Zeta Phi Beta is the only African American sorority on campus.

Dashay Johnson, junior, is the president of the Zetas and Brianne Miles, senior, is the vice president. Miles said she joined Zeta for the sisterhood and to feel wanted.

“I have a lot of sisters to rely on,” Miles said. “I am an only child and these girls have my back no matter what.”

To become a member of the Zetas, a female must be a student at IU Southeast and have at least a 2.5 GPA. Not only do members need academic requirements, but they have to have leadership skills, a willingness to serve the community and a positive attitude.

“You have to humble yourself,” Johnson said.

Members participate in Z-hope, Zeta’s Helping Other People Excel, Storks Nest and March of Dimes.

This past year, Zeta members went to Henryville, Ind., and helped clean up the after effects of the tornado. The members of Zeta also went to homeless shelters to volunteer.

In order to centralize its operations in national headquarters and for auxiliary groups, Zeta charted a chapter in Africa in 1948. Some of Zeta’s auxiliary groups include Amicae, Archonettes, Amicettes and Pearlettes.

It was the first Greek-letter organization to charter a chapter in Africa. By doing this, the Zeta’s became constitutionally bound to the fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.

Zeta has not only local programs, but national programs, as well. Some of the programs include outreach services for the community and endowment of its National Educational Foundation.

As a zeta, the members will be able to educate the public, assist youth, provide scholarships and support organized charities, such as the homeless shelters and breast cancer walk.

To join the Zetas, there is a fee of $620. This fee will give a lifetime bond to the sorority.

“You’re in it for life,” Miles said.

The fee includes state and chapter dues, new member orientation packet, a plaque, cross and jacket.

Along with becoming a member of the Zeta’s, members receive networking.

“Say you want to get a job as a teacher and the principal is a Zeta,” Johnson said. “You have already formed that bond of networking.”

Zeta’s motto is “community-conscious action-oriented organization.” Zeta was founded on Jan. 16, 1920. The idea of Zeta began at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

The founders of the sorority are known as the five pearls. The five women — Arizona Cleaver, Myrtle Tyler, Viola Tyler, Fannie Pettie and Pearl Neal — decided on set principles for Zetas. The principles include scholarships, service, sisterly love and womanhood.

The goal of the pearls was to reach out to women in colleges throughout the country. There are more than 150,000 members and more than 800 collegiate chapters across the United States.

In October, the Zetas will participate in a breast cancer walk.

By TIFFANY ADAMS

Staff

adamstif@ius.edu