On Saturday, April 12, the Zeta Phi Beta chartered its inaugural Illinois Wesleyan chapter, Iota Chi.
The five members are seniors Taylor Wipf and Samiah Mathew’s, juniors Kiera Henderson and Maya McGrew and freshman Sapphire Bankston-Hunter and they are advised by Dr. Michelle Cowin Gibbs.
Zeta Phi Beta’s charter comes after two years of effort to build interest in the historically Black woman-led Greek letter organization.
The graduate chapter in Bloomington-Normal, Beta Iota Zeta, have advocated for the charter by visiting IWU’s campus and building interest in the organization.
“Many faculty members were supportive in our applications and fundraising activities over the past two years,” Mathews said. “We look forward to getting more faculty involved in the future.”
“Some of us who were interested in the beginning of this process helped with fundraising and events to build student interest,” Henderson, President of the chapter, said.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated had a strong emphasis on scholarly work and community involvement, which drew the attention of the five inaugural members.
“We are all caring, scholarly, community-conscious, action-oriented and bright young women who support each other through cultivating a safe space on campus,” McGrew said. “Being able to obtain the oder sisterly love and guidance I’ve never had has been a blessing to me, and I look forward to passing the same onto future generations on IWU’s campus.”
While it took two years to garner interest and funds for the IWU chapter, students felt supported through the process.
“This is the first time Zeta Phi Beta has been on IWU’s campus, and it’s the first time in decades that there has been a Divine Nine at IWU. There have been people advocating for us to be on campus for a while, and it has been wonderful to see this goal become a reality,” Wipf said.
The Divine Nine are the nine Black Greek-letter organizations that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). Of the four sororities, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. members pride themselves on “scholarship, service, sisterhood and finer womanhood,” according to their website.
“It makes me feel like there’s a place for me on this campus, which also allows other black women to be themselves,” Bankston-Hunter said.
The sisters of Zeta Phi Beta plan to create opportunities for community service on campus and in Bloomington-Normal with the guidance of their graduate chapter.
