History

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated was founded in 1920 on the campus of Howard University.  Five visionary women united with common interest of forming a sisterhood based on the premise of not only social engagement but scholarship, community service, sisterhood and finer womanhood.

Continuing the legacy, Beta Kappa Zeta Chapter under the leadership of Octavia Taylor (President) chartered the first African American undergraduate chapter in Lake Charles.  Integration of Greek Life was a tedious and difficult path designed to discourage the average person.  Thelma Y. Thomas, however, was far from average.  It was her vision and dream to establish a chapter on what was then McNeese State College.  During the height of the Civil Rights movement, with drive, determination and perseverance she pressed forward. Since McNeese student life and Greek Life remained segregated, Lambda Gamma was born as a City Chapter.  Six young women were inducted into the sorority on December 10, 1966.

After extensive written and face-to-face meetings with then Dean Lacy and over a five-year period beginning in 1964, Thelma Y. Thomas’ vision was realized.  In 1968 one more wall of segregation crumbled when Zeta Phi Beta was allowed to charter a chapter on campus.  Through the perseverance and persistence of Thelma Y. Thomas, the color barrier of Greek life on McNeese State University's Campus was broken.  The charter line of 11 young women was initiated on April 19, 1969, at the Sheraton Chateau Charles, Westlake, LA. (Shirley Parish, Charlotte Guidry, Barbara Declouette, Linda Sam (Ceasar), Jacqueline Andrus (Stevens), Deborah White, Christiana Mason White, Mary Barnes Bellinger, Sharon Charles, Norma Guillory, Mary Jason.  The past Grand Basileus, Lullelia Harrison was flown in for the initiation ceremony. Once again, Zeta was in the forefront and became the first African American undergraduate sorority on a predominantly white campus west of the Mississippi.  The first basileus was Jacqueline Andrus Stevens. Mrs. Thomas became the undergraduate advisor and remained in that position until the 1980's. Other advisors include Christiana M. White, Louella Kirkum, Ernesteen Valere, Hilda Stewart, Carla Wilson, Ada Woods. Currently, Barbara Hardy serves as the Undergraduate Advisor.

Fifty-six years later, Lambda Gamma, without interruption, has added to the rich history of McNeese and remains a continuous and integral part of Greek life.  The members of Lambda Gamma have been instrumental in representing Greek unity on campus, developing philanthropy projects to provide service and help meet the needs of others in the community.