Zeta Tau Alpha was founded October 15, 1898, by nine women at the
State Female Normal School (now Longwood University) in Farmville, Virginia. Only 14-15 years of age, these young women desired
permanence to their friendships and hoped to perpetuate their sisterhood long after college.
Though dedicated to the formation of a Greek-letter group, the band
of nine delayed selecting a formal name. A temporary name of “???” was taken when, as legend has it, a member
of another group met with the Founders. Raising her eyebrows and forming her fingers in the shape of a question mark, she
asked “Who are you?” In unison, the group answered “Yes, Who? Who? Who?” Thus, the group came to be
known as “???” while they sought an appropriate Greek name and symbols.
During this time, the group received valuable assistance from two
of the members’ brothers -- Maud’s brother, Plummer Jones, and Frances Yancey Smith’s brother Giles Mebane
Smith. Both were students at the college of William and Mary, members of men’s Greek-letter organizations and knowledgeable
of Greek lore. After a year of careful contemplation, the group chose the formal name, the patron goddess and the badge.
