Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was founded January 16, 1920, at Howard University, Washington, D.C. The Klan was very active during this period and the Harlem Renaissance was acknowledged as the first important movement of Black artists and writers in the U.S. This same year the Volstead Act became effective heralding the start of Prohibition and Tennessee delivered the crucial 36th ratification for the final adoption of the 19th amendment giving women the right to vote. The worst and longest economic recession to hit the U.S. would define the end of the decade-The Great Depression.
It was within this environment that five coeds envisioned a sorority which would directly affect positive change, chart a course of action for the 1920s and beyond, raise consciousness of their people, encourage the highest standards of scholastic achievement, and foster a greater sense of unity among its members. These women believed that sorority elitism and socializing overshadowed the real mission for progressive organizations and failed to address fully the societal mores, ills, prejudices, and poverty affecting humanity in general and the black community in particular.
Since its inception, Zeta has continued its steady climb into the national spotlight with programs designed to demonstrate concern for the human condition both nationally and internationally. The organization has been innovative in that it has chronicled a number of firsts. It was the first National Pan-Hellenic Council organization to centralize its operations in a national headquarters, first to charter a chapter in Africa, first to form auxiliary groups, and first to be constitutionally bound to a fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. The sorority takes pride in its continued participation in transforming communities through volunteer services from members and its auxiliaries. Zeta Phi Beta has chartered hundreds of chapters worldwide and has a membership of 100,000+.
Zeta‘s national and local programs include the endowment of its National Educational Foundation community outreach services and support of multiple affiliate organizations. Zeta chapters and auxiliaries have given untotaled hours of voluntary service to educate the public, assist youth, provide scholarships, support organized charities, and promote legislation for social and civic change.
As the sorority moves toward its centennial, it retains its original zest for excellence. It espouses the highest academic ideals and that has resulted in its members serving in groundbreaking roles in all fields of endeavor. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. is poised for perpetual service to mankind into her second century and beyond.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was founded January 16, 1920, at Howard University, Washington, D.C. The Klan was very active during this period and the Harlem Renaissance was acknowledged as the first important movement of Black artists and writers in the U.S. This same year the Volstead Act became effective heralding the start of Prohibition and Tennessee delivered the crucial 36th ratification for the final adoption of the 19th amendment giving women the right to vote. The worst and longest economic recession to hit the U.S. would define the end of the decade-The Great Depression.
It was within this environment that five coeds envisioned a sorority which would directly affect positive change, chart a course of action for the 1920s and beyond, raise consciousness of their people, encourage the highest standards of scholastic achievement, and foster a greater sense of unity among its members. These women believed that sorority elitism and socializing overshadowed the real mission for progressive organizations and failed to address fully the societal mores, ills, prejudices, and poverty affecting humanity in general and the black community in particular.
Since its inception, Zeta has continued its steady climb into the national spotlight with programs designed to demonstrate concern for the human condition both nationally and internationally. The organization has been innovative in that it has chronicled a number of firsts. It was the first National Pan-Hellenic Council organization to centralize its operations in a national headquarters, first to charter a chapter in Africa, first to form auxiliary groups, and first to be constitutionally bound to a fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. The sorority takes pride in its continued participation in transforming communities through volunteer services from members and its auxiliaries. Zeta Phi Beta has chartered hundreds of chapters worldwide and has a membership of 100,000+.
Zeta‘s national and local programs include the endowment of its National Educational Foundation community outreach services and support of multiple affiliate organizations. Zeta chapters and auxiliaries have given untotaled hours of voluntary service to educate the public, assist youth, provide scholarships, support organized charities, and promote legislation for social and civic change.
As the sorority moves toward its centennial, it retains its original zest for excellence. It espouses the highest academic ideals and that has resulted in its members serving in groundbreaking roles in all fields of endeavor. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. is poised for perpetual service to mankind into her second century and beyond.
Omicron Sigma Zeta Chapter
Omicron Sigma Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was presented to the Baton Rouge community on Sunday, September 5, 1993 at the Ramada Inn on Nicholson Drive.
The charter members of Omicron Sigma Zeta Chapter are Valerie Bourgeois, Yvette Barnes, Rose Cousin, Ladeta Crawley, Cynthia Davis, Cynthia Dubos, Margaret Green, Jacqueline Johnson (deceased), Ouida Martin, Dora Mouton, Chevonne Payne, Dorothy Smart, Jacqueline Steward, Marsha Willis, and Valerie Young.
Past sorority leadership, Barbara W. Carpenter, Nell Ingram, and Cheryl Williams conducted the chartering ceremony. Isabel Morgan Herson, the 16th International Grand Basileus of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., installed the new officers and delivered the charter to the members of the new chapter.
Since Omicron Sigma Zeta Chapter was chartered, the chapter has actively participated in many community service programs: adoption of St. Claire’s Nursing Center during the Holidays, with the Battered Women’s Shelter, St Vincent de Paul, Breast Cancer Awareness, March of Dimes, Youth Oasis, Toys for Tots, delivering food baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas, Z-HOPE programs on all levels, and many other projects.
Omicron Sigma Zeta Chapter awards the Georgia D. Sanders Scholarships yearly to high school graduates planning to attend college. The scholarships are funded by the chapter’s fundraising efforts and private donations. In the past, the chapter has wrapped gifts at the Tanger Outlet Mall during the Christmas Holidays, held fashion shows with dinner, fashion show with talent, an art exhibit featuring artist Ted Ellis, and casino bus trips for the past 18 summers to the Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi, MS to raise money for scholarships.
On August 30, 1999, the chapter held its grand opening of the Stork’s Nest at the Dr. Leo S. Butler Community Center in conjunction with the March of Dimes. In 2004, our Stork’s Nest site was used in the national training film. This year on March 30 we
rededicated the original space and held a re-grand opening of the Stork’s Nest. The Stork’s Nest has continued to be successful thanks to a Community Grants and Baby Showers. The Stork’s Nest is open in part to the Southern University Service Learning Students every semester.
Omicron Sigma Zeta Chapter is a chapter full of Mighty Southern Region Legacy Club Members. The members have held several offices on the National and Regional Levels.
The chapter has two Life Members: Soror Renee’ Bourgeois and Soror Catherine Lewis-Thompson.
As the chapter continues to grow and thrive, we applaud all who have held membership in Omicron Sigma Zeta Chapter over the years and our future is looking brighter every sorority year.
The charter members of Omicron Sigma Zeta Chapter are Valerie Bourgeois, Yvette Barnes, Rose Cousin, Ladeta Crawley, Cynthia Davis, Cynthia Dubos, Margaret Green, Jacqueline Johnson (deceased), Ouida Martin, Dora Mouton, Chevonne Payne, Dorothy Smart, Jacqueline Steward, Marsha Willis, and Valerie Young.
Past sorority leadership, Barbara W. Carpenter, Nell Ingram, and Cheryl Williams conducted the chartering ceremony. Isabel Morgan Herson, the 16th International Grand Basileus of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., installed the new officers and delivered the charter to the members of the new chapter.
Since Omicron Sigma Zeta Chapter was chartered, the chapter has actively participated in many community service programs: adoption of St. Claire’s Nursing Center during the Holidays, with the Battered Women’s Shelter, St Vincent de Paul, Breast Cancer Awareness, March of Dimes, Youth Oasis, Toys for Tots, delivering food baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas, Z-HOPE programs on all levels, and many other projects.
Omicron Sigma Zeta Chapter awards the Georgia D. Sanders Scholarships yearly to high school graduates planning to attend college. The scholarships are funded by the chapter’s fundraising efforts and private donations. In the past, the chapter has wrapped gifts at the Tanger Outlet Mall during the Christmas Holidays, held fashion shows with dinner, fashion show with talent, an art exhibit featuring artist Ted Ellis, and casino bus trips for the past 18 summers to the Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi, MS to raise money for scholarships.
On August 30, 1999, the chapter held its grand opening of the Stork’s Nest at the Dr. Leo S. Butler Community Center in conjunction with the March of Dimes. In 2004, our Stork’s Nest site was used in the national training film. This year on March 30 we
rededicated the original space and held a re-grand opening of the Stork’s Nest. The Stork’s Nest has continued to be successful thanks to a Community Grants and Baby Showers. The Stork’s Nest is open in part to the Southern University Service Learning Students every semester.
Omicron Sigma Zeta Chapter is a chapter full of Mighty Southern Region Legacy Club Members. The members have held several offices on the National and Regional Levels.
The chapter has two Life Members: Soror Renee’ Bourgeois and Soror Catherine Lewis-Thompson.
As the chapter continues to grow and thrive, we applaud all who have held membership in Omicron Sigma Zeta Chapter over the years and our future is looking brighter every sorority year.
