History

Zeta Tau Alpha was founded October 15, 1898, by nine women at the State Female Normal School (now Longwood University) in Farmville, Virginia.

The purpose of our chapter is to intensify friendship, promote happiness among its members, to perform such deeds, and to mould such opinions as will conduce to the building up of a purer and nobler womanhood in the world.

Zeta Tau Alpha’s open motto is “Seek the Noblest.”

Symbols

Crown - The five-pointed Crown is an official symbol of the Fraternity.  The significance of the five points is revealed to each member upon her Initiation.  Many examples of crown artwork can be found within ZTA, and all are acceptable as long as the crown contains exactly five points.

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.

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.

Colors - The colors of Zeta Tau Alpha are turquoise blue and steel gray.  The significance of these colors is explained in the Initiation Service.

Coat of Arms (Crest) - Only initiated members may use this in any manner, which is dignified and in good taste.  The ritualistic meaning of the Coat of Arms is secret and is revealed to each member at the time of her initiation.

Patron Goddess - The Founders chose Themis to represent the Fraternity.  Themis is, in Greek mythology, one of the Titans, daughter of Gaea (Earth) and Uranus (Heaven), and the mother of the three Fates and the Seasons.  The goddess of divine justice and law, Themis was the constant companion of the god Zeus and sat beside him on Olympus.  In ancient art she is represented holding aloft a pair of scales on which she weighs the claims of opposing parties.