Chapter History

In April of 1969, twenty girls with ideas of sisterhood and ultimately petitioning a national group came together at Jacksonville State University. After being interviewed by ZTA alumnae Mrs. John McDonald (District IV President), Mrs. Ralph Morgan (Province IV-E President), and Jeanne Manley (Field Secretary), the twenty girls were ribboned with Zeta's blue and gray on April 14th. Thirteen more young women were formally pledged on May 18th before the school year ended, thanks to the guidance and rush training of Jeanne Manley and Marcia McNeill, an Auburn University Zeta. Formal rush began in September with the return to school, and Zeta Psi Chapter pledged quota of twelve. After a week of closed campus, the chapter was allowed to fill their chapter total of 50, so added eight more pledges. Formal pledging took place on September 22nd at the home of Mrs. John Rambeau for the new Zeta Psi's and the new alumnae group. On Friday and Saturday, December 6-7, 1969, Initiation services conducted by Nu Chapter from the University of Alabama were held at the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville for the twenty-eight charter members. Installation services followed, led by National President Martha C. Edens and Vice-President Alumnae Betty McGehee Schuessler, making Zeta Psi the 142nd link in Zeta's Chain of Chapters. An Installation Banquet at the Anniston Country Club closed the evening, and, according to The History of Zeta Tau Alpha "although the night was stormy and wet, there was not one dampened spirit in the group of girls." National President Martha C. Edens spoke on the fraternity woman's place in today's world. Many gifts were given to Zeta Psi, including a silver punch set from National Council and their first gavel mounted on a wall plaque; the Zeta little sisters even gave their big sisters ceramic mugs sporting the ZTA crest. On Sunday, the new chapter hosted an afternoon tea at the International House on campus, and the new Zetas gathered on the staircase to sing Zeta songs for their guests and parents at the close of the party.