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Recognizing, honoring, and welcoming Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated on the occasion of its 2022 Grand Boule being held in the City of Philadelphia, July 18- July 24, 2022.
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WHEREAS, Founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. by Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Pearl Anna Neal, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Viola Tyler Goings, and Fannie Pettie Watts on January 16, 1920, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. believes sorority elitism and socializing should not overshadow the real mission for progressive organizations - to address societal mores, ills, prejudices, poverty, and health concerns of the day; and
WHEREAS, Over the past 102 years, members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. have led countless initiatives addressing a variety of crucial issues, including voting rights, affordable health care, financial literacy, economic empowerment, support for historically black colleges and universities, and political awareness and involvement; and
WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia is excited to again welcome the Finer Women of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc for its 2022 Grand Boule - their International Convention - with more than 6,000 members expected to attend. The theme of the 2022 Grand Boule is "Honoring Our Founders. Continuing Their Legacy. The Dream Lives On," and the host Chapters are Beta Delta Zeta and Alpha Alpha Omicron Zeta Chapters; and
WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia has been honored to host the Finer Women of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. on three previous occasions: December 1948, August 1974, and July 2000; and
WHEREAS, The Finer Women of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. have a special connection to the City of Philadelphia. In 2019, Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson introduced Resolution Number 190192 to co-name the 1900 block of Federal Street, Arizona C. Stemons Way after Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Founder and First National President, Arizona Cleaver Stemons, who lived and worked in Philadelphia for more than 52 years; and
WHEREAS, In hosting the 2022 Grand Boule of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., the City of Philadelphia will receive major economic impact of more than $6,566,677 related to the Convention being held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the thousands of hotel rooms booked, the businesses that will be patronized and scholarships for deserving community members and organizations; and
WHEREAS, The 2022 Grand Boule International Service projects seek to donate to the Jefferson Hospital NICU and Pediatric Center and donate gift cards to assist mothers who utilize Jefferson Hospital NICU and Pediatric Center; and
WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia is proud to host the Finer Women of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we recognize, honor and welcome Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated on the occasion of its 2022 Grand Boule being held in the City of Philadelphia, July 18- July 24, 2022.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to representatives of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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