As the Spring semester begins to unfold, events and organizations are beginning to be scheduled. Zeta Phi Beta, a Divine 9 sorority on campus, has planned to return to Baker after being absent since 2017.
The Divine 9 is composed of 9 fraternities and sororities that are historically African American.
“Our goal was to bring it back for all the women who have expressed interest in being a member, and members in the graduate chapter who want their daughters to also become members,” Ruthie Pickens, Kansas State Director of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, said.
On Jan. 31, the Zeta Phi Beta sorority held an informational meeting for women around campus who are potentially interested in becoming a member. Anyone who attended the meeting got the chance to conversate with already initiated members to learn more about the organization and their values.
“This informational meeting gives young ladies information about our sorority, particularly things such as our national initiatives, our founding principles, which are scholarship, service, sisterhood, and finer womanhood, and just basic information of what it looks like to be a member. This gives information and a general idea of what to expect as a member,” Patricia DeRiggs, Third Vice President of the Chi Delta Zeta chapter, explained.
The Zeta Phi Beta organization has hundreds of chapters all around the world. The very first chapter was founded at Howard University, located in Washington, D.C. Since the first chapter opened in 1920, the organization has continued to increase in numbers with chapters from all over, while making their involvement in the community even more prominent.
With several women in attendance at the informational meeting, the organization hopes to get started with volunteer and community work from all over the Topeka and Lawrence area as soon as they can.
“Zeta is international, and no matter where you go, you see a member of the D9, so it’s a huge conglomeration of men and women who are about service and education for the communities,” Pickens described.
