The History of Zeta Tau Alpha

Zeta Tau Alpha was founded on October 15, 1898 by nine young women at the State Female Normal School (now Longwood University) 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 lore. After a year of careful contemplation, the group chose the formal name, the patron goddess and the badge.

To date, Zeta Tau Alpha has over 235 links making this growing sisterhood the second largest women's fraternity.

 

Theta Kappa History

The Theta Kappa Chapter is the 177th link within the Fraternity. Founded at the University of Missouri-St. Louis on August 27, 1977. Chapter members stay active on campus outside of ZTA activities. Members participate in intramural sports, varsity athletics, and other organizations such as Order of Omega, Student Government Association and Pierre Laclede Honors College.

 

The Creed of Zeta Tau Alpha

To realize that within our grasp in Zeta Tau Alpha lies the opportunity to learn those things which will ever enrich and enoble 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 to 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 experiences should be entertained in thought, to find satisfaction in being rather then seeming, thus strengthening in us the higher qualities of the spirit, to prepare for service and learn the nobility of serving thereby earning 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 the foundation precept of Zeta Tau Alpha was love, the GREATEST OF ALL THINGS!
-- Shirley Kreason Strout

 

Symbols of Zeta Tau Alpha:

Flower:

Colors:

Collegiate Pins:

Symbol of Theta Kappa: