Throughout recorded history, women have played an active role in affecting civil, social and cultural change in their communities. At the turn of the century, large numbers of educated women in urban communities established a movement to address the needs of the poor, and a myriad of civil and social inequalities collectively. This is the over arching purpose of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.

Black women recognized the importance of and organized efforts to champion the fight for civil equality, and promote education, self-improvement, and the advancement of the black family in their communities. Five women conceived the idea of a sisterhood governed by principles of Service, Scholarship, Sisterly Love and Finer Womanhood. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. was founded on January 16th, 1920 on the campus of Howard University in Washington D.C. They dared to depart from established tenets to charter the sisterhood to encourage the highest standard in cultural, educational and literary programming and scholarship.

 

The Chi Lambda Chapter was chartered on April 26th, 1982 by five visionaries who believed in the importance of establishing and implementing the work of Zeta in the Rochester campus communities. Constantly endeavoring to transcend the status quo, the Chi Lambda Chapter through its innovative and enthused membership has put forth a plethora of community service ventures and informative, diverse campus programming. To meet the evolving needs of the contemporary campus we delve into issues to empower the current student body focusing on areas in health, education, cross cultural discussions, and politics.

We are governed by our ZHOPE (Zetas Helping Other People Excel) umbrella program through we host events such as our Annual Breast Cancer Walk, Women's Health Awareness Programs, participate in on going Blood Drives, Adopt Families, Adopt Highways and award scholarships within our school and the Rochester community.

National Philanthropy: March of Dimes and annual walk to raise funds for premature babies and Stork's Nest to foster prenatal education for mothers.

National Programs: Finer Womanhood Week and Prematurity Awareness Weekend.