About The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International is a professional honorary society of women educators. The Society promotes professional and personal growth of its members and excellence in education.

Established in 1929, Delta Kappa Gamma has attained major objectives in improving opportunities for qualified women employed at every level of education as well as advancing the status of women educators. To this end, the Purposes set forth by the Founders continue to embody the spirit of the Society. The purposes continue to be as valid in today’s contemporary world as when first adopted.

Mission Statement

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.

Delta Kappa Gamma Purposes

• To UNITE women educators of the world in a genuine spiritual fellowship.
• To HONOR women who have given or who evidence a potential for distinctive service in any field of education.
• To ADVANCE the professional interest and position of women in education.
• To INITIATE, ENDORSE, and SUPPORT desireable legislation or other suitable endeavors in the interests of education and of women educators.
• To ENDOW scholarships to aid outstanding women educators in pursuing graduate study and to grant fellowships to women educators from other countries.
• To STIMULATE the personal and professional growth of members and to encourage their participation in appropriate programs of action.
• To INFORM the members of current economic, social, political, and educational issues so that they may participate effectively in world society.

International Founders

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International is an honorary, professional society for outstanding women educators with chapters in all fifty states and 13 other countries. It was founded in Austin, Texas on May 11, 1929, by Dr. Annie Webb Blanton and eleven other Founders who firmly believed that capable women in education should receive positions and salaries commensurate with those of men.

The International Founders were:

• Dr. Annie Webb Blanton
• Mamie Sue Bastien
• Ruby Cole
• Mabel Grizzard
• Dr. Anna Hiss
• Ray King
• Sue King
• Dr. Helen I. Koch
• Ruby Terrill Lomax
• Dr. Cora M. Martin
• Lalla M. Odom
• Lela Lee Williams

International Headquarters & Staff Contact Information

• Mailing Address:
• P.O. Box 1589
• Austin, Texas 78767-1589
• Street Address:
• 416 W. Twelfth Street
• Austin, TX 78701

• Business Hours
• Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. local time.
• Phone:
• 888-762-4685 (Toll free in Canada, U.S.)
• 512-478-5748
• Fax: 512-478-3961
• Fax Communications Department: 512-474-2494
• Web site: www.deltakappagamma.net
• E-mail: society@deltakappagamma.org

Society Insignia

The Emblem

The emblem of the Society is the crest - a red shield surrounded by a laurel wreath of achievement. The lamp of knowledge and the open book of scholarship are united by a band of three Tudor roses signifying friendship, loyalty and helpfulness. The torse of inspiration supports the cup of knowledge surrounded by the laurel wreath of achievement. The colors red and gold represent courage and loyalty.

The Gold Key Pin

The gold key pin is inscribed with the Greek letters Delta Kappa Gamma, signifying key women teachers. The laurel wreath represents achievement. The cup signifies knowledge. The key is to be worn to official functions and meetings of the Society at local, state and international levels, and should always be worn as a pin.

The keypin is the emblem of membership in the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. Members are expected to order the keypin immediately after initiation. The chapter treasurer sends the order form with remittance to Legacy Fine Jewelry Company.

The keypin is worn in a vertical position over the heart; international, state and chapter presidents’ pins are worn directly below the keypin.

A member who resigns or is dropped from membership may return or sell the keypin to the chapter. She is expected to refrain from wearing it if no longer a member. Reclaimed keypins may be given or sold to initiates or to members who have lost theirs, according to chapter policies on the disposition of keypins.

On the death of a member, it is suggested that the keypin and chapter president’s barpin be returned to the chapter.

Official Society jewelry may be displayed on a ribbon.

All members of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International shall be encouraged to wear their keypins on the first Monday of each month to school and/or to any public meeting or on any day designated by their state organizations.

International Standing Rules

1994 Guidelines for Chapter Presidents

The Red Rose, the Candle Flame and the Open Book

Three other Society symbols are the red rose, symbolizing intellectual and spiritual beauty, the candle whose flame pierces ignorance and illumines progress, and the open book containing knowledge and inspiration. These three symbols are present on the initiation table to welcome new members.

Collect

We thank Thee, Heavenly Father, for all the blessings that we have received from Thee. We thank Thee for the beauty of the earth, for the challenge of our work, for the many benefits and joys that have come to us from family, friends, and associates.

As teachers, active and retired, may we keep in mind the noble principles on which Delta Kappa Gamma is founded, striving to make them a part of our daily living. Looking for inspiration and help to the Great Teacher, Jesus Christ, may we seek to impart to the young, with humility and patience and love, the knowledge of the truth that makes men free.