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The dedication and skills of progressive organizations are
increasingly needed to meet the fast growing social and
economic requirement of our complex society. Eta Phi Beta
Sorority, Inc. with its creative and energetic membership
has found its place among those organizations that are
recognized for their achievements in cultural and civil
endeavors.
Eta Phi Beta, a National Business and Professional Women's
Sorority was organized in October, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan
by eleven business women who attended Lewis Business
College. These women were Merry Green Hubbard, Ann Porter,
Lena Reed, Earline Carter, Ivy Burt Banks, Dorothy Sylvers
Brown, Ethel Madison, Mae Edwards Bolling Curry, Katherine
Douglas, Mattie Rankin and Atheline Shelton. Their purpose
was to help high school graduates by giving scholarships and
to assist in programs designed to help retarded citizens.
Their aims were to develop closer fellowships among business
and professional women.
The first officers were installed by Mrs. R. Louise Grooms,
President-Founder of Detroit Institute of Commerce and Eta
Phi Beta Sorority, first honorary member. The first officers
were: Merry Green Hubbard-Basileus, Ann Porter-Anti Basileus,
Ethel Madison-Tamiouchos, Dorothy Sylvers Brown-Chaplain,
Earline Carter-Grammateus, Ivy Burt Banks- Guard, Mattie
Rankin-Keeper of Peace and Katherine Douglas-Historian.
Alpha Chapter was chartered in 1942.
Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., expanded in 1954 Grand Chapter
was formed in Detroit, Michigan. The first Grand Officers
were Ethel Madison-Grand Basileus, Ruby Vaughn Wesley-First
Anti Grand Basileus, Merry Green Hubbard-Grand Tamias,
Earline Carter-Grand Epistoleus, Dorothy LeForce-Grand
Chaplain, Pennie Burden-Grand Organizer and Catherine
Washington Moreland-Grand Grammateus. The first Boule was
held in Detroit, Michigan at the Garfield Lounge in 1955
with Alpha Chapter as host chapter.
In 1956 the second Boule was held in Cleveland, Ohio with
Gamma Chapter, the host chapter. At this Boule, it was
recommended that all chapters support their local Retarded
Children Association and that Regional Conference be held in
the odd years and Boule in even years.
Soror Melba D. Nunnaly, Beta Chapter, Battle Creek, Michigan
wrote the music to the Sorority song and Ann Porter-Founder,
wrote the words.
The first Northern Regional Conference was held in
Cleveland, Ohio, October 31st and November 1st, 1959 with
Gamma Chapter as host.
The first chapter to be chartered off the mainland was Alpha
Chi, Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands on June 28, 1974 with
eighteen members, and was sponsored by Ann Porter.
The past Grand Basilei of Eta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., were
founder Ethel Madison 1954-1956, Thelma Cooper, Gamma
Chapter, Cleveland, Ohio 1956-58, Edith Gamble, Alpha
Chapter, Detroit, Michigan, 1958-62, Pennie Burden, Alpha
Chapter, Detroit, Michigan, 1962-1966, Annette Clardy, Alpha
Chapter, Detroit, Michigan, 1966-1970, Dorothea Walker,
Gamma Chapter, Cleveland, Ohio, 1970-1974, Alma Alexander,
Xi Chapter, Houston, Texas, 1974-1978, Gloria Chapmon, Gamma
Chapter, Cleveland, Ohio 1978-82, Bettye Timmons, Alpha
Gamma Chapter, Miami, Florida, 1982-1986. Elizabeth
Anderson, Rho Chapter, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1986-1990, Mildred
Harpole, Eq. Alpha Pi, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1990-1994,
Julia Davis, Iota Chapter, Fort Lauderdale, Florida,
1994-1998; Janie Rollins, Gamma Chapter, Cleveland, Ohio
1998-2002.
Louise Hoskins Broadnax, Alpha Lambda, Chicago, Illinois
Ohio is the current Grand Basileus.
Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. has grown to include six
regions, Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western, Southeastern
and Mid-eastern with over 110 active chapters in 32 states.
The first Shad Club of Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. an
auxiliary consisting of the husbands of Sorors, was
organized in 1949 in Detroit, Michigan. Eta Phi Beta has two
auxiliaries. Youth groups: Bee Ettes for young ladies;
Senords for young men; and Eta Kids for children under the
age of 12.
The dream for a Sorority Home began with Grand Basileus,
Dorothea Walker in 1972 in Kansas City, Missouri. Grand
Basileus Alma Alexander picked up the torch in 1974 and
passed it to Grand Basileus, Gloria Chapmon in 1978 who
passed it to Grand Basileus, Bettye Timmons in 1982. Under
her tenure and support of all members, Eta Phi Beta
Sorority, Inc. house was purchased in Detroit, Michigan
16815 James Couzens Avenue in 1986 and the mortgage was
ceased and the headquarters were dedicated under the
administration of Grand Basileus Elizabeth Anderson.
Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. is ever seeking, keenly aware of
community problems and realizes that only by participation
and involvement that our organization can be known
nationally and internationally.
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