History of Delta Kappa Gamma International, Lambda State, and Nu Chapter
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International was founded in Austin, Texas, May 11, 1929, by Dr. Annie Webb Blanton with eleven women educators: Miss Mamie Sue Bastian, Miss Ruby Cole, Miss Mabel Grizzard, Dr. Anna Hiss, Miss Ray King, Miss Sue King, Dr. Helen Koch, Mrs. Ruby Terrill Lomax, Dr. Cora M. Martin, Mrs. Lalla M. Odom, and Miss Lela Lee Williams. Delta Kappa Gamma combines the initial letters of three Greek words: didascotiki - teachers, kleiduouchi - key, and gynaikes - women. The word "Society" designates the comprehensive international organization of this educational, honor, and professional organization for women. Its mission statement reads: "The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education" and its vision statement reads: “Leading Women Educators Impacting Education Worldwide”. Organization and Size The membership has grown from 12 to 64,000 members in 2199 chapters in 17 countries: Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Guatemala, Iceland, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Panama, Puerto Rico, Sweden, The Netherlands, and the United States of America. The terms “state” and “state organization” designate states, territories, provinces, and comparable political divisions in countries where the Society is organized. State organizations were named by Greek letters in the order of their founding. Lambda State (now Illinois State Organization), founded March 16, 1935, in Chicago, was the 11th state organization. Seventy-eight state organizations (designated by geographic areas or countries by International in 2018) are assigned to five regions: Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, Southwest, and Europe in order that the Society may better serve the membership. Illinois State Organization is one of 21 states in the Northeast region. Sixty-nine chapters from Alpha to Delta Epsilon comprise Illinois State Organization’s 2655 members. Chapters are also named by Greek letters in the order of their installation within the state organization and Nu Chapter (#13), organized January 15, 1938, in Peoria, currently has 29 members.
Membership is extended by invitation to women who evidence the potential for or who have made distinguished contributions and achievements in the field of education and their communities. There are four types of membership: An active member shall be a woman who is or has been employed as a professional educator at the time of her election. An active member shall participate in the activities of the Society. When inducted into the Society, one becomes a member of the international Society in addition to a state organization and/or a chapter. Women accepting the invitation to active membership commit themselves to: financing chapter activities; supporting and participating in programs, projects, and activities of the Society; attending and participating at meetings, workshops, and conventions; accepting opportunities for leadership roles as committee members, chairmen, and officers. Reserve membership is granted only to a member who is unable to participate fully in the activities of the chapter because of a physical disability and/or geographic location. Reserve status shall be granted by a majority vote of the chapter. A reserve member, so requesting, shall be restored to active membership (no vote required) . Reserve members have all the privileges of membership except that of holding office. An honorary member shall be a woman not eligible for active membership who has rendered notable service to education or to women and is elected to honorary membership in recognition of such service. Honorary members are privileged to participate in all activities except that of holding office. A member in good standing may transfer from one unit of the Society to another upon notification to International Headquarters. Should a member choose to resign, she should present a written request, with or without reason, to the president (no vote required). A former member shall be reinstated to membership by the chapter receiving the request (no vote required). Collegiate members are undergraduate (in last two years of degree) and graduate students enrolled in an institution offering an education degree with the intent of continuing academically and professionally in the field of education. When a collegiate member starts her career as a paid educator, she pays active member dues and becomes an active member. Should a collegiate member choose not to pursue a career as an educator, her membership expires upon graduation or withdrawal from the education degree program. Collegiate members may participate in the activities of the Society except holding office.
Lambda State (Illinois) was organized March 16,1935, in Chicago.
Nu Chapter was organized January 15, 1938, in Peoria, Illinois. A slide (power-point) presentation was prepared for the 75th anniversary celebration in January, 2013. Contact Mary Jane Sterling, [email protected], to borrow a hard copy of the anniversary event or to secure an electronic copy.