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The dedication and skills of progressive organizations are increasingly needed to meet the fast growing social and economic requirement of our complex society. Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. with its creative and energetic membership has found its place among those organizations that are recognized for their achievements in cultural and civil endeavors.
Eta Phi Beta, a National Business and Professional Women's Sorority was organized in October, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan by eleven business women who attended Lewis Business College. These women were Merry Green Hubbard, Ann Porter, Lena Reed, Earline Carter, Ivy Burt Banks, Dorothy Sylvers Brown, Ethel Madison, Mae Edwards Bolling Curry, Katherine Douglas, Mattie Rankin and Atheline Shelton. Their purpose was to help high school graduates by giving scholarships and to assist in programs designed to help retarded citizens. Their aims were to develop closer fellowships among business and professional women.
The first officers were installed by Mrs. R. Louise Grooms, President-Founder of Detroit Institute of Commerce and Eta Phi Beta Sorority, first honorary member. The first officers were: Merry Green Hubbard-Basileus, Ann Porter-Anti Basileus, Ethel Madison-Tamiouchos, Dorothy Sylvers Brown-Chaplain, Earline Carter-Grammateus, Ivy Burt Banks- Guard, Mattie Rankin-Keeper of Peace and Katherine Douglas-Historian.
Alpha Chapter was chartered in 1942.
Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., expanded in 1954 Grand Chapter was formed in Detroit, Michigan. The first Grand Officers were Ethel Madison-Grand Basileus, Ruby Vaughn Wesley-First Anti Grand Basileus, Merry Green Hubbard-Grand Tamias, Earline Carter-Grand Epistoleus, Dorothy LeForce-Grand Chaplain, Pennie Burden-Grand Organizer and Catherine Washington Moreland-Grand Grammateus. The first Boule was held in Detroit, Michigan at the Garfield Lounge in 1955 with Alpha Chapter as host chapter.
In 1956 the second Boule was held in Cleveland, Ohio with Gamma Chapter, the host chapter. At this Boule, it was recommended that all chapters support their local Retarded Children Association and that Regional Conference be held in the odd years and Boule in even years.
Soror Melba D. Nunnaly, Beta Chapter, Battle Creek, Michigan wrote the music to the Sorority song and Ann Porter-Founder, wrote the words.
The first Northern Regional Conference was held in Cleveland, Ohio, October 31st and November 1st, 1959 with Gamma Chapter as host.
The first chapter to be chartered off the mainland was Alpha Chi, Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands on June 28, 1974 with eighteen members, and was sponsored by Ann Porter.
The past Grand Basilei of Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. were founder Ethel Madison 1954-1956, Thelma Cooper, Gamma Chapter, Cleveland, Ohio 1956-58, Edith Gamble, Alpha Chapter, Detroit, Michigan, 1958-62, Pennie Burden, Alpha Chapter, Detroit, Michigan, 1962-1966, Annette Clardy, Alpha Chapter, Detroit, Michigan, 1966-1970, Dorothea Walker, Gamma Chapter, Cleveland, Ohio, 1970-1974, Alma Alexander, Xi Chapter, Houston, Texas, 1974-1978, Gloria Chapmon, Gamma Chapter, Cleveland, Ohio 1978-82, Bettye Timmons, Alpha Gamma Chapter, Miami, Florida, 1982-1986. Elizabeth Anderson, Rho Chapter, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1986-1990, Mildred Harpole, Eq. Alpha Pi, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1990-1994, Julia Davis, Iota Chapter, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 1994-1998; Janie Rollins, Gamma Chapter, Cleveland, Ohio 1998-2002.
Louise Hoskins Broadnax, Alpha Lambda, Chicago, Illinois Ohio is the current Grand Basileus.
Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. has grown to include six regions, Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western, Southeastern and Mid-eastern with over 110 active chapters in 32 states.
The first Shad Club of Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. an auxiliary consisting of the husbands of Sorors, was organized in 1949 in Detroit, Michigan. Eta Phi Beta has two auxiliaries. Youth groups: Bee Ettes for young ladies; Senords for young men; and Eta Kids for children under the age of 12.
The dream for a Sorority Home began with Grand Basileus, Dorothea Walker in 1972 in Kansas City, Missouri. Grand Basileus Alma Alexander picked up the torch in 1974 and passed it to Grand Basileus, Gloria Chapmon in 1978 who passed it to Grand Basileus, Bettye Timmons in 1982. Under her tenure and support of all members, Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. house was purchased in Detroit, Michigan 16815 James Couzens Avenue in 1986 and the mortgage was ceased and the headquarters were dedicated under the administration of Grand Basileus Elizabeth Anderson.
Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. is ever seeking, keenly aware of community problems and realizes that only by participation and involvement that our organization can be known nationally and internationally.
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