FOUNDING PEARLS

Triumphant Arizona Cleaver Stemons

Arizona Cleaver Stemons (January 30,1898 – March 1980), born Arizona Leedonia Cleaver, Born in Pike County, Missouri. She Was educated in the public schools of Hannibal, Missouri. Ms. Cleaver’s Graduate & Post graduate studies were pursued at Howard University and at the Pennsylvania School of Social Work. Her first professional employment resulted in teaching at the same Hannibal high school from which she graduated. She completed her graduate and post-graduate studies in the field of social work and was responsible for chartering numerous undergraduate and graduate chapters throughout the United States. While she was a student at Howard University in 1920, she was one of the five founding members of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and its first president. After 1933, she worked as a social worker in Philadelphia, working with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and for the city's Department of Public Welfare. Ms. Cleaver became the wife of James Stemmons on June 1, 1928. In 1933, she accepted a position with the Philadelphia Department of Public Assistance.

Triumphant Pearl Anna Neal

Pearl Anna Neal (Oct. 10, 1900 - Jan 31, 1978), born in Charlotte , North Carolina. She was one of the co -founder's of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Founder Neal graduated from Howard University’s Conservatory of Music, Founder Neal continued her studies at the Julliard School of Music. In 1938, she was the first black woman in New York to earn a master’s degree in music from Columbia University. An extremely accomplished musician, Founder Neal taught music in North Carolina public schools and served as a director of seniors majoring in music at Teachers College in Winston Salem, NC.

Triumphant Myrtle Tyler Faithful

Myrtle Lavenia Tyler Faithful (Nov 7, 1901 - Apr. 21,1993) was a native of Flushing, Ohio. After graduating from Howard University, she taught mathematics at Bates High School in Annapolis until she returned to Flushing in 1925 and married Roscoe Conklyn Faithful. She taught eighth-grade mathematics at a school in Cadiz, Ohio,and was a Red Cross volunteer before moving to Jamaica, N.Y., after the death of her husband in 1965. After moving to Towson in 1976, she joined Grace Presbyterian Church in Baltimore and was a member of the TABCO Towers Council. Founder Tyler was an active member of the Alpha Zeta chapter in Baltimore, Maryland.Myrtle Tyler Faithful was the second national president of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and biological sister to Viola Tyler Goings.

Triumphant Viola Tyler Goings

Viola Tyler Goings (Aug. 29, 1899 - Mar. 9, 1983) was born in Flushing, Ohio and the biological sister to Founder Myrtle Tyler Faithful. On completion of her high school education, she became a co-ed at Howard University. After graduating from Howard University with a teaching degree in math, she taught in Smithville, North Carolina, and later accepted the position to teach at the Annapolis High School in Maryland. Later, she advanced her career and became an Assistant Principal at the Cambridge High School in Cambridge, Maryland. She married Fred Goings and later moved to Springfield Ohio, to continue pursuing her career as an educator. As a teacher Ms. Tyler taught mathematics and English for many years until her retirement.

Triumphant Fannie Pettie Watts

Fannie Pettie (Dec. 20, 1899 - Aug. 22, 1995) was one of the co-founders of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. She was a Life Member and held membership with Delta Alpha Zeta Chapter in Brooklyn, New York. She is credited with organizing Omicron Beta Chapter in Brooklyn. Fannie Pettie was born in Perry, Georgia. She attended public schools in Savannah, Georgia and continued her formal training at Georgia State College. Later, she graduated from Howard University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. Post-graduated studies in social work and in housing have been pursued at New York University.
She was married to the late John G. Watts and was the mother of two sons. Professionally, Founder Fannie Pettie Watts was the Social Investigator for the Department of Social Service in Brooklyn and Director of the Cradle Roll division of Brooklyn's Nazarene Congregational Church.