The first California chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, was established in Los Angeles, with Xi Alpha chartered at Occidental College in 1937 by Sorors Helen Chappel Smith, Gertrude Blassingale, C. Pear, Jocelyn Watkins, and Vivian Boswell Fisher.

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In 1942, Gamma Beta became the second California chapter at UC Berkeley, uniquely uniting members from various Northern California colleges until 1983, when Nu Mu was chartered at San Francisco State University.

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The first graduate chapter, Beta Eta Zeta in Los Angeles, was chartered in 1947 and helped host the first Boule in the Pacific Region. A few years later, Gamma Sigma Zeta was established in Los Angeles. In 1955, these two chapters merged to form Alpha Psi Zeta, the largest chapter in California.

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Gamma Epsilon Zeta was chartered in October 1947 as the sponsoring chapter for Gamma Beta, with Gamma Eta Zeta following in Oakland. In 1954, they combined to become Epsilon Phi Zeta, serving the East Bay area.

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Delta Delta Zeta, chartered on May 14, 1949, is California’s oldest graduate chapter, serving San Francisco for over 70 years and hosting the first Northern California Boule in 1959.

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Today, California boasts over 36 graduate and undergraduate chapters, including the home chapter of the 23rd International President, Sheryl P. Underwood.