Alpha Upsilon Zeta
Chapter History
Seven adventuresome women charted the Alpha Upsilon Zeta Chapter in Tallahassee on
February 16th, 1942. Keturah Whitehurst, Ruby Washington Brown, Jeannette H. Glover,
Aretha Johnson, Ruth Bates Orr, Anita P. Stewart, and Mazie Tyson were eager to share
the tenants of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. They began a search for women
they could embrace as sisters in the newly organized chapter. Within a few months,
there were more than a dozen brilliant, vibrant, and classy members of Alpha Upsilon
Zeta.
Since its propitious inception, the members of the chapter have always promoted worthy
causes such as human and civil rights, economic empowerment opportunities, abolition of
racial discrimination and prejudice; scholastic achievements; and accomplishments and efforts
in academic and technical sciences, creative and performing arts, and humanities. Over the
decades, Alpha Upsilon Zeta Chapter has established a rich heritage and legacy of excellence
continuing to maintain the highest standards of Scholarship, Sisterhood, Service, and the ideal
of Finer Womanhood.
Community outreach programs and projects have always been the hallmark of effective chapter
efforts throughout the decades. The chapter membership has advocated the efforts of action-
oriented groups and agencies, including the YWCA, NAACP, Urban League, Red Cross, Women's
Commission, March of Dimes, UNCF, NCNW, and the National Pan Hellenic Council.
The chapter has consistently won numerous awards and recognition for noteworthy projects
that have enriched and enhanced the lives of citizens in the Tallahassee community. Current
signature programs include sponsorship of the Stork’s Nest to help low-income pregnant
women; annual Finer Womanhood program to recognize the achievements of outstanding
members of the community; annual scholarships; and additional ongoing service programs
through its Z-HOPE (Zetas Helping Other People Excel) initiative.
Alpha Upsilon Zeta Chapter serves as the sponsor for two local undergraduate chapters:
Gamma Alpha Chapter at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and Rho Kappa
Chapter at Florida State University.
We believe all women can embrace who they are,
can define their future, and can change the world.
Our Mission
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. sought to address the societal mores, ills, prejudices and poverty affecting humanity that other organizations failed to acknowledge