FWDH History
The National Action Network, led by founder, president, and honorary Sigma Reverend Al Sharpton, began a partnership with the brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated 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, Incorporated, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated was invited to become a part of this partnership to address, bring awareness to, and eradicate hazing in any form. A national Town Hall meeting was held in Charlotte, North Carolina in August 2012. 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 were also challenged to get congress to pass hazing prevention legislation and/or strengthen state and local laws already on the books.
Under the direction of newly elected 24th International Grand Basileus, Mary Breaux Wright, of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Scarlet H. Black (National First Anti-Basileus 2012-14), was asked to develop and implement an anti-hazing initiative for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated and to have it ready to launch during the National Anti-Hazing Prevention Week in September 2012. This initiative was to be an ongoing program to address the issue of hazing within the sorority and society as a whole. On September 6, 2012, “Finer Women Don’t Haze (FWDH) Campaign” (original title, concept, and program designed by the NFAB) was launched as the sorority’s response to this “call to action against hazing.” It also honored the sorority’s principle of “Finer Womanhood.” The goal of “Finer Women Don’t Haze Campaign (FWDH)” was and continues to initiate discussion, recognize the issue(s), and bring attention and awareness to the hidden harm (psychological, emotional, financial, abusive, embarrassment, physical dangers, even death) and silence of hazing. The “Zeta woman in silhouette” represents the silence, unspoken, hidden, and undercover aspects of hazing. The original graphic is by Shanessa Ashford, Georgia State Director (2012-16). As a capital campaign project, the National Trustees of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated also supported the “Finer Women Don’t Haze Campaign” by selling t-shirts displaying the FWDH Logo. This helped spread the anti-hazing initiative, throughout the sorority, and further communicated Zeta’s anti-hazing message. While no program, slogan, strategy, t-shirt, etc. will single-handedly remove hazing from our sorority or society, to do nothing and not acknowledge that the problem exists is an unacceptable option. Now in its third year, “Finer Women Don’t Haze” has been re-launched and expanded. The program has been trademarked and a National Anti- Hazing Director appointed by the International Grand Basileus.
As Zeta moves forward, the original message of awareness and calling attention to the issue of hazing and the problems hazing poses for all fraternities/sororities and in the general society will continue to evolve.