Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated was founded on the simple belief that sorority elitism and socializing should not overshadow the real mission for progressive organizations - to address societal mores, ills, prejudices, poverty, and health concerns of the day. Founded in 1920, Zeta began as an idea conceived by five collegiate ladies at Howard University in Washington D.C. It was the ideal of the Founders that the Sorority would reach college women in all parts of the country who were sorority minded and desired to follow the founding principles of the organization – Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood and Finer Womanhood.
Since its inception, the Sorority has chronicled a number of firsts. Zeta Phi Beta was the first African-American, Greek-letter organization to charter a chapter in Africa; to form adult and youth auxiliary groups; to centralize its operations in a national headquarters; and to be constitutionally bound to a fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated.
Zeta's international and local programs include endowment of its National Educational Foundation, community outreach services and support of multiple affiliate organizations. Zeta chapters and auxiliaries have given countless hours of voluntary service to educate the public, assist youth, provide scholarships, support organized charities and promote legislation for social and civic change. Over the years, Zeta Phi Beta has chartered hundreds of chapters and inducted thousands of women around the world. Zeta has continued to thrive and flourish while adapting to the ever-changing needs of the modern era.
The "Mighty" Southern Region was established in 1929 when Roberta F. Bell (Sims) was appointed the first Southern Regional Director and given the assignment of organizing a region to be comprised of Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama. From 1929 to 1934 Roberta organized new chapters in every section of the region. From this beginning, the "Mighty" Southern Region began to grow rapidly, and this trend continues today. The region grew so rapidly and became so large that eventually all states except Texas and Louisiana were reassigned to other regions.
The region is proud to have four Past International Presidents who have added and continue to add wisdom, guidance, and stability to the region. Lullelia Walker Harrison from Houston, Texas, was the 12th International President, Isabel Morgan Herson from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was the 16th International President, Dr. Barbara West Carpenter from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is the 21st International President and Mary Breaux Wright from Houston, Texas is the 24th International President of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
The "Mighty" Southern Region has made many contributions to Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, including introducing the Blue Revue Scholarship program to the sisterhood; the Finer Womanhood program and the Zeta Amicae Auxiliary, just to name a few.
The "Mighty" Southern Region is committed to the ideals of Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood and Finer Womanhood. The Zetas, Amicae and Youth of the "Mighty" Southern Region are "Engaged, Equipped and Empowered to Embrace the Extraordinary" under the leadership of Southern Regional Director, Ms. Rhetta Washington McCoy.