In 1928, Shirley Kreasan Strout penned a beautiful message about the ideals of Zeta Tau Alpha that now serves as the creed of this Women's Fraternity. The creed is a very important part of the Zeta sisterhood. It is one of the things that ties every sister together no matter where they are in the world. In my experience, the creed has served as a moral compass to guide myself as I navigate my college experience.
At a time where I am beginning to figure out who I am as an adult, I often find myself challenged with finding my true ideals. College is a great time of self-discovery and when I find myself lost in what to do, my answer can usually found in the ZTA Creed.
To realize that within our grasp, in Zeta Tau Alpha, lies the opportunity to learn those things which will ever enrich and ennoble our lives
By becoming a sister of Zeta Tau Alpha, we have the resources available to gain a true knowledge of what it means to be a strong, educated woman.
To be true to ourselves, and to those within and without our circle
We will never change who we truly are to fit in with others. We fit in because we are unique, creating only truthful and honest friendships from our sisterhood.
To think in terms of all mankind and our service in the world
To think beyond ourselves. To make the world a better place. To extend good deeds to those less fortunate, be the change we want to see, and to always keep our philanthropy close to our hearts.
To be steadfast, strong, and clean of heart and mind, remembering that since the thought is father to the deed, only that which we would have manifested in our experience should be entertained in thought
To keep our own personal ideals close to our heart. To not judge others unjustly. Remembering to to think about the effect of our actions before acting upon them.
To find satisfaction in being, rather than seeming, thus strengthening in us the higher qualities of the spirit
To always be genuine and never less than our true self. We will always find our happiness in truly being alive and well in the world, never being a fake friend or sister.
To prepare for service and learn the nobility of serving, thereby earning the right to be served
When you give to the world, the world will give back to you. By serving others, we earn our right to receive help from others just as we have selflessly given of ourselves.
To seek understanding that we might gain true wisdom
To ever further our knowledge so that we may truly use it in life experiences and to future generations.
To look for the good in everyone
Focusing on the good qualities of a person and now dwelling on the negative ones.
To see beauty, with its enriching influence
Taking a look at the world around us and allowing all the beauties of the world to enrich in a way that inspires us to conserve it.
To have the welfare and harmony of the Fraternity at heart, striving ever to make our lives a symphony of high ideals, devotion to the Right, the Good, and the True, without a discordant note
To think in terms of our sisterhood, not being selfish or concentrating on what would be best for us personally. To hold ourselves to a high standard and never waver from what we think is right.
Remembering always that the foundation precept of Zeta Tau Alpha was Love, the greatest of all things
Love and friendship is what founded the sisterhood and will always serve as the backbone of Zeta Tau Alpha. Showing true, unadulterated love to those in our sisterhood, outside of it, and to the world around us.
