Alpha Gamma State History
In 1936, Miss Mary Browning of Louisville attended a meeting of the Department of Superintendents in Atlantic City and heard Delta Kappa Gammian Mrs. Norma Smith Bristow Salter of Alabama speak. While engaging in conversation later, Mrs. Salter sparked an interest in Miss Browning concerning the purposes, especially the first of Delta Kappa Gamma. The result was the organization of Alpha Gamma State. On March 24, 1937, at the Brown Hotel in Louisville twelve pledges were initiated by the National President, Miss Mamie Bastian of Austin, Texas. The following women were initiated (following their name is the name of the school where they spent most of their careers):
| Mrs. Emma Y. Case | Eastern Kentucky University | |
| Mrs. Naomi Claypool | Morehead State University | |
| Miss Alice Keyes | Murray State University | |
| Miss Nan Lacy | Fayette County School System | |
| Miss Ethel Lovell | Louisville Pre-Vocational School | |
| Miss Roselyn Lowenstein | Louisville Public Schools | |
| Dr. Ethel Lee Parker | University of Kentucky | |
| Miss Nell Pearson | University School at University of Kentucky | |
| Miss Mary E. Ransdell | Lexington Public Schools | |
| Miss Sara Rives | Covington | |
| Miss Mary Browning | Louisville Public Schools | |
| Miss Clara Rimmer | University of Florida |
According to legend the twelve women were divided into two groups--those living nearer Louisville and those living nearer Lexington. It was agreed that a flip of a coin would determine which chapter would be named the first chapter, Alpha, and the first state president would be elected from the second chapter, Beta. Thus, Louisville became the Alpha Chapter and Dr. Ethel Lee Parker from Beta Chapter in Lexington was elected the first state president. From the beginning of these two chapters in 1937, Alpha Gamma State has expanded to 37 chapters located across Kentucky. Initially, candidates for membership were generally identified with the Kentucky Education Association (KEA) District in which they resided or taught. expansion to a foreign country was accomplished in 1978 when Alpha Gamma State sponsored an Alpha Chapter of eighteen members in El Salvador in Central America.
Conventions were originally held in Louisville following the close of the Kentucky Education Association meeting. In 1973, decisions were made to hold the state convention on a different date from KEA and at various sites in the state. Workshops for chapter officers and committee chairs were added in 1962 and have been helpful in leadership training, motivation and efficiency.
Alpha Gamma State has honored several members through the establishment of scholarships bearing their names. The first scholarship was established in 1963 in honor of Sara Rives, State Founder and State President from 1950-1953. Dr. Ethel Lee Parker, State Founder and the first State President from 1937-39, was honored in 1970 with the second scholarship named in her honor. In April 1984, Gertrude Collins, state treasurer beginning in 1952, was honored with a scholarship recognizing her long time commitment to Delta Kappa Gamma standards and services to Alpha Gamma State.
Alpha Gamma State members have been recipients as well as supporters of educational programs established by the International Convention. Some of these opportunities are: The Golden Gift Fund I and II, The World Fellowship Fund, The Educational Foundation and the various International Scholarships.
Many members of Alpha Gamma State have attended and participated in Regional Conferences and International Conventions. Under the chairmanship of Nancy McClure (Beta), Alpha Gamma State has hosted both the Northeast Regional Conference (1973) and the International Convention (1992).
Alpha Gamma State has offered many opportunities for its members to experience the seven purposes of Delta Kappa Gamma. The strength of Alpha Gamma State is evidence the members have actively taken advantage of each opportunity.
Return to Alpha Gamma homepage
Last Updated - March 9, 2002
Sharon Hutchinson, Webmaster