Honoring Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., on reaching the historic milestone of 105 years of scholarship, service, sisterhood, and finer womanhood.
This is a House Resolution (H. Res. 51) introduced in the 119th Congress to honor Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. on its 105th anniversary. The resolution recounts the sorority’s founding in 1920 at Howard University by five women—Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Pearl Anna Neal, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Viola Tyler Goings, and Fannie Pettie Watts—and notes its incorporation in 1923 to secure its permanence. It highlights the organization’s growth to more than 875 chapters worldwide, with over 100,000 members across eight intercontinental regions, and its ongoing commitment to scholarship, service, sisterhood, and “finer womanhood.” The resolution also acknowledges Zeta Phi Beta’s historical firsts (such as centralizing operations at a national headquarters, chartering a chapter in Africa, forming auxiliary groups, and its constitutional bond with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.), efforts to expand presence at both white institutions and HBCUs, and the influence of notable members. The House is asked to publicly congratulate and commend the sorority for 105 years of impact. As a ceremonial resolution, the bill expresses commendation and does not create new law or authorize spending. Its purpose is to recognize and celebrate the organization’s history and contributions.
Key Points
- 1Founding and early history
- 2- Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. founded on January 16, 1920, at Howard University by five women known as the “Five Pearls”: Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Pearl Anna Neal, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Viola Tyler Goings, and Fannie Pettie Watts.
- 3- Incorporated on March 30, 1923, in Washington, DC to ensure long-term permanence of the organization.
- 4Growth and global reach
- 5- Current membership exceeding 100,000 with more than 875 chapters.
- 6- Organized into eight intercontinental regions with chapters in the United States, Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean.
- 7Innovations and firsts
- 8- First National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) organization to centralize operations at a national headquarters.
- 9- First to charter a chapter in Africa.
- 10- First to form auxiliary groups.
- 11- First to be constitutionally bound to a fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
- 12Mission and expansion
- 13- Committed to expanding reach by establishing chapters at both predominantly white institutions and historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
- 14- Emphasizes a mission aligned with scholarship, service, sisterhood, and finer womanhood, remaining focused on community service and uplift.
- 15Notable associations and motto
- 16- Highlights notable members and leaders who have contributed to various fields (law, music, education, arts, and public life).
- 17- Reiterates the organization’s motto: “a community-conscious, action-oriented organization.”