Zeta Phi Beta Sorority was founded on the simple belief that sorority elitism and socializing should not overshadow the real mission for progressive organizations - to address societal mores, ills, prejudices, poverty, and health concerns of the day. 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. 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. Founder Viola Tyler was oft quoted to say"[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 firsts. Zeta Phi Beta was the first Greek-letter organization to charter a chapter in Africa (1948); to form adult and youth auxiliary groups; to centralize its operations in a national headquarters; and to be constitutionally bound to a fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated.

Zeta's national and local programs include endowment of its National Educational Foundation, community outreach services and support of multiple affiliate organizations. Zeta chapters and auxiliary groups have given untotaled hours of voluntary service to educate the public, assist youth, provide scholarships, support organized charities and promote legislation for social and civic change.

Over the years since the sorority's inception, Zeta Phi Beta has chartered hundreds of chapters and initiated thousands of women around the world. Zeta has continued to thrive and flourish while adapting to the ever-changing needs of a new century. Despite the Great Depression, discrimination and segregation and a host of other challenges, Zeta has continued to hold true to its ideals and purpose, for, as stated by one of the Sorority's founding members: "…I believe that no [other] organization could have been founded upon principles that were so near and dear to all of our hearts." (Founder Myrtle Tyler)
 

Incorporators
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority also owes a debt of gratitude to our Sorority's incorporators. From the beginning, Zeta members saw the necessity of ensuring the permanence of the organization. As such, Sorority members Myrtle Tyler, Gladys Warrington, Joanna Houston, Josephine Johnson and L.O. Goldia Smith first incorporated Zeta Phi Beta Sorority on March 30, 1923 in Washington D.C. In 1939, the Sorority was incorporated in the state of Illinois.

 

Seven Point Plan of Action
Education
Community Volunteerism
Drug and Substance Abuse Prevention
Health and Wellness Awareness
Economic Development
Governmental Affairs
Chapter Management

 

Zeta Firsts
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 youth auxiliary groups:  the Archonettes, Amicettes, and the Pearlettes.

 

Zeta was the first to form an adult auxiliary group:  the Amicae.

Zeta was the first to charter international chapters in west Africa (1948), Germany, the Bahamas and St. Croix.