Signature Programs

Health Justice

Health Justice was borne out of the fact that certain populations bear a disproportionate burden of disease and mortality, also known as health disparities or health “justice”. A growing body of literature and extensive research continues to document the strong relationship between social and inequality and health disparities. Health disparities derive mainly from core social injustices within our economic, social, and political institutions, not genetics, behavior, or biased attitudes. These disparities produce marginalization, oppression, and social exclusion associated with imbalances in political power, which ultimately harm health.

Health justice is a proactive stance about what we as an organization of progressive women can do to create awareness about the causes of health disparities, and work in tandem with the healthcare community to offer viable solutions in addressing this issue.

What Are the Goals of Zeta’s Health Justice Initiative?

· To increase awareness about health disparities and its impact.

· To empower people with essential knowledge about ways in which they can take control of their own health and healthcare.

· To promote the idea of health justice for all people regardless of race, creed, social or economic status.

THE STORK'S NEST PROGRAM

Since 1972, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority has enjoyed a partnership with the March of Dimes in an effort to encourage women to seek prenatal care within the first trimester of pregnancy, thereby increasing the prevention of birth defects and infant mortality. The Stork’s Nest program was developed in the Southeastern Region. As a part of this partnership, Zeta Phi Beta developed the Stork’s Nest Program, which is designed to promote prenatal care participation and healthy behaviors during the pregnancy through two components - incentives and education.

The Stork's Nest prenatal education sessions provide information, educational materials and a variety of other resources and referrals that help clients take good care of themselves and their babies. Stork's Nest clients "earn" points toward incentives, such as maternity or baby care items, through a variety of positive, health-promoting activities such as attending prenatal care appointments, participating in prenatal education classes, keeping appointments for well-baby visits.

Nationwide, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. sponsors over 175 Stork's Nests, with more than 28,000 being served by the program last year. Zeta is currently celebrating 35 years of partnership with the March of Dimes.

Z-HOPE (Zetas Helping Other People Excel through Mind, Body and Spirit)

From the Sorority's inception, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. has focused on serving the needs of the community.

With this is mind, Zeta Phi Beta’s signature program, Z-HOPE: Zetas Helping Other People Excel ™, was launched. Z-HOPE is an outreach service program that has six primary objectives, including providing culturally appropriate informational activities according to the Z-HOPE program format; fostering collaborative partnerships between community organizations with shared goals; promoting the opportunities for expansion in Stork's Nest programs; and facilitating community service and mentorship opportunities for members of the organization.

The program focuses on specific populations: women, children, seniors and international women. Since its inception in 2002, the sorority has served more than 500,000 individuals in these populations.

ZETA ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP (ZOL) PROGRAM

The Zeta Organizational Leadership (ZOL) Program is a future-focused, nationally structured, intense leadership training certification program and a blue print for leadership development and enhancement.

The goal of the ZOL program is to provide members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority with the essential knowledge and skills to be exceptional leaders. The target audiences for this program include, but are not limited to:

Members aspiring to be national elected officers

Members interested in being appointed regional and/or state directors
Local chapter officers -- undergraduate and graduate
Elected regional and state officers
Advisors to undergraduate chapters
Sponsors and coordinators of Zeta Amicae Auxiliaries
Advisors to Youth Affiliates
Members aspiring to be leaders

ZOL Leadership Certification is one of the ZOL program components. It is a method to prepare candidates for national elected office, and appointed regional and state directors (and those interested in serving in this capacity) to assume effective leadership roles through the practice of specific behaviors that enhance leadership performance. Completion of this certification curriculum means the member is expected to perform at a high level of leadership competency and exemplify leadership behaviors.

The ZOL Program is offered bi-annually.