Eta Phi Beta

Eta Phi Beta
ΗΦΒ
FoundedOctober 1942; 83 years ago (1942-10)
Lewis Business College
TypeProfessional
AffiliationCoalition of Black Business Sororities
StatusActive
EmphasisBusiness, African-American
ScopeNational
Motto"Not For Ourselves, But For Others"
Colors  Crimson,   Gold and   Black
PhilanthropyNAACP, UNCF
Chapters91
Members5,000 lifetime
NicknameBee-Ettes, Senords, Eta Kids
Headquarters19983 Livernois Avenue, Suite B
Detroit, Michigan 48221
United States
Websiteetaphibetasorority.com

Eta Phi Beta (ΗΦΒ) is an African American business sorority located in the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands.[1] It was founded in Detroit, Michigan at the historically black Lewis Business College in October 1942. In 1997, the organization had 91 chapters and over 5,000 members internationally.[2]

History

Eta Phi Beta was established by students at the historically black Lewis Business College in Detroit, Michigan in October 1942.[1] Eta Phi Beta was founded to foster women to enter into the world of business.[2] Its founders were Ivy Burt Banks, Dorothy Sylvers Brown, Earline Carter, Mae Edwards Curry, Katherine Douglas, Atheline Shelton Graham, Merry Green Hubbard, Ethel Madison, Ann Porter, Mattie Rankin, and Lena Reed.[3]

The sorority was incorporated in 1943.[4] Additional chapters were chartered at schools such as St. Augustine's University as well as the city of Indianapolis.[5][6] In 1977, the Michigan state House of Representatives approved a resolution making May 14, 1977 the Eta Phi Beta Sorority Day.[7]

The sorority had over 80 chapters nationwide in 2002.[1] On June 13, 2009, the 81st Texas Legislature House of Representatives honored Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. to commemorate its 2009 Founders Day.[8] Another resolution was made in the state of Georgia.[9]

Eta Phi Beta is an affiliate member of the National Council of Negro Women.[10][3] It is also a member of the Coalition of Black Business Sororities, which also includes Gamma Phi Delta, Iota Phi Lambda, and Lambda Kappa Mu.[11]

Symbols

The sorority's colors are crimson, gold, and black. Its motto is "Not For Ourselves, But For Others."[12]

Activities

Chapters meet monthly from September to June.[13] The sorority hosts its national convention, The Grand Boule', biennially on even-numbered years.[13] Regional conferences are held biennially on odd-numbered years.[13]

Eta Phi Beta funds various charitable organizations including the March of Dimes, the NAACP, and the United Negro College Fund.[14][12] Its main national charitable project is services for citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities.[12] The biennial Gloria Chapman Walk-a-thon raises funds for community-based organizations that work in this area.[12] Nationally, the sorority also supports breast cancer awareness and domestic violence prevention.[12]

Chapters, regions, and the Grand chapter all award annual scholarships for high school graduates and college students.[12] Chapters also support programs and provide tutoring to teach young children life skills, reading, mathematics literary, and social etiquette.[12] Some chapters host an annual Cotillion Ball that introduces children into society.[12]

Established in 1949, the National Council of Shads is an auxiliary organization of Eta Phi Beta, consisting of the husbands of sorority members.[1][15] It provides conducts community service projects and provides scholarships.[15]

Membership

Membership is open to women who are college graduates or have completed at least two years of college; potential members may apply to join or are invited to join by members of the sorority.[16] Eta Phi Beta has a 3-month initiation process.[13] There are two also Youth Groups, Gamma and Lambda chapters, for children ages six to eleven.[15]

Chapters

Following is a list of Eta Phi Beta chapters. Most chapters are community-based. There are two Youth Chapters, Gamma and Lambda, which are for children ages six to eleven.[15] The Beta series chapters were chartered at colleges and universities but have all gone inactive. Active chapters are indicated in bold. Inactive chapters are in italics.

  1. ^ a b This is a Youth Chapter, serving children aged 6 to 11.

Notable members

Honorary members

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Eta Phi Beta, Inc. Celebrates 25th Biennal National Convention in North Carolina". Jet: 55–. October 28, 2002. ISSN 0021-5996.
  2. ^ a b Mjagkij, Nina (16 December 2003). Organizing Black America. Routledge. ISBN 1135581231.
  3. ^ a b "About Us". Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
  4. ^ "Legacy". Eta Phi Beta. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  5. ^ "Indianapolis Recorder 18 December 1971 — Hoosier State Chronicles: Indiana's Digital Historic Newspaper Program".
  6. ^ Walter M. Kimbrough (2003). Black Greek 101: The Culture, Customs, and Challenges of Black Fraternities and Sororities. Fairleigh Dickinson Univ Press. pp. 105–. ISBN 978-0-8386-3977-1.
  7. ^ "Journal of the House of Representatives of the State of Michigan". 1979.
  8. ^ House Resolution HR01800
  9. ^ Senate Resolution 558
  10. ^ Otis L. Hairston (2007). Picturing Greensboro: Four Decades of African American Community. The History Press. p. 59. ISBN 978-1-59629-284-0.
  11. ^ "History". Omicron Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Incorporated. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h "Programs". Eta Phi Beta. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  13. ^ a b c d "Jacksonville free press".
  14. ^ Michigan. Legislature. Senate (1984). Journal. J.S. Bagg.
  15. ^ a b c d e f "Auxiliaries". Eta Phi Beta Northern Region. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  16. ^ "Membership". Eta Phi Beta Sorority Epilson Chapter. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Northern Region". Eta Phi Beta. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa "Southeastern Region". Eta Phi Beta. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Southern Region". Eta Phi Beta. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  20. ^ "Chapter History". Eta Phi Beta Sorority Epsilon Chapter. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Western Region". Eta Phi Beta. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  22. ^ "Chapter History". Eta Phi Beta Sorority Xi Chapter. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  23. ^ "About". Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Oklahoma City, OK. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  24. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Eastern Region". Eta Phi Beta. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  25. ^ "Welcome". Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Alpha Gamma Chapter | Miami, FL. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  26. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Mid-Eastern Region". Eta Phi Beta. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  27. ^ "History". Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Alpha Rho Chapter Greensboro, NC. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  28. ^ "About Us". Delta Psi Chapter Eta Phi Beta. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  29. ^ Delegate Magazine 1978 p 235

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