Chapter History

History of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society was founded on May 11, 1929, at The University of Texas in Austin, Texas, by Dr. Annie Webb Blanton. Dr. Blanton conceived the idea of an organization for women educators. The founding group of twelve women educators represented a cross-section of the teaching profession. There were a grade school teacher, a dean of women, three high school teachers, three elementary school principals, and four college professors. The first chapter, Alpha Chapter, was installed on June 3, 1929. The Founders believed that there was need of an organization in which women educators might be united for efforts toward better professional preparation, recognition of women's work in the teaching profession, and scholarships for those needing aid in improving their professional preparation.

The Society now also works for World Fellowship to promote educating women in other countries. They are also a Non-Governmental Organization affiliated with the United Nations. This helps encourage members to promote Schools for Africa through UNICEF and gives us additional resources on a global scale.

History of Eta State (as of April 2019 now NC DKG)

Twelve women educators in Austin,Texas, founded the Delta Kappa Gamma Society in 1929. Texas assumed the designation of Alpha State. On October 27, 1934, North Carolina became the seventh state to join the organization and thus was given the seventh letter of the Greek Alphabet, Eta (pronounced a-ta). North Carolina membership is over 6,000 with 113 Eta State Chapters. Eta State complies with the constitution of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International but has its own Bylaws. Some of the distinguishing features of Eta State are:

1. Eta State conducts workshops to provide leadership training for women educators

a. For Eta State elected officers and new state committee chairman (in odd-numbered years)

b. For designated new chapter officers and committee chairmen (in even-numbered years)

c. For the general membership (in odd-numbered years and other times)

​2. The interest from Eta State's scholarship fund, combined with the assessed scholarship fees and contributions, makes it possible to award at least one but often two, three, or even four $4000 scholarships annually to members enrolled in graduate studies.

As of April, 2019 Eta State became NC DKG.

History of Gamma Chapter

Gamma Chapter, the third chapter in North Carolina, was organized on April 25, 1936, by Dr. Cordelia Camp and Miss Mary Reade Smith, both of whom were state founders. Historical records show that three of the twelve state founder served as presidents of Gamma Chapter and three others were also members of Gamma. It is interesting to note that two other chapter were organized that same month: Alpha Chapter in Greensboro and Beta Chapter in Raleigh on April 17, followed very closely by Gamma on April 25. From 1936 until 1957 Gamma Chapter's territory extended from Marion west to the Tennessee line, and north and south to Virginia and to South Carolina. In the years 1957, 1958, and 1959 three other chapters were organized to serve all of the state's western counties, leaving Gamma to serve the counties of Buncombe and Madison. Gamma Chapter continued to grow so rapidly with 93 members that five years later, Gamma was encouraged by the state organization to divide once again. For friendship and fellowship reasons, Gamma chose not to divide by county, but rather to form two additional chapter, Alpha Chi and Alpha Phi. Gamma is the parent of five other chapters and grandparent of at least three others, which are inclusive of all of Region XI.

In 2016 we celebrated our 80th year. Our programs each year focus on excellence in education: informing members about issues in social and political areas that affect education, improving our environment, encouraging and mentoring new teachers, promoting the arts, and stimulating personal and professional growth of our members.