Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated

Iota Sigma Chapter

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated 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. Founded January 16, 1920, Zeta began as an idea conceived by five coeds at Howard University in Washington D.C.: Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Viola Tyler Goings, Fannie Pettie Watts, and Pearl Anna Neal. These five women, also known as our Five Pearls, dared to depart from the traditional coalitions for black women and sought to establish a new organization predicated on the precepts of Scholarship, Service, Sisterly love and Finer Womanhood. It was the ideal of the Founders that the Sorority would reach college women in all parts of the country who were sorority minded and desired to follow the founding principles of the organization. Since its inception, the Sorority has chronicled a number of firsts. Zeta Phi Beta 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; and to be constitutionally bound to a fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated. Zeta's national and local programs include endowment of its National Educational Foundation, community outreach services, and support of multiple affiliate organizations. Zeta chapters and auxiliary groups have given untotaled hours of voluntary service to educate the public, assist youth, provide scholarships, support organized charities, and promote legislation for social and civic change.

The Iota Sigma Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was chartered on Clayton State University's campus on Sunday, April 17, 2005. Committed to service and education, the sorority has participated in numerous campus events and community service activities, including the Breast Cancer Walk and fundraising for the March of Dimes. Iota Sigma also received The Undergraduate Chapter Of The Year Award in 2009. Recently at the Georgia Joint state Leadership conference, the Iota sigma chapter received 1st place in volunteer hours, March for babies, and Z-Hope, while also placing 2nd in Making strides against Breast Cancer walk. The Iota Sigma chapter has also won Clayton State’s Step Show in 2008, and 2019, and placed 2nd in 2022 while having the pleasure of receiving Chapter of the Year at the 2022 Student Leadership and Involvement Awards.

Most Recent Community Service Projects:

• Help 4 Haiti
• Hope Atlanta
• Tree Of Love
• Decatur Food Drive
• March for Babies
• Freshman/New Student Orientation

To learn more about Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, please visit the national website at www.zphib1920.org. For more information about the Iota Sigma Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., please contact Chapter President, Lamaya Nelson at lnelson16@student.clayton.edu.