Zeta Tau Alpha was founded by Nine Women on October 15, 1898, a day that chapters across the country still celebrate with a special ceremony in their honor. Our nine founders were students at the State Female Normal School (Now Longwood University) in Farmville, VA and were interested in developing a permanent sisterhood that would last them long after they had left college. They enlisted the help of Plummer Jones, a member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity and brother to Maud Jones, as well as Giles Membrane Smith, a member of the Phi Beta Psi Fraternity and brother of Frances Yancey Smith. Both boys were students at William and Mary and were knowledgeable of Greek lore. These brothers helped the girls decide on the name, "Zeta Tau Alpha" as well as our patron goddess and other important symbols. In 1902, they received their offical charter from the State of Virginia, and were able to expand their organization to other schools, adding many links to the chain that connects us all.

Today Zeta Tau Alpha has over 200 collegiate and alumnae chapters throughout the country. We all work together to promote friendship and sisterhood as well as educate others about Breast Cancer. We also raise money for the Zeta Tau Alpha foundation which support scholastic, educational, philanthropic, and leadership development programs.