Zeta History
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., was founded January 16, 1920 at Howard University with encouragement from Charles R.S.Taylor and A. Langston Taylor, members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. These Five women: Arizona Cleaver(Stemons), Viola Tyler(Goings), Myrtle Tyler(Faithful), Fannie Pettie(Watts), and Pearl Anna Neal chose not to embrace the tenets of other established black sororities, and chartered Zeta Phi Beta Sorority to encourage the highest standards of scholarship through scientific, literary, cultural, and educational programs; promote service projects on college campuses and in the community; sisterly love; and exemplify the ideal of Finer Womanhood.
Zeta Firsts
Did you know...
Zeta is the first and only organization to be officially and constitutionally bound to a fraternity (Phi Beta Sigma).
Zeta was the first to organize its internal affairs within a central, national office administered by a paid staff.
Zeta was the first to form an adult and youth auxiliary group, the Amicae, Archonettes, Amicettes and the Pearlettes.
Zeta was the first to charter international chapters in West Africa (1948), Germany, the Bahamas and St. Croix.