistently live and self-identify as women.” This change allowed ZTA to continue to promote inclusion within the membership selection process and center our identity as a women’sonly organization.

[left] Sisters in 1968 [right] Attendees at Convention 1970

More Recent History and the Present

In 2018, National Council heard from our membership that programming needed to focus on inclusion and belonging in our sisterhood. It was time to showcase that every member belongs and feels the love of ZTA.

In the past three years, we have made additional, significant changes to the Membership Selection Policy so that it reflects the Nine Key Values of our beloved Zeta Tau Alpha. When we align our Membership Selection Policy and practices with our values, we are truly living our mission and acting in a way that outwardly demonstrates a sisterhood of love and belonging.

Nine Key Values

ZTA’s Nine Key Values come directly from The Creed.

Lifelong Learning

Leadership

Responsibility

Being Rather than Seeming

Service & Philanthropy

Seeking Understanding that We Might Gain True Wisdom

Humility

Loyalty & Commitment

Love

Some of the ways we have focused on inclusion, belonging and sisterhood in recent years include:

• Updating our membership selection criteria to align with our values and hosting webinars on inclusive membership practices • Creating a new Collegiate

Recruitment Ambassador role to help potential new members and their families understand sorority life and the recruitment process and feel more confident participating in values-based conversations • Rewriting collegiate officer and advisor guides to align with ZTA’s

Nine Key Values and the focus of belonging • Removing the Legacy Policy to provide a more equitable recruitment experience for all potential new members • Announcing and making progress on ZTA’s Diversity, Equity and

Inclusion Strategic Plan created to guide our programming and policies • Working with experts to offer diversity and inclusion training to all members • Updating the My Sister, My

Responsibility® program to include Seeking Understanding workshops • Creating a comprehensive social media calendar to celebrate members of all identities and all they bring to ZTA

Committees, task forces and listenand-learn groups contributed to and supported the above initiatives, which ZTA implemented in response to member requests to see a more inclusive and relevant approach to recruitment and membership selection. These changes will allow us to focus on the future of ZTA. [above] An image from the summer 1991 Themis article, “A World of Difference” [bottom left] Sisters at Convention 2002 [bottom right] Collegians at a 2016 fall sisterhood event

The Future

ZTA is a place for each member to belong. You were selected to be a Zeta because you live the Fraternity’s values. Our past is part of who we are. The future is each member’s responsibility. We will continue to provide innovative programming that focuses on our members’ needs as we remain committed to the sisterhood Zeta Tau Alpha offers.

Joining our sisterhood is the first step. The bond that grows leads to belonging. We challenge you to reflect on this article and examine the experience you create for all members within your collegiate and alumnae chapters. How can you create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members of all identities? How can you promote sisterhood and a sense of belonging in ZTA?

If you’re looking for programming to help increase understanding and belonging, My Sister, My Responsibility workshops covering topics including personal and social identities, microaggressions, and power and privilege are available to all chapters on ZTA’s public website. If you need additional ideas, please reach out to International Office. To start a conversation, share an idea, or report a concern, please visit zetataualpha.org/about/inclusion or email zetataualpha@zetataualpha.org.

2020’S EFFECT ON ZTA’S COLLEGIATE CHAPTERS

By Becky Koltonski Gleason, Sr. Director of Education & Programs

This year has been trying for everyone in different ways. The pandemic and national conversations about inclusion have challenged organizations, including ZTA, to see and do things differently. The data from the annual Membership Survey reflects that the Fraternity’s collegiate chapters managed not only to survive but also to thrive during the pandemic.

These four chapters worked hard to improve their scores in the areas of Affective Commitment, Common Purpose, Seeking Understanding that We Might Gain True Wisdom and Hazing Tolerance.* This year, try implementing some of the strategies these chapter officers share.

KAPPA PSI CHAPTER

Kutztown University .41 increase in Affective Commitment, described as the emotional attachment and loyalty to ZTA members feel

From chapter President Jessica Schneider:

“When the pandemic hit, we knew we had to change with the times. Increasing communication with one another and creating new positions to navigate the virtual world were part of our strategy to ensure members never felt alone. Our Executive Committee met the chapter with compassion and positivity going into the online experience. Through these efforts, we were able to support each other through times of both celebration and devastation. Although we were apart, we grew so much closer. A lot of brainstorming took place to ensure we could fulfill the membership needs of the women in Kappa Psi. Virtual sisterhoods that incorporated outfit themes and ‘Kahoot!’ games were a key element in maintaining sisters’ commitment. ‘Having virtual sisterhoods was something we could take pride in,’ Sisterhood Chair Olivia Rinaldi said. ‘We were able to create the fun, lighthearted moments that everyone was desperate for.’

When the fall 2020 semester arrived, representing our organization while implementing COVID-19 safety practices was something that excited our members, so we made matching face masks. In Recruitment, all the bonding we had done during workshops increased our commitment to ZTA and selecting new members who shared our values. This experience has shown us that having a purpose can bring light to the darkest of situations.”

THETA CHAPTER

Bethany College .37 increase in Common Purpose, defined as understanding the bigger picture of ZTA, seeing sisterhood as a connection rooted in ritual and reaching toward shared goals together

From chapter President Katie Fuchs:

“Even though members returned to campus in fall 2020, campus activities were still limited due to the ongoing pandemic. Since most of our members live in the house, we had more time to spend with one another outside class and to reflect on what ZTA means to each of us and how unique sisterhood can be. This time helped us view our sisterhood with

Kappa Psi Chapter

a deeper appreciation and love, all while unknowingly increasing our Common Purpose score along the way.

While following all safety protocols, we strived to strengthen our sisterhood through smaller, more unique activities throughout the year. Some of our sisterhood events included a virtual Founders’ Day celebration with alumnae and different weekend sisterhood retreats filled with games, Fraternity programming, and most importantly, lots of love and laughter.

Two of the larger events we held were ‘ThemisCon’ and ‘A Behindthe-Scenes Guide to Ritual Services.’ ‘Improving our chapter’s understanding of ritual services helped strengthen our love and appreciation for ZTA,’ Ritual Chair Aubree Gray said. ‘Not being able to hold many services in person highlighted the value of what we were missing.’

During this time, we learned to cherish our ritual services while gaining a deeper understanding of them. These events reminded us that being together and engaging in our ritual services strengthens our Common Purpose in Zeta Tau Alpha.”

NU CHAPTER

The University of Alabama .29 increase in Seeking Understanding that We Might Gain True Wisdom, one of ZTA’s Nine Key Values, which looks like being open to new ideas and perspectives, seeking out opportunities to interact with and learn from people of different backgrounds, and discussing differing values and beliefs in a comfortable manner

From chapter Historian-Reporter Grace Calton:

“As a chapter, we value our members’ health and safety above all else. Following all COVID-19 safety regulations and university

Nu Chapter

guidelines, our chapter still made sisterhood events happen. Some of the events included goat yoga, hosting guest speakers, making sushi and holding new member class dinners. Each event gave us an opportunity to learn more about our sisters and share our lived experiences. At a time when the entire world seemed to be turning inward, these events provided valuable time for us to dig deeper than surface-level conversations and open up to one another. This deeper understanding better enabled our Executive Committee and Program Council to assess what members needed during this tumultuous time.

We also incorporated diversity, equity and inclusion programming throughout the 2020-2021 academic year. We were able to host various educational events during Women’s History Month and Black History Month to engage in open dialogue as a chapter. We want to ensure our chapter values the pursuit of seeking understanding in all that we do. ‘ZTA is a sisterhood filled with women who will pick you up when you fall, build you up when you thrive, and most importantly, make sure you feel seen, safe and welcome every single day,’ Inclusion Chair Makayla Parris said.

We are so excited about continuing to grow and learn more about our sisters this year.”

THETA KAPPA CHAPTER

University of Missouri-St. Louis 3.5 decrease in Hazing Tolerance, which measures the extent to which members would tolerate hazing, not that hazing is occurring

From chapter President Katie Basler:

“Through navigating this pandemic, we realized how many things we used to take for granted and saw

an opportunity to redefine what sisterhood and belonging mean to us.

To accomplish this goal, we make ZTA’s Nine Key Values the foundation of everything we do. We announce a “Creed Value of the Month” and tailor events that month to focus on that Value; for example, we hosted a virtual book club and coffee sisterhood to go along with Lifelong Learning. At the end of the month, we vote on a sister who best exemplifies that Value and she receives a prize.

The system promotes a positive sisterhood experience consistent with ZTA’s values. How our members define sisterhood has an impact on how they view hazing.

We have also redefined what belonging means to our members. In our chapter, we foster belonging by empowering members and helping them create genuine and long-lasting relationships, especially during the new member process.

‘Creating a safe, welcoming environment for the new members has been my top priority,’ said Sydney Stark, Vice President II/New Member Coordinator. ‘By fostering personal relationships through strong communication, vulnerability and genuine sisterly love with each new member, every woman in the chapter feels comfortable coming to me with any concerns.’ What I’ve learned from our chapter’s experiences is that improving hazing tolerance isn’t just about conducting lessons and completing trainings; it’s also about changing the narrative and focusing on what we can do to be Zetas true.”

STRONGER TOGETHER

Even though 2020 had its ups and downs, ZTA’s collegiate chapters have a lot to celebrate. These chapters’ stories show that members leaned on and made one another stronger.

*Each spring, Zeta Tau Alpha administers the Membership Survey to all collegiate members of the Fraternity. Each chapter must strive to have 75% of its chapter membership complete the survey to meet a criterion of Crown Chapter recognition. The Membership Survey measures the development of ZTA over time and the impact collegians’ membership has made on their overall collegiate experience. Members rate their agreement with a series of behavioral statements on a scale of one (strongly disagree) to five (strongly agree). The survey measures Hazing Tolerance on a 15-point scale. Any increase or decrease greater than .01 is considered statistically significant.

NATIONAL STATS

4.05

highest average Affective Commitment score since the first Membership Survey in 2016

.05

increase in Common Purpose, one of the Five Areas of Sisterhood

.09

increase in Seeking Understanding, thanks to chapters’ implementation of ZTA’s DEI-related programming

.74

decrease in Hazing Tolerance, which evaluates attitudes about hazing

ZTA OFFERS 2021 SUMMER LEADERSHIP SERIES

By Hannah Keith, Director of Education & Engagement

Rather than try to recreate the Emerging Leaders Academy experience in a virtual setting, National Council decided to offer SPARK!, a summer speaker series, via Zoom. The three-part series focused on developing members in three of ZTA’s Nine Key Values: Being Rather than Seeming, Seeking Understanding that We Might Gain True Wisdom and Leadership. Selected for their embodiment of these Key Values, the three speakers National Council chose shared their experiences with 684 Zetas on June 15, June 22 and June 29, 2021.

Compared to ELA, which only a few women from each chapter get to attend, this live, virtual experience gave all collegians the exciting opportunity to further their leadership skills. ZTA also invited alumnae chapter officers, National Officers and advisors to participate.

The first 500 collegians and all alumnae who registered for all three General Sessions could also choose to participate in small groups— called Founders Groups—that met immediately following each large session. ZTA’s Training Committee oversaw the small group facilitator selection process, and the Vice Presidents Alumnae selected alumnae from a volunteer pool to facilitate the alumnae Small Group Sessions. In their respective sessions, participants connected with other Zetas across the country and dug deeper into the information presented in the General Sessions each week. ZTA assigned the same people to each Small Group for every session so sisters could bond and build on the relationships they cultivated during previous discussions.

Collegians and alumnae could also opt to register for General Sessions on an a-la-carte basis depending on their interest and availability. They could choose to attend one, two or all three General Sessions.

SESSION 1: HELLO FUTURE: GROW THROUGH DIRT AND REWRITE YOUR STORY Related ZTA Key Value: Being Rather than Seeming

Session 1 both started and ended with a virtual dance break full of lively music and high energy. Michelle Poler challenged members to grow through roadblocks and learn to both embrace and welcome change. Through her storytelling, she taught attendees how turn obstacles into opportunities, go from anxiety to action, find purpose in the midst of chaos, unleash their authentic creativity, and rewrite their stories to become their own heroes. Attendees left the session literally on their feet and ready to write their stories of success.

Afterward, Small Group Session discussion questions gave members an opportunity to talk about courage, define success and think about ZTA’s Being Rather than Seeming Key Value.

SESSION 2: WHAT DO WE MEAN, “VALUES-BASED ORGANIZATION?” RACE, CLASS, GENDER AND SEXUALITY IN FRATERNITY AND SORORITY LIFE Related ZTA Key Value: Seeking Understanding that We Might Gain True Wisdom

The second General Session, led by Victoria Alexander, provided insight into the exclusive history of fraternities and sororities and how members of the fraternity/sorority life community can challenge that history to create more opportunities for access and belonging. Attendees left this session reflective, thoughtful and hopeful to foster changes that will further membership focused on belonging and understanding.

In the following Small Group Session, participants unpacked what the Seeking Understanding that We Might Gain True Wisdom Key Value means to them in terms of leadership and growth. They also talked about how they can identify policies and practices that reinforce bias, how they can help eliminate bias within their roles, and what they can do as individuals to increase inclusivity within their chapters.

SESSION 3: BREAKING THROUGH: MY JOURNEY TO BECOMING THE FIRST FEMALE NFL OFFICIAL Related ZTA Key Value: Leadership

During this session, Sarah Thomas shared her personal story of leadership and how she came out on top despite the odds. Sarah challenged attendees to think about the “why” of what they are trying to achieve in their personal journeys. She also encouraged them to ground themselves in ZTA’s values and do what they love—but not because they are trying to prove something. Participants left the final SPARK! session inspired by Sarah’s story and ready to discover what they love so they can change the world.

In addition to digging deeper into the General Session topics, the final Small Group Session focused on wrapping up the entire SPARK! experience. Members discussed leaders they look up to and why, shared how they hope to grow in their own personal leadership, and reflected on why ZTA’s Leadership Key Value is important to their own personal success. Before bidding their new friends adieu, everyone reflected on their biggest takeaways from the speaker series.

While events in 2021 are still feeling the effects of the previous year’s uncertainty, the unique opportunities that come from ZTA’s adaptability continue to benefit members in new and exciting ways. SPARK! will go down in the Fraternity’s history not as a backup plan but as an innovative approach to developing leaders and keeping its sisterhood “Steadfast & Strong.”

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS

MICHELLE POLER Michelle Poler is a creative and passionate social entrepreneur, keynote speaker, fear facer and branding strategist.

VICTORIA ALEXANDER Victoria Alexander is a diversity, equity and inclusion practitioner whose passions are rooted in anti-racist pedagogy, critical consciousness building and experiences of Black students in predominately white institutions.

SARAH THOMAS

Sarah Thomas changed the game in football, the world’s most quintessentially maledominated sport, when she became the first female NFL official. Now she’s inspiring others to dream big and believe anything is possible.

ZTA TREASURES FIND THEIR WAY BACK HOME

By Patti Cords Levitte, Archivist, and Susan L. Beard, Archives Committee Chair

Finding rare, unique artifacts that contribute to the preservation of the Fraternity’s history is like catching lightning in a bottle; it doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it is thrilling for both the Archives Committee and the donor of the items. Zeta sisters play a key role in keeping an eye out for important historical objects, which can appear in the most unlikely places.

LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE

As it happens, metaphorical lightning struck on July 15, 2021, when random scrolling through Facebook turned up a rare object. Its owner, Corinne Forzano (Iota Sigma Chapter, Old Dominion University), posted a photo in a collector’s group on Facebook, showing the ZTA badges and jewelry she owns, which came from antique stores in Virginia.

ZTA’s first jeweler, E.C. Wiltse, in Farmville, Virginia, made these stickpin badges during the Fraternity’s first few years. Members purchased the stickpins for $1.50 and used them until they could afford to buy a more expensive, jeweled badge. The stickpins began to deviate from their purpose of being worn as a badge, turning into costume jewelry to wear on hats and collars or tokens to give to boyfriends. At Convention 1912, delegates voted in favor of a motion that said that the badge would have one standard size and could not be used in any other form. The vote put an end to these tiny emblems. Shirley Kreasan Strout, ZTA Historian from 1923 to 1956, amassed the Fraternity’s early historical collection from the original owners. Although Mrs. Strout searched for years, she never was able to locate more than one stickpin badge, which belonged to Hellen Patrick Cruse Cochrane, a 1908 initiate of Beta Chapter (Judson College).

After the Archives Committee contacted Corinne and informed her of the rarity of the stickpin, she quickly agreed that it needed to be part of the Archives so ZTA could preserve it for other sisters to see. This stickpin is the most significant item to come into the Archives in recent memory.

[1] [2]

[1] Corinne donated the stickpin on the left; the other has been in the archival collection since 1922. [2] This is just half of a set of early cuff links with the Coat of Arms. [3] All of Stacy’s early Coat of Arms finds are displayed together in the HEC. [4] This hatpin with the first Coat of Arms most likely dates pre1910. [5] This sterling locket with space for three photos most likely dates between 1920 and 1925. [6] Stacy found this demitasse spoon in the early 2000s.

[4]

[5]

LUCK IN TEXAS

In the 1920s, many fraternities and sororities reworked their crests and coats of arms to follow the standards of heraldic design more closely. The first ZTA Coat of Arms was used from 1908 to 1926, when Shirley Kreasan Strout redesigned the crest to the one ZTA uses today.

The Archives’ collection of items featuring the first Coat of Arms (pre-1926) would be practically nonexistent if not for Stacy LaRue Gannon (Theta Eta Chapter, Stephen F. Austin University). Stacy has had incredible luck, mainly in Texas, finding items with original Coat of Arms on them.

Stacy’s donations featuring the early Coat of Arms are on display in the Historical and Educational Center. These items, which include a jewelry tray, a locket, a hatpin, a pair of cuff links and a partial set of coffee spoons, give insight into the type of things Zetas of the 1910s and 1920s kept in their rooms. Although Greek supply houses and licensed jewelry vendors likely produced thousands of these items, very few have survived over the years, and even fewer have come to live in the Historical and Educational Center for posterity.

LOSING HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS

As exciting as finding new treasures is, it’s equally disappointing to lose pieces of ZTA history to auction websites. Collectors’ increased interest in acquiring artifacts related to fraternity and sorority life has caused prices to skyrocket. Steep prices make it almost impossible for ZTA to bring these historical pieces home to the HEC. One recent loss that particularly stung was a tiny, silver matchbook cover with the early Coat of Arms on it. It perfectly encapsulated a specific point in ZTA’s history and would have helped tell a fuller story of years past.

While there is a group of alumnae who alert the Archives Committee about historical items they find— mainly on eBay—ZTA still gets priced out of the bid many times, as there is no set budget allocated for acquisitions. When this happens, ZTA has no way of contacting the winning bidders, and the items up for auction disappear.

[6]

LOOKING EVERYWHERE

Each early item is a true treasure, and there are still treasures to find. There might just be a crown jewel waiting at a local antique store, auction, estate sale or yard sale, so be on the lookout for all things ZTA.

LOCAL ADVISORS SUSTAIN FHC FACILITIES THROUGH COVID-19

By Christy Marx Barber, Staff Writer

ZTA’s Fraternity Housing Corporation has established a strong network of national and area volunteers who strive to make facilities across the country welcoming and competitive. When COVID-19 restricted travel for those volunteers, the FHC relied on its roots—the Housing Advisors and General Advisors who stepped up to manage the abrupt closure in March 2020 as well as reopening in fall and every task in between.

“We absolutely could not have provided the ZTA house experience last year for our collegians without the dedication of our advisors,” said FHC President Dinah Jackson Laughery. Social distancing requirements led to new floor plans, bed placements, one-way stairwells and shower schedules. Volunteers struggled to find cleaning supplies. Appliances and parts needed for repairs were hard to source, causing major delays. “We provided guidance virtually,” Mrs. Laughery said, “but we needed these volunteers to make housing possible under new and unique circumstances.”

Each community and campus from New Jersey to California had its own challenges. These stories, shared by housing volunteers for three chapters, show the extra steps, dedication and sisterhood that allowed so many collegians to return “home.”

THETA XI CHAPTER

Rutgers University

Housing Advisor Lauren Seber

Iota Gamma Chapter (The College of New Jersey)

“Here in New Jersey, everything shut down right as the women were moving out for spring break. We struggled to find order in the chaos. Having to bring them back one at a time to move out for the remainder of the year was really disappointing for everyone.

The state put tough restrictions in place for a long time. When we reopened the house in 2020, everyone needed to wear masks indoors, and we couldn’t allow visitors in the house. We could only open at halfcapacity and had to restructure without meal services. During the spring 2021 semester, most members chose to stay home to attend virtual classes. It was disheartening to tell the small group who wanted to stay that we needed to close the house for safety and cost purposes. I hope we never have to live through something like that again. Preparing to reopen for fall 2021 at near capacity meant inspections, scheduled maintenance and hanging up move-in notices. But I’m thrilled for these women to experience living in the house and all the everyday moments when they will make memories together. I’m so proud and grateful to help provide that experience for them as Housing Advisor.”

Closing and reopening the Upsilon Chapter house became a sisterhood bonding experience for chapter advisors.

THETA ETA CHAPTER

Stephen F. Austin University

Housing Advisor Ginny Love Watkins

Theta Eta Chapter

“The first challenge of the pandemic was orchestrating a move-out schedule with no more than two women in the house at a time. Everything they needed for success— books, laptops and notebooks—was in the house. When the house reopened in the fall, seeing the members return was wonderful. The previous year ended so abruptly. There were no goodbyes; we were just gone. Having the house full of chatter and laughter was refreshing.

Shortly after everyone moved in, we discovered a series of concerns that resulted in a major, long-term remediation project. The project included insulation removal under the house, replacement of subflooring and two air conditioning units, and installation of new ductwork.

Members were living in the house during the pandemic and during a major construction project. They could hear the crews under the house from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day for over a month. It was rough. We had to alternate when to do each aspect of the project. At one point, 39 women were sharing two showers.

I personally felt as though the projects were never going to end. The members were very patient as we continued to give them ‘bad’ news about another maintenance project. They were true troopers. Their sisterhood was strong.”

UPSILON CHAPTER

University of California, Berkeley

General Advisor (former Housing Advisor) Sarah Schroeder Alessi

Kappa Alpha Chapter (Colorado State University)

“After spring break 2020, we had to close the house due to California’s shelter-in-place order. The members wondered how they would get their things if they lived out of state or out of the country and couldn’t travel. We had to design a system for members, one at a time, to safely retrieve their items.

Before the house reopened, we faced ever-changing restrictions from the state, county, city and university. We designed a system for a safe movein with one person per floor during a specific time slot, disinfecting between arrivals, recording move-in helpers for contact tracing purposes, and clearly communicating the requirements to members, parents, and vendors. Being able to be part of providing a little normalcy for our collegiate sisters after such a crazy summer was so rewarding. I was so glad the members who chose to come back could still feel welcome, safe and supported by ZTA.”

ZTA created instructional signage for everything, from how to wear a mask and social distancing to bed arrangements, laundry schedules and directional signs.

Province President XIX-B (former General Advisor) Elisabeth Marriott

Delta Eta Chapter (West Texas A&M University)

“After the members went home, Sarah put on full PPE to disinfect high-touch areas so we could schedule move-outs. Some were scheduled over a weekend in July. An advisor who came to help lives 90 minutes away, so the three of us stayed overnight at the house. We turned it into a sisterhood event. It was such a bonding experience. Even in a stressful summer, it reinforced that the relationships we form mean the most.”

The FHC truly believes that “ZTA is home,” no matter the circumstances. “We are so grateful to the women who embraced our Key Values of Responsibility and Love,” Mrs. Laughery said. “They were determined to make ZTA a home for our members in the most difficult situations.”