Recognizing, honoring and congratulating Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated on its 100th Anniversary.

WHEREAS, the Philadelphia City Council traditionally recognizes significant contributions to our community, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated is one such contributor and prepares to celebrate its centennial anniversary on January 16, 2020 and June 23-28, 2020 in Washington D.C.; and

WHEREAS, on January 16, 1920, on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Pearl Anna Neal, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Viola Tyler Goings, and Fannie Pettie Watts founded Zeta Phi Beta Sorority; and

WHEREAS, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. 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; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, the Sorority has chronicled a number of firsts. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was the first Greek-letter organization to charter a chapter in Africa (1948); to form adult and youth auxiliary groups; to centralize its operations in a national headquarters at 1734 New Hampshire Avenue NW in Washington D.C.; and to be constitutionally bound to a fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated; and

WHEREAS, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., are the only National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations that can claim an authentic brother-sister association through a constitutional bond; and

WHEREAS, This constitutional bond allows both organizations to work closely together as they attempt to materialize what their founders envisioned through a deep and abiding dedication to enhancing and promoting systematic fellowship, African-American self-determination, justice, equal rights and service to all humankind; and

WHEREAS, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. has continued its steady climb into the national spotlight with programs designed to demonstrate concern for the human condition both nationally and internationally including Z-H.O.P.E.- Zetas Helping Other People to Excel and Z-NEF: Zeta National Educational Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. works with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Refuge Service, AARP, the American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Women Veterans ROCK!, amongst other charitable partnerships; and

WHEREAS, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. provides scholarships including the Triumphant Founder Arizona Cleaver Stemons Centennial Scholarship which will award a $100,000 scholarship each year to a new recipient for five consecutive years beginning the sorority’s Centennial Anniversary year of 2020, supports organized charities, promotes legislation for social and civic change, supports multiple affiliate organizations, educates the public, assists youth, conducts programs for elder care, prematurity awareness, and administers community outreach services; and

WHEREAS, Over the past 100 years, members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. have led countless initiatives addressing a variety of crucial issues, including voting rights, affordable health care, financial literacy, economic empowerment, support for historically black colleges and universities, political awareness and involvement; and

WHEREAS, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. has chartered more than 800 chapters around the world including in the City of Philadelphia and across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and has a membership of over 125,000 college educated women; now therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we recognize, honor and congratulate Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated on the occasion of its 100th Anniversary.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to representatives of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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