IOTA CHAPTER, GOLDSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA
History of the Iota Chapter
Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
(taken from previous accounts)
January 1941 saw the birth of the Iota Chapter just nine years after Eta State was organized. A ceremony of organization occurred on January 25, 1941, at a luncheon in the Hotel Goldsboro. Ms. Hattie Parrott, Eta State President, conducted the ceremony. Iota Chapter was officially chartered on January 29, 1941.
Charter members included Mrs. Olivia Bullock, Miss Allie Freeman, Miss Mary Moore, Miss Lissie Pearce, Miss Mary Thompson, Miss Louise Dowtin, Miss Eleanor Kornegay, Mrs. Gussie Parker, Miss Etta Sledge, Mrs. Edwina Wells, Mrs. Rosalind White, and Mrs. Ethel Williams Twiford.
The following served as the first officers for the chapter: Mary Moore, President; Allie Freeman, first vice president; Edwina Wells, second vice president; Lissie Pearce, recording secretary; Etta Sledge, corresponding secretary; Louise Dowtin, treasurer; and Rosalind White, parliamentarian.
In its first year, Iota Chapter studied the handbook and acquainted members with the state organization’s aims and practices. In its second year, the chapter bought all the equipment for initiation services. Minutes from 1942-43 indicate a birthday luncheon in January, dinner meetings in March and May, a reception for initiates, a program dealing with “Women in War,” a political effort to kill a bill which would have lowered the age limit of children entering first grade, and programs on the merit system of certification of teachers. Members also gathered material about Pioneer Women Teachers of the area.
Eventually Iota “mothered” Omicron Chapter in Wilson on April 14, 1945. Iota hosted the 1947 Eta State Convention which 150 members state-wide attended. In 1946-47, Iota
collected hard-to-find items to send to American Teachers in Europe and encouraged teacher recruitment among high school seniors who spent one day assisting elementary
teachers.
In March 1956, Iota sponsored Alpha Eta Chapter for Duplin and Sampson counties. The chapter handbook for 1953-54 shows 40 members, and membership increased to 62
members the next year.
As numbers grew, in 1968, thirty-four Iota members established a new chapter, Beta Lambda. In 1970-71, Iota developed a plan of action for improved library facilities in the county and in 1972 established Friends of the Library.
Iota also helped establish a third area chapter, Delta Lambda.
Early activities included the sponsorship of teas for new teachers, the support of student teachers, the hosting of regional meetings, studies regarding the teacher shortage,
participation in legislative activity, and other involvement at the state level.
Today, current members continue to be inspired by these exemplars of the past. Iota Chapter sponsors teacher scholarships, improves conditions in the community, and engages in learning through programs at its meetings.
Iota members, past and present, who value their calling, work toward improvement of education, and honor fellow community.