Janice M.T. Johnson joined the local chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority more than 20 years ago because she was impressed by how its members helped othersin the community.
“I saw this as an opportunity to further what I can do as an individual,” says Johnson, a past president of the Epsilon Rho Zeta Chapter.
So Johnson is serving as chair of this month’s Finer Womanhood High Tea, the group’s eighth annual fundraiser to benefit the Katherine B. Ross Scholarship Fund. Ross, a charter member of the local chapter, was a Wilmington educator, activist and missionary.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority is one of the largest African-American women’s organizations in the United States.
During the high tea, the local chapter will also issue a Finer Womanhood award to a local woman who exemplifies the group’s founding principles: scholarship, sisterhood, community service and finer womanhood.
The scholarships are geared toward young women who are pursuing a degree in an undergraduate or graduate program and either live in New Castle County or are going to school there. The sorority is also highlighting education during this year’s tea by honoring local leaders who exemplify the group’s ideals.
“The event combines the pageantry of high tea with the environment of the Hotel du Pont,” Johnson says. “We wear hats and gloves. It’s a great way to exemplify finer womanhood. We honor those who came before us.”
The high tea will be held Sunday, March 16. It is open to the public. Tickets are $45. (zphib1920epz.org)
