Introduction
If you have ever wondered who built one of the most respected sororities in America, you are about to find out. The Zeta Phi Beta founders were five remarkable women who refused to accept limits placed on them because of their race or gender. On January 16, 1920, at Howard University in Washington DC, these women created something that would outlast every doubt and every barrier thrown their way.
You might know Zeta Phi Beta today for its community work, its bold sisterhood, and its powerful presence on college campuses. But it all started with a simple idea. The Zeta Phi Beta founders wanted an organization built on true sisterhood rather than exclusivity. They wanted scholarship, service, and womanhood to matter more than status.
In this article, you will learn the full story of the Zeta Phi Beta founders, their individual journeys, the values they built, and how their vision still shapes communities across the country today.
The History Behind the Founding of Zeta Phi Beta
Howard University in the early twentieth century was a place full of promise for Black students, yet many organizations at the time still followed strict social rules. Some sororities focused heavily on status and appearance rather than genuine sisterhood. A group of young women felt something was missing.
They wanted a sorority that welcomed women from all backgrounds. They wanted an organization rooted in real values instead of image. This vision led directly to the founding of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated.
On that cold January day in 1920, five students gathered with a shared purpose. These five women became known as the Five Pearls, and their names are still honored by every member of the sorority today.
You could say the Zeta Phi Beta founders were ahead of their time. They believed education should walk hand in hand with community service. They believed sisterhood should be built on love, not competition. This belief became the foundation of everything Zeta Phi Beta represents.
Meet the Five Pearls: Biographies of the Zeta Phi Beta Founders
Each of the Zeta Phi Beta founders brought something unique to the table. Together, they created a balance of leadership, compassion, and vision that still defines the organization.
Arizona Cleaver Stemons
Arizona Cleaver Stemons is often seen as the driving force behind the sorority. She served as the first president of the Alpha Chapter and later became the very first national president of Zeta Phi Beta.
She believed strongly in unity among Black women and pushed hard for an organization that valued substance over surface. Her leadership style set the tone for generations of Zeta women who came after her.
Pearl Anna Neal
Pearl Anna Neal brought a deep commitment to public service. She dedicated much of her life to social work, helping disadvantaged communities gain access to resources they desperately needed.
Her passion for service became one of the four founding pillars of the sorority, a value that remains central to every Zeta chapter today.
Myrtle Tyler Faithful
Myrtle Tyler Faithful focused on education and academic excellence. She wanted young Black women to see scholarship as a form of empowerment rather than just a requirement.
Her belief in the power of education helped shape Zeta Phi Beta into an organization that consistently supports academic achievement among its members.
Viola Tyler Goings
Viola Tyler Goings, sister to Myrtle Tyler Faithful, also played a key role in shaping the sorority’s early identity. She helped strengthen the bond of sisterhood that became one of Zeta Phi Beta’s defining traits.
Her contributions reminded members that support and loyalty matter just as much as ambition.
Fannie Pettie Watts
Fannie Pettie Watts rounded out the group with a strong voice for inclusion. She believed no woman should be excluded because of her background, income, or social standing.
Her influence helped make Zeta Phi Beta a truly welcoming space, something that still defines the sorority’s culture today.
Together, these five women created a legacy that has lasted more than a century. Whenever people talk about the Zeta Phi Beta founders, they are really talking about a story of courage, vision, and lasting sisterhood.
The Mission and Values Behind Zeta Phi Beta
The Zeta Phi Beta founders built their organization on four guiding principles. You can still see these values in every event, service project, and chapter meeting today.
- Scholarship: Encouraging academic growth and lifelong learning
- Service: Supporting communities through volunteer work and outreach
- Sisterly Love: Building genuine bonds between members
- Finer Womanhood: Promoting confidence, grace, and personal growth
These four pillars are not just words on a page. They guide real actions. Zeta Phi Beta chapters across the country run mentorship programs, health awareness campaigns, and educational scholarships for young women who need support.
If you ask any Zeta member what the sorority means to them, they will likely mention these same values. That consistency is a direct result of the strong foundation laid by the Zeta Phi Beta founders.
Zeta Phi Beta and Phi Beta Sigma: A Unique Bond
One thing that makes Zeta Phi Beta different from most sororities is its close relationship with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated. The two organizations are constitutionally bound, meaning they share a formal and lasting partnership.
This bond began early in the history of both groups. Phi Beta Sigma supported the founding of Zeta Phi Beta, and in return, the two organizations agreed to work together on service projects and community initiatives.
You will often see Zeta Phi Beta and Phi Beta Sigma hosting joint events, community drives, and educational programs. This partnership reflects the same spirit of unity that the Zeta Phi Beta founders valued from day one.
The Lasting Impact of Zeta Phi Beta
More than one hundred years later, the impact created by the Zeta Phi Beta founders is still visible. The sorority is a proud member of the National Pan Hellenic Council, often called the Divine Nine, a group of historically Black fraternities and sororities known for their community influence.
Zeta Phi Beta chapters across the United States focus on:
- Scholarship programs for high school and college students
- Health education, including breast cancer awareness campaigns
- Youth mentorship through programs like the Archonettes and Amicettes
- Community service projects addressing poverty, education, and health disparities
The organization has produced countless leaders in education, business, politics, and public service. Every achievement can be traced back to the values instilled by the Zeta Phi Beta founders.
Why the Story of the Zeta Phi Beta Founders Still Matters
You might wonder why a story from 1920 still matters today. The truth is simple. The challenges the Zeta Phi Beta founders faced, including racism, sexism, and social exclusion, still exist in different forms today.
Their response was not anger or withdrawal. Instead, they built something positive. They created an organization focused on lifting others up. That message still resonates with young women joining the sorority today.
Whenever a new member joins Zeta Phi Beta, they inherit more than a symbol or a chant. They inherit a mission created by five determined women who believed real change starts with unity.
Conclusion
The story of the Zeta Phi Beta founders is one of courage, vision, and lasting sisterhood. Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Pearl Anna Neal, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Viola Tyler Goings, and Fannie Pettie Watts built something far bigger than a college organization. They built a movement rooted in scholarship, service, sisterly love, and finer womanhood.
Their legacy continues through thousands of women across the country who carry forward the same mission today. The next time you hear about Zeta Phi Beta, remember the five women who started it all.
What do you think made the Zeta Phi Beta founders so successful in building a lasting legacy? Share your thoughts, and pass this story along to anyone who might find it inspiring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the Zeta Phi Beta founders? The Zeta Phi Beta founders were Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Pearl Anna Neal, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Viola Tyler Goings, and Fannie Pettie Watts, also known as the Five Pearls.
When was Zeta Phi Beta founded? Zeta Phi Beta was founded on January 16, 1920, at Howard University in Washington DC.
What are the four core values of Zeta Phi Beta? The four core values are Scholarship, Service, Sisterly Love, and Finer Womanhood.
Why is Zeta Phi Beta connected to Phi Beta Sigma? Zeta Phi Beta and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity are constitutionally bound, meaning they share a formal partnership and often collaborate on service projects.
Who was the first president of Zeta Phi Beta? Arizona Cleaver Stemons served as the first Alpha Chapter president and later became the first national president of the sorority.
Is Zeta Phi Beta part of the Divine Nine? Yes, Zeta Phi Beta is a proud member of the National Pan Hellenic Council, commonly known as the Divine Nine.
What kind of community work does Zeta Phi Beta do? Members focus on education, health awareness, youth mentorship, and community service projects that support underserved populations.
Why did the Zeta Phi Beta founders create the sorority? They wanted an organization built on genuine sisterhood, service, and academic excellence rather than social status or exclusivity.
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Author Name: Hamid Ali
Email: johanharwen314@gmail.com
About the Author: Hamid Ali is a content writer who enjoys researching history and culture to bring meaningful stories to modern readers. He focuses on creating clear, engaging, and well researched articles that connect readers with the past while keeping today’s audience in mind.
