January 2023 Press Release

The Finer Women of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated; Serving the Liberian Community since 1948

Delta Iota Zeta is the first chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. chartered on the continent of Africa and the first Black Greek-lettered organization to be established internationally. January 15, 2021 marked the date of reactivation of the chapter since the chapter went dormant due to the country's instability in the 80s. Members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated- the Delta Iota Zeta chapter have had quite a busy calendar year of community conscious service to Liberia.

In January of this year, members of the sorority celebrated one year of reactivation by awarding 2 highschool girls in Liberia academic scholarships towards their university education. Scholarship being our first and most important sorority principle, we also pay homage to a Liberian Soror who came before us and was pivotal in Liberia's education space by launching this Dr. A. Doris Banks Henries Scholarship on January 15th, 2022. Members of the sorority remain in touch with the young women to offer guidance and empowerment as they prepare for their university education.

In March 2022, the month designated sorority-wide for a celebration of Finer Womanhood, the sisterhood celebrated the excellence and potential for excellence in Liberian Women. On the heels of their "Fine Girl" social media campaign, the Delta Iota Zeta chapter launched a partnership with GoGirlGrow by Shoana "Cachelle" Clarke to provide scholarships and microloans to adult women in Liberia.

Six Microloans were dispensed to 6 women after they went through 5 weeks of basic financial literacy workshops meant to help their businesses thrive as well. Featured guests for the program included keynote speaker Liberia's Minister of Agriculture, Honorable Jeanine Cooper and motivational speaker Mariam Meiplay owner and founder of Liberia’s first and fastest growing chain of smoothie and fresh juice bars, Mako’s Fruits. Minister Cooper is also no stranger to adversity and even in her leadership role, has remained an accessible resource to all interested in revitalizing Liberia's agriculture sector. Minister Cooper was the recipient of the chapter's 2022 Woman of Excellence Award!

In June, the sorority and chapter welcomed 4 new members to continue the work. Those members hit the ground running and on June 16th the International Day of the African Child, 103 girls at the Ann Sandell School benefited from a discussion about sexual protection and awareness in partnership with Kids' Educational Engagement Project Liberia's Brenda Brewer Moore. Five copies of the book, My Body, My Treasure were also donated to the school's library. The Ann Sandell School is the beneficiary of this chapter's Adopt-A-School initiative.

Also in June, sorority members visited the Antoinette Tubman Cheshire Home (ATCH). Named for a past Soror sister of the chapter, the former First Lady, the home currently has 15 residents ranging from 4 to 60 years old along with 18 dedicated staff. These staff continuously manage the home with the residents that spend their entire lives there and require constant care as many residents suffer from cerebral palsy or other neurological challenges. Sorors of the chapter were unanimous in their vision to bring aid to this landmark initiative. Soror Decontee King-Sackie along with Soror Sara Elizabeth Buchanan, completed an assessment visit of the ATCH facility. Warmly greeted by staff and residents, Sorors King-Sackie and Buchanan explained the call for service of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated as well as the connection to their Soror Tubman. Assorted food items and cleaning supplies which included: Chicken, Cooking Oil, Sardines, Powder Milk, Quaker Oats, Powder Soap as well as, Adult and Children Diapers were distributed for residents.


In 2023, as Liberians reflected on the Year of the Diaspora and what that means for our future, sorority members also co-produced a labor of love honoring the country's legacy. Unity Through Migration, a documentary which celebrates both the history and diversity of the country's natural resources and the people that have a hand in shaping its future was released on October 8th and is still available on YouTube for viewing, watch parties, and discussion. The sorority also successfully raised $850 towards teacher training workshops in collaboration with Africa Community Exchange.

Forging forward and building upon 3 years of work to further breast cancer care and awareness, this year the chapter partnered with 6 other organizations- Wellness Partners Health, Susu Health Foundation, Hope For Women, Alpha Kappa Alpha - Eta Beta Omega chapter, Delta Sigma Theta, and Sigma Gamma Rho Nu Lambda Sigma chapter to screen 150 women for breast cancer in Monrovia in the months of October and November 2022. Taking their commitment a step further, Delta Iota Zeta partnered with Wellness Partners Clinic to ensure a full continuum of care would be managed for all patients referred. The chapter has raised over $3000 in breast cancer support for women in Liberia since 2019.


Each December, the chapter also helps brighten the spirit of children at their Adopt-A-Hospital: Redemption Hospital in the borough of New Kru Town, Liberia. This year they were grateful to work alongside a special volunteer Mrs. Massa Clarke who assisted members of the sisterhood with this early morning call to service. This year the chapter added New Mom kits to the distribution, with hopes of starting a regular Storks Nest.

Redemption Hospital is a hospital operated by the government. It holds 200+ beds and serves a catchment population of about 400,000 people. In addition to the Toy Drive, the sorority chapter has sponsored hospital wide staff meals, replacement mattress covers, donation support to rehabilitate their oxygen tank during COVID, and so much more since 2018 🙏🏾


This holiday season they were able to be a blessing to 34 new mothers & 110 children today at this hospital.

"Today was indeed transformative and a real demonstration of what a little kindness can do in the people's lives. Just that SMILE, was indeed so touching. Determined Delta Iota Zeta Forever!!!"

- Soror King-Sackie

The sorority is looking forward to growing its partnerships and enhancing existing relationships. If you are an NGO, CSO, or looking to partner to improve: 1) Women's Economic Empowerment and Literacy 2) Health 3) Young Women and Girls 4) Sexual and Gender Based Violence and 5) Childhood Nutrition we would love to hear from you.


For more information on the sorority's activities in Liberia message them here liberiazetas@gmail.com or feel free to contact any of the organization's members below:

Freda Koomson, Chapter President

Fredical Mars-Mulbah, Chapter 1st Vice-President

Victoria Cooper, Chapter 2nd Vice-President

Dr. Jobila Williams-Sy, Chapter Secretary

Decontee King-Sackie, Chapter Treasurer

Moriah Yeakula, Chapter Parliamentarian

Sara Buchanan, Chapter ZHOPE Coordinator

Anna Ware, Chapter Chaplain


You can also find out more about the sorority and its Liberia chapter and upcoming events for 2023, the chapter's 75th year since chartering. Click the image below to stay tuned into our social media:

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Delta Iota Zeta is the first international chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and the first Black Greek-lettered organization to be established internationally.