"Pretty Kitty" wrote:

Positive Zeta Topicz, so i decided to post one. Dignitaries pay tribute to Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc 85 year history of service focus of weekend celebration in nation's capital WASHINGTON – More than 1,000 African American women converged on the nation’s capital for a three-day celebration of the 85th anniversary of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc, which concluded July 24th. Dignitaries paying tribute to Zeta Phi Beta included Rep. Melvin L.Watt, Chair, Congressional Black Caucus; Dr. Dorothy Height, National Council of Negro Women; Dr. H. Patrick Swygert, President, Howard University; Jennifer Lartey, Economic Affairs Counselor, Embassy of Ghana; Paul L. Griffin, Jr., President, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; and, Dr. Michael V. Bowie, President, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. “When you were just 15 (years old), you joined Mary McLeod Bethune in founding the National Council of Negro Women, and you have been there ever since,” said Dr. Dorothy Height during the community luncheon. The legendary women's rights advocate congratulated the Sorority for its pioneering work in areas of concern among African Americans, particularly education and health. "I urge you to continue on the path you are working but also to work to use our collective power on facing the challenges ahead." The women of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority paid tribute to their organization by engaging in community service. Three local community-based organizations service women – Strive DC, Our House, and the Community Action Group – were presented donated business suits, shoes, and money. A graduate from the Community Action Group, and now employee of Strive DC, thanked Zeta for its contributions, “I didn’t know I would be going back to work and thought I was useless when I first started the program,” said Valerie Nophlin. “You are fostering great womanhood among these women, and all they need is someone that cares.” Zeta Phi Beta Sorority was also thanked for its international community service in the continent of Africa. Jennifer Lartey, speaking on behalf of His Excellency Ambassador Fritz Kwabena Poku, Ambassador of Republic of Ghana, thanked the Sorority for installing metered water wells in remote villages in Ghana, and for contributing much-needed products like toiletries and food staples. “Your mission of action in deprived communities has led to you to commission a library, which will serve as a center for children to do their homework and receive tutoring. There will be better days ahead for women and children because of the work of Zeta Phi Beta," Lartey said. As part of the three-day celebration, Barbara C. Moore, Zeta Phi Beta’s International President, unveiled the Sorority’s refurbished headquarters to a crowd of hundreds. The blue ribbon-cutting ceremony concluded with a tour of the facilities. The nine-month, $2 million project provided a much-needed facelift for the historic building that has served as Zeta's home since its purchase in 1959. The celebration ended with a rousing ecumenical service led by Reverend Dr. Barbara L. King, founder and Minister of Hillside Chapel and Truth Center, Atlanta. The Sorority has challenged its members to increase its service around the world. "There continues to be a great need for the types of programming and collaboration that has been a part of Zeta Phi Beta's legacy," said Moore. "There is no greater cause than serving those in need and service is the essence of who we are as Zeta women." Zeta Phi Beta Sorority was founded in 1920 in Washington, D.C., on the belief that the social nature of sorority life should not overshadow the real mission of progressive organizations—to address societal mores, ills, prejudices, poverty, and health concerns of the day. The international organization's more than 125,000 initiated members and affiliates have given millions of voluntary hours to educate the public, provide scholarships, support organized charities and promote legislation for social and civic change. Zeta Phi Beta has more than 800 chapters in the United States and abroad. In addition to its membership of college-educated woman, the Zeta Phi Beta umbrella includes Amicae (adult women), Archonettes (teen girls), Amicettes (pre-teen girls), Pearlettes (elementary age girls), and the Zeta Male Network auxiliaries. For more information on the Sorority and its programs, please visit www.zphib1920.org.