Zeta Tau Alpha

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Zeta Tau Alpha ΖΤΑ
Open Motto: Seek the Noblest
Nicknames: ZTA, Zeta
The Coat of Arms
Founded:	October 15, 1898 at Longwood University (Farmville, Virginia)
Founders:	Maud Jones Horner Della Lewis Hundley Alice Bland Coleman Mary Jones Batte Alice Grey Welsh Ethel Coleman Van Name Helen M. Crafford Frances Yancey Smith Ruby Leigh Orgain
Members	About 187,000 Members
Official Philanthropy:	Breast Cancer Education and Awareness
Official Colors:	Turquoise Blue and Steel Gray
Official Flower:	White Violet
Official Symbol:	Five-Pointed Crown and Strawberry
Zeta Tau Alpha Website

Zeta Tau Alpha (ΖΤΑ) is a women's fraternity, founded October 15, 1898 at what used to be the Normal School for Girls but is now known as Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia. The Executive office is located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Zeta Tau Alpha is the third largest National Panhellenic Group with over 187,000 initiated members and 237 chapters. Zeta Tau Alpha considers itself, officially, a women's fraternity not a sorority.

1 History
2 The Creed of Zeta Tau Alpha
3 Philanthropy
4 Notable alumnae
5 Chapters
6 External link

[edit] History

Zeta Tau Alpha was founded by nine young women: Maud Jones Horner, Della Lewis Hundley, Alice Bland Coleman, Mary Jones Batte, Alice Grey Welsh, Ethel Coleman Van Name, Helen May Crafford, Frances Yancey Smith and Ruby Leigh Orgain.

[edit] The Creed of Zeta Tau Alpha

To realize that within our grasp, in Zeta Tau Alpha, lies the opportunity to learn those things which will ever enrich and ennoble our lives; to be true to ourselves, to those within and without our circle; to think in terms of all mankind and our service in the world; to be steadfast, strong, and clean of heart and mind, remembering that since the thought is father to the deed, only that which we would have manifested in our experience should be entertained in thought; to find satisfaction in being, rather than seeming, thus strengthening in us the higher qualities of the spirit; to prepare for service and learn the nobility of serving, thereby earning the right to be served; to seek understanding that we might gain true wisdom; to look for the good in everyone; to see beauty, with its enriching influence; to be humble in success, and without bitterness in defeat; to have the welfare and harmony of the Fraternity at heart, striving ever to make our lives a symphony of high ideals, devotion to the right, the good, and the true, without a discordant note; remembering always that the foundation precept of Zeta Tau Alpha was love, “the greatest of all things.” -- Shirley Kreasan Strout

[edit] Philanthropy

Zeta Tau Alpha's National Philanthropy is Breast Cancer Education, Research, and Awareness.

In 1992, Zeta Tau Alpha adopted Susan G. Komen for the Cure as its national philanthropy. In addition to Zeta's focus on the Komen, the fraternity also supports other educational means dedicated to fighting breast cancer through education, awareness and promoting breast health. Alumnae and collegiate chapters devote their service to Komen Race for the Cure, Courage Night, THINK-PINK!, Yoplait, and other local philanthropies that support the cause.

In the fall of 1999, the Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha developed a new community service project based on the already successful THINK-PINK!® campaign by getting involved with their local NFL team, the Washington Redskins. At the first Redskins home game in October, ZTA collegians and alumnae from the metropolitan Washington D.C. area joined together to distribute 8,000 THINK-PINK!® ribbons to fans, stadium employees and even the team owner. In the year 2000, ZTA expanded the program with NFL events in Indianapolis, Miami, New York and again at Washington D.C., distributing over 85,000 ribbons. In 2001, the association with the NFL spread tripled to 12 teams with support from the general office of the NFL and the ZTA Foundation. That year, new ribbon-stickers were introduced. The program continued in 2002 in nine NFL cities and with one NBA team. To date, ZTA chapters have worked with more than a dozen teams to participate in the ZTA THINK-PINK!® campaign, reaching more than 500,000 football fans across the country. For the future, this program promises to continue its growth in spreading awareness.

[edit] Notable alumnae

For a full list of notable Zeta Tau Alpha alumnae please visit here. [1]

Erin Andrews (Gamma Iota) - ESPN reporter, Member of the Gator basketball dance team from 1997- 2000
Susan Ford Bales (Alpha Upsilon) - Spokesperson for the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month; Co-chairman for the Capitol Council for Early Detection.
Brigadier General Margaret A. Brewer, U.S.M.C. (Alpha Gamma) - First Woman General of the United States Marine Corps.
Phyllis George (Gamma Phi) - Miss America 1971; Emmy Award winning television host and sportscaster (The NFL Today); Author (Kentucky Crafts)
Betty Buckley (Gamma Psi) - Tony Award winning theater, film, and television actress; (Cats (musical), Eight is Enough, Tender Mercies)
Faith Daniels (Theta) - Reporter and News personality; (48 Hours, Sunday Morning, The Today Show, CBS Morning News, A Closer Look)
Lynda Bird Johnson Robb (Kappa) - Daughter of Lyndon B. Johnson, wife of Charles Robb, Vice President of the L.B.J. Company.
Dr. Ellen Taaffe Zwilich (Beta Gamma) - First female to win the Pulitzer Prize in music and to receive a doctorate in music composition from Juilliard.