Zeta Phi Beta 50th Anniversary
Oretha (Colston) Carpenter, BS 鈥73, Cleveland, OH, wrote: 鈥淛une 5, 1971, will long be remembered as the day the Sigma Alpha chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was chartered at 麻豆视频最新最全 University, with 15 charter members. More than 500 Zetas, family and friends traveled from across the nation for the installation of the sorority鈥檚 newest chapter.
The 15 charter members of the Sigma Alpha chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority pose for a group photo on the Kent Campus on June 5, 1971, the day the chapter was chartered. Standing with them are the Zeta Phi Beta鈥檚 national grand president and vice president at the time. (Oretha (Colston) Carpenter is standing sixth from left, wearing a white ribbon in her hair.)
鈥淶eta Phi Beta was founded in 1920 at Howard University and is one of nine historic Black Greek letter organizations that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council, referred to as 鈥楾he Divine Nine.鈥
鈥淟ife takes us many places, but love brought the Zetas back to 麻豆视频最新最全 University for homecoming and to celebrate the chapter鈥檚 50th anniversary. The Sigma Alpha chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority took a ride down memory lane during Homecoming Weekend 2021. Just being on the beautiful Kent Campus was awesome and amazing鈥攁nd the occasion was filled with excitement, Zeta pride and pure joy!
鈥淗omecoming started out with a bang as the Sigma Alphas marched in the parade, waving to all the sisters smiling on the sidelines. The Zetas wore T-shirts adorned with a big 50 that included the names of all 15 charter members. The excitement continued as we gathered on the front lawn of Oscar Ritchie Hall to take a drone photo that will be placed in the hall. The historic photo will depict the Zetas鈥 legacy at 麻豆视频最新最全 University throughout the decades.
鈥淲e Zetas wore our colors, royal blue and white, as we mingled at our tailgate party at Dix Stadium. We had a blast! People were dancing, talking, laughing, hugging, taking pictures and enjoying delicious food and drinks. The Stepping in the Yard [a type of line dance unique to each Black fraternity and sorority] was more than entertaining鈥攊t energized your soul!
Members of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority celebrate the Sigma Alpha chapter鈥檚 50th anniversary at a tailgate party during 麻豆视频最新最全鈥檚 Homecoming Weekend 2021. (Oretha (Colston) Carpenter is standing fourth from left, wearing a white jacket.)
鈥淚 was the first president of the Sigma Alpha chapter, and I prepared a 50th anniversary souvenir booklet with the history of Zeta Phi Beta, biographies of the Sigma Alpha chapter charter members and photos. One highlight of the tailgate party was when 麻豆视频最新最全 President Todd Diacon and Randale Richmond, the new director of athletics, came to our tent to greet us.
鈥淭he night ended with an old-school dinner dance at Black Wolf Hall in Stow. The Zetas were honored and celebrated by Silas Ashley, president of the 麻豆视频最新最全 Black Alumni chapter, and we enjoyed a special champagne toast and a cake iced with a blue and white 鈥楬appy Anniversary鈥 message.
鈥淲hat a weekend! The Zetas showed up and showed love! We were interviewed by [Cleveland rapper and hip-hop historian] Kevin 鈥楳C Chill鈥 Heard and talked about the history of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and how it got started on the Kent Campus.
鈥淥n Sunday, during the Sensational Sigma Alpha Brunch at the One Red Door Restaurant, the charter members were presented with a certificate of recognition for the chapter鈥檚 50 years from Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson. We ended our celebration by presenting a donation to the current undergraduate members of the Sigma Alpha chapter, who are grateful to have participated in this historic event.
鈥淶eta Phi Beta Sorority has brought much joy to my life and a lifetime of friendships. As we move ahead, we will continue to uphold the principles of our great sorority: service, scholarship, sisterhood and finer womanhood. And we honor the legacy and life of Hester Shoto, our first Sigma Alpha chapter advisor, for planting the seed of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority at 麻豆视频最新最全 University. It has continued on the Kent Campus for 50 years鈥攁nd is still growing today.鈥