Zeta Phi Beta - Theta Lambda Chapter

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Theta Lambda Chapter

Zeta Phi Beta

History:

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was founded on January 16, 1920, on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., as the sister organization to Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Arizona Cleaver Stemmons, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Viola Tyler Goings, Fannie Pettie Watts, and Pearl Anna Neal chose not to embrace the tenets of 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; foster sisterhood; and exemplify the ideal of Finer Womanhood. A private nonprofit organization, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority is incorporated in Washington, D.C. and in the state of Illinois.

Since its inception, the sorority has chronicled a number of "first" among the established Black sororities. In addition to being the only organization constitutionally bound to a fraternity, the sorority was the first to charter international chapters, those in West Africa and Germany; to form adult and youth auxiliary groups, the Amicae, Archonettes, Amicettes, and Pearlettes; and to organize its internal affairs within a central, national office administered by a paid staff.

Zeta Phi Beta's purpose is to foster the ideals of service, charity, scholarship, civic, and cultural endeavors, sisterhood, and Finer Womanhood. These ideals are reflected in the sorority's national programs for which its members and auxiliary groups provide untotaled hours of voluntary service to staff community outreach programs, fund scholarships, support organized charities and promote legislation for social and civic change.

Chapter History:

Soror Vertrelle Maple approached Soror Sadie Nixon about starting a chapter on the campus of West Chester University. Soror Nixon took the "blue ball" and rolled with it. Theta Lambda received its charter on October 20, 1981. The charter members were Sorors Francine Blake, April McCain, Marcha Gross-Kay, Audrey Walker, and Sadie Walker. Theta Lambda is continuing to move forward with Epsilon Omega Zeta Chapter, the sponsoring graduate chapter.

Epsilon Omega Zeta Chapter was chartered in 1958 in Coatesville, PA. The charter members include: Sorors Anita T. Anderson, Alice Roye, Sarah Prout, Ruby Jones, Lucille Chapman, Martha Batchelor, and Viola Morgan.

Together, Theta Lambda and Epsilon Omega Zeta sponsor Thanksgiving Clothing Drives, Canned Food Drives, and several other community services that maintain positive visibility in West Chester and other surrounding areas.

Links:

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