The Full Story
History
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International was founded May 11, 1929, at the Faculty Women’s Club at the University of Texas, Austin, Texas. Alpha Chapter of Alpha State Organization placed a plaque where the Women's Club once stood on campus. Dr. Annie Webb Blanton, member of the faculty of the University of Texas and a former state superintendent of public instruction in Texas, conceived the idea of an organization for women educators. Eleven women educators from Texas, representing various professional positions in education, were initiated by Dr. Blanton. Alpha Chapter was installed on June 3, 1929.
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. (All are deceased.)
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.
Dr. Annie Webb
Annie Webb Blanton, born on August 19, 1870, in Houston, Texas, began her teaching career in a one-room school before earning a degree from the University of Texas. She was the first woman elected president of the Texas State Teachers Association in 1916 and the first woman elected to a public office in Texas in 1918. Blanton contributed to the founding and expansion of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, which grew to 35 states and 80 chapters by 1941.
Founders
The Founders recognized the need for an organization that would unite women educators from various backgrounds—rural and urban teachers, preschool to university instructors, librarians, school administrators, and supervisors. This organization would focus on enhancing professional development, acknowledging women's contributions to the teaching profession, and providing scholarships for those needing assistance to further their professional training.
