Zetas Think Pink! All Year

Is it pink enough for you? Pink just might replace black and orange for the month of October thanks to Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Pink is not just an October color for Zetas, though. After turquoise, it is probably the most loved and worn color for Zeta Tau Alphas!

ZTA alumnae and collegians across the world are "pinking out" their colleges and communities, collecting pink Yoplait lids, wearing and handing out pink ribbons, volunteering at Komen events, organizing countless fundraisers and so much more to promote breast cancer education and awareness.

In our own district, ZTA alumnae are busy doing their part too. The newly forming Flint Hills, KS alumnae chapter in Manhattan is passing out pink ribbons and BSE reminder stickers. The Lawrence, KS Area alumnae have started a partnership with their local Young Survivors Coalition to work together on fundraisers and awareness activities. Alumnae in Kansas City had a great showing at the city's Race for the Cure, and they are doing new and different things to collect pink lids. Mid-Missouri Zetas help the Alpha Psi collegians at Mizzou with their Rockin' for the Ribbon fundraiser, and Springfield alumnae held a Think Pink! garage sale. St. Louis ZTA alumnae focus on sports fans by handing out pink ribbons at Rams football games and Blues hockey games.

Without a doubt, Zetas are "learn[ing] the nobility of service". May the world be a little more pink under our influence!

The Days of Our Founding: Conclusion

"In the early spring of 1899 (before April) information was received which led to the selection of the name, Zeta Tau Alpha, the patron goddess Themis, the graceful shield-shaped pin which was first made in the large size, and other necessities found in the fraternity category. Upon the selection of a Greek name in 1899, Maud Jones was again chosen president.

The first constitution, adopted and used during the period of the Three Question Marks, was written by Maud Jones. The Historical Collection, on display at conventions, possesses the original Alpha chapter minute book which contains the final draft of this first official constitution and bylaws, in Maud Jones' handwriting.

Zeta Tau Alpha, through the influence of Grace Elcan, became the first women's fraternity to be chartered in the state of Virginia, and the only one ever to be granted a charter by a special act of the legislature. This act of incorporation brought the sorority prominently before the public, and placed it above any similar society in the state in legal standing.

This is only the beginning of Zeta Tau Alpha's long and historical life. Our nine Founders had as one of their purposes of founding Zeta Tau Alpha, 'the perpetuating of those friendships beyond college days.' This is still true today, for we are Zetas for life."

Happy 111th Founders Day!

The Days of Our Founding Continued (Part 3)

"A gift arrived that was to take its place in history. Strawberries, sent to Cammmie Jones, provided the inspiration for the first purely social gathering. They called it a 'strawberry feast'. It was at that party that the group decided, without a dissenting vote, to become recognized. With the decision to become recognized as one of the groups at the Normal, there was still no change int heir determination to select their name with meticulous care and appropriate meaning.

The Coleman girls received a box from home, sent by their father. It was a tub of choice oysters, 'the then-famous York River selects'. This gift decided the form of the announcement party, an oyster stew. Invitations would be sent to Kappa Delta and Sigma Sigma Sigma as soon as a temporary name could be decided upon. Despite the efforts of the group, the organization was no secret. A member of another group met some the new group while out walking The story goes that she superciliously raised her brows and, forming a question mark with her fingers, inquired 'who are you?' Simultaneously, the group replied with an inspired, 'Yes, Who? Who? Who?' and rushed to find the other girls, for they knew that the three question marks (???) would answer just then for a signature. The announcement party invitations read: 'The ??? will be delighted to receive the Kappa Delta and Sigma Sigma Sigma fraternities in the end room of Nursery Hall at 8:30 p.m.'

The oyster stew announcement party, held December 23, 1898, was highly successful. During the time before the adoption of the Greek name, three pledges were added. Odelle Warren Bonham, Grace Elcan Garnett and Ellen Baxter Armstrong became members on March 3, 1899.

To be continued...

The Days of Our Founding Continued (Part 2)

"The preamble of the first minute book of regular fraternity meetings begun in 1899 states clearly that Zeta Tau Alpha was organized on October 15, 1898, at the State Female Normal School. The minute book set forth definitely for the first time the colors, the flower and the motto, that latter being written out in Greek, and then translated. A badge, and most important, a name were yet to be selected. When they held their first secret meetings, many of them nocturnal and candle-lighted, they were intent, impressed, and not-a-little-scared young girls who knew what they wanted, but who discovered that the founding of a fraternity was not only thrilling but a challenging experience.

Alice Coleman said: 'We persistently avoided publicity and I well recall the clandestine meetings we first held. Several of us had rooms in Nursery Hall, so dubbed because of the youthfulness of the majority of us.'

It was impractical to hold meetings in members' rooms, so night after night, after lights were out, one by one they stole away to the bathroom, where, in huddled muffled council, they continued their planning. Alice Coleman remembered:

'There was scarcely room to squeeze in, much less turn around in, and besides a lack of space, there was a far greater difficulty to contend with. We were literally scared to death all the time for fear somebody's keen eye would discern the tiny flickering light which came from our one tallow candle and arouse the household with the cry of ghosts in the bathroom. Yes, we had to steal up the stairs one by one, looking like convicts instead of girls who were striving with all their might and main to establish a strong and loyal sisterhood that was destined to make its impression on the thousands who were to follow its loyal precepts and principles.'

To be continued...

The Days of Our Founding

On October 15, Zeta Tau Alphas around the world will celebrate our founding in 1898. It is often very hard for us to imagine what our founders were like and to truly appreciate what they did for us. I came across a great history that I want to share in the days leading up to October 15:

"The nine girls who completed the founding of Zeta Tau Alpha came from fine, established land-holding families that had progressed through post-war economic hardships and the Reconstruction. They seemed so mature, then so irrepressibly young. Money? No one had any. It took time to recover from a devastating war and to recoup the losses suffered when Confederate money became valueless.

These nine Founders were very young. Most of them were fifteen or sixteen years of age. They never lost sight of the purpose for which they were in Farmville; their college education. They had gaiety. They loved fun. They were in and out of pranks. They were popular. They were all endowed with rich family relationships. Cultural background continually shone through. There was always a quiet dignity.

Even though the girls were busy with their classes and school routine, there still remained hours not filled with school requirements. Zeta Tau Alpha came into being during those hours. In 1897 a small group had formed and this later became the pre-Zeta group. Maud Jones referred to it as 'our little crowd.' It was never given a name.

Maud Jones relates that for a 'year or more,' during 1897, many important 'consultations' were held by a group then numbering about 'a dozen.' Then 'one night in the left-hand corner of Professional Hall,' where Maud Jones lived, a meeting was held. They had trouble getting started, then someone proposed they elect a chairman. In a few minutes all the officers were elected. The wheels were set in motion and from then on procedure went forward with smoothness and dispatch. This first meeting was held long before October, 1898."

To be continued...