The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International

Psi Chapter - NCDKG

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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.