Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated was founded on January 16, 1920, at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority would be remiss not to pay homage to the first women who believed in the need for a new and different type of Greek-lettered organization and acted upon the need. To these women, Zeta was more than an organization; it was a movement. This belief system reflected the desire to provide true Service, embrace Scholarship, set a standard for Sisterly Love, and define the noble concept of Finer Womanhood. This belief has sustained and encouraged Zetas worldwide to hold fast to the ideals initiated and developed by its earliest members.

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The Founders of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority were five strong principled coeds, that envisioned a sorority that would directly affect positive change, chart a course of action for the 1920's and beyond, raise people's consciousness, encourage the highest standards of scholastic achievement, and foster a greater sense of unity among its members.

 

Arizona Cleaver (Stemons): Founder Cleaver was the first President of the Alpha Chapter and the first National President of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. She completed her graduate and post-graduate studies in the field of social work and was responsible for the chartering numerous undergraduate and graduate chapters throughout the United States.

 

Pearl Anna Neal: After graduating from Howard University's Conservatory of Music, Founder Neal continued her studies at Julliard School of Music. In 1938, she was the first black woman in New York to earn a master's degree in music from Columbia University. An extremely accomplished musician, Founder Neal taught music in North Carolina Public Schools and served as a director of seniors majoring in music at Teachers College in Winston Salem, NC.​

 

Myrtle Tyler (Faithful): Founder Myrtle Tyler was the second National President of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and the blood sister to Founder Viola Tyler. She was a high school mathematics and English teacher and an active member of Alpha Zeta Chapter in Baltimore, Maryland.

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 Viola Tyler (Goings): Founder Tyler graduated from Howard University with a teaching degree and a major in math. She taught school in Ohio for many years and was always very active in community affairs.

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 Fannie Pettie (Watts): Founder Pettie graduated from Howard University with a Bachelors of Arts degree in education and taught junior and senior high schools in Savannah, Georgia. She is credited for organizing two additional Zeta chapters and had active membership in Delta Alpha Zeta chapter.

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Zeta Phi Beta Sorority was the first Greek-letter organization to charter a chapter in West Africa (1948) and Germany. It was also the first organization to form adult and youth auxiliary groups that include Amicae, Archonettes, Amicettes and Pearlettes. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. is the first and only Greek-letter organization to be constitutionally bound to a male group, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated.  

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Zeta's National Programs include Z-HOPE (Zetas Helping Other People Excel), Storks Nest, Elder Care, March of Dimes, Adopt a School, Zetas Have Heart and endowment of its National Education Foundation exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. Zeta chapters and auxiliary groups have given countless hours in voluntary service, community awareness and education, youth assistance, educational scholarships, support to organized charities and promotion of legislation for social and civic change.

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Today, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated is classified as a non-profit 501(c)(7) organization with membership exceeding over 125,000 college-educated professional women and over 875 chapters in eight intercontinental regions that include the United States, Africa, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean.