Border Philanthropy

Our National Philanthropy is Breast Cancer Education and Awareness.

Service is an important aspect of being a Zeta Tau Alpha. Every year , Zetas across the nation commit themselves to serving their communities. Every woman is touched by breast cancer sometime in her life and ZTA believes that the fight against breast cancer is one that is important to every woman.

In 1992, Zeta Tau Alpha adopted The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation as the Fraternity’s national philanthropy. At the 1996 International Convention, the Fraternity voted to increase ZTA’s support of breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment in February 2004, the ZTA Foundation was pleased to announce that THINK-PINK! Became a registered trademark of ZTA with the United States Patent and Trademark office.

Each year, members of Zeta Tau Alpha distribute one million waterproof shower cards which identify how to perform self-examinations. Zeta also volunteer at more than 86 Race for the Cure events nationwide and co-sponsor the Survivor Program for Race for the Cure.

  • One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
  • Approximately 1.8 million women and 12,000 men have been diagnosed with breast cancer.
  • Breast cancer is the leading form of cancer among American women and second only to lung cancer in cancer related deaths.
  • For women ages 35-54 it is the leading cause of death.
  • Breast cancer accounts for 30% of all new cancer cases in women.
  • When breast cancer is confined to the breast the 5 year survival rate is over 95%.

Zeta Chapter not only helps to raise thousands of dollars for the Susan G. Komen Foundation every year, but they also participate in other philanthropic events throughout the year. University of Tennessee donate their time, money, and spirit to causes such as Relay for Life, Buddy’s race Against Cancer, and Dance Marathon for Children’s Hospital. Each month, Zeta Chapter plans various service projects to help others in need. These are just a few of the ways Zeta Tau Alpha women are making a difference in the lives of others.

2006 marked the 10th anniversary for Race for the Cure in Knoxville and the event returned to its original location in World’s Fair Park. The date for this year’s event is October 11, 2008. For more information about the Susan G. Komen Foundation and Race for the Cure, please visit www.komen.org


In 2006, Zeta Tau Alpha began a campus event called the Real Men Wear Pink Pageant. This fun filled event not only raises money for our philanthropy nationwide but also brings in the entire Greek community at the University Of Tennessee to join the cause. Collegiate men, chosen by each participating sorority, take part as contestants and will take on the name of the sorority they represent, for example Mr. Delta Gamma. The night of the event, the contestants participate in 4 sections of competition: introduction (with an opening dance routine), talent, formal wear, and interview all while incorporating pink into their wardrobe. This event is very similar to the Miss America Pageant or the Collegiate Big Man on Campus, but with a pink twist!