Since its 1920 founding, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., a community conscious, action-oriented organization, has embraced scholarship as its highest goal. Members are encouraged to aim for the highest standards of academic excellence throughout their lifetimes as members. All incoming members must attain a high GPA to gain membership. Since its inception too, the Sorority has been committed to serving and giving back to members of the African American communities it serves throughout the United States.

 

The members of Beta Zeta Zeta Chapter were committed to raising funds to award scholarships to local girls before the 1940s. Beta Zeta Zeta Chapter, was once locally Iota Chapter, and in 1937, held a a fashion extravaganza at Hughes High School featuring Marva Louis, wife of boxing champion Joe Louis, to raise scholarship funds.  The chapter believes that all African American girls and women in our community should have a right to earn an education and the chapter has continued the tradition of awarding scholarships.

Beta Zeta Zeta Chapter recognizes that there may be unmet financial needs, that without additional financial assistance, some may have trouble paying for a degree. Scholarships can help fill the gap. The chapter believes that students should be able to focus on their studies and not the stress of work to pay tuition. Our scholarships are “free,” money that is not paid back. Beta Zeta Zeta Chapter goes one step further in offering scholarships for not just graduating seniors but also for women who may have deferred their dream of a degree to later in their life.

The chapter’s two scholarships are named after members for their contributions to the community, the chapter and the Sorority. The Doris L. McAdams was established in 2012.  A noted educator, Mrs. McAdams was a former State of Ohio and Great Lakes Region officer. The scholarship in her name is for girls who are graduating seniors.

 

Wilma E. Lacy was the first female African American pharmacist in the city. She was dedicated to her chapter and the promotion of educational opportunities for women. The scholarship in her name was established in 1998 originally for women who pursue college education at least 10+ years after high school graduation. Both scholarships are administered but the Beta Zeta Zeta Education Foundation. The chapter also awards book scholarships to members of its' undergraduate chapter, Beta Eta, at the University of Cincinnati.