Life as a ZTA member
Our nine Founders were very young, just 14 and 15 and studying to be teachers at the Virginia State Normal School, when they envisioned a sisterhood that would last a lifetime. They held their first meetings in a bathroom. Now, most women join ZTA at age 18 or 19 as they enter their college years, and our chapters meet in houses, lodges, dormitories, Panhellenic suites and classrooms. But ZTA membership is much more than just a college experience. Zeta is Forever.
Iota Psi Life as a Member

During your years as a collegiate member of ZTA, you can expect to experience sisterhood in nearly everything you do. You and your sisters will learn together, play together, eat together and grow together. As a new member, you will learn about the responsibilities of membership and our emphasis on loyalty, responsibility, service, leadership and commitment. You will have a Big Sister to lead your through this stage of membership and into your Initiation.

Initiation into Zeta Tau Alpha is a beautiful service that has remained unchanged since written by our Founders. The service explains all of the historic imagery and symbolism of our Fraternity. After your Initiation, you will have the opportunity to hold leadership positions in your chapter, either as a member of the Executive Committee or the Program Council. ZTA members are also encouraged to participate in campus activities as well and to use their skills for the greater good of their fellow students. Your collegiate chapter will be an active member of your College Panhellenic and will work to strengthen the Greek system on your campus.

ZTA chapters create their own schedule of events and activities including fund raising, local service and philanthropy projects, intermurals, social events with other campus organizations, Greek Week, Homecoming, leadership seminars and events with alumnae members. Some chapters live together in residential housinng, some in wings of the dormitory, and still others meet together for meetings and social activities on and off campus.

College lasts only four (okay, maybe five!) years. But ZTA membership lasts a lifetime. The dream of sisterhood doesn't end when you graduate. It just takes a different twist. As an alumnae member of ZTA, you can join a local alumnae chapter and continue your involvement well into your "older, wiser" years. One of the most beautiful moments in ZTA is the Order of the Shield service that celebrates 50 years of membership in our Fraternity. These ladies are shining examples of a sisterhood that lasts a lifetime.

Life as a ZTA holds limitless possibilities. We hope you'll navigate through our website to learn more about Zeta Tau Alpha.

Zeta Tau Alpha currently has:  

248 chartered chapters

162 active collegiate chapters

218,000 initiated members

239 alumnae organizations

190 volunteer National Officers

1,902 local alumnae volunteers