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"...remembering
always that the foundation precept of Zeta Tau Alpha was love, the
greatest of all things"
Zeta
Tau Alpha History
| Zeta Tau Alpha was founded
October 15, 1898
, by nine women at the
State
Female
Normal School
in
Farmville
,
Virginia
, which is now known as
Longwood
University
. Only 14-15 years of age, these young women desired permanence to
their friendships and hoped to perpetuate their sisterhood long
after college. Though dedicated to the formation of a Greek-letter
group, the band of nine delayed selecting a formal name. A temporary
name of "???" was taken when, as legend has it, a member
of another group met with the Founders. Raising her eyebrows and
forming her fingers in the shape of a question mark, she asked
"Who are you?" In unison, the group answered "Yes,
Who? Who? Who?" Thus, the group came to be known as
"???" while they sought an appropriate Greek name and
symbols.
During this time, the group received valuable assistance from two
of the members' brothers - Maud's brother, Plummer Jones, and
Frances Yancey Smith's brother Giles Mebane Smith. Both were
students at the
college
of
William
and Mary, members of men's Greek-letter organizations and
knowledgeable of Greek lore. |
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After
a year of careful contemplation, the group chose the formal name, Zeta
Tau Alpha, the patron goddess, Themis, and the badge. ZTA would be the
"first woman's fraternity to be chartered in the State of Virginia,
and the only one ever to be granted a charter by a special act of the
legislature." With the help of Senator Frank C. Moon, ZTA's charter
was drawn up and passed on
March 15, 1902
.
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Founders
Maud
Jones Horner, Died 1920
Della
Lewis Hundley, Died
July 12, 1951
Alice
Bland Coleman, Died
June 11, 1956
Mary
Jones Batte, Died
December 3, 1957
Alice
Grey Welsh, Died
June 21, 1960
Ethel
Coleman Van Name, Died
January 24, 1964
Helen
M. Crafford, Died
September 17, 1964
Frances
Yancey Smith, Died
April 23, 1977
Ruby
Leigh Orgain, Died
October 22, 1984 |
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