Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was founded on Friday, January 16, 1920, on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. as the sister organization to Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.  Five co-ed women - Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Pearl Anna Neal, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Viola Tyler Goings,  and Fannie Pettie Watts, chose not to embrace the tenets of established black sororities, and established Zeta Phi Beta Sorority 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 ideal of finer womanhood.  A private nonprofit organization, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority is incorporated in Washington, D.C. and the state of Illinois.

Since its inception, the sorority has chronicled a number of “firsts” among the established black sororities.  In addition to being the only organization constitutionally bound to a fraternity, the sorority was the first to charter international chapters in West Africa and Germany; to form adult and youth auxiliary groups, the Amicae, Archonettes, Amicettes, and Pearlettes; and to organize its internal affairs within a central, national office, administered by a paid staff.

Zeta Phi Beta’s purpose is to foster the ideals of service, charity, scholarship, civic and cultural endeavors, sisterhood, and finer womanhood.  These ideals are reflected in the sorority’s national programs for which its members and auxiliary groups provide numerous hours of voluntary service to staff community outreach programs, scholarships, support organized charities, and promote legislation for social and civic change.