WHEREAS, The Philadelphia City Council traditionally recognizes significant contributions to our community, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated is one such contributor and prepares to celebrate its 106th Founders’ Day on January 16, 2026; and
WHEREAS, On January 16, 1920, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. by 5 principled coeds: Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Pearl Anna Neal, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Viola Tyler Goings, and Fannie Pettie Watts; and
WHEREAS, Rooted in the slogan of “A Community-Conscious Action-Oriented Organization,” 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 several 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 was 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 which had their 50-year anniversary on October 4, 2025; 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. over the last five years has award 3.5 million dollars in scholarship money through the Triumphant Founders Arizona Cleaver Stemons Centennial and Pearl Anne Neal scholarships which has award $100,000 and $125,000 respectively to five new recipients, beginning during 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 105 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, and economic empowerment, while offering its members opportunities for professional development, personal development, and sisterhood, while encouraging active engagement in communities and holding the ideals of Service, Scholarship, Sisterhood, and Finer Womanhood; and
WHEREAS, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. has chartered more than 875 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 No. 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, Hereby recognizes, honors, and congratulates Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated on the occasion of its 106th Founders’ Day.
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.
End