ABOUT ZETA PHI BETA
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was founded January 16, 1920 on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. as the sister organization to Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. by five co-eds.
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These women 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. The trail blazed by our founders has been traversed by thousands of woman dedicated to the emulation of the objectives and ideals of the Sorority. The Sorority was the first Greek-letter organization to charter a chapter in Africa (1948); to form adult and youth auxiliary groups, the Amicae, Archonettes, Amicettes, and the Pearlettes; and to be constitutionally bound to the brother organization, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated.
A nonprofit organization, Zeta Phi Beta is incorporated in Washington, D.C. and in the state of Illinois. The Sorority is supported by the dues and gifts of its members, friends, and corporate sponsors.
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For more information concerning our organization on a broad level, we encourage you to visit our international website at zphib1920.org.
ZETA FIRSTS
Zeta Phi Beta was the FIRST Black Greek Letter Sorority to:
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Zeta was the first sorority to establish auxiliary groups for both adults (Amicae - "Friends of Zeta") and youth (Archonettes, Amicettes, and Pearlettes).
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The first chapter of any black sorority to organize a collegiate chapter in Texas. In 1923, Theta Chapter was established at Wiley College.
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The first to charter a chapter in the Middle East. In 2014, Zeta chartered the Alpha Alpha Lambda Zeta Chapter in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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Have all operations organized at a national headquarters (1734 New Hampshire Ave. N.W. – Washington, D.C. 20009)
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Zeta was the first sorority to charter a chapter in Africa. In December of 1948, the charter was granted to establish a Zeta graduate chapter in Monrovia, Liberia, Africa.
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The first greek-lettered organization to charter a chapter in the British Virgin Islands. In 2019, the Gamma Alpha Mu Zeta chapter was chartered.
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The first black greek-lettered organization to participate in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.
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The first D9 organization to launch its own organizational shoe brand. New Balance, under the leadership of International Centennial Grand Basileus (President) Valerie Hollingsworth-Baker, and in 2022-launched "The White Dove.
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Violette Neatley Anderson, the first African American woman to practice law before the United States Supreme Court and Eighth President of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
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And so many more FIRSTS!!
Zeta Phi Beta is the FIRST & ONLY Black-Greek Letter Sorority to be constitutionally bound to a fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.