108-638: Zeta Tau Alpha (known as ΖΤΑ or Zeta ) is an international women's fraternity founded on October 15, 1898 at the State Female Normal School (now Longwood University ) in Farmville, Virginia . Its International Office is located in Carmel, Indiana . It is a member of the National Panhellenic Conference and currently has more than 300,000 initiated members. This women's fraternity
216-519: A control group . In April 2010, Komen partnered with fast food restaurant chain KFC to offer "Buckets for the Cure," a promotion in which fried and grilled chicken was sold in pink, branded buckets. The collaboration was criticized by media outlets, including The Colbert Report and Bitch magazine , and raised questions about promoting unhealthy eating habits. KFC contributed over $ 4.2 million to Komen,
324-565: A $ 250,000 matching grant from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and a $ 250,000 gift from a foundation run by the CEO of Bonanza Oil Co. in Dallas to replace the lost funding. Four days later, Komen's board of directors reversed the decision and announced that it would amend the policy to "make clear that disqualifying investigations must be criminal and conclusive in nature and not political.". Several top-level staff members resigned from Komen during
432-534: A 64% raise. Komen said the last CEO salary hike had taken place in November 2010. Charity Navigator continued to give Komen favorable overall ratings based on figures Komen had declared to the IRS, but Charity Navigator president and CEO Ken Berger called this compensation "extremely high".. This pay package is way outside the norm. It's about a quarter of a million dollars more than what we see for charities of this size. This
540-407: A ZTA. The chapter guard is the only pin allowed to be attached to the badge and the badge may not be turned into jewelry or set with more than 2 stones. ZTA has no official jewel or gemstone . New members may wear a turquoise and silver carpenter square pin, which was adopted as the new member pin in the 1910 National Convention. The new member pin is returned upon initiation. Members may also wear
648-515: A bid to ΖΤΑ , members receive a set of turquoise and blue ribbons adorned on a pin to wear before receiving the New Member Pin. Members also wear the colors in honor of significant events such as the installation of a new ΖΤΑ chapter, Founder's Day celebrations, or the death of a member. The significance of these colors is explained in the Initiation Service. The official flower of ΖΤΑ
756-407: A case in which Komen told the organization Uniting Against Lung Cancer no longer to use the name "Kites for the Cure" for its annual fund-raising event. Komen also wrote to the organization to warn it "against any use of pink in conjunction with 'cure.'" More than 100 small charities have received legal opposition from Komen as a consequence of the use of the words "for the cure" in their names. Among
864-532: A chapter room located inside the fraternity's house. Entry into chapter rooms is often prohibited to all but the initiated. In one extreme case, the response of firefighters to a blaze signaled by an automated alarm at the Sigma Phi chapter house at the University of Wisconsin in 2003 was hampered in part because fraternity members refused to disclose to emergency responders the location of the hidden chapter room, where
972-457: A charter for ΖΤΑ from the State of Virginia, cementing its official purpose: "The object of said association shall be to intensify friendship, promote happiness among its members, and in every way to create such sentiments; to perform such deeds, and to mould such opinions as will conduce to the building up of a nobler and purer womanhood in the world." With this development, ΖΤΑ was "the first of
1080-480: A congressional investigation by Representative Cliff Stearns and a newly created internal rule about not funding organizations under federal, state, or local investigation. While conservative religious and anti-abortion groups applauded the move, it was denounced by several editorials, women's health advocacy groups, and politicians. In the 24 hours after the news broke, Planned Parenthood received more than $ 400,000 from 6,000 donors, followed by pledges of
1188-500: A council of multicultural Greek organizations. The National Multicultural Greek Council , officially formed in 1998, is a coordinating body of 19 Greek organizations, including nine fraternities, and ten sororities with cultural affiliations. The first multicultural sorority, Mu Sigma Upsilon , was established in November 1981 at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey . The formation of this Greek organization allowed for
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#17328510875631296-589: A decline of 22% in contributions in the year following their decision to cease (and then resume) funding for Planned Parenthood. Karen Handel , the Brinker protégée whose opposition to abortion was at the center of the Planned Parenthood controversy, resigned and has published a book on the controversy titled Planned Bullyhood . In 2006, Komen wrote in its newsletter that embryonic stem cell research had promise for curing breast cancer. One such grant recipient
1404-664: A minority of Greek-letter organizations and no such fraternity is currently a member of the North American Interfraternity Conference, the largest international association of fraternities. The first coed fraternity was Pi Alpha Tau (1963–1991) at the University of Illinois at Chicago . Much more commonly, coed fraternities exist in the form of service fraternities, such as Alpha Phi Omega , Epsilon Sigma Alpha , Alpha Tau Mu and others . These organizations are similar to social fraternities and sororities, except they are coed and non-residential. Similarly, in
1512-507: A national or international organization that sets standards, regulates insignia and ritual, publishes a journal or magazine for all of the chapters of the organization, and has the power to grant and revoke charters to chapters. These federal structures are largely governed by alumni members of the fraternity, though with some input from the active (student) members. Before 1900, the expansion of fraternal housing and competition among fraternities led to increasingly aggressive recruitment among
1620-457: A recognition pin in the shape of a small, gold five-pointed crown on their coat as the badge. "While not a rule," it was deemed that it was "a matter of good taste" that a member never wear the official badge on a coat. In recognition of outstanding service to the Fraternity, members can receive an honor ring that bears the coat of arms on a turquoise stone. Adopted at the 1915 National Convention,
1728-587: A scholastic honor society and abandoned secrecy. In 1825, Kappa Alpha Society , the first fraternity to retain its social characteristic, was established at Union College in Schenectady, New York . In 1827, Sigma Phi and Delta Phi were also founded at the same institution, creating the Union Triad . The further birthing of Psi Upsilon (1833), Omicron Kappa Epsilon (1834), Chi Psi (1841), and Theta Delta Chi (1847) collectively established Union College as
1836-493: A sequence of two or three Greek letters, for instance, Delta Delta Delta , Sigma Chi , Chi Omega , or Psi Upsilon . There are a few exceptions to this general rule, as in the case of the fraternities Triangle , Acacia , and Seal and Serpent . There are approximately nine million student and alumni members of fraternities and sororities in North America , or about three percent of the total population. Roughly 750,000 of
1944-433: A specific section of university-owned housing provided to them. Some fraternities and sororities are un-housed, with members providing their accommodations. In many of these cases, the fraternity or sorority owns or rents a non-residential clubhouse on or off campus to use for meetings and other activities. With a few exceptions, most fraternities and sororities are secret societies . While the identity of members or officers
2052-456: A third of the more than 700 chemicals used in fracking are endocrine disruptors and at least a quarter increase the risk of cancer. In 2007, the organization changed its name to Susan G. Komen for the Cure and trademarked the running ribbon as part of its branding strategy. Komen has come under fire for legal action against other organizations using the phrase "for the cure" in their names. An August 2010 Wall Street Journal article detailed
2160-506: A year from 216 corporate sponsors. Critics say many of these promotions are deceptive, benefiting the companies more than the charity, and promoting products that may cause cancer. Some campaigns require that consumers mail proof of purchase for a promoted item before the manufacturer donates, and some have a cap on the maximum amount donated. Since its Save Lids to Save Lives campaign began in 1998, Yoplait has donated more than $ 25 million to Komen. In 2010, its annual maximum commitment
2268-485: Is a non-profit organization devoted to funding scholarships for sisters, providing educational programming, and supporting the national philanthropy of ZTA which is breast cancer education and awareness. In 1974, Zeta Tau Alpha Housing Corporation was founded. The organization serves to manage official ZTA facilities used by its chapters. In 2021, as a result of ongoing efforts to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in ZTA,
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#17328510875632376-532: Is also a member of the Harm Reduction Alliance, a group that collaborates on providing programming to college students. The Harm Reduction Alliance has generated programming such as Generation Rx , targeted towards drug use in college-aged individuals, and a partnership with ActiveMinds to help facilitate conversations around mental health within their chapters. In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic,
2484-432: Is being contested vigorously in U.S. federal court by several affected fraternities and sororities. Individual chapters of fraternities and sororities are largely self-governed by their active (student) members; however, alumni members may retain legal ownership of the fraternity or sorority's property through an alumni chapter or alumni corporation. All of a single fraternity or sorority's chapters are generally grouped in
2592-454: Is effectively blindfolded during the proceedings, and at last, still sightless, I was led down flights of steps into a silent crypt and helped into a coffin, where I was to stay until the Resurrection...Thus it was that just as my father passed from this earth, I was lying in a coffin during my initiation into Delta Kappa Epsilon. Meetings and rituals are sometimes conducted in what is known as
2700-453: Is facilitate and accomplish acts of community service ; this is in contrast to certain social fraternities and sororities or religious fraternities and sororities that participate in philanthropy and community service as a non-primary (secondary or tertiary) mission. Fraternities and sororities traditionally have been single-sex organizations, with fraternities consisting exclusively of men and sororities consisting exclusively of women. In
2808-549: Is one of the oldest and largest women's membership organizations, representing more than four million women at 655 college and university campuses and 4,500 local alumni chapters in the U.S. and Canada. In 1867, the Chi Phi fraternity established its Theta chapter at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland , marking the first foray of the American social fraternity outside the borders of
2916-594: Is rarely concealed, fraternities and sororities initiate members following the pledge period through sometimes elaborate private rituals, frequently drawn or adopted from Masonic ritual practice or that of the Greek mysteries. After an initiation ritual, the organization's secret motto, secret purpose, and secret identification signs, such as handshakes and passwords, are usually revealed to its new members. Some fraternities also teach initiates an identity search device used to confirm fellow fraternity members. Julian Hawthorne ,
3024-558: Is the white violet , which was chosen by Ruby Leigh Orgain for its connection to the Ancient Greeks as well as the prevalence of such flowers in Virginia. While the specific varietal of violet is not named, depictions of the flower show that it is based on the Viola canadensis which is native to Virginia. The five-pointed crown is the primary official symbol of the fraternity. The meaning of
3132-637: The Easterseals until 1970 and the ARC until 1992. During the partnership with the Easterseals , the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation (known as the ΖΤΑ Foundation) was established in 1954. In 1992, ΖΤΑ adopted breast cancer education and awareness as its national philanthropy and partnered with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation until 2015. In 2010, Zeta Tau Alpha trademarked the phrase "Think Pink" with
3240-548: The Mother of Fraternities . The social fraternity Chi Phi , officially formed in 1854, traces its roots to a short-lived organization founded at Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey , in 1824 bearing the same name. Fraternities represented the intersection between dining clubs , literary societies , and secret initiatory orders such as Freemasonry . Their early growth was widely opposed by university administrators, though
3348-461: The Prime Minister of Israel 's wife Sara Netanyahu . As of 2013 , Komen raised over $ 36 million a year from over 60 cause marketing partnerships. The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is Komen's main fundraising event and the world's largest funding event for breast cancer. It consists of a series of 5K runs and fitness walks to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. The first race
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3456-570: The U.S. House of Representatives and 40 percent of members of the U.S. Senate were members of fraternities or sororities. Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Susan G. Komen (formerly known as Susan G. Komen for the Cure ; originally as The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation ; often referred to simply as Komen ) is a breast cancer organization in the United States . Komen works on patient navigation and advocacy , providing resources for breast-cancer patients to understand
3564-748: The United States Patent and Trademark Office . Since then, this term has become the umbrella theme for all of their breast cancer education and awareness projects. The ΖΤΑ Foundation currently has partnerships with the American Cancer Society , in which the Foundation is the National Survivor Ambassador of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer ; the National Football League (partnership established in 1999), for which
3672-714: The United States cabinet have been members of fraternities and sororities, and the current chief executive officers of five of the ten largest Fortune 500 companies are members of fraternities and sororities. In addition, 85 percent of all justices of the U.S. Supreme Court since 1910 have been members of fraternities. U.S. presidents since World War II who have been initiated into fraternities are George W. Bush , George H. W. Bush , Bill Clinton , Ronald Reagan , Harry S. Truman , Gerald Ford , and Franklin Roosevelt . Three Prime Ministers of Canada have been members of fraternities. In 2013, about 25 percent of members of
3780-676: The Upsilon Sigma Phi , was founded in 1918. The first Greek-letter sorority, UP Sigma Beta Sorority, was recognized in 1932. Many early fraternities referred to Christian principles or to a Supreme Being in general, as is characteristic of fraternal orders . Some, such as Alpha Chi Rho (1895) and Alpha Kappa Lambda (1907), only admitted Christians , while others, such as Beta Sigma Psi (1925) and Phi Kappa Theta (1959), catered to students belonging with certain denominations of Christianity, such as Lutheranism and Catholicism . Due to their exclusion from Christian fraternities in
3888-579: The 1928 National Convention, the Creed of Zeta Tau Alpha is the embodiment of the organization's values. Per tradition, every chapter meeting of Zeta Tau Alpha opens with members reciting the Creed together. To realize that within our grasp, in Zeta Tau Alpha, lies the opportunity to learn those things which will ever enrich and ennoble our lives; to be true to ourselves and to those within and without our circle; To think in terms of all mankind and our service in
3996-474: The 2008 model year, Ford Motor Company built a branded limited edition of 2,500 Ford Mustang motorcars with a "Warriors in Pink" package as part of its long-running association with Komen; an additional 1,000 were offered for 2009's model year. A longitudinal study found that women employed in the automotive plastics industry are almost five times as likely to develop breast cancer before menopause than women in
4104-571: The American medical system. They have funded research into the causes and treatment of breast cancer. However, the organization has been mired by controversy over pinkwashing , allocation of research funding, and CEO pay. The foundation's revenue and public perception have steeply declined since 2010. The foundation's namesake , Susan Goodman Komen, died of breast cancer in 1980 at age 36. Her younger sister Nancy Brinker , who has stated that she believed Susan's outcome might have been better had she known more about cancer and its treatment, founded
4212-591: The Coat of Arms is revealed to each member during her Initiation. The Banner was introduced at the 1910 National Convention and was made by Bertha Cruse Gardner as a commission from the National President. The turquoise and gray satin banner bears the letter "A", the Greek word "Themis" and a burning torch. The banner's meaning is secret, but it may be hung in a visible place in chapter housing. The official colors of ΖΤΑ are turquoise blue and steel gray. Upon receiving
4320-491: The Cure and Breast Cancer 3 Day fundraisers. It spent the majority (51%) of this money on education efforts, which included advocacy, patient support services, national campaigns and educational events. 36% of the budget goes toward fundraising and administrative costs, and the remaining 13% is split between research, treatment, and screening efforts. Komen provides funding for basic, clinical, and translational breast cancer research and in breast health education. As of 2007,
4428-520: The Farmville Four to be chartered and the first women's fraternity to be granted a charter by a special act of the legislature." 1903, the first national convention was held in Farmville and it was here that the name of the fraternity's official publication Themis was decided. It was also at this convention that Zeta Tau Alpha officially adopted the term "fraternity" instead of "sorority" to distinguish
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4536-715: The Foundation distributes pink ribbons as part of the NFL's "A Crucial Catch" campaign; and Bright Pink, in which the Brighten Up Educational Workshop is brought to each collegiate chapter's campus to provide to tools for assessing breast cancer risk. The ΖΤΑ Foundation also develops programming geared toward college students covering topics such as mental health, substance abuse, and leadership development. Such programs are referred to My Sister, My Responsibility and contain content emphasizing social responsibility, duty of care, and engaging conversations about risk. ZTA
4644-465: The Fraternity occurs every two years and brings together chapter members and alumni from around the country. In 2024, ZTA celebrated the 125 years at their national convention in Indianapolis Indiana. The member badge of ΖΤΑ is a small black shield superimposed on a gold or silver shield bearing the letters ZTA , a five-pointed crown, and the name "Themis" written in Greek. Designed with
4752-498: The Komen affiliate, with the remaining quarter sent to the central organization. Komen's other nationwide events include: In 2010, Komen was rated one of the most trusted nonprofit organizations in America. But, in light of scandals breaking between 2011 and 2017, revenue declined by roughly 80%, and a number of affiliates merged or dissolved. Komen's ranking on Charity Navigator, which
4860-520: The Normal to cement the bonds of their friend group, which at the time, numbered at "a dozen." When Alice Bland Coleman was approached by another women's fraternity on campus to join, the founders pushed forward with starting the fraternity. Maud Jones Horner and Frances Yancey Smith then turned to their respective brothers, Plummer Jones (Kappa Alpha and Phi Beta Kappa) and Giles Mebane Smith (Phi Theta Psi and Phi Beta Kappa), as resources of information regarding
4968-617: The South acquired one. Chapters of many fraternities followed suit, purchasing and, less often, building them with support of alumni. Phi Sigma Kappa's chapter home at Cornell, completed in 1902, is the oldest such house still occupied by its fraternal builders. Sororities, originally called women's fraternities, began to develop in 1851 with the formation of the Adelphean Society Alpha Delta Pi , though fraternity-like organizations for women didn't take their current form until
5076-499: The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in 1982. In 2007, the 25th anniversary of the organization , they changed the name to "Susan G. Komen for the Cure" and its logo to the pink ribbon . The logo represents Komen's signature Race for the Cure event, a jogging race that raises money for the foundation. In December 2009, Nancy Brinker was appointed CEO of the organization. Judith A. Salerno became CEO in 2012. In November 2016,
5184-598: The United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. In 2010, Komen was active in over 50 countries, with its largest affiliates in Italy and Germany . On October 28, 2010, Jerusalem held its first Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, with over 5,000 Christian, Muslim, and Jewish participants. Before the race, the Old City 's walls were illuminated pink by Komen's founder, Nancy Brinker, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat , and
5292-516: The United States, Jewish students began to establish their own fraternities in 1895 and 1920, with the first one being Zeta Beta Tau , founded in 1898. Although many of the religion-specific requirements for many fraternities and sororities have been relaxed or removed, there are some today that continue to rally around their faith as a focal point, such as Beta Upsilon Chi (1985) and Sigma Alpha Omega (1998). Numerous Greek organizations in
5400-553: The United States, fraternities and sororities have a statutory exemption from Title IX legislation prohibiting this type of gender exclusion within student groups, and organizations such as the Fraternity and Sorority Political Action Committee lobby to maintain it. Since the mid-20th century, a small number of fraternities, such as Alpha Theta , Lambda Lambda Lambda , and Alpha Phi Omega have opted to become co-educational and admit female members; however, these generally represent
5508-537: The United States, professional fraternities, such as Alpha Kappa Psi , Delta Sigma Pi , and Phi Gamma Nu are required to be co-ed under the Title IX amendments, as are any fraternities that are not social fraternities. In 2014, Sigma Phi Epsilon became the first fraternity in the North American Interfraternity Conference to accept transgender members, or those identifying as male, to join
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#17328510875635616-492: The United States. Fraternities and sororities have been criticized for practicing elitism and favoritism , discriminating against non White students and other marginalized groups, conducting dangerous hazing rituals , and facilitating alcohol abuse . Many colleges and universities have sought to reform or eliminate them due to these concerns, but these efforts have typically been met with intense controversy. The first fraternity in North America to incorporate most of
5724-658: The United States. At the time, many students from the American South were moving to Europe to study because of the disrepair southern universities fell into during the American Civil War . One such group of Americans organized Chi Phi at Edinburgh; however, during the Theta chapter's existence, it initiated no non-American members. With declining American enrollment at European universities, Chi Phi at Edinburgh closed in 1870. Nine years following Chi Phi's abortive colonization of
5832-648: The United States], Kappa Alpha Theta , was established in Toronto in 1887. By 1927 there were 42 fraternity and sorority chapters at the University of Toronto and 23 at McGill University. A few chapters were also reported at the University of British Columbia , Carleton University , Dalhousie University , University of Manitoba , Queen's University , University of Western Ontario , Wilfrid Laurier University , University of Waterloo and Brock University . The arrival of
5940-507: The University of Edinburgh, a second attempt was made to transplant the fraternity system outside the United States. In 1879, Zeta Psi established a chapter at the University of Toronto . Zeta Psi's success in Toronto prompted it to open a second Canadian chapter at McGill University , which it chartered in 1883. Other early foundations were Kappa Alpha Society at Toronto in 1892 and at McGill in 1899, and Alpha Delta Phi at Toronto in 1893 and at McGill in 1897. The first sorority [outside
6048-702: The ZTA Foundation provided "Grace Grants" to members of ZTA experiencing hardship. "Grace" refers both to the act of grace given to each other as members and to Grace Estelle Elcan, one of the fraternity's first new members. Chapter officers for both collegiate and alumnae groups are also given leadership training by ZTA . Chapter officers can attend either the Emerging Leaders Academy and the Officers' Leadership Academy which allow members to learn more about their specific officer roles. National Convention for
6156-540: The absolute dollar amount of those grants had been steadily growing, it was not keeping pace with the surge in donations Komen had received. In 2011, the foundation spent $ 63 million (15%) of its donations on research grants and awards. In 2006, Komen joined the US-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research, a Middle East Partnership Initiative program. Komen has programs in Egypt, Israel,
6264-437: The chapters of fraternities and sororities in which they have particular interests. Usually, after a potential new member has attended several such events, officers or current members meet privately to vote on whether or not to extend an invitation, known as a "bid", to the prospective applicant. Those applicants who receive a bid, and choose to accept it, are considered to have "pledged" the fraternity or sorority, thus beginning
6372-420: The conflagration had erupted. The fraternity or sorority badge is an enduring symbol of membership in a Greek letter organization. Most fraternities also have assumed heraldic achievements. Members of fraternities and sororities address members of the same organization as "brother" (in the case of fraternities) or "sister" (in the case of sororities). The names of almost all fraternities and sororities consist of
6480-400: The controversy. In August, Brinker announced she would leave her CEO role. The number of participants at various Komen fundraising events dropped 15–30% in 2012. The Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure fundraising walks were scaled back to seven US cities in 2013 from 14, due to a 37% drop in participation over the preceding four years. In January 2014 it was reported that the foundation saw
6588-456: The crown is revealed to members during the initiation service and members may use either the official logo crown or the crown used on the Coat of Arms. The strawberry is also used as a secondary symbol. The strawberry's significance came to be when Mary Campbell Jones Batte was gifted a basket of strawberries from an admirer. Through that gift, the founders resolved to host their first social gathering and become recognized on campus. In addition,
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#17328510875636696-474: The current fraternity and sorority members are students who belong to an undergraduate chapter. A 2007 survey conducted by Princeton University found that White and higher-income Princeton students are much more likely than other Princeton students to be in fraternities and sororities. Senior surveys from the classes of 2009 and 2010 showed that 77 percent of sorority members and 73 percent of fraternity members were White. Since 1900, 63 percent of members of
6804-455: The elements of modern fraternities was Phi Beta Kappa , founded at the College of William and Mary in 1775. The founding of Phi Beta Kappa followed the earlier establishment of two other secret student societies that had existed on that campus as early as 1750. In 1779 Phi Beta Kappa expanded to include chapters at Harvard and Yale. By the early 19th century, the organization transformed itself into
6912-464: The emergence of a multicultural fraternity and sorority movement, giving birth to a multicultural movement. The main purpose of professional fraternities and sororities is to promote the interests of a particular profession and whose membership is generally restricted to students and alumni in particular academic disciplines or industries . The term service fraternities and sororities, is used to describe Greek life organizations who’s primary purpose
7020-412: The establishment of Pi Beta Phi in 1867 and Kappa Alpha Theta and Kappa Kappa Gamma in 1870. The term sorority was used by a professor of Latin at Syracuse University , Frank Smalley, who felt the word "fraternity" was inappropriate for a group of ladies. The word comes from Latin soror , meaning "sister," "cousin, daughter of a father's brother," or "female friend." The first organization to use
7128-451: The foundation precept of Zeta Tau Alpha was Love, "the greatest of all things". - Shirley Kreasan Strout The Creed was the basis for establishing "The Nine Key Values" of Zeta Tau Alpha, which are: Zeta Tau Alpha has 174 active collegiate chapters and 233 active alumnae chapters. There are alumnae chapters across the United States, Canada and a virtual alumnae chapter, ZTAlways. ZTAlways is a virtual alumnae chapter for members who do not have
7236-496: The founders chose Themis as their patron goddess to represent the fraternity. In Greek tradition, Themis represents "divine justice" and was seated beside Zeus to give counsel and gather assemblies. She also served as an Oracle of Delphi . In addition to being a wife of Zeus, she was the daughter of Uranus and Gaea and the mother of the Horae and the Moirai . In some depictions, she is
7344-685: The fraternity system in Asia accompanied the introduction of the American educational system in the Philippines . The first fraternities were established in the University of the Philippines . The now-defunct Patriotic and Progressive Rizal Center Academic Brotherhood (Rizal Center Fraternity), a brotherhood of Jose Rizal followers, was founded in 1913. This was followed by the Rizal Center Sorority. The first Greek-letter organization and fraternity in Asia,
7452-474: The fraternity system. At this time, the fraternity went by its original moniker, "???" (pronounced "Who, Who, Who?") which was used during its first interactions with the two other women's fraternities at Longwood. It would not be until the spring of 1899 that the Greek letter name, "Zeta Tau Alpha", would be officially decided upon. In 1902, a member of the Alpha Chapter of ΖΤΑ , Grace Elcan Garnett, attained
7560-420: The fraternity upon accepting a bid. Unique among most campus organizations, members of social Greek letter organizations usually congregate and sometimes live together in large houses generally privately owned by the organization itself, or by the organization's alumni association. Often fraternities and sorority houses, called lodges or chapter houses, are located on the same street or in close quarters within
7668-457: The help of Mebane Smith, Maud Jones Horner, Frances Yancey Smith, and Mary Campbell Jones Batte chose the final design. It may be enhanced with jewels and pearls surrounding the shield to indicate office or years of service. The size was regulated at the 1912 convention to be modeled after that of Dr. May Agnes Hopkins, ZTA's national president at the time. Members may wear a chapter guard and attach dangles to denote achievements and positions held as
7776-527: The increasing influence of fraternity alumni, as well as several high-profile court cases, succeeded in largely muting opposition by the 1880s. The first fraternity meeting hall, or lodge, seems to have been that of the Alpha Epsilon chapter of Chi Psi at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan , in 1845, leading to a tradition in that fraternity to name its buildings "lodges". As fraternity membership
7884-565: The largest single contribution in the organization's history. The partnership with KFC, which has since ended, allowed Komen "to reach many millions of women that they had been unable to reach before", said Brinker. In April 2011, Komen introduced a perfume brand, "Promise Me," promoted by Brinker on the Home Shopping Network , only to encounter opposition due to its potentially harmful ingredients coumarin , oxybenzone , toluene , and galaxolide . Komen said it intended to reformulate
7992-446: The law and the underlying presumption that they were less able than men," but at the same time had to deal with the same challenges as fraternities with college administrations. Today, both social and multicultural sororities are present on more than 650 college campuses across the United States and Canada. The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) serves as the umbrella organization for 26 international sororities. Founded in 1902, NPC
8100-507: The life of the fraternity or sorority, but most likely not be permitted to hold office in the organization. After the new member period, a second vote of members may sometimes be taken, often, but not always, using a blackball system. New members who pass this second vote are invited to a formal and secret ritual of initiation into the organization, advancing them to full membership. Many Greek-letter organizations give preferential consideration for pledging to candidates whose parent or sibling
8208-1087: The local and national level as well as staff based at the International Office, based in Carmel, Indiana. The ZTA Foundation also provides Leadership Consultants to help provide direct national support for chapters during major events and for leadership development. Fraternities and sororities in North America In North America , fraternities and sororities ( Latin : fraternitas and sororitas , 'brotherhood' and 'sisterhood') are social clubs at colleges and universities . They are sometimes collectively referred to as Greek life or Greek-letter organizations , as well as collegiate fraternities or collegiate sororities to differentiate them from traditional not (exclusively) university-based fraternal organizations and fraternal orders that have historically acted as friendly societies or benefit societies to certain groups unlike
8316-765: The majority of their own funds towards research for a cure." Beginning in 2007, Komen granted money to pay for 170,000 clinical breast exams and 6,400 mammogram referrals through the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and affiliates. Komen had said its affiliates provide funds for screening, education, and treatment programs in dozens of communities where Planned Parenthood is the only place poor, uninsured or under-insured women can receive these services. Planned Parenthood clinics do not perform mammograms, instead making referrals for their patients to sites that do them. On January 31, 2012, Komen stopped funding exams provided by Planned Parenthood , citing
8424-465: The mother of Prometheus . She is often depicted holding a sword of justice and the scales of law. Themis is the name of ΖΤΑ 's official publication. Adopted in the 1903 National Convention, the award-winning publication regularly features collegiate and alumnae chapter news, photos and achievements. Originally provided as a newspaper, Themis is now a quarterly magazine sent out to all members of ZTA. Written by Shirley Kreasan Strout and adopted at
8532-534: The mutual selection process, gives chapters full accountability for the members they select, and will ensure that non-legacy PNMs have the same access and opportunity to join." In 1928, Zeta Tau Alpha started its first national philanthropic effort in the creation of a health center servicing the community of Currin Valley, located in Appalachia Virginia. When the health center closed in 1946, ΖΤΑ partnered with
8640-478: The national council officially eliminated the Legacy Policy as a factor in membership selection. Previously, a legacy was given preferential consideration during recruitment. As part of its official announcement, the fraternity said, "Removing the Legacy Policy is an important step toward providing a more equitable recruitment experience for all potential new members. It allows collegiate chapters and PNMs to focus on
8748-440: The new fellow to mark him as a new member of the fraternity which he opted to join. Baird's further indicates that the tradition was adopted from English boarding schools, similarly jostling to recruit incoming prospects, which the aggressive fraternities found to be "handy to imitate". Variations of Rush Week continued to evolve, some offering immediate recruitment and some deferred until the second half of freshman year, or even into
8856-509: The oblong-octagonal ring also bears an open book and a five-pointed crown in relief on the sides. It is considered ΖΤΑ 's highest individual honor for alumnae. For major anniversaries, members receive additional pins and charms to commemorate 25, 50, and 75 years as a Zeta. 25-Year members receive the 25-Year Pin , 50-Year members receive the White Violet Pin, and 75-Year Members receive a White Violet Charm. The Coat of Arms in use today
8964-401: The offending organizations and events were " Par for the Cure," " Surfing for a Cure," " Cupcakes for a Cure, " and " Mush for the Cure ". Komen says that the organization protects its trademarks as a matter of financial stewardship to prevent confusion among donors; others suggest that the trademark issue is more about dominating the pink ribbon market. Critics have also asserted that
9072-817: The ones mentioned in this article. Generally, membership in a fraternity or sorority is obtained as an undergraduate student but continues thereafter for life by gaining alumni status. Some accept graduate students as well, some also provide honorary membership in certain circumstances. Individual fraternities and sororities vary in organization and purpose, but most - especially the dominant form known as social fraternities and sororities - share five common elements: Fraternities and sororities engage in philanthropic activities , host parties, provide "finishing" training for new members such as instruction on etiquette, dress, and manners, and create networking opportunities for their newly graduated members. Fraternities and sororities can be tax-exempt 501(c)(7) organizations in
9180-493: The opportunity to interact with sisters among a land-based chapter. As an alumna , a woman is still considered a member of ZTA. The Epsilon chapter at the University of Arkansas is the longest-standing ZTA chapter in the world. Zeta Tau Alpha is structured into three separate organizations that facilitate fraternity operations: Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity, Zeta Tau Alpha Housing Corporation, and Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation. These organizations are each supported by volunteers working at
9288-623: The organization announced that Salerno would step down as CEO the following month. In 2017, former fashion executive and breast cancer survivor Paula Schneider became the CEO. In 2023, the former executive director of the Nobel Prize-winning organization Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) Donna McKay became the CEO. Komen's Fiscal Year 2020 Spending In the 2020 fiscal year, Komen reported $ 195 million in public support, less direct benefits to donors . Of this, $ 137 million came from contributions and $ 72 million from Komen's flagship Race for
9396-478: The organization from those directly affiliated with men's fraternities. In 1909, the organization joined the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), an umbrella organization consisting of women's fraternities and sororities, to expand. This resulted in the first closure of its Alpha chapter at Longwood University. In 1954, Zeta Tau Alpha established the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation . The ZTA Foundation
9504-479: The organization had awarded more than 1,000 breast cancer research grants totaling more than $ 180 million. Since 1992, Komen has also annually awarded work in the field of cancer research with the Komen Brinker Award for Scientific Distinction . In 2012, an analysis of Komen's finances by Reuters showed that the proportion of fundraising dollars it spent on research grants decreased by more than half. While
9612-480: The past have enacted formal and informal prohibitions on pledging individuals of different races and cultural backgrounds. This began with historically White fraternities and sororities excluding African Americans due to racism. Historically Black fraternities and sororities were spearheaded thereafter in response. Racist policies have since been abolished by the North American Interfraternity Conference , and students of various ethnicities have come together to form
9720-461: The perfume but did not withdraw existing stocks of the "Promise Me" product from distribution. In October 2014, the Houston-based oil field services company Baker Hughes was reported to have produced 1,000 pink drill bits to raise breast cancer awareness. The bits are used to break up geologic formations in oil patches for hydraulic fracturing . These ties have been criticized because more than
9828-404: The pledge period (new member period). Students participating in rush are known as "rushees", Potential New Members "PNMs", while students who have accepted a bid to a specific fraternity or sorority are known as "new members" or in some cases "pledges". A new member period may last anywhere from one weekend to several months. During this time, new members might participate in almost all aspects of
9936-581: The right to be served; to seek understanding that we might gain true wisdom; to look for the good in everyone; To see beauty, with its enriching influence; to be humble in success, and without bitterness in defeat; To have the welfare and harmony of the Fraternity at heart, striving ever to make our lives a symphony of high ideals, devotion to the Right, the Good, and the True, without a discordant note; remembering always that
10044-502: The same neighborhood, which may be colloquially known as "Greek row", "frat row", or "sorority row". Often, chapter houses are uniquely designed, highly elaborate, and very expensive to operate and maintain. Usually, the more expensive the house the higher the annual organization dues. The features and size of Greek houses play a major role in chapters remaining competitive in recruiting and retaining members on many campuses. At some, often small colleges, fraternities and sororities occupy
10152-540: The second year. Formal recruitment on all, or virtually all campuses continues as a defined Rush week, while many campuses and most chapters offer ongoing "informal rush" to welcome potential members, amounting to hundreds of thousands of new members every year. Today, most Greek letter organizations select potential members through a two-part process of vetting and probation, called rushing and pledging, respectively. During rush (recruitment), students attend designated social events, and sometimes formal interviews, hosted by
10260-416: The slogan itself implies that the majority of Komen's income will fund research for a cure instead of mere treatment or detection; however Komen's own figures for the 2020 fiscal year reveal that only 5% of their total budget goes to research. In the words of cancer survivor Alicia Staley, "an organization that is actively pursuing other small charities over the use of the term 'for the cure' does not spend
10368-515: The social fraternities, which had hitherto followed the methodical process of tapping and individualized invitations that are still present among honorary and professional fraternities. In an introductory article about the nature and history of Fraternal life, Baird's Manual indicates that the term " Rushing " and later, " Rush week " hearken to the effort to rush to meet incoming trains filled with new classmates and delegations of freshmen students, where bids were offered and lapel pins then "spiked"
10476-497: The social fraternity. Several sororities have adjusted their policies to confirm that transgender prospective members are allowable. Importantly, all these variants have stemmed from a process of self-determination, without challenge by other Greeks. In a bellwether case in 2016, Harvard University changed its student conduct code to bar members of single-sex groups from leading campus groups, serving as captains of sports teams, or participating in valuable academic fellowships. This
10584-449: The son of Nathaniel Hawthorne , wrote in his posthumously published Memoirs of his initiation into Delta Kappa Epsilon : I was initiated into a college secret society—a couple of hours of grotesque and good-humored rodomontade and horseplay, in which I cooperated as in a kind of pleasant nightmare, confident, even when branded with a red-hot iron or doused head-over-heels in boiling oil, that it would come out all right. The neophyte
10692-467: The term "sorority" was Gamma Phi Beta , established in 1874. The development of fraternities for women during this time was a major accomplishment in the way of women's rights and equality. By mere existence, these organizations were defying the odds; the founding women were able to advance their organizations despite many factors working against them. The first "Women's Fraternities" not only had to overcome "restrictive social customs, unequal status under
10800-411: The world; To be steadfast, strong, and clean of heart and mind, remembering that since the thought is father to the deed, only that which we would have manifested in our experience should be entertained in thought; To find satisfaction in being, rather than seeming, thus strengthening in us the higher qualities of the spirit; To prepare for service and learn the nobility of serving, thereby earning
10908-747: Was Robert A. Weinberg, Ph.D., through Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research at MIT . In 2011, the anti-abortion Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer said that Komen gave $ 12 million to institutions such as Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the U.S. National Cancer Institute that funded stem cell research, which the Coalition considered to be abortion. In 2012, Komen said that it had never funded stem cell research. According to Science magazine, Christopher Umbricht got nearly $ 600,000 from Komen for molecular marker research at Johns Hopkins that includes stem cells. According to Komen's 2011–12 IRS Form 990 declarations, Brinker made $ 684,717 that fiscal year,
11016-465: Was a member of the same fraternity or sorority. Such prospective candidates are known as "legacies". Membership in more than one fraternity or sorority is acceptable, but only in accordance within specific Greek councils. Recently, some Greek-letter organizations have replaced the term "pledge" with that of "associate member" or "new member". Sigma Alpha Epsilon , in 2014, abolished pledging altogether. Potential members are now immediately initiated into
11124-432: Was adopted in 1926 and follows heraldic rules. It is described as: "Quarterly argent and azure; in two and three a cinquefoil of the first; nine billets in bend sable. Crest: Above a crown (radiate) or, a chain of five links fess-wise argent. Motto: Zeta Tau Alpha in Greek upper and lower case." Only initiated members may use the crest in any manner, which must be dignified and in good taste. The secret, ritualistic meaning of
11232-437: Was founded by nine women on October 15, 1898, at the State Female Normal School (now Longwood University ) in Farmville, Virginia. ZTA is the third organization founded of the "Farmville Four." In order, these are: Kappa Delta (1897), Sigma Sigma Sigma (1898), Zeta Tau Alpha (1898), and Alpha Sigma Alpha (1901). ΖΤΑ 's nine founders were: In 1897, the founders began meeting to form an organization during their time at
11340-513: Was four stars (the highest rating) in 2013, sank to two stars in 2014. As of 2021, it ranks three stars, with a score of 82 out of 100. In 2023 it ranks 4 stars with a 95% rating. Komen has become controversial for alleged " pinkwashing ". The term criticizes either disproportionate publicity for organizations that donate very little , or organizations using the pink ribbon to promote products that may be carcinogenic . Komen benefits from corporate partnerships, receiving over $ 55 million
11448-410: Was punishable by expulsion at many colleges at this time, the house was located deep in the woods. The first residential chapter home, built by a fraternity, is believed to have been Alpha Delta Phi 's chapter at Cornell University , with groundbreaking dated to 1878. Alpha Tau Omega became the first fraternity to own a residential house in the South when, in 1880, its chapter at the University of
11556-641: Was raised to $ 1.6 million. In return, a major sponsor such as Yoplait obtains an exclusive contract; no other yogurt manufacturer may use the branding. In 2002, credit card operator American Express launched the "Charge for a Cure" campaign that claimed that "in the search for a cure, every dollar counts." The amount donated per qualifying transaction, regardless of the purchase amount, was one cent. Several water bottle retailers have partnered with Komen. Water cooler bottles made of polycarbonate may contain BPA , which has been linked to breast cancer tumor growth. For
11664-463: Was run in Dallas, Texas in 1983, with 800 participants. By 2016, over 1.6 million people participated in the race. The race's primary source of revenue is donations collected by the participants. In 2011, Komen said that three-quarters of the event's proceeds were being used locally to pay for community outreach programs, breast health education, and breast cancer screening and treatment projects run by
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