Zeta Phi Beta Sorority

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority was founded on the simple belief that sorority elitism and socializing should not overshadow the real mission for progressive organizations - to address societal mores, ills, prejudices, poverty, and health concerns of the day. Founded January 16, 1920, Zeta began as an idea conceived by five coeds at Howard University in Washington D.C.: Arizona Cleaver, Myrtle Tyler, Viola Tyler, Fannie Pettie and Pearl Neal. These five women, also known as our Five Pearls, 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 "Mighty" Southern Region

The Southern Region traces its origins to 1929 when Roberta F. Bell was elected as the National First Anti-Basileus. Between 1937 and 1943, the Southern Region grew into the largest region in the sorority. It still bears the name it was given during these years, "The Mighty Southern Region", because it was so strong and gave such excellent leadership to the national body. Many of the projects undertaken by the Southern Region were adopted by the national body, and the national body has grown with many of the ideas initiated in the Southern Region.
The region is proud to have four past International Presidents.

Lullelia Walker Harrison*, 12th International President
Isabel Morgan Herson*, 16th International President
Dr. Barbara West Carpenter, 21st International President
Mary Breaux-Wright, 23rd International President