| ZTA History |
| Zeta Tau Alpha was founded on October 15, 1898 by nine women who wanted to maintain their bonds of friendship, and to perpetuate their sisterhood long after their college years. Our founder's were 14 and 15 years old and attended the State Female Normal School, now known as Longwood College, in Farmville, Virginia. Before selecting the name Zeta Tau Alpha, the nine young women went by the temporary name of "???". During this period they were assisted by Giles Mebane Smith, and Plummer Jones, brothers of founders Francis Yancey Smith and Maud Jones Horner. Giles and Plummer, were member's of a men's greek-letter organization at the College of William and Mary, and were very knowledgeable in the Greek Lore. They helped the nine women in chosing the formal name, the patron goddess, and the badge. Today, Zeta Tau Alpha is the third largest national greek women's organization and is over 100 years old. Chartered on March 15, 1902, ZTA has continued to extended the founder's ideals into seeking higher goals in sisterhood, scholarship, and service. The mission statement of Zeta Tau Alpha explains what we strive for the best: "The mission of Zeta Tau Alpha is to make a difference in the lives of our membership by developing the potential of each individual through visonary programming which emphasizes leadership development, service to others, academic success, and continued personal growth for women with the commitment to friendship and the future based on the values and traditions of the past." Zeta was not organized to be connected to a men's fraternity, and therefore has no "brother fraternity." The nine founders wanted to seperate themselves and their sisterhood from the organizations formed for the direct purpose of being conneted with fraternites, known as "sororites." They referred to Zeta as a Fraternity and since then it has been known as one. Each Zeta Sister continues her sisterhood throughout her lifetime, just as the nine founders did, by joining alumnae chapters and assisting in the collegiate chapters. Most sisters will tell you that "Zeta is Forever" and that is truly what our founder's wished Zeta Tau Alpha to be. |
 |
 |