Founded January 16, 1920, Zeta began as an idea conceived by five coeds at Howard University in Washington D.C;Arizona Cleaver, Myrtle Tyler, Viola Tyler, Fannie Pettie and Pearl Neal. These five women, also known as our Five Pearls, 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. Change comes without permission. “Change is necessary for growth".
It was the ideal 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. “All members matter.”
Founder Viola Tyler once quoted ; "[In the ideal collegiate situation] there is a Zeta in a girl regardless of race, creed, or color, who has high standards and principles, a good scholarly average and an active interest in all things that she undertakes to accomplish."
Since its inception, the Sorority has chronicled a number of first ;
Zeta Phi Beta was the first Greek-letter organization to:
· Charter a chapter in Africa (1948);
· Form adult and youth auxiliary groups;
· Centralize its operations in a National Headquarters;
· Constitutionally bound to a fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated.
A nonprofit organization, Zeta Phi Beta is incorporated in Washington, D.C. and in the state of Illinois. The dues and gifts of its members support the Sorority. “ Iron sharpens Iron”.
OHIO STATE ORGANIZATION
Presently there are 10 active graduate and 12 collegiate chapters serving varies communities and college campuses across Ohio, amplifying the principles on which we were founded. Collectively we are committed to answering the call of ZETA.
2011 Vision
- Continue to embrace and implement Z-HOPE , Our National Serve Initiative
- Provide training for all members of the blue and white family Zeta, Amicae and Youth.
- Strengthen our sisterhood across the state of Ohio.
- To strengthen and increase membership through retention, reclamation and recruitment.
- Go Green.
