HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 135

RECOGNIZING MAY 16, 2024, AS ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY, INCORPORATED DAY.

WHEREAS, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated was founded on January 16, 1920, on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Pearl Anna Neal, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Viola Tyler Goings, Fannie Pettie Watts, affectionately called “The Five Pearls”, established a sorority that would directly affect positive change, chart a course of action for the 1920s and beyond to raise people’s consciousness, encourage the highest standards of scholastic achievement and foster a greater sense of unity among its members; and

WHEREAS, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was founded on the principles of Scholarship, Service, Sisterly Love and Finer Womanhood; and

WHEREAS, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., consisting over 125,000 members internationally, has established many firsts; and

WHEREAS, first to charter a chapter in Africa, first to form youth and adult auxiliary groups, and first and only to be constitutionally bound to a fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, one of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. signature programs is GET ENGAGED™; and

WHEREAS, the mission is to mobilize the members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. to take action against social injustices in the community. Empower citizens through knowledge-sharing, while strengthening relationships among elected officials, law enforcement in communities and educators in schools; and

WHEREAS, under the direction of the Delaware State Director for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Shanena Davenport Fogan, Epsilon Rho Zeta, Theta Zeta Zeta, Gamma Alpha Rho Zeta, Delta Alpha Beta Zeta Graduate Chapters, Upsilon and Chi Theta Undergraduate Chapters continue our mission to advocate for social causes deserving of legislative and societal upliftment as we focus on the “Power of S.H.E.” (Social, Health and Economic justice); and

WHEREAS, the Charles W. Cullen Bridge and Legislative Hall were lit purple on World Prematurity Day to raise awareness of premature births and the importance of proper health care and access to health care; and

WHEREAS, the intent of the Blue and White Day of Advocacy this year, is to advocate for birth equity policy and seeking ways to support coalitions that are working on Doula access; and

WHEREAS, with our programming, we focus on socializing the concept by leveraging initiatives of our partners for greater impact and supporting causes that align with Zeta’s service profile; and

WHEREAS, while remaining F.I.E.R.C.E. (focused, inclusive, engaging, resilient, cultivating, and empowering); and

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED By the House of Representatives of the 152nd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that May 16, 2024, shall be “Zeta Day at the Capitol” in Delaware.

SYNOPSIS

This Concurrent Resolution recognizes May 16, 2024, as Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Day, or “Z Phi B Day at the Capitol” in Delaware.