AYZ History

Seven adventuresome women founded Alpha Upsilon Zeta Chapter in Tallahassee in February 1942. Eager to share the tenants of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Service, Scholarship, Sisterly love, and Finer Womanhood the Tallahassee Zeta’s began to search for women they could embrace as sisters in the newly organized Chapter. Under the leadership of Keturah E. Whitehurst as first chapter president, Alpha Upsilon Zeta initiated its first members approximately two months after receiving its charter. Within a few months, there were more than a dozen brilliant, vibrant, and classy members of Alpha Upsilon Zeta.
The Alpha Upsilon Zeta (AYZ) chapter is the first graduate chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. in Tallahassee. In 2005, AYZ donated a portrait of the sorority's five founders to the Black Archives Museum at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University – making Zeta Phi Beta the first sorority to do so.
Alpha Upsilon Zeta advises two collegiate chapters of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. – Gamma Alpha at Florida A and M University and Rho Kappa at Florida State University. Alpha Upsilon Zeta sponsors four auxiliary groups: The Amicae for adult women. The Archonettes for teens between the ages of 14 and 18. The Amicettes for girls between the ages of 9 and 13, and The Pearlettes for girls between the ages of 4 and 8.
If you are interested in learning more about Alpha Upsilon Zeta, please send your name, address and e-mail address to ayz@alphaupsilonzpb.org. You will be contacted by a member of Alpha Upsilon Zeta.

Arizona Cleaver, Myrtle Tyler, Viola Tyler, Fannie Pettie and Pearl Neal