Zeta Tau Alpha was founded October 15, 1898 by nine women at the State Female Normal School in Farmville, Virginia. Only 14-15 years of age, these young women desired eternalness to their friendships and hoped to continue their sisterhood long after college. Though dedicated to the formation of a Greek-letter group, the band of nine delayed selecting a formal name. A temporary name of “???” (The Three Question Marks) was taken when, as the legend has it, a member of another group met with the Founders. Raising her eyebrows and forming her fingers in the shape of a question mark, she asked “Who are you?” In unison, the group answered “Yes, Who? Who? Who?”; The group came to be known as “???” while they sought an appropriate Greek name and symbols. During this time, the group received valuable assistance from two of the members’ brothers – Maud’s brother, Plummer Jones, and Frances Yancey Smith’s brother, Giles Mebane Smith. Both were students at the college of William and Mary and members of men’s Greek-letter organizations and knowledgeable of Greek lore. After a year of contemplation, the group chose a formal name, the patron goddess and the badge.

Zeta Tau Alpha is known as a fraternity, not a sorority. The founders intended ZTA be designated a “fraternity” to distinguish the organization from the sisterhoods organized in connection with men’s fraternities, called sororities.

From its founding in 1898, the innermost meaning of Zeta Tau Alpha have remained unchanged through the preservation of and respect for rituals. Members and chapters celebrate the founding of Zeta Tau Alpha on October 15 each year. The Founder’s Day service offers remembrance, while turquoise and gray ribbons worn under the badge show each member’s commitment to the founding ideals of ZTA.

The mission of Zeta Tau Alpha is to make a difference in the lives of our membership by developing the potential of each individual through visionary programming which emphasizes leadership development, service to others, academic success and continued personal growth for women with a commitment to friendship and the future based on the values and traditions of our past.

The Zeta Chapter at the University of Tennessee was established June 14, 1904. ZTA is the third oldest sorority an the UT campus.

Founders:

Open Motto: “Seek the Noblest”

Symbols: the five point crown and strawberries; bunnies are often associated as a symbol of Zeta Tau Alpha

Colors: Turquoise Blue and Steel Gray

Flower: white violet

The Badge is worn only by initiated members and consists of a shield bearing the five-point crown, the letters ZTA, and the Greek word “Themis”. The pledge pin is worn by New Members until initiation. The turquoise and silver pin is modeled after the carpenter’s square, representing the straight lines of dignity and moral conduct to which all ZTA’s must uphold. Badges and pins are worn over the heart.

Zeta Tau Alpha’s Coat of Arms is a very special symbol to every member of ZTA. The crest includes many significant symbols such as the five-point crown, the white violet, the five links, and the colors turquoise and gray. The crest is worn only by initiated members of Zeta Tau Alpha.