About ZTA
the history
Zeta Tau Alpha was founded on October 15th, 1898 at the State Female Normal School, which later became Longwood College, in Farmville, Virginia. These women wanted to create an organization which would promote a bond of sisterhood that would last far beyond their college years. They temporarily called themselves the "???"; when asked who they were the women responded with "Yes, Who? Who? Who?" After vigilant consideration, the women decided on the Greek name of Zeta Tau Alpha. With the help of Virginia's Senator Frank C. Moon, the ZTA charter was drawn up and passed through a special act of legislature in 1902.
Today Zeta Tau Alpha is the third largest sorority nationally and has opened chapters at over 235 collegiate campuses. In 1917, the Psi Chapter at the University of Washington was the 25th collegiate chapter to be chartered.
the founders
- Maud Jones Horner, Died August 20, 1920
- Della Lewis Hundley, Died July 12, 1951
- Alice Bland Coleman, Died June 11, 1956
- Mary Jones Batte, Died December 3, 1957
- Alice Grey Welsh, Died June 21, 1960
- Ethel Coleman Van Name, Died January 24, 1964
- Helen M. Crafford, Died September 17, 1964
- Frances Yancey Smith,Died April 23, 1977
- Ruby Leigh Orgain, Died October 22, 1984
the creed
"To realize that within our grasp, in Zeta Tau Alpha, lies the opportunity to learn those things which will ever enrich and ennoble our lives; to be true to ourselves, to those within and without our circle; to think in terms of all mankind and our service in the world; to be steadfast, strong, and clean of heart and mind, remembering that since the thought is father to the deed, only that which we would have manifested in our experience should be entertained in thought; to find satisfaction in being, rather than seeming, thus strengthening in us the higher qualities of the spirit; to prepare for service and learn the nobility of serving, thereby earning the right to be served; to seek understanding that we might gain true wisdom; to look for the good in everyone; to see beauty, with its enriching influence; to be humble in success, and without bitterness in defeat; to have the welfare and harmony of the Fraternity at heart, striving ever to make our lives a symphony of high ideals, devotion to the right, the good, and the true, without a discordant note; remembering always that the foundation precept of Zeta Tau Alpha was love, "the greatest of all things." - Shirley Kreasan Strout
the symbols
In the late 1800s, an admirer of one of ZTA's Founders, Mary Campbell Jones (Batte), sent her a gift of strawberries.
The scrumptious present prompted the group of nine friends to host their first purely social gathering and to become officially
recognized as a campus organization.
The flower of the Fraternity, chosen by Founder Ruby Leigh Orgain, is the white violet.
Only initiated members may use this in any manner, which is dignified and in good taste. The ritualistic meaning of the Coat of Arms is secret and is revealed to each member at the time of her Initiation.
The colors of Zeta Tau Alpha are turquoise blue and steel gray