When Soror Mary Thompson moved to Cambridge, MD she was very disappointed to find that there was not a chapter of our beloved sorority in the area. There were graduate sorors scattered across the Eastern Shore and there was an undergraduate chapter, Eta Beta, on the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (then known as Maryland State College) campus. Soror Thompson initiated the informal meeting of Cambridge area sorors several times and many expressed a desire to organize. An instructor at UMES, Sigma Brother Coach McPhearson, had the same interest. He and Soror Thompson finally connected and set a meeting for all known sorors of the area. Iota Chi Zeta was born.

The chapter was chartered on October 17, 1979 at a ceremony held at Waugh United Methodist Church in Cambridge, Maryland. Charter members were Sorors Janice Jones Lake, Deborah Shockley Dillard, Alice Mitchell, Teresa Molock Stafford, Norby Molock Lee, Darlene Burke, and Mary Thompson. Soror Thompson was the first Basileus. Other chapter Basilei have been Sorors Pauline Pinkett, Jacqui Luck and Doris Gale.

The chapter grew to include members from Dorchester, Talbot, Wicomico and Somerset counties. This wide spread area has proven to be detrimental in several instances. However, in spite of the odds, devoted sorors have endeavored to carry out the programmatic thrust of Zeta to the best of their ability. Working with young people is a top priority. The chapter sponsored an Archonette chapter for eight years and two of them went on to join the sorority. Their Blue Revue exposed the young participants to many developmental activities. Each year contributions are made to one or more of the youth programs in area churches. Food is distributed to needy families during the holiday season and a family is adopted for Christmas. The chapter has awarded scholarships to areas students. Activities such as fashion shows, political forums, beauty/skin care consultations, Rainbow Tea Pageants, Raffles and Step Shows have been sponsored by the chapter. In 1996, the chapter successfully sponsored and conducted the annual Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. State Conference, which was held in Salisbury, MD.

As a group or individually, members support other service organizations. the chapter has either participated or co-sponsored many events various local organizations such as:

1. “Storks Nest” – March of Dimes of Delmarva
2. “Storks Nest” – Delmarva Health Plan
3. “Storks Nest” – Worcester County Family Support Center
4. “Relay for Life” - American Cancer Society
5. “Adopt-A-Highway ” - Maryland Department of Highways
6. “Buddy-to-Buddy” Program
7. NAACP
8. Dorchester Family Support Center
9. Dorchester County Library
10. University of Maryland Eastern Shore
11. Institute for Excellence
12. Waugh United Methodist Church
13. Giant Foods
14. Harriet Tubman Coalition

In recent years, the number of chapter members declined but a few faithful members continued the work of Zeta during that stressful period. It seems that their determination is beginning to bring results. There is renewed interest among the group. The chapter is looking forward to reclaiming, recruiting, and fully operating as a model chapter.

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