History

Compiled by Marie T. DiPaola (Gleaned from a history of the chapter by its
first president, Jewelene Jones, from early Beta Kappa yearbooks and from charter members.)

Beta Kappa Chapter had its inception at a tea given in its honor by the mother chapter, Alpha Kappa on May 16, 1965, at Davis Brothers Cafeteria, Toco Hills, Decatur. The purposes of membership were explained to the 17 prospective members. On May 24, 1965, following a dinner at the Clairmont Branch of the YMCA, a simple but moving initiation took place. At the time, all Delta Kappa Gamma members were required to wear hats and gloves to every meeting. Election of officers ensued. Beta Kappa Chapter’s very first officers were:

                        President: Mrs. Jewelene E. Jones
                        1st Vice President: Miss Cleo Edenfield
                        2nd Vice President: Mrs. Juliet Clack
                        Recording Secretary: Mrs. Pat Belcher
                        Corresponding Secretary: Mrs. Elizabeth C. Rowe
                        Treasurer: Mrs. Virginia C. McKathan
                        Parliamentarian: Mrs. Esthere O. Blakeslee

The remaining charter members were: Mrs. Julia Archibald; Mrs. Frances Bennett: Mrs. Helen Byrd; Mrs. Kay Davis; Mrs. Pauline Davis; Mrs. Carolyn Gillespie Mrs. Noreen Green; Mrs. Patricia Leonard, Mrs. Sara Jo Sirmans and Mrs. D.W. Wilber.

No chapter meetings were held in June, July and August. On September 27, 1965, Beta Kappa met with its mother chapter, Alpha Kappa at the Decatur-DeKalb Library. Miss Annie Frances Flanigan, (Alpha) of Lawrenceville, Georgia, was the new Psi State President and spoke briefly to both chapters. At the end of the joint meeting, the umbilical cord was severed. Beta Kappa took its first steps under the very capable leadership of its first president, Jewelene Jones.

The first biennium “served to unite the members in fulfilling the purposes of Delta Kappa Gamma especially in the area of spiritual fellowship”.

The program theme, “The Nurture of Creativity” provided participation by many members. Exciting talents and hobbies were revealed.

Beta Kappa received its first new members by transfer at its first anniversary dinner in May of 1966. They were : Miss Marjorie Buchanan and Mrs. Barbara Rodal.

Three new members were initiated at an evening dinner. They were: Mrs. Ruth Born Cheek, Mrs. Martha Felder and Mrs. Barbara Reed.

Presidents of Beta Kappa during the first 5 bienniums were: Jewelene Jones; Cleo Edenfield, Kay Davis, Betty Green and Marie DiPaola.