Mission, Purposes, & History


Nevada

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International

 

Vision

Leading Women Educators Impacting Education Worldwide

Mission

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. 

Purposes

TO UNITE women educators of the world in a genuine spiritual fellowship

TO HONOR women who have given or who evidence a potential for distinctive service in any field of education

TO ADVANCE the professional interest and position of women in education

TO INITIATE, ENDORSE AND SUPPORT desirable legislation or other suitable endeavors in the interests of education and of women educators

TO ENDOW scholarships to aid outstanding women educators in pursuing graduate study and to grant fellowships to nonmember women educators

TO STIMULATE the personal and professional growth of members and to encourage their participation in appropriate programs of action

TO INFORM the members of current economic, social, political, and educational issues so that they may participate effectively in a world society

Historically Speaking

Why this organization, now (1929)?


Although universal suffrage had been the law of the land since 1920, there existed many social and professional limitations for women teachers.

Also, there was little opportunity for women to learn leadership in professional associations, which were always led by men.

Therefore, Annie Webb Blanton saw the need for a special organization whose members would be bound by rather close ties (to counteract the common perception that women could not work or stand together).


Why the “dress code” (hats and gloves)?


Women teachers in the 1920’s were poorly educated (nearly all were elementary teachers with Normal Degrees), poorly paid, single, and held in esteem comparable to housewives.


Dr. Blanton lectured them, sixty years ahead of the Dress for Success movement, that only if they dressed and behaved like ladies could they expect to be taken seriously.


Why the World Fellowships program?


After 1945 the political, financial and social conditions in Europe left the educational system in a shambles. All too soon, the same conditions existed in Korea.


Many state organizations and chapters plunged enthusiastically into projects to help teachers and schools in countries ravaged by war. It soon became evident that a concerted, Society-wide effort was needed to address this enormous problem.


The program has been broadened to include any woman student from a foreign country, and is now carried forth by the World Fellowships Committee. Aid to schools and teachers is available through the Educational Foundation. Both are still supported entirely by contributions by our members.


Why the push for doctorates?

Since women were routinely excluded from decision-making and policy decisions at all levels, the only avenue toward administrative opportunities and equal pay was graduate study.


Many barriers of discrimination have been breached and glass ceilings broken by the advanced training attainable through Delta Kappa Gamma scholarships.


Why the Golden Gift Fund?

As the Society approached its 50th anniversary in 1979, the idea was formed to amass a large sum of money through voluntary contributions—the Golden Gift Fund.


The members then voted on the use of the interest from these funds, and decided that the greatest need was for advanced training in management and leadership. Thus was born the Leadership/Management Seminar, two weeks of intensive professional training at a business school, currently held at the University of Texas in Austin.

ALPHA CHI STATE STATE FOUNDERS

ALPHA CHI STATE was founded on November 28 in 1941

  • Mrs. Bertha Atkin Gregory
  • Miss Katherine Lewers (Honorary)
  • Mrs. Mary S. Black
  • Miss Jessie Pope
  • Mrs. Jennie A. Curieux
  • Miss Sarah L. Lewis
  • Miss Fannie Daniel
  • Miss Louise B. Reil
  • Mrs. Laura Dearing
  • Miss Ruth I. Russell
  • Miss Doris Virginia Hancock
  • Miss Martha A. Schulz
  • Miss Mildred Huber
  • Mrs. Louise Springer Penrose
  • Miss Ella Kuffer Rushing
  • Mrs. Gwendolyn Davis Wagner

Past Presidents 1941-1977

  • Ruth Russel 41-42
  • Bertha Atkin Gregory 42-43
  • Mildred Huber 44-45
  • Maud Graham Good 45-46
  • Fannie Daniel 46-47
  • Louise Reil [Acting] 47-48
  • Hazel Coates 48-51
  • Alice Finch 51-53
  • Faustine Leach O'Gara 53-55
  • Nellie Bohn Hudcheck 55-57
  • Margaret Oxborrow 57-59
  • Harriet Treem 59-61
  • Lomie Gray Herd 61-63
  • Marguerite Nelson 63-65
  • Lina Sharp 65-67
  • Ruby White 67-69
  • Minnis Alderman 69-71
  • Jean W. Beale 71-73
  • Bonnie Foard 73-75
  • Carol Mueller 75-77

Continued 1977-2019

  • Janice Benninghove 77-79
  • Mary Alice Mooney 79-81
  • Kay Savenelli 81-83
  • Florence Baird 83-85
  • Iris Turner 85-87
  • Sheryl K. Mayes 87-89
  • Sharon S. Cathey 89-91
  • D. Bee Staheli 91-93
  • Lyn Mobley 93-95
  • Barbara Neuneker 95-97
  • Dena Minton 97-99
  • Linda Morrow 99-01
  • Joyce King 01-03
  • Carole Cole 03-05
  • Dorothy Todd 05-07
  • Marlene Killion 07-09
  • Judy Silker 09-11
  • Gwen Anne Thacker 11-13
  • Karin Randle 13-15
  • Maxine Emm 15-17
  • Susan Capistrant 17-19
  • Cheryl Anderson 19-23

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