·   · 29 posts
  •  · 5 friends
  •  · 6 followers

Zeta Psi Zeta - Why We March

Originally posted on August 10, 2017

For most of her life, Jaleesa Milton Durham dreamed of being part of a sorority. She admired the work of Delta Sigma Theta Inc, a non-profit whose union of college educated women focused on serving the needs of the Black community. However, her dream was initially denied by having to miss out on the collegiate experience. 

Nevertheless, Durham persisted, teaming with Belinda Stafford, the pair began to research local non-collegiate organizations with a focus on LGBT issues and community service. After an exhaustive search along the path to finding a sisterhood, they were never able to find the right fit. Then, on June 7, 2012, they founded Detroit's Zeta Psi Zeta sorority to embody their values of "sisterhood, service, loyalty and humility".

"We all come from different walks of life, bringing in our own individual styles to make Zeta a place for every women to fit in and feel loved and respected," said Durham, emphasizing the sorority's slogan "A Different Breed of Femininity". While the Zeta Psi's do place a focus of the LGBT community, all are welcome to join their sisterhood. 

In addition to LGBT issues, Zeta Psi Zeta aims a critical lens at other issues disproportionately affecting women. Domestic violence and women's rights are major components of their message, as perpetrators of the former are continually excused and shielded from justice in contemporary society. "We focus a lot on avenues circling around the aid for women to walk in peace. We really focus on uplifting and motivating...in our sisterhood." Further, motherhood is a aspect of life dear to the hearts of Zeta Psi Zeta's membership. "Most of my sisters are mothers and they do great things helping kids find their way in life, by doing various projects geared towards kids of all ages."

While their message is on point, the Zeta Psis also answer the call to action. "The need to feed and serve is never ending," stated Durham, in reference to the sorority's initiative to help the homeless. Many of their members volunteer at local soup kitchens and partner with other groups to assist the less fortunate in the community. Even without specific organization, the sisters will contribute out of pocket to help those in greatest need as part of their daily walk through life.

In keeping with their values as an LGBT sorority, they partnered with Michigan's Epsilon chapter to form the "Be True to You" campaign. It's purpose, to provide a safe space for LGBT individuals to seek advice regarding the process of coming out. "It is hard to tell loved ones you are a homosexual of any sort and we give an out let to be able to get helpful tips on how you can feel comfortable with sharing your truth with those closest to you."

The Metro-Detroit Political Action Network is honored to have their organization join the Detroit Slutwalk: Consent is Mandatory March as co-hosts. In addition to tabling the event, sister Antia Harris will be representing the sorority with a speech during the rally. 

0 0 0 0 0 0
  • 3362
Comments (0)
    Info
    Category:
    Created:
    Updated:
    Featured Posts
    A Proposal: The Democracy and Human Rights Amendments to the Constitution
    The last two weeks a radical right wing Supreme Court radically transformed American life in all the wrong ways across a broad array of issues: women's rights, environmental regulations, gun safety, immigrant rights, indigenous rights, housing, public health, and protecting people from police violence. The conservative majority made decisions to take away fundamental rights and in other cases the Court stripped away legislation and regulation that the overwhelming majority of Americans desire and demand. The Supreme Court fed every right wing ideological bent undermining their own legitimacy and with it, the foundations of our democratic republic. Our democracy does not consistently represen
    Stop Asian American Hate!
    The rise of hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders is appalling and we all must be in action whether through #bystanderintervention, #reporting, and/or #advocating for civil protections.  #racialjustice #asianamerican #stophate #stopracism #stopaapihate #stopasianhate
    "The Hill We Climb" by Amanda Gorman
    https://youtu.be/LZ055ilIiN4When day comes we ask ourselves,where can we find light in this never-ending shade?The loss we carry,a sea we must wadeWe've braved the belly of the beastWe've learned that quiet isn't always peaceAnd the norms and notionsof what just isIsn’t always just-iceAnd yet the dawn is oursbefore we knew itSomehow we do itSomehow we've weathered and witnesseda nation that isn’t brokenbut simply unfinishedWe the successors of a country and a timeWhere a skinny Black girldescended from slaves and raised by a single mothercan dream of becoming presidentonly to find herself reciting for oneAnd yes we are far from polishedfar from pristinebut that doesn’t mean we arestriving to

    We The People Logo

    Close