Senate Concurrent Resolution 559

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE WOMEN OF ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY, INC., UPON THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF ITS FOUNDING AND FOR DEMONSTRATING 100 YEARS OF COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL ACTIVISM, ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT TO THE NATION AND TO THE GREAT STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., was founded on January 16, 1920, on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., by five conscientious young women, celebrated as the Honorable Arizona Cleaver Stemons, the Honorable Pearl Anna Neal, the Honorable Myrtle Tyler Faithful, the Honorable Viola Tyler Goings and the Honorable Fannie Pettie Watts, and respectfully known as the Five Pearls; and

WHEREAS, as the sorority moves toward its Zeta Centennial Celebration this year, it retains its original zest for excellence, espousing the highest academic ideals which have resulted in its members serving in groundbreaking roles in all fields of endeavor, and poised for perpetual service to mankind into its second century and beyond as it continues its steady ascent into the national spotlight with programs designed to demonstrate concern for the human condition both nationally and internationally; and

WHEREAS, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., are the only National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations that can claim an authentic brother-sister association through a constitutional bond, which allows both organizations to work closely together as they attempt to materialize what their founders envisioned through a deep and abiding dedication to enhancing and promoting systematic fellowship, African-American self-determination, justice, equal rights and service to all humankind; and

WHEREAS, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., boasts numerous collegiate and alumnae chapters within the State of Mississippi, as well as more than 125,000 members in 800 chapters located around the world, the dream of the Five Pearls materialized in Clarksdale, Mississippi, in the early 1960s, during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, living in their houses by the side of the road, while creating a lasting friendship to man, which would eventually lead to the founding of the Zeta Psi Zeta Chapter on June 26, 1967, by charter founders, Bertha Blackburn, who served as the chapter's first basileus and founder of the Debutante Society, Annie Ingram, Lois Edwards, Myrtis Harris, Willie Martin, Annie Ingram, Delores Nolen and Cloitel Fluker; and

WHEREAS, Zeta Phi Beta realizes its mission by providing an extensive array of public service through the sorority's programs, including, among other programs: the endowment of its National Educational Foundation; the Elder Care Initiative; Stork's Nest; Zeta Prematurity Awareness Program; Adopt-A-School; and Z-HOPE; and

WHEREAS, over the past 100 years, members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., have led countless initiatives addressing a variety of crucial issues, including voting rights, affordable health care, financial literacy, economic empowerment, support for historically black colleges and universities, political awareness and involvement, gender equality and racial profiling; and

WHEREAS, since its inception, Zeta has been innovative in that it has chronicled a number of firsts, which include being: the first National Pan-Hellenic Council organization to centralize its operations in a national headquarters; the first to charter a chapter in Africa; the first to form auxiliary groups; and first to be constitutionally bound to a fraternity; and

WHEREAS, the members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., as well as those of its Amicae and Youth Auxiliaries, have given unselfishly of their time, talents, and energies to build stronger communities through the implementation of programs that positively impact human health and the environment, both at home and abroad; and

WHEREAS, it is most appropriate to acknowledge and commend the women of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., who continue to be excellent examples of commitment to their communities:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the women of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., upon the Centennial Anniversary of its founding and for demonstrating 100 years of commitment to social activism, academic excellence and civic engagement to the nation and to the great State of Mississippi, and extend the best wishes of the Legislature on this auspicious occasion.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the leadership of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.