The Zeta Phi Beta Sorority
A lifelong community of strong women
Photo courtesy of USFWS Mountain-Prairie/Flickr
The Zeta sisters can commonly be found giving back to the community in an array of activities, such as food volunteering and litter pick-up.
The Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, though currently inactive, is a sorority present on the SUNY Geneseo campus and looking to induct students interested in advocating for their cause. Founded in January of 1920, with the Geneseo chapter (Zeta Iota) founded on Apr. 21, 1979, this organization has a longstanding presence on campus, and has involved hundreds of women over the years under their shared pursuit of the sorority’s values: “Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood, and Finer Womanhood.”
This sorority is a longstanding Divine Nine (D9) organization, which is a historically Black fraternity or sorority looking to promote community with those traditionally excluded from activity. The Zeta sorority, like many other D9 organizations, is a lifelong commitment, hoping to transition its members from the collegiate chapter to their graduate chapter in the pursuit of community embracement and dedication.
The Lamron sat down with Carla Facey, an alumna of the class of ‘94 who became a Zeta sister in the spring of 1993 and is a member of the Psi Omega Zeta chapter of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. During these interviews, Facey illuminated the inner workings of the sorority and her experience both on and off campus, commenting on how the communities she created and participated in became an essential part of her life, the majority of which she has dedicated to community service.
Facey made sure to explain the values of the Zeta sisters, saying that while scholarship, service, and sisterhood apply to all sororities in the D9, they distinguish themselves in their commitment to finer womanhood. Facey described the Zetas’ value of “Finer Womanhood” as “carry[ing] yourself in high regard.” This doesn’t mean to try to be perfect everyday, but rather encourages sisters to be mindful and observant of themselves and their presentation. It is essential to be a guide, a teacher that inspires others to follow you, where “You build people up, but you also don't let people [take advantage of] yourself…of your character, [in general and] when there might be some difficult situations.”
The life of a Zeta is dedicated to community engagement and working to better those around you while enhancing the future of this community through initiatives, conversation, and various yearly seminars.
She spoke of how during her time at Geneseo, the small community of Zeta sisters—five in total—and other student alliances on campus created a tight-knit community that aided one another and the community at large. She reflected fondly on various initiatives in her time on campus like clean-ups or aid efforts, reminiscing about the bonds she made in these instances: “[our service] was really just whatever the need was, you know? There wasn't anything specific that we did, but we just made sure we served.”
Further commenting on these efforts, Facey noted that as she has transitioned to the graduate chapter, new features have been implemented like “Zhope, which is Zetas helping other people excel.” In this initiative, Zetas have been focused on community engagement that “involved women, children, seniors, men, international students” to offer any needed support.
She also spoke of the good that came from the initiatives and engagements she has been a part of since, saying that she is focused on serving her sisters and community. To Facey, the pursuit of a better tomorrow through aid is essential. Through her service in the sorority, attending various conferences, overseeing the upstate New York area's multiple graduate and undergraduate chapters, and continuing to engage with the community through outreach, Facey is a testament to this sorority’s values.
In the words of Facey: “[Zeta Phi Beta is] open to everyone, we would love the support. It's fine to just come and ask questions, even though it may seem a little intimidating.” Facey and other sisters can be found on occasion in the Multicultural Center tabling at events, or holding recruitment events of their own. She continued, saying, “support [through] following us on social media [is essential]...there's always someone you can contact to get in touch with us.” One way is via their instagram page @zetaiota_zetas. Facey reiterated that it is essential to “have an open mind and know not to take things from face value—to know that there's more beyond the outside.”
The Zeta sisters are looking for new members and are hopeful that individuals will come along to help this sorority out of its current provisional status. Regardless of when you’re reading this, know the Zetas are more than willing to talk with you; they are always looking to expand their sisterhood to anyone willing, and are hopeful for the next generation of SUNY Geneseo Zeta sisters. Please reach out for more information and help to rekindle this historic sisterhood. In a time where community engagement and service is becoming a necessity, looking towards groups which bolster such participation is vital in ensuring the best tomorrow for all those in and around our communities.