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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. 





Zeta Phi Beta strives to encourage the highest standards of scholarship through scientific, literary, cultural, and educational programs; promote service projects on college campuses and in the community; foster sisterhood; and exemplify the ideals of Finer Womanhood.



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The objectives of service, charity, scholarship, civic, and cultural endeavors have brought together women from all parts of the country - women in the professions of medicine, dentistry, law, pharmacy, the fine arts, invention, and higher education. These women have become an integral part of the community life and have interested themselves in civic and social betterment throughout this country and abroad.

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, Z-Hope, Stork's Nest, community outreach services, and support of multiple affiliate organizations (i.e., March of Dimes). 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.

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Over the years since the sorority's inception, Zeta Phi Beta has chartered hundreds of chapters and initiated thousands of women around the world. Despite the Great Depression, discrimination and segregation, and a host of other challenges, Zeta has continued to thrive and flourish while adapting to the ever-changing needs of a new century.