Nine young women, who were students at Virginia State Normal School in 1898, are responsible for the formation of Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity.

The young women witnessed the formation of two female Greek organizations at their school - Kappa Delta and Sigma Sigma Sigma. This inspired them to join together as an official group of their own. One of the girls was asked to join another organization, which gave the nine girls motivation to start their own unique group.
The women met informally for over a year, but had yet to really define themselves as an official group. The girls finally decided to announce their group's existence, but they still had no name for themselves. A temporary name of "???" stuck for a while as the girls struggled for a more appropriate title.

Soon the president's brother, who was a member of two Greek organizations himself, helped the girls come up with ideas for a revised constitution, the ritual, the oath, and the opening and closing of meetings. Another member's brother suggested the name of Zeta Tau Alpha. He also provided them with a badge, motto, and patron goddess, Themis. The group was now an official Greek organization.

Zeta Tau Alpha is known as a fraternity, not as a sorority. The Founders intended Zeta Tau Alpha be designated a "fraternity" to distinguish the organization from the sisterhoods organized in connection with men's fraternities, called "sororities."

From its founding in 1898, the innermost meanings of Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity have remained unchanged through the preservation of and respect for our rituals.

Today, these ideals remain almost completely unchanged. A relationship with Zeta Tau Alpha helps improve members scholastic potential, teaches  acts of good citizenship, develops the qualities of patience and understanding, and aids in personal development.