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| The Beta Delta Zeta Chapter |
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Beta Delta Zeta Chapter, an organization of more than 100 members, is a premiere service chapter, having been trailblazers on every level of the sisterhood and among the Philadelphia Greek-letter community for more than six decades. The chapter owns the home of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority's Founder and First National President, Arizona Cleaver Stemons. The Founder’s House is located at 1915 Federal Street in South Philadelphia and is where Soror Stemons resided for 52 years. The property is managed by the chapter’s Board of Trustees. Excellence in Leadership Beta Delta Zeta's members have served and/or are serving as state, regional and national officers. We are the proud home of Saniah M. Johnson, CPA, Chairman of the National Internal Audit Committee and Parliamentarian for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Distinguished Soror Barbara A. Henderson, and the Pennsylvania State Financial Secretary Diane Wilson. Additionally, we are the home chapter of the Third Pennsylvania State Director Geraldine Kinney and Seventh Pennsylvania State Director Janet Y. Bivins, Esquire. Excellence in Undergraduate Affairs As the sponsoring graduate chapter to four active collegiate chapters, Beta Delta Zeta prides itself in its mission of “Developing Visionary Women”, by taking an active role in leadership training, financial support and programming assistance for the undergraduate chapters it advises. The advisors are well-rounded leaders in their own right. All BDZ advisors must attend a mandatory four-hour training, including courses in Membership Intake. The chapter is the sponsoring graduate chapter of the following four active collegiate chapters: Philadelphia Metropolitan Area Chapter (Eta) primarily located at Temple University; Lincoln University (Delta Delta), University of Pennsylvania (Mu Iota), and Drexel University (Kappa Sigma). Excellence in Programming Beta Delta Zeta operates in accordance with Zeta’s National Service Program: Z-HOPE (Zetas Helping Other People Excel). The plan can be seen in action throughout the year in the chapter’s events and special activities. Every September Beta Delta Zeta sponsors Kid Summit: a theme oriented educational forum and outdoor fun day for children. In November, we sponsor the Blue Revue, a formal scholarship fundraiser gala. All proceeds benefit scholarship grants to worthy high school seniors pursuing college degrees. In June, we honor the scholarship recipients with the annual Scholarship Breakfast where thousands of dollars are awarded. All recipients must be accepted to an accredited college or university to be eligible for actual receipt of the award. For the past two years, Beta Delta Zeta Chapter began its tradition of honoring the Founders with a Candle Light Vigil at the Founder’s House on January 16 – the date the organization was founded. Additionally we celebrate the founding of the sisterhood with a formal gathering over brunch or lunch that includes skits, plays, songs, games. During the last week of February and the month of March members revitalize, reclaim and recommit to Zeta through participation in the chapter’s annual overnight chapter retreat, a major community service project and a worship service where members come together to worship at an area church. The culmination of this Finer Womanhood celebration is luncheon/fashion show where you find members of Beta Delta Zeta publicly recognizing community members or organizations who have served unselfishly and untiringly in areas such as health, education, and the arts. |