Our Beginning

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated

was founded on January 16, 1920, at Howard University, Washington, D.C. The Klan was active during this period, and the Harlem Renaissance was acknowledged as the first important movement of Black artists and writers in the U.S. This same year the Volstead Act became effective, heralding the start of Prohibition and Tennessee delivered the crucial 36th ratification for the final adoption of the 19th amendment giving women the right to vote. The worst and longest economic recession to hit the U.S. would define the end of the decade-The Great Depression.

Zeta Phi Beta's Honorable Founders

THE FIVE PEARLS

Arizona Cleaver Stemmons

Arizona Cleaver was the first president of the Alpha Chapter and the first national president of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. She completed her graduate and post-graduate studies in social work and was responsible for chartering numerous undergraduate and graduate chapters throughout the United States.

Pearl Anna Neale

Pearl Anna Neal graduated from Howard University’s Conservatory of Music, and continued her studies at the Julliard School of Music. In 1938, she was the first black woman in New York to earn a master’s degree in music from Columbia University. An extremely accomplished musician, Founder Neal taught music in North Carolina public schools and served as a director of seniors majoring in music at Teachers College in Winston Salem, NC.

Myrtle Tyler Faithful

Myrtle Tyler was the second national president of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and blood sister to Viola Tyler. High school mathematics and English teacher, Founder Tyler was an active member of the Alpha Zeta Chapter in Baltimore, Maryland

Viola Tyler Goings

Viola Tyler graduated from Howard University with a teaching degree and a major in mathematics. She taught school in Ohio for many years and was always active in community affairs.

Fannie Pettie Watts

Fannie Pettie graduated from Howard University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education and taught junior and senior high schools in Savannah, Georgia. She was credited with organizing two additional Zeta chapters and had active membership in the Delta Alpha Zeta Chapter.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority,Incorporated

was founded January 16th 1920

Since January 16, 1920...

Zeta has continued its steady climb into the national spotlight with programs designed to demonstrate concern for the human condition both nationally and internationally. The organization has been innovative because it has chronicled several firsts.

It was the first National Pan-Hellenic Council organization to centralize its operations in a national headquarters, first to charter a chapter in Africa, first to form auxiliary groups, and first to be constitutionally bound to a fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated.

The sorority takes pride in its continued participation in transforming communities through volunteer services from members and its auxiliaries. Zeta Phi Beta has chartered hundreds of chapters worldwide and has a membership of 100,000+.

The Standard for the First Initiates

Although five women founded Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, many others were interested but couldn't join initially due to academic fears and financial constraints.

Yet, after the dawn of Zeta's brilliance, twenty-five women eagerly embraced its mission. Among them, only four—Gladys Warrington, Harriet Dorsey, Pauline Phillips, and Nellie Singfield—were initiated into the second pledge class.

Zeta Phi Beta's dedication to scholarship shone brightly when Pauline Phillips graduated summa cum laude, setting a lasting standard of academic excellence

for all Zeta members.