Zeta Tau Alpha
Omicron 1911
History
Founding
Zeta Tau Alpha was founded October 15, 1898, by nine 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 Organization, 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 unision, 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.
Our Nine Founders
Zeta Tau Alpha was founded October 15, 1898, by nine 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 Organization, 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 unision, 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.
Our Nine Founders
- Maud Jones Horner, Died 1920
- Della Lewis Hundley, Died July 12, 1951
- Alice Bland Coleman, Died June 11, 1956
- Mary Jones Batte, Died December 3, 1957
- Alice Grey Welsh, Died June 21, 1960
- Ethel Coleman Van Name, Died January 24, 1964
- Helen M. Crafford, Died September 17, 1964
- Frances Yancey Smith, Died April 23, 1977
- Ruby Leigh Orgain, Died October 22, 1984
The Creed
Symbols
 | Badge - The badge of the Fraternity is a small, black, enameled shield super-imposed upon a gold shield, bearing a five pointed crown with the letters ZTA arranged around it, and below it lies the word "Themis" in Greek. |
 | Colors - The colors of Zeta Tau Alpha are Turquoise Blue and Steel Gray. The significance of these colors is revealed during Initiation. |
 | Coat of Arms (Crest) - Only initiated members may use this in any manner, which must be dignified and in good taste. The ritualistic meaning of the Coat of Arms is secret and is also revealed to each member during her Initiation. |
 | Crown - The Five-Pointed Crown is an official symbol of the Fraternity. The significance of the five points is revealed during Initiation. Many examples of crown artwork can be found within ZTA, and all are acceptable as long as the crown contains exactly five points. |
 | Flower - The flower of the Fraternity, chosen by founder Ruby Leigh Orgain, is the White Violet. Its symbolic meaning is explained in the Initiation Service. |
 | Strawberry - In the late 1800s, an admirer of one of ZTA's Founders, Mary Campbell Jones (Batte), sent her a gift of strawberries. The scrumptious present prompted the group of nine friends to host their first purely social gathering and to become officially recognized as a campus organization. |
 | Zebra - The Zebra is the unofficial mascot of the Omicron Chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha. Zeta Tau Alpha does not recognize a national official mascot, and therefore allows each Chapter to choose a local mascot. Other local mascots include: the butterfly, the bunny, the angel, and many more. |
