In the course of the two-year probation, the Pyramid Colony hosted many "Green Leaf" teas as fundraisers. Houston Alumnae also contributed greatly to the financial stability of the Colony. The Colony maintained grade point averages well above the 2.0 university requirement. Many Colony members were on the Dean's List, held leadership positions on campus and were active in campus organizations. During this time, the Pyramid Colony maintained a core membership of at least thirty members. As a result of the fundraisers, excellent grades, and membership stability, the Pyramid Colony proved its sincerity and dedication to meeting the set requirements.
In an effort to increase the University's awareness of the Colony's purpose, newspaper articles were written by Colony member Janice Guidry Gibson, who was a Daily Cougar reporter. The articles called attention to the desire, as well as the need for a black sorority on campus.
Colony visibility as enhanced as they appeared on campus wearing a red polyester suit with white blouse as their uniform. The Colony conducted service projects on and off campus and participated in service projects supported by Houston Alumnae.
No one can pin point the exact date when the Pyramid Colony became Pyramids in the traditional sense because the pledge program of the Colony was by no means traditional. It was determined that sometime during the second year of probation the Colony actively learned all Delta Sigma Theta history, took the test, and fulfilled all the requirements set by Delta's National body for full membership into the sorority. Houston Alumnae Sorors played an important part in the Colony members acquiring such knowledge.
Then it happened. After two years of waiting, trying to prove their worth, learning, amintaing good grades, fundraising, and keeping Colony members interested in the group, the charter was granted. On May 26 1969 twenty-three women of the original Colony members were initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. The Delta Pyramid Colony became the Zeta Sigma chapter. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated became the first Black Greek letter organization established on the University of Houston campus.
Shortly after the charter had been granted, the First Annual Zeta Sigma Spring Awards Banquet was held. Chapter officers were announced, special awards were given, membership certificates were distributed, the chapter song was introduced, and Sorors paid tribute to our founding advisor, Soror Marie Fonsworth. The banquet's theme was "Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow." Looking back fondly on yesterday, looking gladly at today, and hopefully looking towards the tomorrow Zeta Sigma began its trek that has continued for the past thirty years.
