Finer Women Don’t Haze

Programs & Initiatives > Finer Women Don’t Haze

Greetings from the International Director and Co-Director of Finer Women Don’t Haze – FWDH

For more than 100 years, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorproated, has maintained high standards of Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood, and Finer Womanhood. To continue to undergird these standards, the Finer Women Don’t Haze (FWDH) initiative was born. Soror Scarlett Black, under the direction of 24th International President Dr. Mary Breaux Wright, paved the way for awareness and action. The mission of FWDH is to educate the sisterhood and community to be advocates against hazing and the damaging lifelong effects of hazing. We have a clear vision to eliminate all forms of hazing while building a stronger and more unified sisterhood. Hazing is deeper than one thinks. We acknowledge and irrevocably discourage subtle hazing, mental hazing, physical or violent hazing, cyber-bullying, and generational hazing. We encourage all to speak up, speak out and denounce hazing every time you are a witness to it. Do not be afraid to be a beacon of positive change. We invite you to join us as we conduct the mission and vision set before us, to deter and ultimately eradicate hazing. You are encouraged to share this website with your chapter members and community leaders. Together, we can leave a legacy of sisterhood exemplified in the only way we know how, Finer.

The National Action Network, led by founder, president, and Sigma Brother Reverend Al Sharpton, began a partnership with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorproated, to “eliminate hazing culture in an effort to end the pain and suffering of victims and their families and to stop the investigations, lawsuits and expensive legal costs that threaten the existence of Black Greek-letter organizations.”

In conjunction with the National Action Network and leadership of Brother Jimmy Hammock, 33rd International President of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorproated, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorproated, was invited to become a part of this partnership to address, bring awareness to, and eradicate hazing in any form. In August 2012, a national town hall meeting was held in Charlotte, NC. Community leaders, representatives of the other Greek-letter fraternities/sororities, clergy, and media were invited to this paramount town hall meeting. Following this initial beginning, members of the Divine Nine were challenged to collectively become a part of this partnership and to redouble their individual efforts to address the issue of hazing. They also challenged Congress to pass hazing prevention legislation and/or strengthen state and local laws already on the books.

Aisha Swope

Director Finer Women Don't Haze

zetafwdhdir@gmail.com

Official Statement Against Hazing

Zeta Phi Beta has a membership intake policy that forbids all forms of hazing. Each prospective member is advised in writing that membership in Zeta does not require subjecting oneself to hazing. Prospective members are directed to refuse to participate in any hazing activity and are directed to report all hazing and hazing attempts to the proper authorities. Members receive instructions in the intake process. The International President has the authority to discipline any member who does not follow the written intake procedure or violates the sorority’s policy against hazing. This authority includes the power to suspend and the power to set conditions for reinstatement.

Each prospective member is informed that hazing is against the sorority’s rules. Prospective members are directed to walk away from any hazing activity, and to report all attempts to haze to the proper authorities.

Zeta Phi Beta cooperates with all civil and university authorities in the investigation of all alleged hazing incidents. Members and prospective members will be held responsible to the sorority for violations of policies against hazing. The sorority will pursue to the fullest extent allowed by law, to obtain indemnification for damages caused by the activities of the members or prospective members who participate in illegal, unauthorized, or prohibited conduct despite notice to refrain from such conduct.

Hazing Policy

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated (the “Sorority”) has designed a process for the selection, intake, and education of women who aspire to membership in the Sorority. The goal of the process is to inform new members of the history, policies, and procedures important to membership in the Sorority. Potential members of the Sorority have the right to participate in the process in environments that are not intentionally harmful.

Individuals who engage in hazing activities risk sanctions by the Sorority and criminal sanctions.

Hazing in any form or fashion is contrary to the philosophy and objectives of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorproated, and as such, the Sorority emphatically prohibits and denounces hazing.

Mission

The mission of Finer Women Don’t Haze is to educate the sisterhood and community to be advocates against hazing and the damaging lifelong effects of hazing.

Vision

The vision of Finer Women Don’t Haze is to eliminate all forms of hazing while building a stronger and more unified sisterhood.