On October 15, 1980, Mr. Frederick Woods, Student Activities Director, University of Houston-Downtown, wrote letters to all Greek Letter Organizations expressing a desire and a need to establish undergraduate chapters on the campus. Soror Bernice Briscoe, Basileus of Gamma Omega Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. responded to the call.

During the week of November 17, 1980, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was introduced to the students of the college. Through the efforts of Sorors Briscoe and Fannie R. Marshall of the Gamma Omega Zeta Chapter, the Sorority was well represented.

Lines of communication on behalf of the chapter were opened by Soror Briscoe and Mr. Frederick Woods to Dr. David Wallace Dean of Students and the Ad Hoc Student Service Committee.

On January 26, 1981, a letter was received from Mr. Woods stating that Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. had been approved for an undergraduate chapter on the University of Houston Downtown Campus with Soror Carol Roberts consenting to serve as on-campus advisor along with the graduate chapter.

Six young women came forward, all expressing a deep desire to become members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. On April 25, 1981, Sorors Sandra Burleson, Linda Durham, Portia Evan, Mary Irving, Erica Watts, and Tina Wilson were initiated.

Since that day the membership in Beta Lambda chapter has continued to increase in number and with that increase has come a stronger desire to maintain the standards set by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. The commitment to these standards has been evidenced by their activities. Beta Lambda’s involvements have included a Senior Citizen’s Thanksgiving Dinner, interactment with the Community, Easter Parties for Community Centers and their own project of “Not a Hungry Kid on the Block”, where canned food and money was collected in order to provide families with a complete Thanksgiving dinner, turkey included.

As time passed on, the members of Beta Lambda graduated and therefore leaving the chapter existing with no members for about 16 years. During the Fall Semester of 2004, Soror Kamilah Humphrey of the Phi Epsilon chapter (University of Houston Main Campus) transferred not only her scholastic studies to the University of Houston-Downtown but also her membership to the Beta Lambda chapter. During this semester, five ladies showed interest in reviving Beta Lambda. In December of 2004, with the help of the Gamma Omega Zeta Chapter, Beta Lambda was alive and well with a total of six members. Since then Beta Lambda has been of aid within the community as it continues to grow with ladies who exemplify Zeta’s principles of Scholarship, Service, Finer Womanhood, and Sisterly Love.

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