Finer Women Don’t Haze

Finer Women Don’t Haze

Dr. Stacie NC Grant
International  President

Gina Merritt-Epps, Esq.
International  First Vice
President for Membership

In response to high-profile hazing incidents in the late 1980s and early 1990s, U.S. colleges adopted stricter anti-hazing policies, with over 25 states enacting laws by 1990 and schools enforcing zero-tolerance rules. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, has remained deeply committed to preventing pledging and hazing, investing significant time and resources to protect its current and aspiring members.

Since 1990, the organization has developed and refined its Membership Intake Process, which outlines official procedures for selecting and training new members. This process fosters sisterhood while actively preventing hazing. The process features carefully devised steps designed to keep members informed and ensure their safety within the sisterhood.

How We Began (2012 – 2018)
In 2012, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, partnered with the National Action Network (NAN) and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated to take a strong stance against hazing. The 24th International President, Dr. Mary Breaux Wright, immediately requested that an anti-hazing program be developed to bring awareness to the hazing issue.

President Wright broadened Zeta’s focus by appointing Gina Merritt-Epps, Esq., as the Sorority’s first Director of Risk Management. Director Merritt-Epps created the Sorority’s comprehensive Risk Management policy and training (now certification), and under President Wright, Risk Management training was mandated for all Regional Conference attendees. President Wright’s emphasis on the importance of training was also demonstrated through the addition of certifications created under her administration, all of which highlighted the need for safe intake and risk-averse practices.

Scarlet H. Black, 27th  International First Vice President and Inaugural FWDH Director, launched the Finer Women Don’t Haze Campaign as “Zeta’s call to action against hazing.” Her initiatives included the creation and trademark of the first FWDH logo, and programming that highlighted the silent, unspoken, hidden, and undercover aspects of hazing. Using case studies, newsletters, and webinars, her curriculum focused on the lesser-known harms of hazing, the impact of pre-existing conditions, and the similarities between hazing and the traumatic stress caused by domestic violence. The lessons learned were incorporated into the required learning for new members.

Advancing the Message (2018-2022)
Under the administration of the 25th International President, Dr. Valerie Hollingsworth Baker, the FWDH initiative maintained the momentum established by the prior leadership, ensuring continuity and stability in its programs and objectives.  Aisha Merritt-Swope was appointed as the FWDH Director, and President Hollingsworth Baker’s initiatives included:
* Creation of an International Risk Management team
* Appointment of Regional FWDH Representatives and implementation of regional programming
Collaboration with the Sorority’s Mental Health Awareness Team for programming focused on the
impacts of hazing
* Implementation of a series of events during National Hazing Prevention Week
* Sale of FWDH lapel pins funding two scholarships