The Tribune

THE Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated donated $25,000 to the Ranfurly Home for Children during its national executive board meeting last week.

The sorority staged its national meeting at Baha Mar - the first time the event has been hosted outside of the United States.

The conference brought more than 300 Zetas, and, in keeping with the sorority’s philanthropic mission, a significant contribution was made to the children’s home.

“We would like to thank the sorority for the donation as this amount of money will go towards the initiatives we have established for 2019 and beyond,” Kristy Kemp, a member of the Board of Directors of the home, said.

There are three local chapters of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated in The Bahamas – Theta Epsilon Zeta Graduate Chapter (New Providence), Rho Upsilon Zeta Undergraduate Chapter (University of The Bahamas) and Beta Alpha Mu Zeta Graduate Chapter (Grand Bahama).

Margaret Johnson-Rolle, Theta Epsilon Zeta Chapter’s President said: “They chose to do more than just bring 300 plus sorors to our shores. They wanted to do something that would etch a stamp in the minds of the Bahamian society and did so by choosing The Ranfurly Home for Children and giving this large donation. We know the donation will go a long way.”

Sorority president Valerie Hollingsworth-Baker said. “Wherever there is a Zeta Chapter, we will do our best to give in those communities. When I became president in July last year, I told those gathered that we needed to move to see our international sisters. And so I am proud that we made it to The Bahamas,” she continued, “and I am proud that we were able to make this donation possible. We hope that it makes the lives of the children at the home much better.”

During the national conference, board members held talks on the roadmap to their celebration of 100 years of existence in June of 2020. A Centennial launch reception was held on Friday, January 11, featuring a Junkanoo presentation by the Colours Entertainment Junkanoo Group.

In a press statement yesterday, the organisation heralded its innovation that has led to a number of firsts. It was the First National Pan-Hellenic Council organization to centralise its operations in a national headquarters; the first to charter a chapter in Africa; the first to form auxiliary groups; and the first to be constitutionally bound to a fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated.

“The sorority takes pride in its continued participation in transforming communities through volunteer services from members and its auxiliaries. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated has chartered hundreds of chapters worldwide and has a membership of more than 100,000,” the press statement added.