The founders, or Five Pearls dared to depart from the traditional coalitions for African American women and sought to establish a new organization predicated upon the ideals of Scholarship, Service, Sisterly Love and Finer Womanhood. For seventy-six years the trail of the founders has been travelled by thousands of women dedicated to the emulation of the objectives and ideals of the sorority.

Since its inception, Zeta Phi Beta has expanded to over 500 collegiate and graduate chapters, located throughout the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. In 1948, Zeta became a truly international organization upon the founding of chapters in Liberia and Sierra Leone in West Africa It was the first of the eight largest African American greek lettered organizations to do so. Today, Zeta's influence is felt world wide, from the Caribbean and Germany to Seoul, South Korea.

Zeta Phi Beta, together with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. comprise the only officially bound brother and sister greek letter societies. Though our bond is often imitated, we stand to date as the only true sisterhood and brotherhood in greekdom.

In addition to these distinctions, Zeta Phi Beta was the first sorority to form auxilliary groups for non-collegiate women and young girls. The Zeta Amicae, or Friends of Zeta are women who, for whatever reason, did not attend college but still hold dear the ideals of our beloved sorority. The Archonettes, Amicettes, and Pearlettes are auxilliaries formed to instill in girls and young women between the ages of three to seventeen the tenets of this distinguished sisterhood.

Zeta Phi Beta's national and local programs include endowment of our National Education Foundation, community outreach services, and support of other affiliate organizations. Zeta is a member of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the League of Women Voters, to name a few. Zeta chapters and auxilliaries have devoted numerous hours of voluntary service to educate the public, assist youth, provide scholarships, and promote legislation for social and civic change.

A non-profit corporation incorporated in Washington, DC and Illinois, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. is supported by the dues and gifts of her members. The Archon is the national publication of the sorority.

Last Modified: May 1, 1998