[5] In 1902, a member of the Alpha chapter of ΖΤΑ, Grace Elcan Garnett,[6] attained a charter for ΖΤΑ from the State of Virginia, cementing its official purpose: "The object of said association shall be to intensify friendship, promote happiness among its members, and in every way to create such sentiments; to perform such deeds, and to mould such opinions as will conduce to the building up of a nobler and purer womanhood in the world.

In 2021, as a result of ongoing efforts to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in ZTA, the national council officially eliminated the Legacy Policy as a factor in membership selection.

As part of its official announcement, the fraternity said, "Removing the Legacy Policy is an important step toward providing a more equitable recruitment experience for all potential new members.

"[10] In 1928, Zeta Tau Alpha started its first national philanthropic effort in the creation of a health center servicing the community of Currin Valley, located in Appalachia Virginia.

[15] The ΖΤΑ Foundation currently has partnerships with the American Cancer Society, in which the Foundation is the National Survivor Ambassador of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer; the National Football League (partnership established in 1999), for which the Foundation distributes pink ribbons as part of the NFL's "A Crucial Catch" campaign; and Bright Pink, in which the Brighten Up Educational Workshop is brought to each collegiate chapter's campus to provide to tools for assessing breast cancer risk.

[17] ZTA is also a member of the Harm Reduction Alliance, a group that collaborates on providing programming to college students.

[20] National Convention for the Fraternity occurs every two years and brings together chapter members and alumni from around the country.

The size was regulated at the 1912 convention to be modeled after that of Dr. May Agnes Hopkins, ZTA's national president at the time.

[22] Members may wear a chapter guard and attach dangles to denote achievements and positions held as a ZTA.

Members may also wear a recognition pin in the shape of a small, gold five-pointed crown on their coat as the badge.

"While not a rule," it was deemed that it was "a matter of good taste" that a member never wear the official badge on a coat.

[22] In recognition of outstanding service to the Fraternity, members can receive an honor ring that bears the coat of arms on a turquoise stone.

Adopted at the 1915 National Convention, the oblong-octagonal ring also bears an open book and a five-pointed crown in relief on the sides.

[22] The turquoise and gray satin banner bears the letter "A", the Greek word "Themis" and a burning torch.

[22] While the specific varietal of violet is not named, depictions of the flower show that it is based on the Viola canadensis which is native to Virginia.

[1] In Greek tradition, Themis represents "divine justice" and was seated beside Zeus to give counsel and gather assemblies.

[23] Adopted in the 1903 National Convention, the award-winning publication regularly features collegiate and alumnae chapter news, photos and achievements.

Written by Shirley Kreasan Strout and adopted at the 1928 National Convention, the Creed of Zeta Tau Alpha is the embodiment of the organization's values.

[1] Per tradition, every chapter meeting of Zeta Tau Alpha opens with members reciting the Creed together.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; to be true to ourselves and to those within and without our circle; To think in terms of all mankind and our service in the world; 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 find satisfaction in being, rather than seeming, thus strengthening in us the higher qualities of the spirit; To prepare for service and learn the nobility of serving, thereby earning the right to be served; to seek understanding that we might gain true wisdom; to look for the good in everyone; To see beauty, with its enriching influence; to be humble in success, and without bitterness in defeat;

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; remembering always that the foundation precept of Zeta Tau Alpha was Love, "the greatest of all things".