Happy Founders Day to the Zeta Phi Beta sorority! On this day in 1920 on the campus of the famed Howard University, five young women, also known as the “five pearls,” would begin the historically black Greek-lettered sorority that has grown international in scope.
Later, Myrtle Tyler, Gladys Warrington, Joanna Houston, Josephine F. Johnson and L.O. Goldia Smith would incorporate the sorority in 1923 in Washington. Like many similar organizations, Zetas count amongst their ranks many notable names in the world of entertainment, business, education and other fields.
Hip-HopWired takes a look at 13 Zeta Phi Beta sorority sisters you should know. If we’ve missed any you think we should have named, let us know in the comments.
NOTE: Using the information found on the Zeta Phi Beta homepage, we named the group of women who are listed as the incorporators of Zeta Phi Beta.
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Photos: Wikipedia, WNBA, Glamour, U.S. Library of Congress, Epic Records, Biography.com, William P. Gottlieb, syleenamusic.com, DionneWarwick.us, Seattle Times, CBS, Huffington Post, WNBA, aesispeakers.com, Fleer
Sheryl Underwood
The comedienne and The Talk co-host has been repping the blue and white strong for years.
Zora Neale Hurston
The author became most known for her 1937 book, Their Eyes Were Watching God.
Minnie Ripperton
The vocalist and mother of actress-comedienne Maya Rudolph had one of most angelic voices ever.
Esther Rolle
Ms. Rolle was best known for her role as Florida Evans for the hit sitcom, Good Times.
Sarah Vaughn
The legendary Jazz singer was one of the most celebrated artists of her time.
Syleena Johnson
The R&B starlet is still releasing music and dropped a duet LP with Musiq Soulchild last year titled 9INE.
Dionne Warwick
The “Walk On By” singer is nominated for a Grammy for her pop album, Now.
Wendy Palmer
Standing at 6 ft 2, Wendy Palmer was an imposing force for several teams in her WNBA career. Now she coaches the women’s team at the University of North Carolina Greensboro.
Ja’Net Dubois
A veteran actress who got her start in the late 1960s, Ja’Net Dubois is best known for playing Willona Woods on the Good Times sitcom.
Demya Walker
Currently starring for the WNBA’s New York Liberty Squad, Demya Walker was a standout player for the University of Virginia women’s basketball squad.
Towanda Braxton
The young sister of singer Toni Braxton, Towanda Braxton enjoys fame as part of the cast of WE TV reality series, Braxton Family Values.
Camille Cooper
Another WNBA member, Camille Cooper was a first round pick in 2001 for the Los Angeles Sparks.
Tonea Stewart
Actress Tonea Stewart recently appeared in creepy TV series American Horror Story. She also a university professor who taught at Jackson State and Alabama State Universities.
