Zeta Beta Chi (ZBX) pins are quite common in flea markets, online auctions, and e-stores specializing in fraternal ephemera.
THE BEGINNING
But who is Zeta Beta Chi? It appears to have been a non-collegiate business sorority sponsored by the World Caravan Guild. In my search of newspaper archives, the earliest mention of ZBX was in a 1939 article mentioning Dr. Victor Hamm of Marquette University as the Wisconsin Alpha chapter's new program director. The sorority's meetings were "social and cultural in nature".
Trouble was brewing for ZBX in 1939, when the Milwaukee Better Business Bureau investigated claims that three young women, working out of a hotel room, were " ' high pressuring the girls into joining the organization..." The sorority denied the allegations, claiming a headquarters in Washington, D.C., and 10,000 members in various cities. An officer explained that new members paid a $41 fee for life membership and participation in a two-year cultural program and a monthly social meeting; however, the member also paid $1 a month for 10 months "... to provide for a local meeting place the first two years." After the first two years, members were to pay another fee if they wished to participate in a new cultural program.
ZBX and World Caravan Guild kept plugging away at the sorority, naming University of Pittsburgh faculty member Dr. Andred N. Cleven as program director in 1939.
BIG TROUBLE
On August 26, 1941 Zeta Beta Chi voluntarily dissolved amid an investigation ordered by district attorney Edward M. Curran. "... several girls who said they signed 'membership applications' complained that they found they had signed binding contracts to pay World Caravan $41.50 as well as $10 to a local chapter for a two-year membership." The charges were investigated, prompting ZBX officials to submit a sworn statement that its national headquarters would be immediately removed from Washington, D.C., and, per the August 23 meeting of World Caravan stockholders, "a resolution releasing each individual member of the sorority from ' all obligations and claims of every character' and releasing to the local chapters ' their right in and to the name of the sorority."
At the time of dissolution, there were four chapters in D.C. and in Atlanta, the Twin Cities, St. Louis, Cleveland, Rochester, Birmingham, and Baltimore.
A SECOND CHANCE
Post-dissolution Zeta Beta Chi functioned as a cultural and social sorority for business and professional women. Among their events:
In July 1945, the Ohio Delta chapter sponsored Jayteen Clubs with the Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Delta Delta chapter of Beta Sigma Phi.
In May 1952, there was a 4-day national convention held at the Commodore Perry Hotel in Toledo, Oh.
In July 1956, the seventh annual convention was held in Akron, Oh.
In November 1962, the Ohio Delta chapter observed "National Night" with a dinner and installation of one pledge. At this time, members were office workers, nurses and teachers."
From June 11- 14, 1964, an international-themed convention was held at the Commodore Perry Hotel.
Although Zeta Beta Chi was able to thrive after its dissolution and departure from World Caravan Guild, it dissolved again in 1980.
The Milwaukee Journal. New Sorority Is Scrutinized: ' High Pressure Methods on Business Girls Denied by Group's Leader Here. Aug. 30, 1939, p. 1.
Milwaukee Sentinel. Dr. Victor Hamm Named Program Director of Zeta Beta Chi. Jul 28, 1939, p. 18
Meriden Record. Zeta Beta Chi, Business Girls' Club, Dissolved. August 27, 1941 (morning edition), p. 3.
Pittsburgh Press. Program Director Named. Apr. 30, 1939, p. 21.
Toledo Blade. Zeta Beta Chi Installs Officers: National Convention Closes in Toledo. May 18, 1952, section 1, p. 8.
Toledo Blade. Zeta Beta Chi Elects Toledoan National Officer. Jul. 6, 1956, p. 23.
Toledo Blade. Zeta Beta Chi To Observe National Night. Nov. 18, 1962. section 5, p. 2.
Toledo Blade. Ohio Delta of Zeta Beta Chi Observes National Night. Nov. 21, 1962, p. 11
Toledo Blade. Horizons and Plans Unlimited. May 28, 1964, p. 18.
THE BEGINNING
But who is Zeta Beta Chi? It appears to have been a non-collegiate business sorority sponsored by the World Caravan Guild. In my search of newspaper archives, the earliest mention of ZBX was in a 1939 article mentioning Dr. Victor Hamm of Marquette University as the Wisconsin Alpha chapter's new program director. The sorority's meetings were "social and cultural in nature".
Trouble was brewing for ZBX in 1939, when the Milwaukee Better Business Bureau investigated claims that three young women, working out of a hotel room, were " ' high pressuring the girls into joining the organization..." The sorority denied the allegations, claiming a headquarters in Washington, D.C., and 10,000 members in various cities. An officer explained that new members paid a $41 fee for life membership and participation in a two-year cultural program and a monthly social meeting; however, the member also paid $1 a month for 10 months "... to provide for a local meeting place the first two years." After the first two years, members were to pay another fee if they wished to participate in a new cultural program.
ZBX and World Caravan Guild kept plugging away at the sorority, naming University of Pittsburgh faculty member Dr. Andred N. Cleven as program director in 1939.
BIG TROUBLE
On August 26, 1941 Zeta Beta Chi voluntarily dissolved amid an investigation ordered by district attorney Edward M. Curran. "... several girls who said they signed 'membership applications' complained that they found they had signed binding contracts to pay World Caravan $41.50 as well as $10 to a local chapter for a two-year membership." The charges were investigated, prompting ZBX officials to submit a sworn statement that its national headquarters would be immediately removed from Washington, D.C., and, per the August 23 meeting of World Caravan stockholders, "a resolution releasing each individual member of the sorority from ' all obligations and claims of every character' and releasing to the local chapters ' their right in and to the name of the sorority."
At the time of dissolution, there were four chapters in D.C. and in Atlanta, the Twin Cities, St. Louis, Cleveland, Rochester, Birmingham, and Baltimore.
A SECOND CHANCE
Post-dissolution Zeta Beta Chi functioned as a cultural and social sorority for business and professional women. Among their events:
In July 1945, the Ohio Delta chapter sponsored Jayteen Clubs with the Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Delta Delta chapter of Beta Sigma Phi.
In May 1952, there was a 4-day national convention held at the Commodore Perry Hotel in Toledo, Oh.
In July 1956, the seventh annual convention was held in Akron, Oh.
In November 1962, the Ohio Delta chapter observed "National Night" with a dinner and installation of one pledge. At this time, members were office workers, nurses and teachers."
From June 11- 14, 1964, an international-themed convention was held at the Commodore Perry Hotel.
Although Zeta Beta Chi was able to thrive after its dissolution and departure from World Caravan Guild, it dissolved again in 1980.
The Milwaukee Journal. New Sorority Is Scrutinized: ' High Pressure Methods on Business Girls Denied by Group's Leader Here. Aug. 30, 1939, p. 1.
Milwaukee Sentinel. Dr. Victor Hamm Named Program Director of Zeta Beta Chi. Jul 28, 1939, p. 18
Meriden Record. Zeta Beta Chi, Business Girls' Club, Dissolved. August 27, 1941 (morning edition), p. 3.
Pittsburgh Press. Program Director Named. Apr. 30, 1939, p. 21.
Toledo Blade. Zeta Beta Chi Installs Officers: National Convention Closes in Toledo. May 18, 1952, section 1, p. 8.
Toledo Blade. Zeta Beta Chi Elects Toledoan National Officer. Jul. 6, 1956, p. 23.
Toledo Blade. Zeta Beta Chi To Observe National Night. Nov. 18, 1962. section 5, p. 2.
Toledo Blade. Ohio Delta of Zeta Beta Chi Observes National Night. Nov. 21, 1962, p. 11
Toledo Blade. Horizons and Plans Unlimited. May 28, 1964, p. 18.
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