About Lambda Lambda Zeta Chapter
LAMBDA LAMBDA ZETA CHAPTER HISTORY
(1982-2024)
…and STILL working hard in the name of Zeta!!!
Lambda Lambda Zeta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated was chartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania February 1, 1982. The founding members of the chapter were Barbara Coffee, Rhonda Harrison, Tijuani Phelps-Jackson, Anita Farmer-Walters, Karen Eady, and Glenda Hudson-Young. Because of the various family and personal obligations, the chapter failed to thrive and went inactive for a number of years.
In 1989, Nancy Allen, Marlene Baugh-Clanagan, Alzeda Hacker, and Michelle Jackson-Washington worked tirelessly to recruit inactive members within the Pittsburgh vicinity and reactivated the chapter. Soror Hacker was inducted into the sorority at Fisk University in 1929, and was the senior member of the chapter.
Soror Nancy Allen served as the Basileus until 1993, and then Dr. Gwendolyn Dillard took over the helm and lead until 1995. During her tenure, the chapter grew through reclamation and initiated Denitra Howell in the spring of 1995. Soror Howell was the very first initiate to this chapter! In addition to the graduate members, associate members then became affiliated with Lambda Lambda Zeta on several college campuses.
Collegiate associate members to the graduate chapter were inducted at Waynesburg University, February 12, 1995 and the spring of 1996 at Slippery Rock University, as well as California University of Pennsylvania. Additionally, Lambda Lambda Zeta sponsored undergraduate chapters for the University of Pittsburgh (Xi Delta), Edinboro University (Chi Omicron), and Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Mu Kappa).
Western Pennsylvania has served as the backdrop for several noteworthy events. The chapter hosted the first state Founder’s Day luncheon in 1992 and in 1993, hosted the National Pan-Hellenic Council Undergraduate Leadership conference. In 1997, Western Pa hosted the Pennsylvania State Leadership Conference, and in 2001, hosted the Atlantic Regional Leadership Conference. Through hard work and assistance from diligent efforts, all endeavors proved to be quite successful.
From the fall 0f 1995 through 1999, Soror Tijuani Phelps-Jackson served the chapter as Basileus. During her tenure, the chapter sponsored an essay contest with local middle school students reciting what they were thankful for during the Thanksgiving holiday season. Additionally, in 1997, Lambda Lambda Zeta chapter became life members of the NAACP.
Although the numbers were few, chapter members worked diligently to spread the name of Zeta Phi Beta through numerous services projects in and around the Pittsburgh area. The chapter collaborated with various organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, The March of Dimes, Pittsburgh Pan-Hellenic Council, The Girl Scouts of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Hill House Association Kaufman Center, and The Sickle Cell Society to complete service projects.
Soror Barbara Coffee was elected Basileus in the fall of 1999. During her tenure, the graduate chapter sponsored Clarion University associate members who eventually became chartered as Eta Rho in 2000. Additionally, in May 2000, the chapter received a $500 sponsorship from Allstate Insurance Company to host an oratorical contest for middle school students. In November 2001, the Lambda Lambda Zeta chapter opened its first Stork’s Nest located in a Pittsburgh housing community. The Stork’s Nest became a reality through a United Way funded grant in collaboration with Lambda Lambda Zeta chapter, East Liberty Family Health Center, and the Metro Family Health Partnership. In 2002, prior to her resignation, Soror Coffee led the way to reactivating the Zeta Epsilon chapter at Clarion University of Pennsylvania.
In 2003, Soror Keiha R. Peck was elected Basileus, and during her tenure two driven women sought out Zeta under LLZ’s tutelage. Kenya Pace and Rhonda Anderson Marks were initiated into the chapter In March 2005. Lambda Lambda Zeta sponsored Slippery Rock University associate members who became chartered as Lambda Sigma in 2005. LLZ trained Ashanti Coffee, Leah Kirkland, Aisha Sharif, and Ivie Imoisili, and in March 2006, they become members of our illustrious sisterhood. Additionally, with the encouragement of LLZ, Upsilon Eta Zeta was chartered, and serves as another graduate chapter in southern Pennsylvania.
February 10, 2007 marks LLZ’s most recent chapter chartering, Sigma Sigma, at Robert Morris University. Currently, Lambda Lambda Zeta chapter is affiliated with three undergraduate institutions.
Soror Juanita Bryant was elected basileus in 2008. During her tenure, eight women received the light of Zeta under the guidance of LLZ. The new sorors were Raquel Davila, Barbara Britt, Tamara Mosley, Sheba Gittens, Nichole McCray, Wanda Cromartie-Jones, Aviance Taylor, and Sade Creighton. Another significant LLZ accomplishment during Soror Bryant’s term was the presentation of its first class of Zeta Archonettes in January 2008. Soror Monica Harmon led this charge, and was appointed Basileus shortly thereafter.
In May 2011, Soror Aisha Sharif-Lucas was elected Basileus. During her tenure, the first Founder’s Day Gala was held to celebrate 30 years of service in Pittsburgh, and in 2012 the Amicae Auxiliary of Pittsburgh was chartered. Two women received the light of Zeta when Shawnté D. Olden and Elizabeth A. Jarzynka were initiated into the sisterhood in January 2012.
Soror Donniele R. Mills was elected Basileus in May in 2013. During her term, in 2015, the chapter received a proclamation from Pittsburgh City Council and The US Congress denoting February 17 as “Lambda Lambda Zeta in the City of Pittsburgh.
Soror Monica L. Younger was elected Basileus in 2015, and during her term four women sought the light of Zeta. Denna Zenmon, Brittany Dreher, ShaRhonda Riley-Selby, and Malika Broadus became members of the chapter in Spring 2016. Additionally, in spring 2017 Jennea L. Ellis received the light of Zeta. Under the leadership of Soror Younger, Lambda Lambda Zeta chapter continued to serve and uplift the community and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
In May 2017, Soror Wanda Cromartie-Jones was elected Basileus, and during her tenure four women received the light of Zeta. Zerlina Gardner-Ushery, Charlene Jones-Moore, Kenya Brown, and Janelle McLain were welcomed to the chapter in the spring of 2019.
Soror Sharron Boddy-Adedipe was elected Basileus in May 2019. During her tenure, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc celebrated 100 years of Service, Scholarship, Sisterhood, and Finer womanhood. Sorors from across the country, as well as many Lambda Lambda Zeta chapter members traveled to Washington D.C. to celebrate Centennial on January 16, 2020. Shortly thereafter a national pandemic brought the country to a standstill. Covid-19 forced the sorority to cease all in-person meetings and gatherings, and in March 2020, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc, and all its chapters went virtual. This was the beginning of a new way of conducting Zeta business.
In May 2020, Soror Aisha Sharif-Lucas stepped in as interim basileus as the chapter navigated through uncertain times. During the summer of her tenure, the chapter took advantage of the virtual environment and implemented a Summer Embellishment Extravaganza Series. The Lambda Lambda Zeta chapter hosted numerous embellishment classes that were taught by some of the sorority’s most notable sorors, and sorors from many other chapters attended. Additionally, several sorors took advantage of an opportunity afforded by Lambda Lambda Zeta to become members of the National Association of Parliamentarians (NAP).
Soror Andrea James was appointed as basileus in August 2020. She continued to lead the chapter through unchartered waters as the result of a global pandemic. As such, the entire sorority was still operating virtually. Nonetheless, the chapter continued to be successful in hosting quality events and programming as well as membership intake. Under her leadership, the chapter had it’s first virtual membership intake process and 2 new members were welcomed to the fold: Jaz’Mine Coleman and Aqiyla Leonard.
Between 2021 and 2023, the chapter experienced a high level of transition in leadership. In April 2021, Soror Malika Broadus stepped in as interim basileus and led the chapter through the spring months. In July 2021, Soror Ashanti Jones was elected basileus. Under her administration, 5 women received the Zeta Light: Joan Baucum-Robinson, Tracee Kirkland Rivers, Jazmin Harris, Cydney Daniel, and Shallegra Moye. In July of 2022, Soror Jennea Ellis was appointed basileus. During her administration, the chapter hosted the 2023 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Leadership Conference. In July 2023, Soror Cydney Daniel was elected basileus. During that time, the chapter hosted the 2023 Atlantic Regional Leadership Conference and Undergraduate Retreat. In November of 2023, Soror Tracee Kirkland Rivers was appointed to the basileus position.
Now under the continued leadership of Basileus Tracee Kirkland Rivers, Lambda Lambda Zeta chapter continues to maintain a positive outlook on serving the community and remains focused on uplifting the sisterhood of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and the community at large in the years to come.
LLZ Past Presidents
Soror Nancy Allen
Soror Dr. Gwendolyn Dillard
Soror Tijuani Phelps-Jackson
Soror Barbara Coffee
Soror Tijuani Phelps-Jackson
Soror Keiha Peck
Soror Juanita Bryant
Soror Monica Harmon
Soror Aisha Sharif-Lucas
Soror Donniele R. Mills
Soror Monica L. Younger
Soror Wanda Cromartie-Jones
Soror Sharron Boddy-Adedipe
Soror Andrea James
Soror Ashanti Jones
Soror Jennea Ellis
Soror Cydney Daniel
Soror Tracee Kirkland Rivers
