Texas State University- San Marcos
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Zeta Tau Alpha was founded October 15, 1898,
by nine women at the State Female Normal
School (now Longwood University) in
Farmville, Virginia. Only 14-15 years of age,
these young women desired permanence to
their friendships and hoped to perpetuate
their sisterhood long after college. Though
dedicated to the formation of a Greek-letter
group, the band of nine delayed
selecting a formal name. A temporary name of
“???” was taken when, as legend has it, a
member of another group met with the
Founders. Raising her eyebrows and forming
her fingers in the shape of a question mark,
she asked “Who are you?” In unison, the group
answered “Yes, Who? Who? Who?” Thus, the
group came to be known as “???” while they
sought an appropriate Greek name and
symbols. During this time, the group received
valuable assistance from two of the members’
brothers -- Maud’s brother, Plummer
Jones, and Frances Yancey Smith’s brother
Giles Mebane Smith. Both were students at the
college of William and Mary, members of
men’s Greek-letter organizations and
knowledgeable of Greek lore.
After a year of careful contemplation, the group
chose the formal name, the patron goddess
and the badge.
by nine women at the State Female Normal
School (now Longwood University) in
Farmville, Virginia. Only 14-15 years of age,
these young women desired permanence to
their friendships and hoped to perpetuate
their sisterhood long after college. Though
dedicated to the formation of a Greek-letter
group, the band of nine delayed
selecting a formal name. A temporary name of
“???” was taken when, as legend has it, a
member of another group met with the
Founders. Raising her eyebrows and forming
her fingers in the shape of a question mark,
she asked “Who are you?” In unison, the group
answered “Yes, Who? Who? Who?” Thus, the
group came to be known as “???” while they
sought an appropriate Greek name and
symbols. During this time, the group received
valuable assistance from two of the members’
brothers -- Maud’s brother, Plummer
Jones, and Frances Yancey Smith’s brother
Giles Mebane Smith. Both were students at the
college of William and Mary, members of
men’s Greek-letter organizations and
knowledgeable of Greek lore.
After a year of careful contemplation, the group
chose the formal name, the patron goddess
and the badge.
Founders:
Maud Jones Horner, Died 1920
Della Lewis Hundley, Died July 12, 1951
Alice Bland Coleman, Died June 11, 1956
Mary Jones Batte, Died December 3, 1957
Alice Grey Welsh, Died June 21, 1960
Ethel Coleman Van Name, Died January 24, 1964
Helen M. Crafford, Died September 17, 1964
Frances Yancey Smith, Died April 23, 1977
Ruby Leigh Orgain, Died October 22, 1984
Maud Jones Horner, Died 1920
Della Lewis Hundley, Died July 12, 1951
Alice Bland Coleman, Died June 11, 1956
Mary Jones Batte, Died December 3, 1957
Alice Grey Welsh, Died June 21, 1960
Ethel Coleman Van Name, Died January 24, 1964
Helen M. Crafford, Died September 17, 1964
Frances Yancey Smith, Died April 23, 1977
Ruby Leigh Orgain, Died October 22, 1984
Motto: Seek the noblest.
Symbols of Zeta Tau Alpha
The Colors – The colors of Zeta
Tau Alpha are turquoise blue and
steel gray. The significance of
these colors is explained in the
Initiation Service.
Coat of Arms (Crest) – Only
initiated members may use this in
any manner, which is dignified and
in good taste. The ritualistic
meaning of the Coat of Arms is
secret and is revealed to each
member at the time of her Initiation.
Crown – The five-pointed Crown is
an official symbol of the Fraternity.
The significance of the five points
is revealed to each member upon
her Initiation. Many examples of
crown artwork can be found within
ZTA, and all are acceptable as long
as the crown contains exactly five
points.
Flower – The flower of the
Fraternity, chosen by Founder
Ruby Leigh Orgain, is the white
violet. Its symbolic meaning is
explained in the Initiation Service.
Strawberry – In the late 1800s, an
admirer of one of ZTA’s Founders,
Mary Campbell Jones (Batte), sent
her a gift of strawberries. The
scrumptious present prompted the
group of nine friends to host their
first purely social gathering and to
become officially recognized as a
campus organization.
Tau Alpha are turquoise blue and
steel gray. The significance of
these colors is explained in the
Initiation Service.
Coat of Arms (Crest) – Only
initiated members may use this in
any manner, which is dignified and
in good taste. The ritualistic
meaning of the Coat of Arms is
secret and is revealed to each
member at the time of her Initiation.
Crown – The five-pointed Crown is
an official symbol of the Fraternity.
The significance of the five points
is revealed to each member upon
her Initiation. Many examples of
crown artwork can be found within
ZTA, and all are acceptable as long
as the crown contains exactly five
points.
Flower – The flower of the
Fraternity, chosen by Founder
Ruby Leigh Orgain, is the white
violet. Its symbolic meaning is
explained in the Initiation Service.
Strawberry – In the late 1800s, an
admirer of one of ZTA’s Founders,
Mary Campbell Jones (Batte), sent
her a gift of strawberries. The
scrumptious present prompted the
group of nine friends to host their
first purely social gathering and to
become officially recognized as a
campus organization.
