The Well Informed Zeta

I became a member of this amazing sorority on October 14, 2001, as a college sophomore at Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The legacy of Zeta was prominent on our campus: many of our buildings, residence halls, and streets were named after Sorors; now-Triumphant 16th Past International Grand Basileus Isabel M. Herson was a charter member of our undergraduate chapter; and the sitting 21st International Grand Basileus, Dr. Barbara West Carpenter, also an initiate of our undergraduate chapter, was amongst the professors who were Sorors. Within the first ten years of initiation, I answered the call to serve in various roles in my graduate chapters, serving on committees, as a delegate at Boule, and as an elected officer. When changes in my personal and professional lives prevented me from fully participating in the Sisterhood, Zeta was never far from my heart. I always presented myself as a Finer Woman of Zeta Phi Beta. I vowed once I returned, I wouldn’t leave again and would answer whenever I could when Zeta called.  

I reclaimed in 2018 after a final 2-year break to pursue a graduate degree in Management and Leadership. I soon realized that Zeta had changed a lot: new leadership, new programs and partnerships, and updates to our governing documents. In 2019, a chapter member saw me sitting alone and overwhelmed at the regional conference and said, “Come on.” She brought me up to speed, ensured I attended meetings and training, provided the governing documents, and helped me establish a network of sorors. I soon realized there were a lot of sorors who, like me, stepped away from Zeta to raise children, pursue advanced degrees, or change careers, but came back to Zeta. When asked why they were not seeking positions of leadership, their responses were not dissimilar: they’d been away from Zeta and didn’t feel like they would be supported; they didn't possess the proper Zeta credentials or certifications; they needed to put in more “work” at the chapter level first; or they needed someone’s ‘blessing’ or ‘permission.’ 

Putting the needs of others before my own, which includes the needs of the sorority, is a key trait of my servant leadership style. Believing that every member could lead our sorority, I shared my vision of becoming a “Well Informed Zeta," and invited sorors to join me. Since that conference in June 2019, my network of sorors has grown immensely. We support each other at local, state, regional, and National meetings, events, and trainings, gain sorority certifications, discuss our governing documents, study Parliamentary Procedure, and serve as members and chairs of committees within our respective chapters, states, and regions.  

The saying, “A Good Zeta is a Well Informed Zeta.”, is attributed to 24th PIGB Mary Breaux Wright,  and she’s absolutely correct. I learned this lesson from her when she was a state director over 20 years ago. I just take it a bit further: “A Good Zeta is a Well Informed Zeta. A Well Informed Zeta is an Asset to the Sisterhood.” Being a “Good Zeta” means more than knowing about our  governing documents or who sits on the International Board of Directors. It’s knowing how to apply the policies and procedures of our organization diplomatically and democratically, as well as remaining professional and sisterly in times of misunderstanding.  My continuing goal is to expand my network of Well Informed Zetas who are indeed an asset to this group of beautiful and intelligent women I am privileged to call sisters.  

In Service to the Sisterhood, 

Soror Andrea D. Banks

Fall 2021