Society History

The Delta Kappa Gamma International:

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International is a professional honorary society of women educators who have demonstrated their ability, initiative and dedication or have evidenced a potential for distinctive service in any field of education. The Society promotes professional and personal growth of its members and excellence in education. Delta Kappa Gamma was founded in Austin, Texas on May 11, 1929 with twelve original members.

These 12 Founders were Dr. Annie Webb Blanton, Austin, Texas; Miss Mamie Sue Bastian, Houston, Texas; Miss Ruby Cole, San Antonio, Texas; Miss Mabel Grizzard, Waxahachie, Texas; Dr. Anna Hiss, Austin, Texas; Miss Ray King, Fort Worth, Texas; Miss Sue King, Fort Worth, Texas; Dr. Helen Koch, Austin, Texas; Mrs. Ruby Terrill Lomax, Austin, Texas; Dr. Cora M. Martin, Austin, Texas; Mrs. Lalla M. Odom, Austin, Texas; and Miss Lela Lee Williams, Dallas, Texas. (https://www.dkg.org)

The Founders believed that there was need for an organization in which women educators—rural and urban teachers; preschool, elementary, high school, college, and university teachers; librarians; school administrators; supervisors—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. (https://www.dkg.org)

​Dr. Annie Webb Blanton was the first president. Since its beginning DKG has improved opportunities for qualified women employed at every level of education, and has advanced the status of women educators. Membership is by invitation only and is considered a prestigious honor.

NC DKG:

Eta State was founded on October 27th, 1934 in Raleigh, NC with twelve original members.  The chapter was originally named Eta State because it was the seventh chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International formed in the country and eta is the seventh letter of the Greek alphabet. In 2019 the State Convention delegates adopted the new name of NC DKG.  There are 113 chapters in the state with over 6000 members.

The twelve founding members of the North Carolina Delta Kappa Gamma Society include Miss Nora Beust, Miss Tone Dunn, Miss Ruth Fitzgerald, Miss Marguerite M. Herr, Dr. Hattie Parrott, Dr. Lucille Turner, Dr. Cordelia Camp, Dr. Mildred English, Mrs. Ruby S. Gouge, Miss Sallie B. Marks, Miss Mary Reade Smith, and Miss Nancy Devers. 

​For more information on the history of NC DKG including past states presidents, click here.

Gamma Psi Chapter of The Delta Kappa Gamma International,  North Carolina DKG,  Region IX:

Our chapter of members are associated with Elkin City and Yadkin County School Systems and Surry Community College was chartered on April 6, 1984 in Pilot Mountain, North Carolina as a result of the expansion of the Alpha Theta Chapter in Surry County.  Our chapter is a part of NC DKG, the state organization.

There are currently 55 members in Gamma Psi. 

Charter Members

Virginia Barnett                   Dianne Brendle                       Ester Click                          Brenda Couch                     Gladys Haynie

Eva Hine                             Barbara Holt                            Lou Hutchens                    Carrie Kirkman                    Julia Holthouser Richards

Mary S. Martin                    Mildred Matthews                    Bettie Motsinger                 Evelyn Wright                     Thelma Nixon

Ailene Pardue                     Anita Reece                             Elizabeth Reece                 Carmen Richardson           Mavis Sebastian

Nora Shore                         Effie Lee Speer                        Susan Steelman                 Ruth Thompson                 Lucille Williams

Helen Wishon                     Judith Wolfe