Zeta Tau Alpha
Zeta Tau Alpha (ΖΤΑ), known as Zeta, is an international women’s fraternity founded on October 15, 1898, at the State Female Normal School in Farmville, Virginia (now Longwood University). Its goal is to foster friendship and noble womanhood. The national office is in Carmel, Indiana, and it’s a member of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC). Today, ZTA has about 312,000 initiated members, with 174 active collegiate chapters, 233 active alumnae chapters, and a virtual alumnae chapter called ZTAlways.
- Founding and history: It was started by nine students—Maud Jones Horner, Della Lewis Hundley, Alice Bland Coleman, Mary Campbell Jones Batte, Alice Grey Welsh, Ethel Coleman Van Name, Helen May Crafford, Frances Yancey Smith, and Ruby Leigh Orgain. It was one of the Farmville Four, the earliest women’s fraternities on campus, after Kappa Delta, Sigma Sigma Sigma, and Alpha Sigma Alpha. The group adopted the name Zeta Tau Alpha in 1899. Virginia gave it a charter in 1902. The first national convention was in 1903, and the fraternity joined the NPC in 1909.
- Symbols and values: ZTA’s colors are turquoise blue and steel gray; the flower is the white violet; the primary symbol is a five-pointed crown, with the strawberry as a secondary symbol. The patron goddess is Themis, symbolizing divine justice, and the motto is “Seek the Noblest.” The organization’s publication is Themis, and the creed adopted in 1928 guides members.
- Purpose and philanthropy: ZTA emphasizes nine core values: Lifelong Learning, Leadership, Responsibility, Being Rather Than Seeming, Service & Philanthropy, Seeking Understanding for True Wisdom, Humility, Loyalty & Commitment, and Love. The Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation, established in 1954, funds scholarships and breast cancer education and awareness. The fraternity partners with groups such as the American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen (historically), the NFL, and Bright Pink to promote breast cancer awareness and education.
- Programs and leadership: Chapters have pins and honors for service and leadership. Leadership training is offered through Emerging Leaders Academy and Officers’ Leadership Academy, with leadership consultants providing support. The national convention is held every two years; in 2024, ZTA celebrated 125 years at an event in Indianapolis.
- Diversity and recruitment: In 2021, ZTA eliminated the legacy policy, removing preferential treatment for members with family in the fraternity to promote fair recruitment for all potential new members.
- Structure and operations: ZTA operates as three organizations—the Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity, the Zeta Tau Alpha Housing Corporation, and the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation. Volunteers and staff at the international office in Carmel, Indiana support chapters and programs, with leadership consultants helping chapters during major events.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 13:51 (CET).