Kappa Zeta chapter has provided Zeta Phi Beta Sorority with two of its oldest and most long standing traditions. The first Blue Revue, a national scholarship observance, was held by Kappa Zeta in 1933. It later became a sorority-wide project when Kappa Zeta presented the idea at the sorority's national conference that same year. Between the years of 1946 and 1948, Marion Dillard introduced the idea of Woman of the Year to Kappa Zeta Chapter and then later, presented the idea to the Southern Region of the sorority. Today, Woman of the Year observances are included in most Finer Womanhood celebrations throughout all chapters of Zeta Phi Beta.

Kappa Zeta chapter is continuing its rich legacy and annually recognizes a woman who exemplifies the ideal of Finer Womanhood through her service in the community. Over the last 50 years, numerous women in the Dallas area have been honored as Kappa Zeta‛s Woman of the Year.

We are pleased to announce the 2008 Woman of the Year, Claudia Holmes Batt.

 Mrs. Claudia Holmes Batts was born in Clarence, Louisiana, where she  received all of her grade-school education. She received a Doctorate of  Cosmetology degree from the National Institute of Cosmetology in 1983 and,  currently, is the proprietor of a beauty salon in the Dallas area.

 Mrs. Batts is a 9-year survivor of breast cancer, who has devoted her life to  serving the community. Her philosophy of community service includes her belief  that, “…if you have been blessed with gifts from God, those gifts should be  shared with others… My community involvement affords me the opportunity to be  of service to others so that joy and happiness will enter their lives…To be of  service to mankind is serving God to the fullest.”

Her extensive community service involvement includes close work with the American Cancer Society in their Reach to Recovery, Relay for Life, and Look Good-Feel Good programs and serving as a member of the ACS Speakers‛ Bureau. In 2007, she was recognized by the American Cancer Society as an Inspirational Survivor. Additional service involvement includes work with the North Texas Food Bank and Holmes Street Boys. She is a dedicated member of the South Dallas Business and Professional Women‛s Club, Inc. and National Beauty Culturists‛ League, Inc.

Mrs. Claudia Batts has enjoyed 51 years of married bliss to Mr. Robert Batts. They have one wonderful daughter, Mrs. Lucretia Batts Hammond, and have one grandson, Charles Martin Hammond.