Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., a leading women’s service organization, continues its international growth with the chartering of Gamma Alpha Mu Zeta Chapter in the British Virgin Islands on Sept. 28.
The organization, which is headed by Valarie Hollingsworth Baker, international president, has more than 125,000 members and operates with more than 850 chapters in North America, Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, Africa and the Middle East, stands on the principles of scholarship, service, sisterhood and finer womanhood.
The chapter in the British Virgin Islands will be the third graduate chapter joining the State of the Virgin Islands Chapter, which has chapters on St. Croix and St. Thomas. Etta L. Pickering-Mitchell, V.I. state director, said, “With the chartering of Gamma Alpha Mu Zeta Chapter in the British Virgin Islands, it is the organization’s goal to ensure that community concerns are addressed and Zeta Phi Beta will take advantage of opportunities to collaborate with other reputable non-profit organizations to host awareness activities as well as provide much needed services to the territory. This is truly a historical moment not only for the sorority, but for the State of the Virgin Islands.”
Gamma Alpha Mu Zeta’s Sasha Flax, chapter president, said, “I am overjoyed that the gift that is Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. is coming to the British Virgin Islands. Now, more than ever is a time of interaction and inclusion in the territory as we continue to recover from hurricanes Irma and Maria. We would like to work as a chapter to contribute as catalysts for positive change.”
The other charter members are: Ki Melissa Amey, Melrona George, Aisha Hill, Lestene Maduro, Shanique Thompkins and Bernice Wheatley.
Zeta Phi Beta was founded in 1920 on the belief that the social nature of sorority life should not overshadow the real mission for progressive organizations to address societal mores, ills, prejudices, poverty and health concerns of the day. Chapters across the globe have volunteered millions of hours through community service and the nationally recognized Zetas Helping Other People Excel (ZHOPE) programs to educate the public, provide scholarships, support organized charities, and promote legislation for social and civic change.
