About Zeta Tau Alpha

In 1898, nine young women at the Virginia State Female Normal School (now Longwood University) formalized their friendship by forming Zeta Tau Alpha. Away from home for the first time, these teenagers longed for companionship while they studied to be teachers. Fearing their unique friendship would fade without a formal bond to sustain it, they met in secret by candlelight in the bathroom of their dormitory. At the start, they used only three question marks as their group name. The first minute book of regular meetings states Zeta Tau Alpha was organized Oct. 15, 1898.

Learn more about how Zeta Tau Alpha was founded.

We now have more than 318,000 initiated members, 172 active collegiate chapters and more than 225 alumnae chapters across the country.

The Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation is the philanthropic and fundraising arm of the Fraternity. The Foundation leads our efforts in breast cancer education and awareness, provides more than $1 million in scholarships annually, and sponsors educational and leadership opportunities for our members and others.

The ZTA Fraternity Housing Corporation is the largest in the Panhellenic world and provides safe, secure, and competitive housing for all our collegiate members.

Explore the national ZTA website to find additional information about our Nine Key Values, policies, dedication to inclusion, programming, and more.

Zeta Tau Alpha is a national women’s fraternity with 174 active collegiate chapters and 233 alumnae chapters across the United States. Founded on strong values of leadership, service, and sisterhood, Zeta creates a lifelong community for its members.

The Theta Omicron chapter at Baylor University is proud to be the 178th link, installed on December 3, 1977, and continues to uphold the traditions and values that define Zeta Tau Alpha.