2023 House Resolution 18

Whereas, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, was founded on January 16, 1920, on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. on the founding principles of Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood and Finer Womanhood; and

Whereas, The founders of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, believed in the need for a new and different type of Greek-letter organization and acted upon that need. To these women, Zeta was more than an organization. It was a movement, a belief system that reflected, at its core, the desire to provide true Service, to embrace Scholarship, to set a standard for Sisterly Love and to define the noble concept of Finer Womanhood. This belief has sustained and encouraged Zetas around the world to hold fast to the ideals initiated and developed by its earliest members; and

Whereas, The five founders of Zeta, Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Pearl Anna Neal, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Viola Tyler Goings, and Fannie Pettie Watts were strong, principled coeds who possessed a great deal of modesty, strength of character and pride in academic achievement. The Founders, the Five Pearls, are indeed a worthy foundation upon which to base the illustrious Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.; and

Whereas, These five coeds envisioned a sorority which would directly affect positive change, chart a course of action for the 1920s and beyond, raise the community’s consciousness, encourage the highest standards of scholastic achievement, and foster a greater sense of unity among its members; and

Whereas, These women believed that sorority elitism and socializing overshadowed the real mission for progressive organizations and failed to address fully the societal mores, ills, prejudices, and poverty affecting humanity in general and the black community in particular; and

Whereas, Since its inception, Zeta has continued its steady climb into the national and international spotlight with programs designed to demonstrate concern for the human condition. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated is honored to have formed many wonderful community-based partnerships over the past 103 years. Community service programs called Z-HOPE™ (Zetas Helping Other People Excel) include the National Educational Foundation, the Elder Care Initiative, Stork’s Nest, March of Dimes, Adopt-A-School, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Micha’s Voice, International Women of Color, Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Women Veterans Rock, and Zeta Sings the Blues; and

Whereas, The organization has been innovative in that it has chronicled a number of firsts. It was the first National Pan-Hellenic Council organization to centralize its operations in a national headquarters, first to charter a chapter in Africa, first to form auxiliary groups, and first to be constitutionally bound to a fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; and

Whereas, The sorority takes pride in its continued participation in transforming communities through volunteer services from members and its auxiliaries. Zeta Phi Beta has chartered hundreds of chapters worldwide and has a membership of over 100,000; and

Whereas, Sorority members from Michigan have contributed to the deep centennial history of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. In 1941, the Omega Alpha Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, was established at Wayne State University in Detroit. In 1943, Soror Mary Watson Stewart of Detroit became the Central Regional Director for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated; and

Whereas, In 1947, the sorority’s regions were reorganized and renamed. The Great Lakes Region was created and Michigan was included; and

Whereas, In 1958, Founder Myrtle Tyler Faithful was present as her daughter, Frances Faithful, became a charter member of Zeta Beta Zeta Chapter in Flint, Michigan; and

Whereas, Soror Ione Hartley Gibson of Beta Omicron Zeta Chapter of Detroit, served as Associate Director for the Great Lakes region from 1955 to 1960. Soror Frances Faithful of Zeta Beta Zeta of Flint served as the next Associate Director from 1960 to 1962. Both were appointed by Great Lakes Regional Director, Soror Margaret Irby; and

Whereas, The official Michigan State Organization for the sorority was born under the leadership of Soror Ione Hartley Gibson as State Director. It was Soror Ione Hartley Gibson who initiated the first State Meeting in 1967, with four chapters, Beta Omicron Zeta, Zeta Beta Zeta, Zeta Nu Zeta, and Zeta Omega Zeta; and

Whereas, The Michigan State Organization of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, under the leadership of State Director Lynese Thomas, continues to provide Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood, and Finer Womanhood to the great state of Michigan, as an integral part of the Great Lakes Region with eighteen Graduate Chapters, thirteen Undergraduate Chapters, seven Amicae Auxiliaries and 10 Youth Affiliates (Archonettes, Amicettes, and Pearlettes); and

Whereas, The Michigan State Organization of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, is committed to preserving the historical summer resort cottage in Idlewild, Michigan, called Birch Haven. In 1937, Soror Violette Neatley Anderson, the first African-American woman to practice law in the state of Illinois, the first African-American woman to be admitted to practice before for the Supreme Court of the United States and the eighth Grand Basileus of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, bequeathed the Michigan cottage to the sorority; and

Whereas, In September 2005, Ione Hartley Gibson who served as the Great Lakes Regional Director from 1962 to 1969 was honored with a room dedicated to her memory at Birch Haven. Soror Gibson served Zeta Phi Beta Sorority in multiple capacities, including resident agent to Birch Haven; and

Whereas, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. has entered the 103rd year of its Finer legacy, it retains its original zest for excellence, never tiring in their efforts as a community-conscious, action-oriented organization dedicated to transforming the lives of others. Zeta represents diverse careers ranging from businesswomen, elected officials, educators, doctors, nurses, military, and attorneys. The sisterhood is strong and cannot be broken. In the “Year of the International Woman” Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. is poised to “Embrace The Swell” by providing service, world-wide wellness, extraordinary leadership and legacy at home and abroad; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body honor the one hundred and third anniversary of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, and declare January 16, 2023, as Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Founders’ Day in the state of Michigan; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to Dr. Stacie N.C. Grant, 26th International President & CEO of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, to Keisha Smith, the Great Lakes Regional Director for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, and to Lynese Thomas, Director, Michigan State Organization, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, at the national headquarters for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.