Petition for a U.S. Stamp of THE founders of zeta phi beta sorority, inc.

We, the undersigned, respectfully request the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee to issue a U.S. stamp honoring the Founders of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. in commemoration of the organization’s centennial anniversary in 2020.

The five founders, Arizona Cleaver, Myrtle Tyler, Viola Tyler, Fannie Pettie and Pearl Anna Neal, were women who possessed a great deal of modesty, strength of character and pride in academic achievement. They set the standard of quality upon which Zeta Phi Beta was organized.

When the sorority was founded, the first World War had not been long ended. Against this background, the five pioneering Zeta Women launched the organization that would cement lifelong friendships, set academic standards, transform communities through volunteer services, and set precedents in the Greek-letter world as its history unfolded.

Arizona Cleaver (Stemons) was born in 1898 in Pike County, Missouri. She was educated in the public schools in Hannibal and did her graduate and postgraduate work at Howard University and the Pennsylvania School of Social Work. She worked in the field of social Work as an investigator at the Department of Public Assistance in Philadelphia. She died in March 1980.

Myrtle Tyler (Faithful) was born in 1901 in Flushing, Ohio. She was educated in the public schools of Ohio and graduated from Howard University. She taught high school math in Annapolis, MD. She died in April 1993.

Viola Tyler (Goings) was born in 1899 in Flushing, Ohio. She was educated in the public schools of Ohio and graduated from Howard University with a degree in math. She taught school in Springfield, OH. She died in March 1983.

Fannie Pettie (Watts) was born in 1899 in Perry, Georgia. She was educated in the Savannah, Georgia public school, attended Georgia State College and later graduated from Howard University with a degree in education. She taught junior and senior high school in Savannah and also worked as a social worker in Brooklyn, NY. She died in August 1995.

Pearl Anna Neal was born in ??? in Charlotte, NC. She graduated from Howard University Conservatory of Music, did graduate work in music at Julliard School of Music in New York, studied at the Chicago Music Institute and earned a master’s degree in music from Columbia University. She taught music in the Winston Salem, North Carolina public schools. She died in January 1978.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was founded January 16, 1920, at Howard University, Washington, D.C.

Since its inception, Zeta has continued its steady climb into the national spotlight with programs designed to demonstrate concern for the human condition both nationally and internationally. The organization has been innovative in that it has chronicled a number of firsts. It was the first National Pan-Hellenic Council organization to centralize its operations in a national headquarters, first to charter a chapter in Africa and the United Emirates, first to form auxiliary groups, and first to be constitutionally bound to a fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. The sorority takes pride in its continued participation in transforming communities through volunteer services from members and its auxiliaries. Zeta Phi Beta has chartered hundreds of chapters worldwide and has a membership of 125,000+.

Zeta‘s national and local programs include the endowment of its National Educational Foundation community outreach services and support of multiple affiliate organizations. Zeta chapters and auxiliaries have given untotaled hours of voluntary service to educate the public, assist youth, provide scholarships, support organized charities, and promote legislation for social and civic change.

As the sorority moves toward its centennial, it retains its original zest for excellence. It espouses the highest academic ideals and that has resulted in its members serving in groundbreaking roles in all fields of endeavor. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. is poised for perpetual service to mankind into her second century and beyond.