Vision: Leading Women Educators Impacting Education Worldwide
Mission Statement: The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.
Double click on the Founder’s Book to read the amazing stories of our founders.
SOCIETY HISTORY
"It was late afternoon of a balmy spring day—May 11, 1929—when a few friends of Dr. Annie Webb Blanton gathered at 2610 Whitis Avenue in Austin, Texas. The large two-story, red brick house with its Victorian cupolas was listed in the telephone directory as the University Faculty Women's Club. Great oaks shaded the veranda where Dr. Blanton greeted her Austin friends and those who had come by train to help her found Kappa Gamma Delta, later to be renamed The Delta Kappa Gamma Society."
The founding group of twelve women educators represented a cross-section of the teaching profession. There was a grade school teacher, a dean of women, three high school teachers, three elementary school principals, and four college professors—Dr. Blanton was a professor of rural education at the University of Texas. In addition to Dr. Blanton, five of the members were from Austin: Anna Hiss, Helen Koch, Lalla M. Odom, Cora M. Martin and Ruby Terrill (Lomax). Already looking ahead to the formation of other chapters across Texas, Dr. Blanton had invited to membership six women educators from cities outside of Austin: Mamie Bastian from Houston, Ruby Cole from San Antonio, Lela Lee Williams from Dallas, Mabel Grizzard from Waxahachie and Ray and Sue King from Fort Worth.
The founding of the Society was the culmination of several years of dreaming and planning. "Ideas for the structure of the organization, its purposes and procedures had been evolving gradually. Letter after letter from Dr. Blanton to the prospective Founders carried drafts of the Constitution and Ritual to be scrutinized and criticized. Frequent meetings of the Austin women, especially those who lived at the Faculty Women's Club, brought modifications and refinements.... By the lengthy process of conferences and correspondence, many differences of opinion had been resolved among the twelve Founders before May 11.
"The financial aspects of the Society had to be determined—on the local, state and national basis. There were committees to be appointed and duties to define. The symbolism and the insignia were to be discussed. The official song seemed to be the one finished product in readiness. Mrs. Martin had somewhat rephrased Dr. Blanton's lyric so that it could be sung to the tune 'Men of Harlech'." Shortly after the initiation ceremony, the Founders sat down to work on the draft of the Constitution.
"The Founders were well aware of the criticism that might be leveled at this new Society. Not only men, but also many women, opposed women's organizations. The suffrage movement had stirred strong reactions that could not be ignored. Within the teaching profession, discrimination was the rule rather than the exception. The practice was general that as soon as a woman teacher married, she was dropped from the staff. The few scholarships granted by colleges usually went to men. In university faculties, as in public schools, efficient qualified women educators were denied promotions. They were rarely elected to office or boards of PROFESSIONAL organizations. These conditions combined to influence the purposes of the Society, the qualifications for membership and the manner in which Delta Kappa Gamma developed."
"Patiently, meticulously the Founders worked through the mass of details that demanded attention that night. Dr. Blanton was authorized to secure drawings for a fraternity key to be submitted by mail to the other Founders for their choice. They adopted the colors—crimson and gold; they discussed additional initiation paraphernalia; they authorized a committee to secure incorporation papers for the state and national Delta Kappa Gamma .
"It had been a strenuous and important business meeting which had stretched into the early morning hour. Sue King, exhausted, had retired before the close of deliberations; but, by adjournment time, the pattern had been drawn for a Society unique in the annals of organizations and destined to become the largest of its kind in the world."
SELECTION OF MEMBERS
Membership is by invitation only. Current members are always watching out for those outstanding educators with whom they would like to share the honor of membership. Members include educators in both private and public sectors: teachers, college and university professors, administrators and supervisors, librarians and educational specialists.
Selection is based on professional qualifications, leadership potential and personal qualities. An active member shall be a woman who is employed as a professional educator or has been retired from an educational position. Those who accept the invitation to join commit themselves to taking an active part in programs, special projects and organizational activities.
