The Alpha Zeta History
The Alpha Zeta Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. was organized in November, 1936. It was chartered April 9, 1937. The first president was Margaret Taylor Lewis. In 1937, Alpha Zeta was a chapter within the Western Region and the charter members formulated the roots of the chapter. Through the years, Alpha Zeta has grown progressively under the leadership of past chapter presidents.​
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Charter Members
Blanche Stephenson Berryman
Katherine Goodwin Drain
Beatrice Hurt
Beatrice Spurlock Kent
Margaret Taylor Lewis
Ina McFadden
Loretta Owens
Estelle Perry Woods
Mayme Shepard
June Carr Turner Smith
Olivette P. Veal
Mary Etta Wood
The Northern Region and Western Region merged in 1980 to form the Central Region. Soror Dr. Fredda Witherspoon was the 10th National President at the time of the Northern and Western Region merger.
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The observers of Founder's Day were established in 1937. June 1 was selected as it commemorates the date on which the first meeting of the Iota Phi Lambda Sorority was held in 1929. Perhaps no other event in Iota's history serves to fix more firmly the ideals which the Sorority stands, nor to cement more solidly the bonds of sisterhood.
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Sorors Witherspoon, Best, and Robinson-Mabins chose Founder's Day as the day to award the Distinguished Service Award. The qualifications for this prestigious award are a fixed legacy to honor Dr. Witherspoon, 10th National President, Alpha Zeta, 1977-1981.
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Soror Odessa M. Jacobs, Initiator of the "Apple for the Teacher" Awards Luncheon, felt educators were not receiving proper recognition for their dedication and creative talents. She came up with a project in which the sorority would recognize educators during American Education Week. Since its inception in 1982, Alpha Zeta Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. has awarded over 800 educators in the St. Louis Metropolitan area.
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Alpha Zeta Chapter
Presidential Leadership
1936-2026
1. Margaret Taylor Lewis * - 1936-1938
2. Olivette Powe Veal * - 1938-1940
3. Ina Dickerson McFadden* - 1940-1942
4. Algie Dorsey* - 1942-1943
5. Alda P. Stokes* - 1943-1947
6. Beatrice Kent* - 1947-1951
7. Henriene C. Vincent* - 1951-1955
8. Lucille Calender* - 1955-1958
9. Bobbette James* - 1958-1960
10. Fredda C. Witherspoon, Ph.D.* - 1960-1964
11. Dorothy Boulding* - 1964-1965
12 Theresa F. Cummings - 1965-1969
13. Velma Dee Hayden* - 1970-1972
14. Magdalene Moore - 1972 -1975
15. Sarah Ruff Lewis* - 1975-1977
16. Jo Ellen Flagg* 1977-1978
17. Minnie D. Tillman* 1978-1979
18. Florence Billups* - 1979-1980
19. Odessa Tandy* - 1980-1982
20. Roberzene C. Price* - 1982-1984
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21. Maizie Orr* - 1984-1986
22. Dorothy F. Walker* - 1986-1988
23. Marguerite C. Best* - 1988-1990
24. Amanda L. Murphy, Ph.D. - 1990-1992
25. Delores D. Stevenson - 1992-1994
26. Lula M. Hall - 1994-1996
27. Geraldine C. Limar - 1996-1998
28 Justyne Davis* - 1998-2000
29. Jane L. Ward - 2000-2004
30. Roberzene C. Price* - 2004-2006
31. Judy Ferguson Shaw - 2006-2010
32. Andrea W. Alexander - 2010-2012
33. Doris A. Graham, Ph.D. - 2012-2013
34. Linda D. Logan - 2013-2015
35. Vanetta J. Cobbs - 2015-2019
36. Ophelia Troupe* - 2019-Aug 7, 2021
37. Cynthia D. Warren, Ph.D. - Aug 7, 2021-2022
38. Barbara Sharp - 2022-2023
39. Monique McKinney - 2023-2024
40. Vanetta J. Cobbs - 2024-Present
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