The History

of

rho mu zeta chapter

of

zeta phi beta sorority, inc.

Rho Mu Zeta chapter was spearheaded at the home and heart of Soror Victoria Sutherland in the summer of 1998. After being a member at large and associating with the local undergrad chapter, Gamma Nu, of Austin Peay State University, she saw a great need for a graduate chapter in Clarksville. With the encouragement of the International Grand Basileus, Soror Barbara West Carpenter, Victoria Sutherland went on with the new chapter request.

After meeting with other Zetas in Clarksville the Charter Members were Sorors Victoria Sutherland, Blanche Wilson, Michelle November, Malinda “Butterfly” Samuels and Pauline Hutchinson. The charter was granted by Grand Basileus Barbara West Carpenter on October the 15th. The charter ceremony was held at the Tennessee State Leadership Meeting in Knoxville on Saturday October 16, 1999, officiated by the South-Central Regional Director, Audrey Fullilove-McCarty and the Tennessee State Director, Lillian Whitney.

In order to keep with the Zeta ideals of service, scholarship, sisterhood and Finer Womanhood, Rho Mu Zeta had some notable events:

  • 2000

    In March of 2000 began our first youth auxiliary group of Pearlettes with 5 young girls. They participated in their first walk-a-thon, the MS Walk and raised $200.00.

  • In March of 2000 was the first greek letter organization to participate in the city wide “Adopt a Flower Bed” program which was a part of the City of Clarksville “Paint the Town Red”

  • 2006

    Rho Mu Zeta was one of the chartering organizations of the NPHC of Greater Clarksville, January 22, 2006.

  • December 12, 2006 the Alpha line was made, Soror Erin Walden became the first New Member of Rho Mu Zeta.

  • 2007

    Hosted the Tennessee State Leadership Conference, October 19 – 20, 2007 with only 5 Zetas.

  • 2008

    Our second youth auxiliary, the Archonettes were chartered January 4, 2008 at Kenwood High School with 13 young ladies.

More History

  • Soror Erin Lynch became the first and only Soror to be crowned Miss Zeta Phi Beta Tennessee 2010, Miss Zeta Phi Beta South Central Region 2011, and Miss Zeta Phi Beta International 2011. All in same the sorority year.
  • Rho Mu Zeta has received many ZHOPE awards but as our charter member, Victoria Sutherland has stated, “It is not about the awards and accolades, it is about how many people we can reach and lives we can change.”
  • We have given out more than $11,000 in college scholarships in the name of our beloved Triumphant Soror Michelle Young Merritt
  • Rho Mu Zeta has received many ZHOPE awards but as our chartering member has stated, “It is not about the awards and accolades, it is about how many people we can reach and lives we can change.”
  • We have given out more than $11,000 in college scholarships in the name of our beloved Sorority member, Michelle Young Merritt
  • As of 2024 we have four life members: Victoria Sutherland, Amanda Haynes, Christine Littleton, and Diamond Life Member Shirley Littleton.

Chapter members (current or past) that have served on other Zeta levels:

Dr. Erin Lynch -TN Grammateus and Natl. Grant Writing Director, Chair of the Board, TN, SCR Evaluator
Diana Mines -TN Chaplain
Lisa Anderson – SCR Credentials and TN Phylactor
Davina Seaborn – TN Military Attache
Victoria Sutherland – TN Z-HOPE™ Coordinator
Kendra Sutherland – National Membership Committee
Stephanie Lockett-Peeler TN Chair of the Board and Middle Geographic Area Coordinator
Rickeshia Cox – Natl Technology team
Adrienne Thomas (Ret.MSG) – Military Attache

Triumphant members:

Sorors – Carolyn McKay 2002, Michelle Merritt 2016; Amica Claudia Payne 2020