#Nassau, January 15, 2019 – Bahamas – For the first time ever, the National Executive Board Meeting of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated was held outside of the Continental United States of America.  The conference was held from January 10^th-12^th at Baha Mar and brought more than 300 of its members to Bahamian shores.  In keeping with the sorority’s ideal of service and to leave an indelible imprint in The Bahamas, a significant contribution was made to The Ranfurly Home for Children.  This initiative was spearheaded by the Regional Director of Florida and The Bahamas, Lawanda Harper, who worked diligently with all chapters to garner funds to make this happen.

On Saturday, January 12th, a cheque presentation was made to The Ranfurly Home for Children. Kristy Kemp, a member of the Board of Directors of the Home, was on hand to receive the donation.

“We would like to thank the sorority for the donation as this amount of money will go towards the initiatives, we have established for 2019 and beyond,” Ms. Kemp said.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated International President, Valerie Hollingsworth-Baker said the organization’s foundation is to be “about service.”

“We are about community service all over the world,” she said. “Wherever there is a Zeta Chapter, we will do our best to give in those communities. When I became president in July last year, I told those gathered that we needed to move to see our international sisters. And so I am proud that we made it to The Bahamas and I am proud that we were able to make this donation possible. We hope that it makes the lives of the children at the home much better.”

There are three local chapters of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated in The Bahamas – Theta Epsilon Zeta Graduate Chapter (New Providence), Rho Upsilon Zeta Undergraduate Chapter (University of The Bahamas) and Beta Alpha Mu Zeta Graduate Chapter (Grand Bahama).

Theta Epsilon Zeta Chapter’s President, Margaret Johnson-Rolle was delighted that the international arm of the organization sought to make a donation to The Ranfurly Home for Children.

“They chose to do more than just bring 300 plus sorors to our shores,” Mrs. Johnson-Rolle said. “They wanted to do something that would etch a stamp in the minds of the Bahamian society and did so by choosing The Ranfurly Home for Children and giving this large donation. We know the donation will go a long way.”

While here, board members planned the way forward for the organization and in particular, provided the roadmap to their celebration of 100 years of existence in June of 2020. A Centennial launch reception was held on Friday, January 11^th that included an outstanding junkanoo presentation by The Colours Entertainment Junkanoo Group, led by Chris Justilien.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated is poised and ready to celebrate 100^th years of Service, Scholarships and Sisterly Love in Washington D.C. where the organization was first founded.

President Hollingsworth-Baker also made a courtesy call on The Prime Minister, The Rt. Honourable Dr. Hubert Minnis and Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Peter K. Turnquest at the Office of The Prime Minister on Wednesday, January 9^th.

Since its inception, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated has continued its steady climb into the national spotlight with programs designed to demonstrate concern for the human condition both nationally and internationally.  The organization has been innovative in that it has chronicled a number of firsts.  It was the First National Pan-Hellenic Council organization to centralize its operations in a National Headquarters, the first to charter a chapter in Africa, the first to form auxiliary groups, and the first to be constitutionally bound to a fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated.

The sorority takes pride in its continued participation in transforming communities through volunteer services from members and its auxiliaries.  Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated has chartered hundreds of chapters worldwide and has a membership of more than 100,000.

For more information about Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated and its history please visit http://zphib1920.org/.  You can also find more information on the local chapters of the organization on Facebook and Instagram or you may choose to email thetaepsilonzeta@yahoo.com for details on membership.

Release: ALIV

Photo Caption: Zeta Southeastern Regional Director Lawada Harper, Ranfurly Home Board of Directors Member Kristy Kemp, Zeta 25^th International President Valerie Hollingsworth-Baker and Zeta Executive Board Chair Michelle Porter-Knowles

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ABOUT ZETA —

Zeta Phi Beta is an international, historically black Greek-lettered sorority. In 1920 five women from Howard University envisioned a sorority that would raise the consciousness of their people, encourage the highest standards of scholastic achievement, and foster a greater sense of unity among its members.