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 102nd Founders’ Day on January 16, 2022; and
WHEREAS, On January 16, 1920, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. by Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Pearl Anna Neal, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Viola Tyler Goings, and Fannie Pettie Watts; and
WHEREAS, 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; 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.; to be constitutionally bound to a fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated and the first black Greek letter organization to perform at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade; 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 has awarded 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 102 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; and
WHEREAS, In 2019, Philadelphia City Council honored Arizona Leedonia Cleaver Stemons, the initiating Founder of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, with Resolution 190192, sponsored by Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson, naming Federal Street, between 19th Street and 20th Street, “Arizona C. Stemons Way”; 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 102nd Founders’ Day and the upcoming International Convention being held in the City of Philadelphia, July 18- July 24, 2022.
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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