New Chapter Award — Graduate and Undergraduate
- Awarded to new chapter(s) chartered within the State of South Carolina since the last South Carolina State Leadership Conference convened in 2026.
Recognizing excellence
Awards Information — 2026–2027
The Awards Committee reviews the guidelines and administers the awards for the State of South Carolina, objectively reviewing applications utilizing a standard rubric, determining award recipients, and ordering awards for the South Carolina State Leadership Conference based upon specified and publicized criteria.
Eligibility Criteria
- Be registered to attend the South Carolina State Leadership Conference.
- Each chapter or auxiliary may submit one nomination in each award category.
- ALL information must be submitted in its entirety by the deadline (NO EXCEPTIONS).
- Awards will be based on the 2025–2026 Sorority Year, geographical areas, or chapter sizes.
- Geographical Areas: Midlands, PeeDee, Lowcountry, and Upstate.
- Chapter sizes: 1–4, 5–25, 26–50, 51–75, 76–100, and 101 and up.
Documentation for each award must be submitted as ONE PDF document uploaded via the submission link. Please include chapter photographs or headshots (neutral background, no selfies) with award submissions. Portfolios should include documentation to support activities and programs — you must label and date your documentation.
New Award
Henrietta Floyd Massey and Claire Floyd Porter Legacy Award
4th South Carolina State Director (1972–1974)
7th South Carolina State Director (1992–1996)
This distinguished award honors an enduring legacy of sisterhood, exemplary leadership, and transformative service. It recognizes the remarkable legacy of biological sisters Henrietta Floyd Massey, 4th South Carolina State Director, and Claire Floyd Porter, 7th South Carolina State Director, whose shared commitment to Zeta left an indelible mark on the history of South Carolina. Their extraordinary example of leadership, service, and sisterhood stands as a lasting testament to the power of legacy and continues to inspire generations of Zetas.
Hailing from Laurens, South Carolina, and alumnae of Allen University, Henrietta and Claire were devoted educators and community leaders who embodied compassion, excellence, and service. Their legacy continued through the next generation, as their children also joined the distinguished ranks of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. Henrietta was a Charter Member of Delta Xi Zeta Chapter in Rock Hill, while Claire made history as the longest-serving President of Beta Beta Zeta Chapter in Columbia.
Eligibility Criteria
- Both applicant and co-applicant must be registered by January 31, 2027 to attend the 2027 South Carolina State Leadership Conference.
- One application must be submitted with both Applicant and Co-Applicant information provided, and only one familial application per legacy group.
- Must be a member of the State of South Carolina Legacy Club.
- Must be present during the State of South Carolina Legacy Induction Ceremony to receive the award.
- All information must be submitted in its entirety by the deadline (NO EXCEPTIONS).
- No pending disciplinary infractions for any applicant or co-applicant.
- Applicants must be official Legacies recognized by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (i.e., mother-daughter, sisters, aunt-niece, grandmother-granddaughter, cousins, stepmothers-stepdaughters, or legally adopted).
- Applicants DO NOT have to be members of the same chapter, but must be a member of a chapter located in the State of South Carolina.
- Applicants must be present and photographed together while working for the betterment of their community on behalf of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Community events during the 2025–2026 Sorority Year may include, but are not limited to, chapter events, food bank drives, health drives, participation in voter registration drives and initiatives, social justice drives, sorority events, Z-HOPE projects, etc.
Documentation for the award must be submitted as ONE PDF document uploaded via the submission link.
Deadline for all award submissions: January 31, 2027 at 11:59 PM.
SUBMIT PORTFOLIO →APPLICATION SIGNATURE FORM →
For questions, please contact: Soror Minthalee Stephens, South Carolina Legacy Coordinator (sclegacycoordinator@gmail.com); Soror Alaysia Stephens, South Carolina Assistant Legacy Coordinator (scaslegacycoordinator@gmail.com); or Maxine Moses-Adams, 12th South Carolina State Director/Committee Member (southcarolinastatedirector12@gmail.com).
Chapter & Auxiliary Awards
Model Chapter of the Year Award — Graduate and Undergraduate
Chapters will submit an annual chapter report. Data will be collected from participation in State, Regional and National activities and initiatives. The goals of the State will serve as the rubric for awarding chapters' efforts. Awarded to the graduate and undergraduate chapters that exemplify the ideals of the sorority, support Z-HOPE Signature Programs, and other programs within the community and the State of South Carolina. Given based on chapter size (1–4, 5–25, 26–50, 51–75, 76–100, 101 and up). A credentialed portfolio (ONE PDF document) must accompany the application with the following documentation:
- Documentation of meeting the target of 20% chapter membership growth or a percentage (new and/or reclaimed members)
- Presentation of an annual Scholarship
- Documentation of collaboration with an undergraduate chapter, graduate chapter, ZMN auxiliary, Zeta Amicae auxiliary or Sigma chapter
- Collaboration with other organizations (i.e., NCNW, NAACP, etc.)
- Documentation of local partnerships with a business, industry, organization, school or faith-based entity
- Completion of a Social, Health and Economic Justice project (service project or webinar)
- Completion of Global Day of Service project
- Completion of South Carolina Day of Service
- Participation in Statewide Founders' Day Observance
- Participation in Zeta Day at the Capitol
- Completion of two (2) Zeta/Sigma activities
- Completion of a Finer Women Don't Haze activity (Undergraduate only)
- Participation in at least two (2) community activities in your area through fundraising or volunteering: SY 2025-2026 March for Babies, St. Jude, or Relay for Life (met chapter goal); SY 2025-2026 SCSLC Z-HOPE™ activity; SY 2025-2026 or SY 2026-2027 Southeastern Regional Conference Z-HOPE™ activity
Zeta Amicae Auxiliary of the Year
Presented to the Zeta Amicae Auxiliary that exhibits outstanding programs and support to the graduate chapter, their community, and the State of South Carolina. A credentialed portfolio (ONE PDF document) must accompany the application with the following documentation:
- Completion of Z-HOPE™ activity for Women's Health
- Documentation of collaboration with an undergraduate chapter, graduate chapter, ZMN auxiliary, Zeta Amicae auxiliary or Sigma chapter
- Completion of at least two (2) of the following: Z-HOPE™ activity for Elder Care; Z-HOPE™ activity for Adopt A School; Z-HOPE™ activity for Autism; Z-HOPE™ activity for any other component under Health Justice
- Participation in at least one (1) community activity in your area through fundraising or volunteering: SY 2025-2026 March for Babies, St. Jude, or Relay for Life (met goal); SY 2025-2026 SCSLC Z-HOPE™ activity; SY 2025-2026 or SY 2026-2027 Southeastern Regional Conference Z-HOPE™ activity
Zeta Male Network Auxiliary of the Year
Awarded to the Zeta Male Network Auxiliary that exhibits outstanding programs and support to the graduate chapter, their community, and the State of South Carolina. A credentialed portfolio (ONE PDF document) must accompany the application with the following documentation:
- Completion of Z-HOPE™ activity for Men's Health Justice
- Documentation of collaboration with an undergraduate chapter, graduate chapter, ZMN auxiliary, Zeta Amicae auxiliary or Sigma chapter
- Completion of at least two (2) of the following: Z-HOPE™ activity for Elder Care; Z-HOPE™ activity for Adopt A School; Z-HOPE™ activity for Autism; Z-HOPE™ activity for any other component under Health Justice
- Participation in at least one (1) community activity in your area through fundraising or volunteering: SY 2025-2026 March for Babies, St. Jude, or Relay for Life (met goal); SY 2025-2026 SCSLC Z-HOPE™ activity; SY 2025-2026 or SY 2026-2027 Southeastern Regional Conference Z-HOPE™ activity
Outstanding Membership Intake Award — Graduate and Undergraduate
- Awarded to the chapter with the highest intake membership during the Spring 2026 or Fall 2026.
Outstanding Reclamation Award — Graduate
- Awarded to the chapter reclaiming the highest number of inactive Sorors during the Spring 2026 or Fall 2026.
Z-HOPE™ Award — Graduate, Undergraduate, Zeta Amicae, and Zeta Male Network
- Issued to chapters implementing Z-HOPE™ in accordance with the internationally defined guidelines.
- All chapters must have entered their completed summary forms in the Zeta Service Management System (zsms3.zphib1920.org) by June 30 for awards consideration.
- The awarding time frame is the Sorority year (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026).
Individual Awards
South Carolina Zeta of the Year — Graduate (only one Soror nominated per chapter)
Submit a professional resume, Zeta resume, and supporting materials to show evidence of meeting criteria. A credentialed portfolio (ONE PDF document) must accompany the application with the following documentation:
- Nominated by her chapter (include letter of recommendation)
- Member for at least 5 years
- Active and financial for at least 5 consecutive years
- Attended at least five (5) State Conferences
- Attended at least four (4) Regional Conferences
- Attended at least two (2) Boulés
- Attended at least one (1) Zeta Organizational Leadership Training and be ZOL certified
- A project you implemented for your chapter and/or community (Social, Health, or Economic Justice) and your Zeta headshot
South Carolina Zeta of the Year — Undergraduate (only one Soror nominated per chapter)
Provide a DETAILED portfolio to include:
- Nomination by her chapter (include letter of recommendation from Advisor and/or Campus Professional)
- Zeta Resume — indicating your Zeta accomplishments, Zeta service, campus community leadership, community involvement (Z-HOPE), a project you implemented on campus (Social, Health, or Economic Justice related), and your Zeta headshot
- Supporting documents of your participation in the activities
- Examples: participation in a campus voter registration drive; volunteering to assist the local graduate chapter in a Social, Economic and/or Health Justice program; membership in a campus organization that promotes scholarship and service; participation in chapter activities such as Founders' Day, Zeta Day at the Capitol, Zeta/Sigma and Finer Womanhood activities; volunteering at a local homeless shelter, food bank, or elder care program
2026 Special Awards Categories
Undergraduate Social Media Recognition Award
An opportunity for chapters that have provided effective programming and initiatives in their community to highlight their efforts in social media branding and imaging. Only undergraduate Zetas are eligible to apply. One recipient from each geographical area will be selected based on the award rubric. A credentialed portfolio (ONE PDF document) must be uploaded with the following documentation:
- Provide URL to social media page(s) (i.e., Facebook, Instagram, X, website, etc.)
- Demonstrate the highest ideal of Finer Womanhood through social media presence
- Social media page layout demonstrates the highest level of coherence and cohesion
- Social media page follows all branding guidelines as described in the toolkit, indicating excellent dedication to Zeta's image — including color, font, and shield/seal usage
Community Impact Award
Awarded to the chapter/auxiliaries serving in the community by providing leadership and service to meet needs through advocacy and engagement. Zetas, Zeta Amicae, and Zeta Male Network are eligible to apply. One recipient from each geographical area will be selected based on the Community Impact Award rubric. A credentialed portfolio (ONE PDF document) must be uploaded with the following documentation:
- Complete a Needs Assessment
- Submit three (3) letters from community partners on their official letterhead in the areas of Social Justice, Health Justice and Economic Justice
- Each letter should highlight addressed community needs
- Letters should emphasize strategic approach, ongoing partnership, timeframe, and impact
- Only projects completed in the Sorority year beginning April 2026 through January 31, 2027 should be submitted
- Advocacy through engagements that enhance the surrounding community — attending County Council, City Council, and School Board meetings on behalf of the community and its needs
- Joint involvement with other organizations such as Divine 9, the NAACP, and memberships on community boards
The Power of S.H.E. Award
The Power of S.H.E. is the pragmatic theme established by our 26th International Grand Basileus, Dr. Stacie NC Grant. This award celebrates and honors the dedication and commitment of our chapters in fostering Social, Health, and Economic Justice locally and globally through our programmatic thrust, Z-HOPE. One recipient from each geographical area will be selected based on the rubric; recipients will be announced during the Awards Gala at the SC State Leadership Conference. A credentialed portfolio (ONE PDF document) must be uploaded with the following documentation:
- Chapters must complete two activities in each category — Social, Health, and Economic Justice
- Only projects completed in the Sorority Year beginning July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 should be submitted
ONE SC Excellence Award (New Award)
Recognizes the geographical area that demonstrates excellence in fostering meaningful partnerships and collaborative initiatives among graduate chapters, undergraduate chapters, Zeta Amicae, Zeta Male Network, and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Chapters may submit one application to their elevation coordinator for each eligible partnership category. One recipient will be selected based on the rubric and announced during the SC State Leadership Conference. A credentialed portfolio (ONE PDF document) must be uploaded with the following documentation:
- The Zeta chapter and partnering auxiliary/fraternity chapter must be in good standing
- Collaborative activities must have occurred during the 2025-2026 Sorority Year
- The partnership must include implementation and participation by both organizations — please include photos
- A minimum of two collaborative activities must be documented
- Describe the partnership and how the organizations worked together
- Explain the community needs addressed
- Describe the activities conducted and the role of each organization or auxiliary
- Discuss measurable outcomes and community impact
- Explain how the collaboration advanced the mission and principles of the organization
- Describe plans for future collaborative efforts
Undergraduates
Undergraduate advisors should collect the required information prior to the deadline to ensure all documentation is ready for submission. Please provide the information to the Undergraduate Coordinator, Soror Sekenyia Williams at SCUndergraduateCoordinators2@gmail.com and the Awards Coordinator, Soror Shirrie Miller at SCAwardsCoord1@gmail.com.
Annually you will need: an unofficial transcript for EVERY chapter soror; names of all graduating sorors and their current GPA (matching their unofficial transcripts), along with each soror's major, future aspirations upon graduation, and a photograph (neutral background, no selfies). The undergraduate chapter with the highest GPA (with proper official documentation) will also be recognized.
Sorors graduating in December 2026/May 2027 and sorors with a 3.0 GPA and higher will be recognized. You must be registered for the South Carolina State Leadership Conference to be recognized during the conference. Those not registered will be recognized in the souvenir journal only.