The Story of Beta Xi Zeta

Upon arriving on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in August 1968, Soror Omera Baylor immediately sought the local Zeta Chapter.   She found that Xi Xi Zeta Chapter was inactive and had not functioned in ten years.

​

Soror Baylor met Sigma brothers Lee Oscar Johnson and Jack Martin who saw the need to reactivate the chapter.  They agreed that if Soror Baylor would do the paper work and apply for the charter, Phi Beta Sigma would pay the activation fee.

​

Soror Baylor met with the last basileus of Xi Xi Zeta, Soror Irene Edwards, who gave her names of five local sorors.  Soror Baylor contacted the sorors.  They met with the Sigma brothers and applied for the charter.  The fees were submitted by Gamma Mu Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated.

 

Sorors Omera Baylor, Irene Edwards, Catherine Gilleylen, Thelma Jordan and Irma Payton were the Chartering Sorors.

 

The chapter was officially chartered December 19, 1969. 

The chapter name was changed from Xi Xi Zeta to Beta Xi Zeta.

 

In December 1969 Beta Xi Zeta was born.  Soror Omera Baylor was elected Basileus of the new chapter.