About DKG & the NC Beta Chapter
In June of 1929, Dr. Annie Webb Blanton, a faculty member at the University of Texas, and former State Superintendent in Texas, saw a 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. With the help of eleven other women, the Delta Kappa Gamma Society was formed.
Seven years later, DKG had expanded to six other states, including North Carolina. On October 27, 1934, a group of women gathered from the central coastal plain and piedmont of NC to learn about the organization and to move forward in forming the first two DKG chapters in the State of North Carolina. Eighteen months later, the two groups were ready to be initiated into the organization. At a luncheon on April 17, 1936, both groups had their formal initiation ceremonies at the Cotton Hotel in Greensboro. We are told that the two presidents flipped a coin. The Greensboro group won, so they were inducted before the luncheon and received the name, Alpha Chapter of North Carolina. Since our chapter lost the coin toss, our first members were initiated following the luncheon and received the name, Beta Chapter of Eta State.
Today, our membership averages 30 active members each year. We are among approximately 90,000 international members from 18 countries, including nearly 4,800 members in North Carolina.
We are practicing and retired educators, representing a wide variety of career experiences, from elementary through graduate school, as well as school administrators, and NC Department of Public Instruction professionals. Beta Chapter members can apply for scholarships and grants, attend workshops and conferences, and enjoy the opportunity to network with women who share their commitment to excellence in their profession.
If you are a woman in the education profession, and would like to attend one of our meetings, please contact us. Click here
List of DKG Beta Chapter Presidents, 1937-present - Click here
Beta Chapter's 85th Anniversary Presentation - A brief history by Betsy Beals 2018-20 Chapter President
News & Observer Article referencing NC DKG & Beta Chapter's charter member, Miss Hattie Parrott
