Lambda Eta's History

 

A particular student by the name of Linda Harkless who always inspired to become a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. saw that there were no Zeta's on campus of Sam Houston State. Her dream was first though of in the year of 1973, but the actual beginning of the Lambda Eta experience did not began until the year of 1975. Before perusing to start the chapter, during her undergraduate term, she would travel to other school such as Prairie A&M University , Texas Southern University, and Huston-Tillotson University where she had seen their Zeta's always having good time doing such things as strutting and stepping and she wanted to bring that to Sam Houston State University . So she made it her mission to start a chapter on the campus because Delta Sigma Theta and Alpha Kappa Alpha was not what she truly inspired to become.

Through trying to start this premier organization they found that many people didn't want Zeta Phi Beta on campus, but through it all the ladies strived to surpass what people were saying about them because it was Lambda Eta who was the first organization on the campus to have a white member in what people knew to be a black sorority. The ladies had no personal knowledge of one another in the beginning, but as time progressed they soon found that Lou Yarbrough, Debra Robinson, and Vernita Francis were all from the same home town.

The Illustrious Lambda Eta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was chartered on April 30, 1976 on the campus of Sam Houston State University . It was formed by 10 phenomenal women, who enriched the campus with the presence of Finer Womanhood, known as "Chains of Togetherness". The name chain of togetherness was decided upon by each of the chartering members because through all of the tribulation that they were put through they thought of themselves as the link that ultimately became a chain then no one could destroy. The chartering members are Belinda "Inseparable" Adams, Vernita "Unity" Francis, Debra "Veracity" Robinson, Lou "Intimacy" Yarbrough, Linda "Soigne" Harkless, Marilyn "Harmony" Dawkins, Kristy "Serenity" Nix, Deborah "Docilis" Jackson, Cynthia "Oneness" Donatto, and Katherine "Sincerity" Druery.

The first president of the Lambda Eta chapter was Linda Harkless who soon graduated and turned the office over to Lou Yarbrough who continued the organization. Since its charter, 162 women have crossed into the sisterhood of the Lambda Eta Chapter. Lambda Eta has been recognized for its involvement on campus as well as in the community.