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Also naming Federal Street, between 19th Street and 20th Street, "Arizona C. Stemons Way", in honor of Arizona Leedonia Cleaver Stemons, the initiating Founder of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, one of the largest organizations for women in the country.
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WHEREAS, Arizona Leedonia Cleaver Stemons was born on January 30, 1898 in Pike County, Missouri. Arizona Leedonia Cleaver Stemons was educated at Douglas School, a public school in Hannibal, Missouri, where she later returned to teach. Upon graduating high school, furthering her education was a priority, leading to her matriculation at Howard University in Washington D.C.; and
WHEREAS, During her time at Howard University, Stemons excelled academically and was inspired by Charles Robert Taylor and Abram Langston Taylor, members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, to found a sister organization to Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated. Arizona Leedonia Cleaver Stemons encouraged the first group of young women to join her in organizing Zeta Phi Beta Sorority; and
WHEREAS, On January 16, 1920, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated was founded by lead organizer, Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Pearl Anna Neal, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Viola Tyler Goings and Fannie Pettie Watts; and
WHEREAS, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, constitutionally bound as a sister organization to Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, sought to encourage the highest standards of scholastic achievement, and foster a greater sense of unity among its members; and
WHEREAS, Arizona Leedonia Cleaver Stemons was the first President of Alpha Chapter and the first National President of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from Howard University and earning graduate and post graduate degrees in social work, in 1933, Arizona Leedonia Cleaver Stemons accepted a position with the Philadelphia Department of Public Assistance. Other professional positions she held included case worker for the Ph...
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