DKG Society International Beta Nu Chapter Celebrates 85th Birthday
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International was founded May 11, 1929 in Austin Texas. It is a professional honorary Society of women educators. The Society promotes professional and personal growth of its members and excellence in education.
The Beta Nu Chapter was organized November 2, 1935, at Marlin, Texas, by Founder and Alpha State Executive Secretary, Dr. Annie Webb Blanton. The chapter was formed from Beta Beta Chapter and was ceded Falls, Milam, Robertson, Leon and Madison Counties as membership territory. Miss Agnes Peyton, Beta Beta member who worked for the formation of the new chapter was Beta Nu’s first President.
Beta Nu’s first chapter meeting after organization was held February 8, 1936, in the Falls Hotel.
Its 85th Birthday Celebration and Orientation Dinner was held on November 2, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. at Eastern Church of Christ, Marlin. Present were President Letitia Estep, Vice President Shirley Wilson, Treasurer Dr. Marlene Zipperlen, Secretary Sheila Lawson, Parliamentarian and Parliamentarian Phyllis Macmillan, member Misty Ehlers, plus Marlin High School educators, Tameka Sumter and Cynthia Derry. In a candle-lighting ceremony led by Vice President Shirley Wilson, the light from our candles reminded members as educators of the responsibilities to lighten the darkness of ignorance and spread knowledge and understanding.
The colors of Delta Kappa Gamma are crimson and gold – red for courage and gold for loyalty to members and to the ideals of the Society. The flower is the red rose, a beautiful creation from nature that reflects beauty of mind and spirit. The colors and flowers were represented in the cupcakes topped with a frosting rose, set in a gold lettered DKG wine glass with a silk rose wound around its base. Cupcakes were made by Misty Ehlers. Dinner was lasagna, rolls, salad, and water or iced tea.
Marlin High School educators, Tameka Sumter and Cynthia Derry, were special invitees to this celebration. They received an orientation to The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International and gained an overview “Pride in the Big Picture,” including the organizational structure of the Society and the responsibilities and benefits of membership. They were invited to take pride in a Society with approximately 90,000 members worldwide. Membership benefits include scholarship and grant opportunities, leadership training, community programs, worldwide projects, conferences, networking contacts, technological opportunities, face-to-face learning, and support from fellow members.
Special music was a sing-along tune, Fall Things in November, sung to the tune of Are You Sleeping?, copies provided by Phyllis MacMillan.
Beta Nu Chapter will continue its projects are conducted throughout the year. They include continued financial support of our member teacher in Africa, apples for teachers’ lounge, books for classrooms or school library, and “Survival Kits, Loot for Learning, or Pick-Me Up bags” for new career educators.
Generous scholarships are available to its members. There are scholarships available for graduate studies, continuing adult education, and educational travel.
Beta Nu Chapter will celebrate Founders’ Day and the presentation of Friend of Education Award.
Members participate in the “Getting to Know You” program,
Benefits of being a member include having FUN in fellowship, Bragging Rights, making crafts such tiles or hands-on paper folding, and playing trivia games.
There will be presentations by a Law Enforcement Officer on Safety for Women, and a Health Professional on Women’s Heath and Current Health Issues.
Spectacular Texas Arts Retreat 2021 and TSO Leadership Seminar applications are available to members. And, members plan to attend the 92nd Texas State Convention in Denton and visit the DKG International Headquarters in Austin.
For members of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International mission and vision are the reasons for the journey. Zeal in personal and professional life is the fire that keeps DKG women going.