Our History

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was founded on Friday, January 16, 1920, on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. Five college women: a freshman, two sophomores, a junior and a senior dared to depart from the traditional coalitions of Black sororities and establish a new sorority. The five Founders of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. are Arizona Cleaver (Stemons), Pearl Anna Neal, Myrtle Tyler (Faithful), Viola Tyler (Goings), and Fannie Pettie (Watts). Their vision was to encourage the highest standards of scholarship, promote service through volunteerism, foster sisterhood, and exemplify finer womanhood. These ideals are reflected in the sorority’s national programs, partnerships, and initiatives. The dedicated members and auxiliary groups (youth and adults) of the sorority provide significant volunteer service, financial support, professional talent to educate the public, enrich community outreach programs, fund scholarships, support organized charities, and promote legislation for civic and social change.

Virginia’s History in Zeta

 “Virginia is for Lovers!” This popular slogan is often used in the Commonwealth to describe the diversity of the areas represented here.  The land stretches from beaches on the eastern coast to hills and valleys in the central region to the Blue Ridge Mountains in the western region. Virginia’s state bird is the cardinal and its flower is the dogwood.

Virginia has a place of significance in our country’s history. The Commonwealth is known as the “Birthplace of Presidents,” due to Virginia being the home of several American Presidents. Although it was once the capital of the Confederacy, Virginia elected L. Douglas Wilder as the nation’s first African-American governor on November 8, 1989. The residents of Virginia benefit from a strong economy, a variety of employment opportunities, highly-regarded community colleges and universities and a diverse landscape in which to live.

Zetas in the Commonwealth of Virginia

In 1933, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. divided into geographical regions.  Virginia was part of the Middle Atlantic Region and hosted the first regional conference in 1935. The first director of the region was Antoinette Bowler of Richmond who was a charter member of Nu chapter at Virginia Union University.  In 1945 a new organizational structure moved Virginia to the Eastern Region. The first regional director was Carrie W. Michie who was a charter member of Tau Zeta chapter in Charlottesville.  In the 1960s the sorority’s growth made it necessary for states to have Associate Regional Directors to assist the Regional Directors. The first Associate Regional Director for Virginia was Audrey Bradford Robinson who was a charter member of Alpha Phi Zeta chapter in Richmond, Virginia. In 1978 the title of Associate Regional Director was changed to State Director. The first Virginia State Director was Marilyn A. Brooks. Under her administration, the structure of Virginia was established with forming committees and electing state officers.

There are many notable Zetas from the Commonwealth. There were two national presidents from Virginia: Dr. Nancy Woolridge McGhee and Mildred Cater Boone Bradham. Elizabeth Byrd York of Nu chapter became the first National Third Vice-President. Rosalie Claiborne Adams and Edna Scott Anthony were “blue forces” that worked on all levels of Zeta representing Virginia.  Audrey Bradford Robinson is best known for writing the music to our sorority hymn.  Maggie Lena Walker was the first Black female president of a bank which is now Premier Bank in Richmond, Virginia. She was made an honorary member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. during the chartering of Nu chapter at Virginia Union University. Senator Yvonne Miller was a trailblazer in Virginia’s General Assembly and became the first female Black Senator to serve in both houses. She was pivotal in establishing and supporting “Zeta Day at the General Assembly.”

Commonwealth of Virginia Associate Directors

Sallye T. Coleman – 1955-1960
Audrey Bradford Robinson – 1963-1970
Mary Wilson Copeland – 1970-1974 (Western Region of VA)
Rosalie C. Adams – 1970-1974
Gwendolyn Glaspie – 1974-1978 (Western Region of VA)
Edna Powell – 1974-1978

Commonwealth of Virginia State Directors

Marilyn A. Brooks –1st State Director – 1978-1980
Algenia Freeman –2nd State Director – 1980-1982
Lois Coleman-Ellis –3rd State Director – 1982-1984
Lorita Williams - 4th State Director – 1984-1986
Lynne C. Allen - 5th State Director – 1986-1992
Stevalynn Adams - 6th State Director – 1992-1996
Melissa Barnes - 7th State Director – 1996-2002
Felicia Scott-Strickland – 8th State Director - 2002-2006
Marian V. Barnwell – 9th State Director - 2006-2008
Lynette Banks-Lightfoot – 10th State Director - 2008-2009
Pamela Croft – 11th State Director - 2009-2012
Amelia L. Hunt – 12th State Director - 2012-2018
Nikki Bailey - 13th State Director - 2018-2018
Dr. Danielle N. May - 14th State Director - 2018-2022
La’Ketha D. Prioleau - 15th State Director - 2022-Present