Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was founded January 16, 1920 on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C.  The five illustrious founders of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Arizona Clever Stemons, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Viola Tyler Goings, Fannie Pettie Watts, and Pearl A. Neal dared to depart from the traditional coalitions for Black women and sought to establish a new organization. Their vision was to encourage the highest standards of scholarship through scientific, literary, cultural and educational programs; promote volunteerism on college campuses and in the community; foster sisterhood; and exemplify finer womanhood.  These ideals are reflected in the sorority’s national programs for which its members and auxiliary groups provide significant volunteer service, financial capital, and professional talent to educate the public, assist youth, enrich community outreach programs, fund scholarships, support organized charities and promote legislation for civic and social change.

Since inception, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. has chronicled a number of “firsts” among the established black Greek-lettered organizations. In addition to being the only organization constitutionally bound to a fraternity, the Sorority was the first to charter a chapter in Africa (1948); to form adult and youth auxiliary groups, (the Amicae, Archonettes, Amicettes and Pearlettes);  and to organize its internal affairs within a centralized, national office administered by a paid staff.  Most recently, Zeta become the first Greek-lettered organization to become an official non-governmental organization of the United Nations.  In addition, Zeta was successful in getting the United States Postal Service to produce a stamp commemorating the lifeworks of Zora Neale Hurston, a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.  The 19^th commemorative in the U.S. Postal service’s Literary Arts series, the stamp brings attention to her career as an influential writer, folklorist, accomplished anthropologist, and cultural interpreter. 

Throughout the year, Zeta creates opportunities for women to develop and improve upon their leadership skills and increase their personal power.  Programs implemented worldwide such as ZHOPE; Zetas Helping Other People Excel through Mind, Body and Spirit serve to educate, inform and empower people from all walks of life about everything from handling finances and dealing with aging parents, to building waters wells and charter schools  in Africa.  The national Stork’s Nest program delivers powerful messages to pregnant and parenting teens about the important of nutrition and self care during before, during and after pregnancy.  Through the Stork’s Nest, mothers can obtain much needed resources for them and their babies in the most critical stage of their development as a new mother.

The Sorority also conducts member focused initiatives such as National Leadership Conferences, Leadership Conferences on the Regional and State level, the Zeta Organizational Leadership Conference, and Chapter Management Workshops to keep members abreast of industry “best practices” and Sorority policies and procedures.   Other tools such as monthly newsletters, webinars and teleconferences provide an excellent means for members to update their knowledge and skills to be more effective leaders. 

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. has over 800 chapters in the Continental United States, the Bahamas, Germany Japan, Korea and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  The Sorority has a diverse membership of college-educated women representing various disciplines, industries and professions. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. has made an impact on humanity for more than 86 years!