The Trailblazers of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority was founded January 16, 1920 on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. by five coeds. 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, Sisterhood and Finer Womanhood. The trail blazed by the Five Founders has been traversed by thousands of women 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 Pearlettes; and to be constitutionally bound to a brother organization, 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 countless hours of voluntary service to educate the public, assist youth, provide scholarships, support organized charities and promote legislation for social and civic change.
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.
Arizona Cleaver Stemons
Arizona Cleaver Stemons was the first basileus of Alpha Chapter and the first Grand Basileus of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Inspired by Charles Taylor and A. Taylor, fraternity brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, she encouraged the first group of young women to join her in organizing Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.
Arizona Cleaver Stemons was a Life Member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and held membership with Beta Delta Zeta Chapter in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was responsible for chartering numerous undergraduate and graduate chapters throughout the United States. Her triumphant life ended in March 1980 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Pearl Anna Neal
Pearl Anna Neal, exhibited early a degree of excellence in music and attended the Lincoln Academy in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. Upon completion of her studies at the Academy, she entered Howard University where she earned a Degree in Music. She earned her Master's Degree in Music from Columbia University, New York, in 1938, thus becoming the first Black woman in this state to earn this degree. She did further study at the Julliard School of Music in New York. Her triumphant life ended in January, 1978 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Myrtle Tyler Faithful
Myrtle Tyler Faithful was the second Grand Basileus of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., blood sister of Viola Tyler, and a Life Member. An Ohio teacher of mathematics and english for some years, she always had an active interest in community affairs. Her triumphant life ended on April 21, 1993.
Viola Tyler Goings
Viola Tyler Goings was one of the co-founders of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and a Life Member. Flushing, Ohio was the birthplace of Viola, who at the end of her high school career, became a coed at Howard University.
After graduating from Howard University with a teaching degree, she taught in Smithfield, North Carolina and later accepted the position of Assistant Principal at the Cambridge High School in Cambridge Maryland. She married and later moved to Springfield, Ohio pursuing her career as a teacher. Her triumphant life ended in March, 1983 in Springfield, Ohio.
Fannie Pettie Watts
Fannie Pettie Watts is one of the co-founders Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. She is credited with organizing Omicron Beta Chapter in Brooklyn. She graduated from Howard University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education. Her post-graduate studies in social work and housing were pursued at New York University. She was the Social Investigator for the Department of Social Service in Brooklyn, New York and Director of the Cradle Roll Division of Brooklyn's Nazarene Congregational Church. Her triumphant life ended in 1995.
