What do you love best about Stony Brook?
I love that SBU is a school that allows students to be themselves. There is no limit to what you can do or want to do.
What made you want to become part of a sorority?
I have always wanted to be involved in a sorority, especially Zeta Phi Beta, because my older sister is a member of the organization as well and it has always been in my heart to be a part of the sisterhood that it represents.
What is it like being a leader of a sorority?
It is difficult at times because it is a lot of work but at the end of the day the outcome is worth it. I lead my chapter with the hope that one day someone else will admire it and want to take over and uphold the chapter to the same degree.
Can you give us some background and insight into your sorority?
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority was founded on January 16, 1920 at Howard University by five illustrious women known as the “five pearls.” These women wanted to create an organization with the four principles of Scholarship, Service, Sisterly Love, and Finer Womanhood. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority was founded on the simple belief that sorority elitism and socializing should not overshadow the real mission of progressive organizations: to address societal mores, ills, prejudices, poverty, and health concerns of the day. We are also the only sorority that is constitutionally bound to a fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated.
What is it like to be a part of your sorority?
Being a part of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority is an indescribable feeling. It is a privilege as it allows you to gain skills and learn things about yourself. As stated before, the importance of being in a sorority is deeper for me than for the average person because the love that I have for my organization has been in my heart for a very long time; it was always a dream for me and at SBU, I am privileged to have found a chapter where I feel the sisterhood and can easily fit in. As a Zeta, one feels joy as she does the work of the organization and makes a difference in her community. There is no mold to become a Zeta but what it does take is hard work, love and passion for a greater good, and wanting a sisterhood in your heart and soul. Becoming a Zeta makes one a finer woman; one acquires self-confidence and is empowered.
What are some special things that your sorority does?
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. is honored to have formed many wonderful community-based partnerships over the past 91 years. Whether administering our Z-HOPE program or giving financial assistance through our National Education Foundation, we operate with the understanding that service to the community is our greatest legacy. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority has partnered with March of Dimes in an effort to encourage women to seek prenatal care within the first trimester of pregnancy, thereby increasing the prevention of birth defects and infant mortality. On campus, we have had programs focused on HPV, Health Care Education, Craft Night, Promoting the Creative Arts, Donate Old Cell Phones (to victims of domestic violence), Financial Planning & Awareness, and Body Image Awareness.
What are some misconceptions about joining a sorority?
Some people feel that it will affect your schoolwork. This is a complete myth; if anything, being a part of a sorority like Zeta Phi Beta only strengthens your schoolwork as one of our principles is scholarship and there are requirements that every member must meet on numerous levels. That said, all freshmen should do extensive research on all of the organizations on campus to see where they might best fit in.
What do you want your sorority’s legacy to be?
I want Zeta Phi Beta to be remembered as a true sisterhood. We do not judge anyone, we are a fine group of women, and we try our best in all endeavors.