top of page

International History

image_edited.png

The year was 1920—a time of profound change and challenge in the United States. The nation stood on the heels of World War I, embracing the prosperity of a new decade. Women were gaining momentum, stepping into their own as voters, professionals, and pioneers of change, thanks to the passage of the 19th Amendment. The Roaring Twenties were alive with jazz, cultural shifts, and bold fashion statements, but the era also bore the weight of racial tensions, segregation, and economic inequality.


Amidst this transformative backdrop, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated was born. It began with five visionary young women at Howard University in Washington, D.C.—Arizona Cleaver, Myrtle Tyler, Viola Tyler, Fannie Pettie, and Pearl Neal—who dared to dream of something greater. These extraordinary women, later known as the Five Pearls, recognized the need for a sorority that was different.

They envisioned an organization where the bonds of sisterhood and service outweighed social elitism. They sought to create a space where women of high principles, scholarly ambition, and a commitment to community could unite to confront the societal issues of their time: poverty, health disparities, discrimination, and the fight for civil rights. Their vision crystallized on January 16, 1920, with the founding of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.

Guided by the founding principles of Scholarship, Service, Sisterly Love, and Finer Womanhood, these trailblazers broke barriers and laid a foundation for generations to come. Founder Viola Tyler expressed their mission eloquently:


       "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."
 

Zeta Phi Beta has chronicled a remarkable legacy of "firsts." It was the first Greek-letter sorority to:

a

  • Charter a chapter in Africa (1948),

  • Create auxiliary groups for youth and adults,

  • Centralize operations in a national headquarters,

  • And, most notably, to be constitutionally bound to a fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated.

a

Over the years, Zeta's commitment to community and service has been unwavering. Through national programs, such as scholarships, youth mentorship, and legislative advocacy, and through countless local initiatives, Zeta women have dedicated untold hours to uplifting others and driving meaningful change.

Even in the face of the Great Depression, segregation, and numerous societal challenges, Zeta has thrived. It is a testament to the enduring power of the principles set forth by the Five Pearls. Today, Zeta Phi Beta is a global sisterhood, boasting hundreds of chapters and thousands of members who continue to uphold the ideals of Finer Womanhood.
​​
Founder Myrtle Tyler once said: "I believe that no [other] organization could have been founded upon principles that were so near and dear to all of our hearts."
 
Indeed, the story of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, is one of resilience, purpose, and an unyielding commitment to making the world a better place. It is not just a story of its founders; it is the ongoing story of every Zeta who has carried forward their legacy for over a century—and will continue to do so for generations to come.

bottom of page