Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. - State of New Jersey History
On March 25, 1948, the first Graduate chapter was chartered at Camden's Macedonia A.M.E. Church. Triumphant Soror Rev. Alexzina Brown initiated a charter for Gamma Nu Zeta Chapter with the support of Sorority President Lullelia Walker Harrison and Regional Director Evelyn Hunt. Charter members Catherine Johnson, Evelyn Ellerbee, Jean Lewis, Katherine Besselieu Ross and Inez Brooks laid the foundation for the State's future record of excellent service to people in need. Under the tenure of Past State Director Geraldine Johnson the statewide Founders' Day Celebration was started.
As our Zeta family expanded, the States first Amicae auxiliary, Zeta Amicae of Camden was founded in 1956. After several years of inactivity, it was reactivated in 2012. In addition to Camden there are nine other auxiliaries in the state: Zeta Amicae of Princeton-Trenton which was also chartered in 1956, and reorganized in 1969; Zeta Amicae of Newark/Orange chartered in 1973; Zeta Amicae of Plainfield chartered in 1975; Zeta Amicae of Moorestown chartered in 1985; Zeta Amicae of Gloucester County chartered in 1995; Zeta Amicae of Atlantic City, chartered in 1999; Zeta Amicae of Jersey City chartered in 2012; Zeta Amicae of Middle & Southern Middlesex County chartered in 2014; and Zeta Amicae of Monmouth and Ocean Counties chartered in 2021.
In 1954 Chi Alpha became the State's first Undergraduate city chapter. It was established in the Princeton/Trenton area. Chi Alpha is now located at Rider University. Omicron Epsilon at Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey) in 1974 became the State's first campus-based undergraduate chapter.
The Garden State's distinction in Zetadom is further enhanced by the residency of two past International Presidents, the late Dr. Deborah Wolfe and Dr. Edith V. Francis, our former National Educational Foundation Chair, Dr. Kathryn T. Malvern who also served as a Past Regional Director, and Chair of Regional Directors. Gina Merritt-Epps, Esq., who served as the 14th New Jersey State Director, currently serves as the Atlantic Regional Director. We are excited to see how our Garden State Zetas will continue to do the awesome work of our organization.
As our Zeta family expanded, the States first Amicae auxiliary, Zeta Amicae of Camden was founded in 1956. After several years of inactivity, it was reactivated in 2012. In addition to Camden there are nine other auxiliaries in the state: Zeta Amicae of Princeton-Trenton which was also chartered in 1956, and reorganized in 1969; Zeta Amicae of Newark/Orange chartered in 1973; Zeta Amicae of Plainfield chartered in 1975; Zeta Amicae of Moorestown chartered in 1985; Zeta Amicae of Gloucester County chartered in 1995; Zeta Amicae of Atlantic City, chartered in 1999; Zeta Amicae of Jersey City chartered in 2012; Zeta Amicae of Middle & Southern Middlesex County chartered in 2014; and Zeta Amicae of Monmouth and Ocean Counties chartered in 2021.
In 1954 Chi Alpha became the State's first Undergraduate city chapter. It was established in the Princeton/Trenton area. Chi Alpha is now located at Rider University. Omicron Epsilon at Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey) in 1974 became the State's first campus-based undergraduate chapter.
The Garden State's distinction in Zetadom is further enhanced by the residency of two past International Presidents, the late Dr. Deborah Wolfe and Dr. Edith V. Francis, our former National Educational Foundation Chair, Dr. Kathryn T. Malvern who also served as a Past Regional Director, and Chair of Regional Directors. Gina Merritt-Epps, Esq., who served as the 14th New Jersey State Director, currently serves as the Atlantic Regional Director. We are excited to see how our Garden State Zetas will continue to do the awesome work of our organization.