The history of Psi Chapter begins with
Epsilon Chapter (Rowan County).
Epsilon Chapter was chartered on May 20, 1939.
Psi Chapter was formed from Epsilon Chapter on April 7,
1951.
On April 7, 1951, a regular meeting of
Epsilon Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma was held at the Wiscasset
Memorial Y.M.C.A. in Albemarle, NC.
Members and guests found their places at the tables by hand
painted place cards done by eighth grade students from North
Albemarle Elementary School.
Miss Annie Bostian, president of Epsilon Chapter, gave the
invocation. After a
delicious luncheon Miss Julia Groves was introduced and gave the
“History of Eta State---Delta Kappa Gamma.”
Miss Jessie Lawrence gave the “History of Epsilon
Chapter”. Miss
Grace Van Dyke More discussed the “Characteristics of a Delta
Kappa Gamma member.” Miss
Bostian introduced Miss Kate Parks Kitchen, State President, who
was the speaker for the afternoon.
She spoke in a gracious way of the five qualities of a good
Delta Kappa Gamma member:
1.
Informed
2.
Progressive and Selective
3.
Cooperative
4.
Attends Meetings
5.
Outward Reaching
Miss Bostian announced the birth of a new
Daughter, Psi, for Stanly and Montgomery Counties.
Miss Mary Gulledge accepted the responsibility for a new
chapter. Miss Mable
Lippard gave the “God Speed Our Chapter Daughter, Psi.”
The Mother Chapter and the Daughter Chapter
members retired to the Assembly hall in the Y.M.C.A. where seven
new members were initiated under the leadership of Miss Ann
Sherwood, initiation chairman of Epsilon Chapter.
Miss Kate Parks Kitchen helped with the initiation ceremony
and the installation of new officers for Psi Chapter.
Miss Grace Van Dyke More, State Chairman
Expansion Committee, presented the Charter to Miss Mary Gulledge
and the officers and other members.
Twenty-one members signed the Psi Chapter Charter.
These women were from Albemarle, Stanly
County and Montgomery County.
(Information taken from chapter minutes of
April 7, 1951)
Interestingly, 10 years after Psi Chapter was chartered, 43 chapters had been chartered in Eta State.
The minutes of Psi Chapter indicate that
there was much discussion over a period of several years from 1976
until 1979 regarding expansion.
On September 11, 1976, Mrs. Aleine Kirschner,
Director of Region VI suggested that the chapter should consider
dividing since chapter membership justified forming a daughter
chapter. At the meeting on December 4, 1976, members were asked to
respond to a questionnaire concerning the division of Psi Chapter.
On February 5, 1977, the State President of Delta Kappa
Gamma, Mildred Bingham, met with Psi Chapter to discuss the
possibility of expansion and to explain her suggestions for the
procedure to be followed. There are numerous other references to
discussion of expansion in the minutes.
On December 3, 1977, preference sheets regarding expansion
were completed by the membership.
At a called meeting on February 8, 1979,
those desiring to join the new chapter in Montgomery County, Gamma
Nu, signed the designated paper.
On April 7, 1979, Eta State President Pauline
Longest was present at the Psi Chapter meeting when the chapter
voted to present to the new chapter, Gamma Nu (Montgomery County)
the paraphernalia necessary for initiation of new members.
(Information taken from chapter minutes)
The Appendix of Delta Kappa Gamma in North
Carolina A History of the North Carolina (ETA State) Organization
of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International compiled by
a Special History Committee, Pauline Longest,
Chairman 1989 lists all chapters, with the date of their founding,
their territory, and the designation of their founding official.
Page 127 of this material indicates that Gamma Nu chapter
– Montgomery County was founded on April 7, 1979 – Pauline
Longest was the founding official.
Since that time membership in Psi Chapter has
been made up of outstanding women educators in Stanly County. |