The ATA News, October 29, 2024 

Not on your own:

International society supports women in the profession for nearly a century

Joan Kabotoff

Past President, DKG Alpha Alberta

What was it like to be a female teacher in the early 1900’s? Well, you would not have been acknowledged as a professional, and everything you did – because you believed in and pursued education – was on your own.

In this context, 12 brave women from Austin, Texas founded the International Society of Women Educators in 1929. Their mandate was to unite women who were in educational roles so that they could be better prepared professionally, they could be recognized for their work, and scholarships could be provided to those who wanted to improve their professional preparation.

Today, the mission of the society continues to be, “To promote professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education”.

Now, nearly 100 years later, the Society includes more than 51,000 women educators in 17 countries, and is the largest professional women’s organization in the world.

The Society’s work

To unite educators and to allow them to discuss common concerns and issues, the Society holds conventions and conferences that are accessible in all member countries. The Canadian conference will be held in July 2025 in Brandon, Manitoba.

In Alberta, the Edmonton area hosts three chapters of the Society, with Calgary hosting one chapter. These local chapters work within the communities to support each other, early educators, schools and school children. Professional and personal development are priorities at our monthly meetings; at the same time, with the struggles teachers face in current times, we see the importance of simply socializing and appreciating each other.

The Society is also a philanthropic force on the international scene, giving millions of dollars each year in scholarships, grants and project support. We offer World Fellowship Scholarships to women who have come to Canada and the United States to pursue advanced degrees despite financial and cultural odds. Several winners of the World Fellowship Scholarship attend the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary, with most of these students engaging in graduate work in the field of health care.

Nationally, we support Canada’s First Artists through the “Art for Aid” and “Sew and Sew” projects. These are programs of “Soaring Circle” (previously known as” I Love First Peoples”), which helps Indigenous youth in communities across Canada succeed through education.

What membership means

The key benefits and opportunities provided to members through the Society follow.

1.  Leadership

Every member is considered a leader. How you choose to lead is up to you, but you will find support locally, provincially, nationally and internationally.

2.  Travel and networking

Having 17 country members in the Society affords networking across the globe. Members can experience other cultures by applying for and being selected as an international speaker, with travel costs paid by the International Speaker Fund. Conferences and conventions are held locally and internationally, and members can attend or present at any location. 

3.  Financial assistance 

Scholarship opportunities are available at all levels (locally, nationally and internationally). Master degree scholarships of $6,000 and doctoral degree scholarships of $10,000 are available. In another vein, emergency funds are available to members should they experience natural disasters.

4.  Recognition

Members are recognized for their accomplishments and achievements, with doctoral recipients being recognized annually. In addition, the Educators Book Award Committee awards $2,500 annually to one woman author or joint authors whose book influences educational direction. Each year, a copy of the winning book has been donated to the ATA Library. This year’s winner is The Teachers: A Year Inside America’s Most Vulnerable Profession by Alexandra Robbins, and will be in the ATA Library shortly.

5.  Advocacy

Becoming a member means you are automatically a member of your National Forum. Your Forum takes on projects an provides professional reports regarding legislation that has implications for teachers, women and children. The Society is an non-governmental organization member of the United Nations.

6.  Publishing

In addition to the many professional journals and bulletins you will receive as a member, the Society offers several opportunities to have your work or articles published. Further, the Fine Arts Gallery displays submissions from members yearly on the Society’s international website.

Getting involved

Our members are leaders and potential leaders. They are able to bring out the best in others. They are authentic. They are responsive to feedback. They are result orientated. They are adaptable. They are conceptual thinkers. They are motivated to make a difference.

Members include collegiate members, active teachers, retired teachers, and others who have shared their knowledge or trained individuals in their job or profession. 

This could be you! 

If you are a leading woman educator (retired or active) wanting to be a part of this international society, please visit the Alberta website at https://sites.google.com/view/dkg-alberta/home or contact Joan Kabotoff (joan.kabotoff@me.com) or Sherrie MacRae (sherrimacrae@gmail.com).

Joan Kabotoff is a retired ECSD teacher/administrator, current Past President of DKG Alpha Alberta and serves on the DKG Alberta Provincial Executive Board. She is presently working as a University Facilitator, University of Alberta, Faculty of Education.