The Founders Known as the Five Pearls

Arizona Cleaver Stemons

Arizona Cleaver served as the first president of the Alpha Chapter and later as the first National

President of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. She pursued graduate and post-graduate

studies in social work and played a pivotal role in chartering numerous undergraduate and

graduate chapters throughout the United States.

Pearl Anna Neal

After earning her degree from Howard University's Conservatory of Music, Pearl Neal continued

her education at the prestigious Juilliard School of Music. In 1938, she became the first Black

woman in New York to receive a master's degree in music from Columbia University. An

accomplished musician and educator, Founder Neal taught music in North Carolina's public

schools and served as director of senior music majors at Teachers College in Winston-Salem,

North Carolina.

Myrtle Tyler Faithful

Myrtle Tyler, the second National President of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and the sister of the Founder

Viola Tyler dedicated her career to education as a high school mathematics and English

teacher. She was an active member of the Alpha Zeta Chapter in Baltimore, Maryland, where

she continued to uphold the ideals of scholarship and service.

Viola Tyler Goings

Viola Tyler graduated from Howard University with a degree in education and a major in

mathematics. She taught in Ohio for many years and remained deeply engaged in civic and

community affairs, embodying Zeta's principles of leadership, service, and academic excellence.

Fannie Pettie Watts

Fannie Pettie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Howard University and went

on to teach in junior and senior high schools in Savannah, Georgia. She was instrumental in

organizing two additional Zeta chapters and maintained active membership in Delta Alpha Zeta

Chapter, demonstrating lifelong devotion to the Sorority's mission.

The First Initiates

While five women founded Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, many others initially expressed

interest in joining the new sisterhood. Some hesitated due to the Sorority's high academic

standards, while others could not afford the initiation fee, modest by today's measure.

Soon, however, the light of Zeta, illuminated by the Five Pearls, inspired twenty-five women to

seek membership. Of these, four—Gladys Warrington, Harriet Dorsey, Pauline Phillips, and

Nellie Singfield—became the Sorority's first initiates, forming the second pledge class.

Zeta Phi Beta quickly earned top scholastic honors on the Howard University campus when

Pauline Phillips graduated summa cum laude, establishing a tradition of academic excellence

that continues to define Zeta women across generations.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated's motto: "A community-conscious, action-oriented

organization".