The History of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was founded on the campus of Howard University on January 16, 1920 by five coeds affectionately known as the sorority's Five Pearls. The Five Pearls are Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Pear Anna Neal, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Viola Tyler Goings, and Fannie Pettie Watts.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc has many firsts as a member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) such as being the first to centralize its operations in a national headquarters, the first to charter a chapter in Africa, the first to form auxiliary groups, and first and only NPHC sorority to be constitutionally bound to a fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
From the beginning, Zeta members saw the necessity of ensuring the permanence of the organization. As such, sorority members Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Gladys Warrington, Joanna Houston, Josephine F. Johnson and L.O. Goldia Smith, were the first incorporators of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority on March 30, 1923 in Washington D.C. In 1939, the Sorority was incorporated in the state of Illinois.
The sorority takes pride in its continued participation in transforming communities through volunteer services from members and its auxiliaries. Zeta Phi Beta has chartered hundreds of chapters worldwide and has a membership of 100,000+. Zeta‘s national and local programs include the endowment of its National Educational Foundation, community outreach services, and participation with multiple affiliate organizations such as the March of Dimes.
Known for its international programs such as Z-HOPE (Zetas Helping Other People Excel) through Mind, Body and Spirit, the sorority continuously aims to empower people from all walks of life while providing scholarships, supporting organized charities, and promoting legislation for social and civic change.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc has many firsts as a member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) such as being the first to centralize its operations in a national headquarters, the first to charter a chapter in Africa, the first to form auxiliary groups, and first and only NPHC sorority to be constitutionally bound to a fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
From the beginning, Zeta members saw the necessity of ensuring the permanence of the organization. As such, sorority members Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Gladys Warrington, Joanna Houston, Josephine F. Johnson and L.O. Goldia Smith, were the first incorporators of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority on March 30, 1923 in Washington D.C. In 1939, the Sorority was incorporated in the state of Illinois.
The sorority takes pride in its continued participation in transforming communities through volunteer services from members and its auxiliaries. Zeta Phi Beta has chartered hundreds of chapters worldwide and has a membership of 100,000+. Zeta‘s national and local programs include the endowment of its National Educational Foundation, community outreach services, and participation with multiple affiliate organizations such as the March of Dimes.
Known for its international programs such as Z-HOPE (Zetas Helping Other People Excel) through Mind, Body and Spirit, the sorority continuously aims to empower people from all walks of life while providing scholarships, supporting organized charities, and promoting legislation for social and civic change.