Chapter History

Pi Rho Zeta Graduate Chapter of Grand Rapids, MI was founded on the aspirations of our national Founders. On February 15, 1997 five members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. united in an effort to establish a graduate chapter for the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. These insightful women are the chapters founding members:
* Soror Tamasha James
* Soror Leonora Pickett
* Soror Merdis Harris
* Soror Nefta Smith
* Soror Tamika Smith
On March 10, 1997 Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. issued the chapter its name Pi Rho Zeta. Our graduate chapter was chartered on April 26, 1997 at the 63rd Great Lakes Regional Conference held in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The charter was established under the leadership of International Grand Basileus, Soror Barbara West Carpenter; Great Lakes Regional Director, Soror Norma Coz Dartis and Michigan State Director Soror Mary Crew Lester.
The women of Pi Rho Zeta Graduate Chapter are committed to keeping our Founders dream alive by participating in the following initiatives:
* Being active and financial members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
* Attending monthly professional and social meetings
* Providing annual academic scholarships to aspiring college students
* Donating time to Community Service Projects
* Advising our undergraduate sorors
* Supporting educational and social organizations
We are grateful to our illustrious Founders who over 90 years ago envisioned a great sisterhood based on the principles of Scholarship, Service, Sisterly Love and Finer Womanhood. The women of Pi Rho Zeta are committed to continuing to build on our legacy of service by embracing Z-HOPE, Zeta's Helping Other People Excel...through mind, body, and spirit.
* Soror Tamasha James
* Soror Leonora Pickett
* Soror Merdis Harris
* Soror Nefta Smith
* Soror Tamika Smith
On March 10, 1997 Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. issued the chapter its name Pi Rho Zeta. Our graduate chapter was chartered on April 26, 1997 at the 63rd Great Lakes Regional Conference held in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The charter was established under the leadership of International Grand Basileus, Soror Barbara West Carpenter; Great Lakes Regional Director, Soror Norma Coz Dartis and Michigan State Director Soror Mary Crew Lester.
The women of Pi Rho Zeta Graduate Chapter are committed to keeping our Founders dream alive by participating in the following initiatives:
* Being active and financial members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
* Attending monthly professional and social meetings
* Providing annual academic scholarships to aspiring college students
* Donating time to Community Service Projects
* Advising our undergraduate sorors
* Supporting educational and social organizations
We are grateful to our illustrious Founders who over 90 years ago envisioned a great sisterhood based on the principles of Scholarship, Service, Sisterly Love and Finer Womanhood. The women of Pi Rho Zeta are committed to continuing to build on our legacy of service by embracing Z-HOPE, Zeta's Helping Other People Excel...through mind, body, and spirit.