Zeta Tau Alpha was founded October 15, 1898, by nine women at the
StateFemaleNormal School
in
Farmville
,
Virginia
.
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 life.
After a year of careful contemplation, the group chose the formal name, the
patron goddess, and the badge.
Our Founders
Frances Yancey Smith
Ruby Leigh Orgain
Alice
Bland Coleman
Maud Jones Horner
Ethel Coleman Van Name
Della Lewis Hundley
Helen M. Crafford
Alice Grey Welsh
Mary Jones Batte
Our Symbols
Zeta Tau Alpha's Coat of Arms
holds many of our important symbols;
the five-point crown, the white violet,
the five links, and the colors turquoise and gray.
The Banner of Zeta Tau Alpha is made of turquoise and gray satin,
and is embossed with the letter "A", the word "Themis",
and a burning torch. The meaning behind the banner is a secret that is
revealed to a ZTA sister upon her initiation.
Strawberries are an important symbol to Zeta Tau Alpha
because in the late 1800's, a suitor of one of the Founders presented her
with a gift of strawberries. This gift encouraged the Founders to host their
first social gathering and become officially recognized on campus.
The five-pointed crown holds very special significance in Zeta Tau Alpha.
The Colors of Zeta Tau Alpha are Turquoise Blue and Steel Gray.
The White Violet is the Flower of Zeta Tau Alpha.
A gold link inscribed "Alpha" begins the
chain representing Zeta Tau Alpha's 238 chartered chapters. The Iota Nu
chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha at Susquehanna University is the 205th link.
