Sorority History

Founded January 16, 1920, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was organized on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. by the encouragement of Charles Taylor and Langston Taylor, members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. These Sigma brothers felt the campus would benefit by having a sister organization to the fraternity. Thus, Zetas and Sigmas became the first official Greek-letter sister and brother organization.

The five phenomenal women and charter members were Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Pearl Anna Neal, Viola Tyler Goings, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, and Fannie Pettie Watts. These five women dared to depart from the traditional coalitions for black women and sought to establish a new organization predicated on the precepts of Scholarship, Service, Sisterly Love and Finer Womanhood. It was the idea of the Founders that the Sorority would reach college women in all parts of the country who were sorority-minded and desired to follow the founding principles of the organization.

Since its inception, the Sorority has chronicled a number of firsts. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was the first Greek-letter organization to charter a chapter in Africa (1948); to form adult and youth auxiliary groups; and to centralize its operations in a national headquarters.

Zeta's national and local programs include endowment of its National Educational Foundation; community outreach services; and support of multiple affiliate organizations. Zeta chapters and auxiliary groups have given untotaled hours of voluntary service to educate the public, assist youth, provide scholarships, support organized charities and promote legislation for social and civic change.

A nonprofit organization, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. is incorporated in Washington, D.C. and in the state of Illinois.

For more information, please visit our International Website at http://www.zphib1920.org

For more information on the Southeastern Region, please visit our website at http:www.zphibseregion.org