Chapter History
Iota Lambda Zeta
The Beginnings of Iota Lambda Zeta
Iota Lambda Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated was chartered in the activity building of Friendship Baptist Church in Aiken, South Carolina on April 7, 1979. Janice Williams, a recent graduate of the University of South Carolina, who had joined Zeta as an undergraduate, returned to Aiken for employment.
At the request of Soror Macon Gardner (South Carolina State Director), she called local sorors together to discuss forming a graduate chapter. The sorors responding to this call included: Sorors Marion (Marshall) Gary, Blondell Martin, A La'Pearle Hickman, Carrie J. Johnson, Bobbie Tutt, Bernice Sanders, Janice Williams and Essie Patterson. These individuals became charter members of Iota Lambda Zeta. Soror Bernice Sanders and the late Soror Carrie J. Johnson who had been members of Eta Theta Zeta in Augusta, Georgia transferred from that chapter to become charter members of this newly established chapter. Sorors Macon Gardner and Eunice Thomas (Southeastern Region Director) conducted the ceremony.
The first officers of Iota Lambda Zeta were: President, Soror Janice Williams; Vice President, Soror Bobbie Tutt; Secretary, Soror Bernice Sanders; Treasurer, Soror Carrie J. Johnson; Historian, Soror Marion (Marshall) Gary; Parliamentarian, Soror A'LaPearle Hickman.
Sorors Johnnie Hendrix and Lona Sigh were the first members to join the newly established chapter in the early 1980's.
Iota Lambda Zeta's Leaders and Legacy
Leadership abounds in the Iota Lambda Zeta Chapter. The following have served as chapter presidents: Janice Williams, A’La Perle Hickman, Bernice Sanders, Marion (Marshall) Gary, Carrie Johnson, Tonya Moton (2 terms), Wallis Alves, Charlene Moore-Peterson (2 terms), Ramonia Nelson, Benita Hammond, and Tanisha Aiken, the current President. Soror A'LaPearle Hickman was the President of the first undergraduate chapter to be chartered in the state of South Carolina, Psi Alpha, South Carolina State University on February 15, 1940. Soror Marion M. Gary served as past South Carolina State Director and as Chair of the South Carolina State Executive Board from 1991 until 2001 prior to her appointment as State Director. Sorors Gary and Hickman have been inducted into the SC State Hall of Fame for outstanding leadership and service to the community and to the sorority. Soror Gary was recently inducted into the Southeastern Region Hall of Fame.
In the 1980s and the early 1990s, Iota Lambda Zeta sponsored a summer program for youth (Project Students Encouraged to Achieve or SETA). This program resulted from a grant received from Clemson Extension. The late Soror Carrie J. Johnson and Soror Marion M. Gary served as the directors. Numerous students from the North Aiken area received academic assistance. The operation of this program resulted in National Boule Award recognition in Charlotte, N.C. in 1991.
Iota Lambda Zeta operated a Stork’s Nest program that aided young mothers in need. The incentives provided encouraged mothers to maintain good prenatal health during their pregnancies. They were taught that these practices lead to healthy, full-term babies.
Youth Auxiliary Groups and Undergraduate Chapter
This chapter's Archonette Auxiliary (youth group) was recognized as Youth Auxiliary of the Year at the State Conferences in 1998 and 1999. Mary Suber and Deborah Woods served as advisors. In 2010, the Youth Auxiliary Groups were named Chapter of the Year at the 2010 South Carolina State Youth Conference at Morris College.
In April of 1999, Iota Lambda Zeta chartered an undergraduate chapter, Phi Pi, on the campus of University of South Carolina-Aiken campus. This chapter has been recognized for its contributions to the student life and community on that campus.
The Continuing Legacy of Iota Lambda Zeta
Iota Lambda Zeta enjoys a long-standing and prominent tradition of leadership and service in Aiken and the CSRA.
Iota Lambda Zeta Chapter continues to contribute to the sorority and community through implementation of Zetas Helping Other People Excel (ZHOPE), the programmatic thrust of the late Barbara C. Moore International Grand President from 2002-2008 a native of Columbia, South Carolina. Iota Lambda continues to implement ZHOPE through local churches, nursing homes, and many other community activities on a regular basis.
Iota Lambda Zeta Chapter was the recipient of the Drum Major for Justice Award given by the Omicron Tau Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. located in Aiken, South Carolina. The chapter continues to be recognized for contributions to the March of Dimes and other charitable organizations, both locally and internationally. The chapter sponsors seminars on Domestic Violence, Mental Health, Finance, donated wigs to the Women’s Center, provides supplies to the Cumbee Center for battered women, fills blessing boxes all around the county, contributes to Wreaths Across America, St. Jude's, sends cards to several nursing care facilities in the area, and volunteers at Tri Development Center regularly.
The Iota Lambda Zeta Charity Fund (501c3) was established in 2010 to provide scholarships to deserving young women who desire to attend college after high school. The scholarship was named the A’La Perle Hickman scholarship once Soror A’La Perle Hickman became a Triumphant Soror. Soror Hickman’s family has contributed substantial amounts of money to help fund the scholarship fund. The chapter just recently voted to establish the Marion Marshall Gary Scholarship for college students who are already Zetas on the campus of USC-Aiken in the Phi Pi Chapter.